Shock defeat for Japan

Japan coach Takeshi Okada tore into his side after their shock 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Bahrain, describing the loss as a "nightmare scenario." Ala'a Hubail's 77th-minute header gave Bahrain an upset victory in Wednesday's game in Manama,...

Japan coach Takeshi Okada tore into his side after their shock 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Bahrain, describing the loss as a "nightmare scenario."

Ala'a Hubail's 77th-minute header gave Bahrain an upset victory in Wednesday's game in Manama, sending the home side top of Group Two and leaving Japan three points off the pace.

"It's the nightmare scenario," fumed Okada.

"It's an extremely disappointing result. We were sloppy and we took our foot off at the end."

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