After an incredible 4-0 demolition of Tunisia in the historic 1,000th World Cup match, Japan are firmly on track for the last 32. Photo: IANS
Image: IANS
Japan have long carried the hopes of Asian football on the global stage, but at the 2026 Fifa World Cup they are doing far more than merely representing their continent. They are thriving and announcing themselves as genuine dark horses as the tournament heads towards the round of 32 teams.
Their emphatic 4-0 demolition of a dejected Tunisia on Sunday morning was another statement performance from a side that has looked among the most polished teams at the tournament. The win all but secured their passage to the knockout stages and reinforced the growing belief that this Japanese squad could be capable of something special.
What has stood out most is the precision of their attacking play. Japan are not relying on moments of individual brilliance alone. Instead, every attack appears carefully choreographed, built on quick passing combinations, intelligent movement and relentless pressing.
Against Tunisia, the North Africans simply could not cope with the pace at which Japan moved the ball. Players constantly rotated positions, dragging defenders out of shape and getting between them to create space.
When possession was lost, Japan swarmed forward to win it back, often before Tunisia had time to settle. The result was a one-sided contest that saw Daichi Kamada, Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda carve through Tunisia's defence with ease.
Ueda's two-goal performance underlined the attacking threat that has become one of Japan's biggest strengths. Yet, their success in Group F has not been built solely on beating weaker opposition.
Earlier in the tournament, Japan went toe-to-toe with the mighty Netherlands and emerged with a deserved 2-2 draw. While many expected the Dutch to dominate proceedings, Japan matched them for intensity, technical quality and tactical discipline.
That result now looks even more impressive after the Netherlands dismantled Sweden 5-1 to seize control of the group. With four points from two matches, Japan have firmly established themselves alongside the Dutch as the class acts of Group F.
Ueda, therefore, warned Sweden his confidence was sky-high after the red-hot striker scored a his brace.
"I'm genuinely happy. It feels as if what I've built since feeling that frustration four years ago paid off," the 27-year-old Ueda said.
The forward played just 45 minutes at the 2022 World Cup as Hajime Moriyasu's side bowed out in the Round of 16 to Croatia. But he arrived in North America off the back of banging in 25 goals in 31 appearances in the league for Feyenoord. He topped the scoring charts in the Dutch top division, reportedly igniting interest from several English clubs, including Tottenham.
His clinical double against a wretched Tunisia provided his first World Cup goals.
"(It) felt totally different to all the ones I had scored before in terms of joy, sense of accomplishment and the weight of responsibility I've been carrying," he said. "The quality of my play is different from four years ago, and I'm playing with confidence."
Japan next face a Sweden side on Friday morning in Dallas.
Speaking after the thumping in Houston on Saturday, Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk warned Sweden that Japan presented a huge challenge.
"Japan are a very disciplined side, they keep it very compact and tight," said the Liverpool defender. "Sweden will have a very, very tough job ahead of them, that's for sure." | Additional reporting by AFP