*This content was translated by AI.
Hajime Moriyasu (58), head coach of the Japanese national football team, shared his thoughts after defeating Tunisia.
On the 21st (Korea time), Japan secured a 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Group F second-round match held at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico.
After drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in the first match, Japan's win today placed them second in the group with one win and one draw (four points). A draw against Sweden in the upcoming third match would be enough to secure second place in the group and advance to the Round of 32. Moreover, Japan achieved the remarkable feat of scoring four goals in a single World Cup match, the first time an Asian nation has done so.
In the first half, four minutes in, Keito Nakamura's cutback from the left side of the penalty box was finished by Daichi Kamada with a sensational shot, giving Japan an early lead. Then, in the 31st minute of the first half, Ayase Ueda received a forward pass from Koji Itakura during a counterattack and scored with a sharp right-footed mid-range shot, widening the gap.
Japan did not slacken their offensive pressure in the second half. In the 24th minute of the second half, Junya Ito, receiving a pass from Ueda, scored with a right-footed wedge shot, crushing Tunisia's hopes of a comeback. In the 38th minute of the second half, Ueda completed his brace, sealing the 4-0 victory. Japan completely dominated Tunisia, allowing not even a single shot on target.
Today's match marked the 1st,000th game in the history of the Japanese national team. According to "Football Zone Japan," Coach Moriyasu, in a post-match press conference, expressed his joy over the historic victory, stating, "The whole world watched our match, and I am happy that we could end it with a win."
Earlier, Tunisia suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Sweden in their first match, leading to the immediate dismissal of head coach Sabri Lamouchi. On the 16th, they took the bold step of appointing Hervé Renard as their new head coach. Even in a situation where Japan could not predict Tunisia's tactics, Coach Moriyasu's strategy and the players' flawless performance led them to victory.
Coach Moriyasu praised the staff and players for their adaptability, saying, "We had no idea what tactics they would use, but the coaching staff effectively instilled a play model in the players, and the players prepared well." The play model refers to specific tactical guidelines that detail how the entire team should move in response to various situations that may arise on the field. He further commended his teammates, stating, "Despite unpredictable circumstances, they remained steady and did their best to secure the result."
He also expressed gratitude to the fans who filled the stadium. Coach Moriyasu said, "I am grateful to the supporters who provided immense support from the national anthem throughout the match. Not only Japanese fans but also locals in Mexico joined in, creating a massive 'Japan-wide choir.'"
Finally, Coach Moriyasu said, "I hope this great victory will bring energy not only to Japan but also to Japanese people working hard in countries around the world. I expect that starting from today's win, football will ignite passion across all of Japan."
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*This content was translated by AI.
