Mayes Yousef
Japan take on 2010 World Cup champions Spain, in a Group E fixture, later tonight at Khalifa International Stadium.
Japan have been an unpredictable team in the tournament so far. They surprisingly beat Germany in their first match but then went on to lose to Costa Rica, who they were expected, by many, to beat.
This is an all-or-nothing match for Japan, who must beat Spain if they are to secure their spot in the last 16. They could still progress with a draw, but this outcome would depend on the result in the group’s other game, between Germany and Costa Rica.
Spain will inevitably qualify with either a draw or a win. But if they lose and the other simultaneous game ends in a win for either Germany or Costa Rica, then Spain will not qualify for the knock-out stage.
The two teams met once in a 2001 friendly, the only time they’ve played each other. Spain went on to win the match 1-0.
The teams that advance from Group E will play either Morocco, Belgium, or Croatia in the next round.
Kick-off is at 22:00 Doha time.
Japan line-up: Gonda, Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi, Ito, Morita, Tanaka, Nagamoto, Kamada, Maeda, Kubo
Spain line-up: Simon, Balde, Torres, Rodri, Azpilicueta, Pedri, Busquets, Gavi, Olmo, Williams, Morata