“Our biggest challenge will be the heat, especially as most of the Japanese players play in Europe, where it is already getting cold,’ said Moriyasu.

“The temperature in Saudi Arabia will be over 30 degrees, making for a physically tough match for the players, so we need to prepare ourselves to perform at our best in these conditions. 

“We put up a good fight away to Saudi Arabia in the previous qualifiers but conceded the decisive goal through a single mistake. We are ready to take on new challenges, but we will also be preparing tactically to ensure we do not make any costly mistakes.”

The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Japan, having lost their last two matches there - 1-0 in 2017 and 2021, both in FIFA World Cup qualification matches.

Of the 27 players called up, Moriyasu retained 24 players who beat China PR 7-0 and Bahrain 5-0 in the opening two matches in September with 28-year-old Yuko Ohashi from Blackburn Rovers the only newcomer in the squad who gets his first national call-up.

A late winner from Hassan Kadish helped Saudi Arabia to a 2-1 win against China PR in their last match, improving confidence in the team after a sluggish start that saw them draw 1-1 with Indonesia at home.

Head coach Roberto Mancini will not have the services of Mohamed Kanno who serves a one-match suspension following his red card against China PR while Sultan Al Ghannam is also unavailable after picking up an injury during Al Nassr’s match against Al Orobah on Saturday.

The Italian has included midfielders Hamed Al-Ghamdi (Al Ittihad) and Ali Al-Asmari (Al Ahli Saudi FC) into the squad, first time both have been involved with the national team since 2021 as Mancini seeks to make it two wins in a row and take pole position in the group.

Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)

Kick-off: 21:00 (UTC+3)