Ayase Ueda scored twice as Japan thrashed Tunisia to win 4-0 at the World Cup – a victory that sends the Asian giants very close to the knockout stages.
Hajime Moriyasu could smile after the game. His team did not let themselves be affected by the chaos around their opponent, and instead of being dragged down into Tunisia’s incapacitation, the Japanese delivered one of the tournament’s most convincing performances so far.
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Tunisia came to the match in crisis. After losing 5-1 to Sweden, coach Sabri Lamouchi was fired, and in came Hervé Renard at short notice. But even the experienced Frenchman couldn’t turn the ship around.
Ayase Ueda knocked in two goals, while Junya Ito and Daichi Kamada also scored – and Japan could finally celebrate a comfortable 4-0 win that sends them straight to the top of the group.
Moriyasu: “We focused on ourselves”
“We didn’t know exactly what the opponents would do, but we didn’t focus too much on them. Instead, we prepared well for what we wanted to do, and played aggressively,” Moriyasu told DAZN after the game.
And aggressive it was. Japan controlled the game from start to finish, giving the Tunisians barely a chance to breathe.
The Asian stars are now in second place in Group F, and with one point against Sweden in the last group game, advancement is assured.
Renard: “A tough night for Tunisia”
For Tunisia, the evening was a nightmare. The team failed to create a single shot on goal, and had only 37.9 percent possession in one of the tournament’s most one-sided games.
Now they are at the very bottom of the group, and advancement is impossible.
“It’s not the performance we hoped for. The result is heavy, but it reflects the difference between the two teams tonight,” said a dejected Renard.
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Now the Netherlands awaits in the last game – a team that themselves crushed Sweden the day before.
“It’s important to get ready to fight in the third game against the Netherlands. It’s never easy after two losses in two games, but we have to take responsibility and be professional until the very end,” Renard added.
While Tunisia will have to pick up the pieces, Japan can start dreaming of a knockout game. Moriyasu has built a team that not only wins – but does so with authority.
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