Japan celebrated the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history in style on Saturday, cruising to a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia to strengthen their bid for a place in the knockout stages.
Ayase Ueda scored twice, while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also found the net as the Blue Samurai moved level with the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.
The defeat ended Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the last 32 after they had already suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening match.
Japan, who drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their first Group F fixture, dominated proceedings from start to finish at Monterrey Stadium.
The match marked the first game in charge for Tunisia’s new coach, Hervé Renard, who was appointed after Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed following the team’s opening-round defeat. However, Renard’s side struggled to cope with Japan’s superior movement, passing and attacking quality.
Japan made the perfect start, taking the lead in the fourth minute when Kamada finished from close range after a well-worked move involving Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.
The Asian side nearly doubled their advantage moments later, but Dylan Bronn produced a crucial goal-line clearance to keep Tunisia in the contest. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was also called into action repeatedly, making a series of saves to prevent further damage.
Japan’s second goal arrived in the 31st minute when Ueda capitalised on hesitant defending, driving forward before firing a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
The Blue Samurai maintained their dominance after the break and extended their lead in the 69th minute. Ito raced onto a perfectly weighted through ball and calmly slotted home to make it 3-0.
Ueda completed his brace seven minutes from time, rising highest to guide a looping header into the net and seal an emphatic victory.
The result leaves Japan firmly on course for a place in the knockout rounds, while Tunisia become one of the first teams eliminated from the tournament.
AFP
