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Head-to-head History
Tunisia and Japan have met five times in their history, with Japan winning four of those encounters. However, Tunisia pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory in their most recent meeting, a friendly in 2022. Their most high-profile match was at the 2002 World Cup, where Japan won 2-0 on home soil. The historical record stands at 4-1 in favor of Japan. This match in Monterrey is a chance for Japan to restore their dominance in the rivalry, while Tunisia will look to prove that their 2022 victory was a sign of their rising quality.
Form & Ranking
Japan is ranked 17th in the world, arriving as Asia's top-ranked side with a squad full of European-based talent. Tunisia is ranked 41st, known for their disciplined and stubborn defensive style. Japan has been in impressive form, winning their last several friendlies against top European and South American opposition. Tunisia has been solid in African qualifying but has struggled to score against elite teams. Both teams are reporting no major injury concerns. Japan’s technical superiority and faster pace of play make them the favorites for this encounter.
What to Expect
Japan is expected to dominate possession and use their intricate passing and movement to break down the Tunisian defense. Tunisia will likely sit very deep and look to hit Japan on the break or capitalize on set-pieces. Pundits at NHK (Japan) and beIN Sports predict a 2-0 win for Japan, but they warn that Tunisia’s organization could make it a long and difficult afternoon for the Samurai Blue. The Athletic notes that Japan’s clinical finishing will be the key, as they may not get many clear-cut chances against a well-drilled Tunisian side.