Japan coach criticizes Bahrain fans during World Cup qualifier

During a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday at Bahrain's National Stadium, Japan's national team secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Bahrain. The match was marred by unsportsmanlike behavior from some Bahrain fans, who aimed laser pointers at Japanese players and booed the Japanese national anthem. Japan's coach, Hajime Moriyasu, expressed his frustration over these actions, emphasizing the need for respect during national anthems and fair play from fans. Despite the distractions, striker Ayase Ueda successfully converted a penalty, contributing to Japan's commanding win. Moriyasu acknowledged that while different cultures have varying practices, he hoped for an end to the booing and attempts to distract players, which he deemed potentially harmful. Ueda's penalty opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Ueda and additional contributions from Hidemasa Morita and Koki Ogawa, showcasing Japan's offensive prowess. The victory placed Japan at the top of Group C in the Asian qualifying round, two points ahead of Saudi Arabia. Looking ahead, Japan's next matches include an away game against Saudi Arabia on October 10 and a home match against Australia five days later. Moriyasu downplayed suggestions that the match was easy, noting that Bahrain had opportunities to score and that Japan had to navigate a challenging first half. The coach's comments reflect a commitment to sportsmanship and the importance of maintaining a respectful atmosphere during international competitions. Overall, the match highlighted Japan's strong performance in the qualifiers while also bringing attention to the need for improved fan behavior in international sports settings.