World Cup: Japan Aiming to Avoid a Letdown Against Tunisia

Selected for his fifth FIFA World Cup in 2026, Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo can draw upon his past experiences in soccer's biggest competition.

Therefore, the 39-year-old can caution his Samurai Blue teammates to maintain their intensity and focus throughout their next match against Group F foe Tunisia on Saturday, June 20 (1 PM JST on Sunday) in Monterrey, Mexico. He told reporters that playing with "a sense of urgency" is important.

Japan now faces a similar situation to what it experienced at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In their group stage opener Samurai Blue manager Hajime Moriyasu's men trailed 1-0 at halftime against Germany, then rallied for a 2-1 triumph.

Days later, world No 31 Costa Rica, coming off a 7-0 defeat to Spain, rebounded with a 1-0 upset win over 24th-ranked Japan.

Fast forward to 2026. On June 14, in Arlington, Texas, a fortuitous deflection led to Japan's match-tying goal in the 89th minute against the Netherlands in the teams' World Cup opener. Koki Ogawa's header bounced off teammate Daichi Kamada's head, then the ball sailed into the net as Japan earned a 2-2 draw.

The match was an emotional roller coaster, with the Samurai Blue trailing 1-0 and 2-0 and leveling the score twice to pick up one point for the tie.

"We were aiming to get three points, not one," Moriyasu said, according to Reuters. "So [from] that point of view, of course it was a little bit disappointing."

A Letdown in 2022 World Cup Against Costa Rica

As Japan made preparations for its weekend showdown with Tunisia, Nagatomo recalled what happened four years ago in Qatar.

"There was expectedly a sense of relief [in 2022] after beating Germany and that is something that we can never allow to happen again," Nagatomo said on Monday, June 15, according to Kyodo News, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Like Costa Rica four years ago, Tunisia enters its match against Japan after a lopsided loss, falling 5-1 to Sweden on June 14. Sabri Lamouchi was relieved of his managerial duties after the match, and Herve Renard is Tunisia's new boss.

Looking ahead to the Japan-Tunisia match, Nagatomo noted that his team has to be prepared for the unexpected.

"We don't know what kind of football [Tunisia] will come up with after they change their manager," Nagatomo was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

He added, "We could be caught off guard if we don't pull ourselves together, and we have to have a sense of urgency."

Veteran defender Ko Itakura, who was appointed Japan captain after Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad due to a foot injury before the World Cup, said cohesive play will be key against Tunisia.

"What's really important now is how we approach the game, making sure we are on the same page," Itakura said, according to Kydo News.

Kubo Sidelined with Knee Injury

Samurai Blue midfielder Takefusa Kubo, who started against the Netherlands, exited the match after colliding with Denzel Dumfries while vying for the ball in the 75th minute.

Kubo has had an MRI on his left knee. It was confirmed on Monday that he sustained an injury, various media outlets reported.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad, didn't participate in Japan's practice on Wednesday. And he remained at the team's training headquarters in Nashville while the team traveled to Mexico for the weekend match.

Kubo is a speedy offensive catalyst up front, igniting scoring opportunities for the Samurai Blue.

Keito Nakamura, who scored Japan's first goal against the Netherlands, commented on Kubo's upcoming absence against Tunisia during a training session on Thursday.

"I wonder what will happen to our chances in two days' time without his ideas, his creativity, that special something from him," Nakamura said of Kubo, according to Kyodo News.

"We'll all be carrying his thoughts during the match. He's not leaving the squad or anything and just missing the match in two days' time. I'm sure he'll be back again and I'm not worried at all."

Tunisia Looks to Rebound

After switching managers and shifting their focus from Sweden to Japan, world No 54 Tunisia returned to practice this week.

Renard, who guided Saudi Arabia to a shock 2-1 group-stage win over eventual champion Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, gave the Tunisian players a pep talk before his first practice in charge on Tuesday.

"I've told them they have to keep their heads up, you're here to represent your country," the Frenchman was quoted as saying by The Associated Press in Monterrey.

Reflecting on his personal ambition as a manager, Renard added: "It's a World Cup. I know the passion around this event. That's what motivated me to come, and it's a challenge, which isn't easy."

Renard called 17th-ranked Japan "the best team in Asia."

2002 World Cup Showdown

In Osaka, 2002 World Cup co-host Japan faced Tunisia on June 14 in a Group H fixture.

Entering the match, Japan had earned a draw (2-2 versus Belgium) and a win (1-0 over Russia).

Tunisia, on the other hand, lost 2-0 to Russia and settled for a 1-1 draw with Belgium before taking on the Samurai Blue.

Against Tunisia, Japan's Hiroaki Morishima scored the first goal in the 48th minute, and Hidetoshi Nakata added the second in the 75th. Final score: 2-0.

Did You Know?

In 2022, Tunisia beat Japan 3-0 in the Kirin Cup final. A year later, the Samurai Blue avenged that loss with a 2-0 win over the North African squad.

A Manager's Perspective

“We were trailing ⁠behind a very difficult opponent [and] the players were united as one, tenacious. They fought to ⁠the end and did not cease to persevere,” Moriyasu said of Japan's performance against the Netherlands, Reuters reported.

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.