Six titles, one match
The last time Japan and Qatar met with a trophy at stake, Qatar won it. That was the 2019 final, which finished 3-1, and it was the first of the two titles Qatar have now taken. Japan have four, from 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011.
Between them these two teams hold six Asian Cup titles. No other group at this tournament has more than four, and the fixture that closes Group F is therefore the heaviest single match of the group stage on paper, played simultaneously with Thailand against Indonesia in Jeddah.
What it decides depends on the first two rounds, but the shape is straightforward: one of these sides is likely to top the group and one to finish second, and second place means a round of 16 tie against a group winner rather than a third-placed qualifier. It is the difference between two very different knockout draws.
Qatar 
Thailand
Japan 
Indonesia