japan 4 | 0 tunisia
Monterrey, June 21: Japan moved one step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time after pummeling Tunisia 4-0 in Group F, securing a milestone victory in the tournament’s 1,000th men’s match.
Japan’s four goals were the most the Samurai Blue have ever scored in a World Cup game, as it comfortably dismantled a Tunisia side that became the first to ever fire its coach after the opening match.Ayase Ueda scored twice, along with Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito to put Japan level with the Netherlands on four points. The Dutch are currently on top of the group due to having scored one more goal than Japan across its two matches.Even after leading 2-0 just over half an hour into the match, Japan continued to apply pressure to a disjointed Tunisian defense.
“If we are able to get as many goals as possible, that would give the team confidence,” said Hajime Moriyasu, the first head coach to lead Japan at consecutive World Cups.
“That is something we would definitely want to repeat against Sweden.” The loss for Tunisia means it is eliminated from the tournament. Japan is guaranteed at least third in the group, which could be enough to advance to the knockout stages.
Tunisia appointed two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Herve Renard to try and rescue the Eagles of Carthage after its humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden, but the North African nation could not contain Japan’s speedy attack nor create any clear chances of their own.
“It is important to get ready to fight for this third game against the Netherlands,” Renard said.
“It’s never easy after two losses in two games, but we must take our responsibilities and be professionals to the very end.”
Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the fastest in Japan’s World Cup history. (AP)
