"Netherlands, move aside!" Japan joins the race for top spot in Group F, crushing Tunisia 4-0 for its first World Cup victory... also ending a six-game losing streak for Asian teams

*This content was translated by AI.

Japan, "the rival of Korean football," secured its first World Cup win with explosive attacking power.

On the 21st (Korea time), Japan defeated Tunisia 4-0 in a decisive victory during the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Group F, held at the Monterrey Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico.

In this tournament, Japan was drawn into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. In the first match, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands. Trailing 1-2, "veteran midfielder" Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) scored a dramatic equalizer in the 43rd minute of the second half. It was a decent start, as Japan managed to secure points against the "title favorite" Netherlands. In the second match, Japan delivered a dominant victory over Tunisia and claimed its first win.

As a result, Japan recorded one win and one draw (4 points). The Netherlands, also with 4 points, crushed Sweden 5-1 on the same day. The Netherlands took the top spot in the group based on goal difference, while Japan secured second place. Although the Netherlands' dominant win made Japan's race for first place appear difficult, Japan also overcame Tunisia by a large margin and continued its challenge for the top spot.

Furthermore, Japan's victory ended a six-game losing streak for Asian teams in the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup. Asian teams started the tournament well with two wins and four draws, but subsequently suffered six consecutive defeats, falling into a difficult slump. Previously, the South Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, also lost 0-1 to Mexico in the second match. However, thanks to Japan's win, Asian teams now recorded three wins, four draws, and six losses in this tournament.

In Group F, Sweden sat in third place with one win and one loss (3 points), while Tunisia remained in last place with two losses and zero points (0 points). Tunisia has also been officially eliminated from the group stage.

Tunisia had previously lost heavily to Sweden 1-5 in the first match. Even if Tunisia wins its third match against the Netherlands to finish with one win and two losses, it would still trail the Netherlands in points. In the competition with Sweden, Tunisia cannot overturn the situation due to the head-to-head rule. Previously, the Tunisian Football Federation dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi after the heavy defeat in the first match and appointed Hervé Renard, who had once been mentioned as a candidate for the South Korean national team coaching position, as the new head coach. However, this gamble failed.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu deployed a 3-4-3 formation. Centered on "Netherlands League Top Scorer" Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), the front three consisted of Kai Shono (Mainz), Junya Ito (KRC Genk). Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims) and Ritsu Doan (Freiburg) played as wing-backs on both flanks. Kamada and Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) orchestrated the midfield, while Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Takuya Itakura, and Takehiro Tomiyasu formed a back three. Goalkeeper Jayson Suzuki (Parma) guarded the net.

Tunisia, under coach Renard, countered with a 3-4-2-1 formation. Hannibal Mejbri, a product of Manchester United's youth academy, started as an attacking midfielder for Burnley.

Japan showcased fierce attacking power from the start. They scored the opening goal within just four minutes of the first half. Kamada, who scored a dramatic equalizer in the first match, once again emerged as the hero. Left wing-back Nakamura successfully broke through on the left flank and passed the ball toward the goal. Kamada, positioned in front of the goal, calmly pushed the ball into the net.

Japan continued to relentlessly press Tunisia. In the sixth minute of the first half, Ueda, the leading striker, attempted a left-footed volley from a difficult position after receiving a lobbed pass, but the ball went over the crossbar.

In the ninth minute of the first half, Ueda's intense pressure paid off. Ueda won the ball inside the opponent's penalty area and delivered a decisive pass to Kamada on the opposite side. However, Tunisian center-back Dylan Bronn (Servette) leaped to clear the ball just before it reached Kamada.

In the tenth minute of the first half, Japan created another near-goal opportunity. Ueda's shot hit the defensive line and deflected toward the goal, but Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen (Spaxien) made a superb save, clearing the ball just before it crossed the goal line. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review confirmed that Ueda's shot was separated from the line by merely "the thickness of a perilla leaf." Tomiyasu's subsequent shot was also blocked by Dahmen.

After persistently pressing, Japan eventually scored another goal. In the 31st minute of the first half, Ueda unleashed a powerful long-range shot from near the right side of the penalty area, opening the Tunisian goal. Japan, which had shaken the opponent's defense with early pressure and quick transitions, took control of the match by scoring two goals in the first half alone.

Unable to find a turning point, Tunisia made three substitutions early in the second half. However, the momentum did not change. Instead, Japan scored its third goal. In the 24th minute of the second half, Japan dismantled the Tunisian defense with a spectacular passing play. Following Ueda's one-touch pass, Junya Ito overcame the defensive pressure and calmly shot the ball past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation, finding the back of the net.

Japan, maintaining its strong momentum, scored a fourth goal in the 38th minute of the second half. Ueda connected a slightly high cross with a header shot from a difficult position, sending the ball into the net. With this, Ueda scored a brace and stood at the center of Japan's dominant victory.

Subsequently, Japan introduced young players to gain experience on the world stage while simultaneously recalling key starters to prepare for the third match. Following a draw against the Netherlands in the first match and a dominant victory over Tunisia in the second match, this was the best possible result for Japan, signaling hope for a qualification battle for the Round of 16.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.