United News of Bangladesh

Ayase Ueda struck twice as Japan hammered Tunisia 4-0 in their Group F match on Saturday, moving a step closer to reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the fourth consecutive time. The four-goal victory marked Japan's highest-ever tally in a World Cup match as the Samurai Blue outclassed a struggling Tunisian side that had changed coaches after its opening-game defeat. Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as Japan joined the Netherlands on four points in the group, although the Dutch remained top on goal difference, having scored one more goal in two matches. The defeat eliminated Tunisia from the tournament, while Japan are assured of finishing at least third in the group, a position that could still be enough to secure a place in the last 16. Tunisia had appointed former coach Hervé Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, in an attempt to revive their campaign following a 5-1 thrashing by Sweden. However, the North Africans struggled to contain Japan's pace and failed to create meaningful scoring opportunities. Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute — the fastest World Cup goal in Japan's history — when he tapped in Keito Nakamura's cross for his second goal of the tournament. Ueda doubled the lead in the 31st minute with a superb long-range strike, driving forward from midfield before curling an angled effort into the left corner. The 27-year-old Feyenoord striker, who finished as the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 24 goals last season, continued his impressive form by setting up Japan's third goal. In the 69th minute, his flick released Ito, who calmly beat goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in a one-on-one situation. Ueda then completed his brace in the 83rd minute with a looping header to cap a dominant performance by Japan. Japan, unbeaten against European opponents in regulation time since 2019, will face Sweden in Dallas on Thursday, while Tunisia will take on the Netherlands in Kansas City.