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00:01The Samurai Blue of Japan were full of fighting spirit against the Netherlands.
00:07Their eyes are now firmly fixed on a top two finish.
00:13Ayari and Ryan Elumi are two of the debutantes to watch out for on the bench.
00:19Takafusa Kobo sustained a knee injury in the first game so he misses this clash tonight.
00:27A milestone night in Monterey, Tunisia take on Japan in the 1,000th FIFA World Cup game.
00:38Japan with the important points from their first game.
00:43Saad slid out to this right-hand side. Hannibal has the freedom to find the game on that left-hand
00:47side.
00:48Ben Slimane has come centrally with Skiri. Those three are the adjustments so far from Bernard.
01:03Hannibal has a go from distance. And on the stretch, Zion Suzuki.
01:09A special, special player and a lot of the possession is going to go through the number 10.
01:13Opens up his hips, try to pick out that upper left-hand corner. Does not miss by much.
01:17You'll never see a complaint from a Tunisian player when Hannibal tries something.
01:23The 5-1 defeat at the hands of Sweden on match day one. Of course, that leading to the sacking
01:28of Sabri Lomuchi.
01:35Japan looking to fashion a chance and it's fallen to Nakamura who hesitated for just a second.
01:40He'll try and find the space and it's forced over the line.
01:43And Japan lead through Daichi Kamada.
01:51He scored the equaliser against the Netherlands.
01:56And he's back on the score sheet for the opener against Tunisia.
02:01Less than four minutes on the clock. It's Japan who leads by a goal to nil.
02:16Worst case scenario for Tunisia. And it starts with three in the back.
02:19Despite conceding this early goal, nothing changes for Tunisia.
02:25And he may be through again in the lob. Off target.
02:32ASA Wader.
02:35Well, the adjustments across the back line. Talby's gone to the left-hand side.
02:39Dylan Braun, the 30-year-old, has come in. Didn't play a single second in the match against Sweden.
02:44That is the second time in the opening six minutes that this back line has been stretched.
02:50Specifically through the heart and soul of the centre-backs.
03:02That is, I think, confirmed as the fastest goal for Japan in World Cup history.
03:11They scored their latest goal through Daichi Kamada, of course, in the game against the Netherlands.
03:18And now they've got off to their fastest start.
03:24And there is no let-up. They flick from Doha.
03:29It's a point placed. It should have been.
03:33The ball back well. They hunt in packs, don't they? Japan. So disciplined.
03:37And they look to be carving through once again here.
03:39It's one on three. There's options arriving.
03:42And it's Eliassad who will bring it away.
03:47Press the chase, relentless from Japan, none less than what you'd have expected.
03:56And we shouldn't be surprised by this start from Japan going all the way back to last September.
04:03Heavily rotated and a risk with the starting 11 and the tactics against the United States.
04:08Since then, the rotation policy and the opportunities with wins against Brazil, Ghana, Scotland, England respectively.
04:16But for Tunisia, again, the emphasis during limited training time with this group of players in between matches,
04:24they've got to simplify it. Solid, physical, aggressive, and keep their defensive shape.
04:32They lose it out. There's a push on the back of Hannibal.
04:36This is Takamaru of Japan. She spent the last few days here in Monterey.
04:42And Japan, in her presence, have made an excellent start and are looking for a second hit.
04:47Excellent defensive work. Sliding across. That is what the experience of Dylan Braun brings you.
04:58Well, the changes to the spine.
05:00Ito, no doubt, looking for Ueda.
05:03Has the most headed goals in Europe this season.
05:08Swiped up by the goalkeeper. It will fall to Ueda.
05:11Tries to set something up. It fizzes through. Is it over the line? What a save!
05:18And right now, they've got to figure out a way to get that World Cup qualifying mentality.
05:27And it looked to be Tamiasu recycling as the ball comes through.
05:31What a reaction. Did that ball completely go over the line?
05:34It was a big left hand. Quickly down to his left.
05:38And nothing definitive.
05:40As he's able to clear and use his feet to just push that ball in avert danger once again.
05:47And the ball just pushed away from the feet of the Burnley midfielder.
05:52Famously 1-0 in their final group game.
05:55Four points, though, wasn't enough to see them through to the knockout rounds.
05:59This is a position they've never reached in their history.
06:07If the immediate press is not on for Japan, they drop into a mid-block of 5-4-1.
06:14For an out-swinger. The head is there, but it's high.
06:17He's back, just behind.
06:19And he's sad.
06:30Zard.
06:35Valeri.
06:38Closely by Doha.
06:40It's back in.
06:41High-looping ball is headed away.
06:43Falls to danger in the form of Rekic.
06:47It's a desperately fashion a chance, Tunisia.
06:49And now it's Japan, who are so lethal on the counter.
06:55Kamara.
06:58Good move.
07:00From Slamana.
07:03World Cup games that they've scored first in.
07:07Losing four and drawing one.
07:11Don't have the best history of holding on to Leeds.
07:14Here is Saad.
07:15With support from Valeri out wide.
07:19Loses out.
07:21Pressure of three.
07:22The Samara flew around him.
07:24Lennar knows.
07:25Well, he's had limited time on the coaching pitch.
07:28And this will feel like an opportunity to really coach his team with, of course.
07:33One game to go.
07:34That will be against the Netherlands.
07:36That's an excellent pass.
07:37Sent forward by Hannibal.
07:40Tamiyasu is step for step, touch for touch with him.
07:45Wait, wait, wait, wait.
07:45Running up his backside.
07:46Making sure there's a hand at all times with whatever direction he's trying to spin into space.
07:51It's the exact opposite from this Tunisian back line.
07:54The most dangerous runs are the second runs popping up out of midfield for Japan.
08:04A composed figure on the touchline.
08:07Oh, yes.
08:09Never afraid to show emotion, though.
08:12This way.
08:15It's a hard-court point.
08:24The manager is very unhappy with the decision from his captain to play all the way back to his goalkeeper.
08:30He's looking for pride.
08:31He's looking for confidence.
08:33He's looking for solutions.
08:34And right now, Tunisia hasn't found any.
08:37Whyasu Ueda.
08:40He has options.
08:41Ahead of him.
08:42Around him goes!
08:43But blind himself.
08:44And what a strike that is.
08:50Whyasu Ueda.
08:53Doubles Japan's lead.
09:02and the celebrations are wild it is a deserved second goal
09:15and he is soaking up every second of this moment
09:23well he's changed the goalkeeper he's changed the centre-back he's slid Talby over to the left to start
09:29Rekic has been chasing in the midfield Dylan Braun's been dropping off to deeper and deeper
09:36Abdi
09:39responsibility handed over
09:45still chasing Ali Abdi
09:48there's Kamara, score of the first
09:54Gohan
09:55this is out
09:57Hannibal
10:00whatever the internal dialogue was following the 2-2 draw against Netherlands the other night
10:06this Japanese side is picked up right where they left off
10:08no one this is
10:13one of the journalists in the press conference said that he never thought he'd see Uwe Benat
10:19in their national team jersey as a head coach once again
10:22with the switching of the defenders Braun sliding out a little bit more to this right
10:27Talby going central
10:30Rekic
10:31just a little bit more on that left of this back three
10:34extremely comfortable first half for Japan
10:43and
10:44Wade up
10:45it's Tanaka
10:51Juliet Ito
10:52used to use his back line
10:57and
10:58I'm going to move it
11:02once again
11:03and the ball going out of play so
11:05we all have the throw opportunities here
11:07already starting to think about which of the attacking that you can bring in
11:11to watch Garvey
11:13I'm sorry
11:15some options off the bench that at least gives you some fresh legs and
11:18maybe a little bit more of an attacking punch
11:22as the obvious of chasing this game as the second half is going to open up whatever the predetermined
11:28what the ideas were for the Bernard
11:33plenty of fresh faces as well
11:35on the bench for Tunisia
11:38it
11:39it was a selection characterized by the new era the youth coming through
11:43it was indeed a very short era for Sabri Lamucci
11:47he
11:49he
11:51he
11:53he
11:53he
11:59he
12:00he
12:04he
12:05he
12:07he
12:15he
12:20here is
12:21halftime
12:221
12:23that has been a great disappointment
12:26for the incoming
12:27who was
12:29one of the substitutes against Sweden
12:32confirmation
12:32who they are replacing
12:34It's Dylan Braun who made that goal-denying clearance
12:39that has been replaced at half-time.
12:42And Elias Saad, who comes off to make way for Ishmael Garbi.
12:48Fun, this would suggest they're going to a little bit more of a back four at times
12:52when they tried to commit numbers forward.
12:54A bit of surprise that Dylan Braun has come off after only 45 minutes.
12:59Garbi, fresh leg to the midfield.
13:01He replaced.
13:03And Hadira in that second-half loss against Sweden.
13:10And we are back underway.
13:13Japan leading by two goals to nil.
13:15Their fates cannot be decided tonight.
13:17Of course, a single point was collected against the Netherlands.
13:21So they will have to wait until the final day clash with Sweden in Dallas
13:27to decide where their fate lies in this World Cup.
13:30And because of Netherlands' 5-1 win earlier this afternoon against Sweden,
13:35don't think for a second these Japanese players aren't thinking about the second 45 minutes
13:40and trying to figure out ways to score as many possible goals
13:45to stay within touching distance with the understanding that they play Sweden Thursday over in Dallas.
13:52And straight into the action on Hamid Benhamid.
13:58His start against Sweden was his first competitive camp since 2024.
14:10Ito.
14:11Oh no.
14:16Junia Ito.
14:21Junia Ito.
14:25With Ben Hamid coming over on this left-hand side, Rekic has gone over on the opposite side of Talbi.
14:33So maintaining that back three in possession, back five in the defensive low block.
14:39Garvey slid over to this right-hand side.
14:42Still trying to continue with Tunecti as high as that number nine could possibly be.
14:47To at least provide some reference point for Tunisia to try to play direct when they do finally win back
14:54four.
14:54In possession from Japan.
14:55Well this month of June has been such a shock to the system for Tunisia.
15:03Seeding 12 in their last three matches.
15:08One of those big warm-up games.
15:11Let's go to Jumis.
15:12Japan on the ball once again.
15:14Tanaka has a goal.
15:16Just wide.
15:22To Hannibal.
15:24This is better from Tunisia.
15:27There's options there.
15:28This is Tunecti.
15:29And the chance goes amiss for Hannibal.
15:32Here we need, as Brian rightly said, any performance.
15:38A couple of moments now of individual brilliance that have just been lacking through the first half.
15:50Well at times we're obsessed with statistics, Alan, and I would love to see the statistic of the amount of
15:56time it takes.
15:57The moment that possession is turned over, how quickly Japan is capable of winning the ball back on average.
16:04They've got to be amongst the best in the World Cup so far.
16:08And he goes out of play and it will be a Japan throw.
16:12Well that is the big thing that Erlenar spoke about in his press conference.
16:17Highlighting that Japan players won.
16:19And they are such a force to be reckoned with.
16:22They are always on one page.
16:23And so often of course we speak about how regimented they are.
16:29Discipline.
16:29They are the structure.
16:32And their reactiveness, of course, as you highlight, Brian, is one of the key strengths of this side.
16:38Although they lose the ball here.
16:41Such a great chance to be in the first half.
16:45Defeated.
16:46Went over the line.
16:48Scooped away from Doan.
16:50And they slim on it.
16:52And they conjure up here.
16:53Who is it?
16:55On Yassou.
16:56Now it's in there.
16:57So that short-term do.
16:59It's a quick forward hit.
17:01And Toros.
17:02They will win the corner hit.
17:03Well the two versus four.
17:04Quick combination play.
17:05Movement off the ball.
17:07And again, as important as the weight of the pass to find the right foot,
17:11to play the player into space.
17:12Again, it's the confidence and the commitment.
17:15With this movement from the Japan players in the attacking phase of play.
17:20It's really causing confusion.
17:23For Tunisia defensively.
17:25Just the third corner for Japan.
17:28This time it's taken short.
17:29His Doan.
17:30Locked by the boot of Ali Abdi.
17:32For Hubby.
17:33For Hubby trying to run the ball away.
17:40So many young children in the crowds.
17:42Surprised to see bedtimes wavered.
17:45When the World Cup is on.
17:52It's in the early hours of the morning.
17:54It's early afternoon.
17:56In Japan.
17:58One of the few players.
18:00The number four wrecking.
18:01That we saw more than comfortable stepping through the immediate press.
18:05Of Sweden.
18:06Does so tonight.
18:07Once again from Japan.
18:08Looking for that amazing run.
18:11But.
18:11Again.
18:12Tactically fantastic recognition.
18:14To close down the secondary space.
18:16And force in as wide as possible.
18:23Yes.
18:23So expressive.
18:25Of the winner.
18:28In the previous head coach India.
18:30And the.
18:31Go.
18:32Go.
18:32Go.
18:33Go.
18:33Go.
18:37Go.
18:39Go.
18:39Go.
18:41Go.
18:48break any type of line that the defenders are trying to hold.
18:51This is what it's still up, up against Ben Hamid.
18:55Up deep.
18:58Just a base.
18:59Ito.
19:01Chase is on.
19:02Yeah, there's been a real respect for the new rules by the players on the whole.
19:09Japan looking to add a third to their tally.
19:12Set that for a corner.
19:21Well, as that ball went out of bounds, both managers taking a look at their assistants
19:26to start the notification process of the idea of what the substitution patterns are going
19:32to look like as we've broken the hour mark here at Monterey Stadium.
19:36So far, we've never seen substitutes for Tunisia as this ball's whipped in by Japan.
19:43And Junya Ito.
19:56That's a suggestion, one of the changes.
19:59By Shawat.
20:03Spurs will come for us, one of the substitutes in the game against Sweden.
20:14It looks like it will be the Celtic man, Galecki, who is coming off to make way for Shawat.
20:25Slomane.
20:31Slomane.
20:32Sanibal.
20:33And he continues.
20:34Slomane.
20:35Seated seven across two games.
20:38The last two games at this World Cup.
20:40And Asin Sand are heading home.
20:43With, of course, one game still to play.
20:47That is.
20:49Marshall benevolent.
20:55And he receives the ball to his feet once again.
21:00Plays it out wide.
21:01Japan looking for a third.
21:08For some time with answer in the second half.
21:11And the sixth down, this is Japan going second in Group M.
21:16Their final game being against Sweden and Dallas, which is, of course,
21:26Sweden who have their confidence not slightly after being on the reverse end of a 5-1 defeat,
21:33which was the scoreline against Tunisia for them this time last week.
21:39Well, it's a fascinating glance.
21:41That's the second time that Tamiyasu has put his hands up.
21:44And I believe it's Tanaka on that left-hand side was frustrated after just a simple turnover
21:50that led to a recovery of possession for Tunisia.
21:53You can just see and feel the standard set from this defensive unit from Japan
21:59of what they expect from the movement and, more importantly,
22:03the commitment of the midfielders in front of them despite a commanding 2-0 lead
22:07with just over 20 minutes remaining.
22:11Over the top, but it's Junior Ito who's driving forward.
22:14Surely it has to be.
22:17Three for Japan.
22:22The ball's stabbed home by Junior Ito in Samurai Blue.
22:36Well, they've had to be patient so far in this second half,
22:40but rewarded with a third goal.
22:44On this back line, just lulled the sleep once again.
22:49The simplicity of possession.
22:53And again, very intrigued to see what wrinkles.
23:00Every opportunity gets to his feet.
23:05Stepping out of the way because the four attacking players are
23:08between the penalty spot and the top of the penalty area.
23:13Collecting the board short.
23:16Now a player on that near post.
23:18There's nobody occupying the goalkeeper Suzuki.
23:23Floating ball.
23:25He's taking a strong curve.
23:27He skips one way, then the other.
23:28Trying to open up the opportunity.
23:30Well blocked.
23:32It's Skiri, the captain.
23:33That's the way of the action.
23:36Junior Ito, the score of the third.
23:38Stood over this corner for Japan.
23:41Ito ball.
23:42Good away.
23:44Stood over this corner for Japan.
23:51It's on open.
23:53It's on open.
23:55It's on open.
23:55It's on open.
23:55Sorry bye.
23:56Ishmael Galbi.
23:59Ito.
24:00Ito.
24:10Ito.
24:13Ito.
24:13In these 82 minutes of play.
24:15Real dominance on both sides of the ball from the opening whistle.
24:19Still battling.
24:21With less than 10 minutes to play.
24:23I mean the attacking phase then immediately turns over and you see five players defensively
24:28committed to try to win this ball back.
24:34Y'all let it go.
24:35Galabi.
24:35Sends the ball on.
24:36The way of Chawat.
24:41Internable.
24:44Vlorechik.
24:46Galabi.
24:47Football for La' mucho house.
24:53Abdi.
24:57Hamid.
25:00because Rodgers isn't happy
25:01with the ones ahead of him
25:04that would be
25:13Ito
25:15space to run into
25:16support arriving from behind
25:19Ito stamps it to one side
25:35in a pace
25:38to go
25:39and goes from a moment where they're a 5-4-1 defensive low block
25:47with a certain amount of pressure on the ball
25:50very very quickly transition moments
25:52overlapping runs
25:55commitment on both sides of the ball
25:57and pulled us away
25:59Those are the moments that have proved so costly
26:01so devastating for Tunisio
26:03and you can see the fans are feeling it
26:05Sarno
26:07lifting it up
26:08a huge opportunity
26:10and it floats into the back of the net
26:12a second of the game
26:15Grueda
26:16puts on a plate
26:21a delightful delivery
26:23headed home
26:25and it is more than job done now for Japan
26:28and it is more than job done now for Japan
26:28and it is more than job done now for Japan
26:38they have been just so lethal
26:42Grueda
26:42Grueda
26:43he gets on the end of this
26:43but the build up
26:44it's Sarno
26:46right through the heart and soul
26:47Ito plays a quick little combination play
26:50and Sarno
26:51he clips this ball up
26:52the recognition of understanding
26:54his number 9
26:55is floating off the back shoulder
26:57quick little look
26:58he knows the goalkeeper is covering the near post
27:01it is
27:02Grueda
27:02he's just drifted
27:03he's hunting
27:04he's waiting
27:05he's rising up like a salmon
27:07at the back
27:09he's running
27:10he's still running
27:11can they earn a fifth
27:16time as well to score it
27:19it's like 6 minutes
27:21additional time at the end of
27:24this second half
27:27a match with
27:30two goals
27:31and an assist
27:31in this year's world cup
27:32so Pody Gatpo
27:34today
27:35in Sweden
27:36there to achieve that beat
27:58you can hear it
28:03Skawara
28:06Suzuki
28:08still running
28:09hurdling
28:10can't keep the ball at his feet
28:11to take the throw
28:12quickly
28:13didn't have the right personnel there
28:15to assist in that
28:15getting down into their defensive shape
28:18forced that ball all the way back
28:19from the striker to the centre back
28:21once again
28:22it really has been the story of the night
28:25the pinnacle of course
28:27of this Japanese defence
28:4160 seconds
28:43separating
28:46Japan
28:47these fans
28:48and some wild celebrations
28:55they are all to their feet
28:58in anticipation of the final whistle
29:01they are all to their feet
29:21to the front
29:24in forests
29:26in the distance
29:28and out of the distance
29:30there to the front
29:31in front
29:31in front
29:31in front
29:33They know it's almost done.
29:43A historic night where Japan are etched into the history books.
30:01They know it's about 200 years back then in the past.
30:08They willться.
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