Preview: Japan vs. Egypt

Japan, who topped Group D, face Egypt at Old Trafford on Saturday with a place in the last four of the Olympics at stake.

The Blue Samurai surprised Spain to finish top of Group D in qualifying, while Egypt finished second in Group C to set up the quarter-final clash.

Japan's last appearance in an Olympic quarter-final was in 2000, while they picked up a bronze medal in 1968 after defeating Mexico.

Meanwhile, Egypt have not qualified for the Olympics since 1992 - when they were sent packing in the first round - while the last time they reached this stage was in 1984.

Japan are expected to stick with the same side that drew with Honduras in the last round. However, Egypt must replace key duo Mohamed Aboutrika and Emad Moteab, who will return to their club side Al Alhy for African Champions League duty.

Possible lineups:

Japan: Gonda; Muramatsu, Sakai, Yoshida, Suzuki; Otsu, Yamamurt, Usami, Yamaguchi; Sugimoto, Saito

Egypt: El-Shenawy; Fathi, Fathy, Hegazy, Ramadan; Gaber, Hassan, Gomaa, El-Nenny; Salah, Mohsen

Sports Mole says: 2-1