MONTERREY, Mexico : Ayase Ueda scored twice as Japan marked the 1,000th match in World Cup history with a dominant 4-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, securing their first win of the tournament and eliminating the North Africans from Group F.
After drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in their opening game, Hajime Moriyasu’s side took control early and never looked back, overwhelming Tunisia with their pressing, movement and attacking intent.
Japan opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Keito Nakamura’s cutback found Daichi Kamada, who finished calmly after a sweeping team move.
Tunisia, thrashed 5-1 by Sweden in their opener and led by new coach Herve Renard, struggled to contain Japan’s intensity and were fortunate not to fall further behind soon after. Dylan Bronn diverted a dangerous low cross away from Kamada in the 11th minute, and goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen then produced a fine save from the resulting corner, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had not crossed the line.
Japan continued to dominate possession and territory, pinning Tunisia deep inside their own half.
Their pressure was rewarded again in the 31st minute when Ueda advanced to the edge of the area and drilled a low shot into the far corner to double the lead.
“I was disappointed in the last tournament, so I feel like I’ve finally been able to redeem myself,” Ueda told Japanese media.
“We managed to get one point in a tough first match, so we needed three points today to build on that. I’m very happy I was able to contribute.”
Tunisia offered little attacking threat after the break and Japan effectively sealed the result in the 69th minute. Kamada split the defence with a precise pass and Junya Ito raced through before finishing low past Dahmen.
Ueda completed the rout six minutes from time, rising to meet Kaishu Sano’s clipped cross and steering a header into the top corner.
The fourth goal made Japan the first Asian side to score four goals in a World Cup match.
With midfielder Takefusa Kubo unavailable, Moriyasu relied on Kamada and Ito to provide creativity, and both delivered impressive performances.
“I wanted Kamada to play as a shadow striker tonight,” Moriyasu told reporters.
“I thought that would bring out the best in him, and it worked because he scored a goal. He wasn’t just a focal point. He got into the final third and gave strong momentum to the team.”
The victory moved Japan level with the Netherlands on four points after the Dutch beat Sweden 5-1 earlier on Saturday.
Tunisia, meanwhile, became the third team eliminated from the tournament after Haiti and Turkey.
