Wales v Japan Tips

Wales will win this match, but my analysis is focused on the margin. They are not in a position to dominate any team, let alone one that beat them four months ago.

Japan’s creativity in phase play and rapid ball circulation can catch even structured defenses flat-footed. They’ve shown increasing efficiency in finishing half-chances, and when their tempo clicks, they overwhelm slower transitions. A bold but feasible upset if they dictate pace and minimize handling errors.

The combination of wet, windy weather, a slippery ball, and two attacks that are not firing on all cylinders (Wales rebuilding, Japan fatigued) points to a game dominated by penalty kicks and grinding forward play.