With both sides having already qualified for January's finals, the encounter has little significance other than serving as a useful warm-up for the Japanese with this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa rapidly approaching.

"Whenever we've played Bahrain, it's always been one goal that has decided the result. It won't be an easy game this time round again," Okada said.

"But we'd like to get it done while showing what we've worked on.

"This is our last chance to call up our Europe-based players. I want to see how they can blend with the rest of the team," he added.

"Each of them has their strong points. I want them to show that for the national team."

Bahrain coach Milan Macala will use the clash as part of the country's build up to the Gulf Cup in November and next year's Asian Cup.

"From this point, we start preparation for two important competitions in the future - the Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup in Qatar," he said.

"For both of us, myself and Japanese coach, this is a good preparation for different competitions."

Hong Kong entertain Yemen in the group's other game at Hong Kong Stadium with home coach Kim Pan Gon using the clash to help shape the team's international future.

"Unfortunately we cannot qualify. We've decided to give our younger players a chance to gain experience from the game. We want to develop our football for the future," he said.

"We want our players to play well, to gain confidence and experience from the game. We will have many new faces in the squad."

Opposite number Srecko Juricic, meanwhile, is eager for Yemen to maintain their steady improvement on their travels after impressive home wins against tomorrow night's opponents and fellow Gulf side Bahrain, as well as giving Japan an almighty scare last time out.

"I'm very curious to see how we perform outside of our country and when we are the favourites, so it will be interesting for me to see that," said the Croat.

"Every game we want to try and win and that is the case with this one.

"It's not going to be easy but we need to continue our improvement, we've played well in the last three or four matches and I hope that can continue.

"It's important that we play well. We have a new team and many good, young players and they need international experience.

"I would now like to see our team play well away from home."