Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi confident ahead of clash against Japan

Bahrain has “high morale” heading into its last-16 clash against Japan at the Asian Cup in Qatar, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi said Thursday.

The Middle Eastern side booked its meeting with the four-time Asian champion by winning Group E with a 1-0 victory over Jordan.

Group D runner-up Japan had been on course for a showdown with archrival South Korea until Jurgen Klinsmann’s team conceded a late equalizer to draw 3-3 with Malaysia in their Group E finale.