Tunisia’s coaching changes may not be the answer to their struggles. Following a disheartening 5-1 loss to Sweden, the team dismissed Sabri Lamouchi and appointed Hervé Renard as their seventh manager since the start of qualification. However, a timid team lacking defensive solidity remained just that, regardless of who was at the helm. Facing Japan, a side invigorated by the performance of Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda, Tunisia was outplayed, as Ueda scored twice while demonstrating intelligence and creativity in his play. Renard had a mere three days to prepare his squad, and despite his impressive coaching history, he is not, as he pointed out, “We were hoping for a better reaction, a better performance,”
Attempts to establish himself in French football with clubs like Sochaux, Lille, and the France women’s team have not succeeded, leading the 57-year-old to focus on emerging nations in Africa and the Middle East instead of the pinnacle of European football. Renard is still noted for his signature white shirt, but the good fortune it once symbolized seems to have faded. Ultimately, he is just a well-paid figure tasked with explaining Tunisia’s World Cup exit.
Renard expressed resignation after the match, stating, “Unfortunately the score was heavy, but this reflects the difference between the teams. Today we were lacking good defensive organisation. In the first 20 minutes of the second half we were more rigorous but this was not enough.”
This match was historic, marking the 1,000th contest in World Cup history. From its origins in the cool climate of Montevideo, featuring simultaneous matches between France and Mexico and the USA and Belgium, the tournament has evolved over 96 years to the sweltering conditions of Monterrey, where Japan achieved the largest win ever for an Asian team in the competition.
The day prior to the match, a severe and prolonged thunderstorm resulted in flooding around the stadium and turned the main access road into a torrent. However, by matchday, the only remnants of the storm were muddy patches on the pavement.
Tunisia’s issues were more apparent on the field. Renard kept the same formation as his predecessor, making just three adjustments, including a change in goal with Aymen Dahmen replacing Mouhib Chamakh, who had contributed to Sweden’s early goals last week. Despite the lineup’s adjustments, Tunisia struggled to compete.
Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “The players didn’t get too caught up in the opponent and were able to fully show what we wanted to do,” Japan nearly secured a penalty within the first 70 seconds when Ueda was fouled by Ellyes Skhiri, yet the Romanian referee István Kovács did not award it, nor did VAR intervene for the clear foul. Nevertheless, Japan took the lead within four minutes, executing a well-crafted play that exploited space on the left. Keito Nakamura’s low cross deflected off the heel of an unaware Daichi Kamada, giving Japan the early advantage, while Renard’s face showed confusion and horror.
Moriyasu made one additional change compared to Renard following Japan’s impressive 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. Although Takefusa Kubo was sidelined due to injury, the other three changes were strategic and proved effective. Japan, who had been on the back foot in their last match, launched relentless attacks, and only a last-minute clearance from Dylan Bronn and a sprawling save by Dahmen prevented them from extending their lead within the opening ten minutes.
The second goal was inevitable and came in the 31st minute when Ueda, finding himself inexplicably unmarked, turned and shot through Montasser Talbi’s legs, sending the ball into the bottom corner. Renard displayed a rueful expression at this point.
Renard managed to tighten Tunisia’s defense after halftime, but it was already too late. Observing from the VIP box was Hisako, the widow of Norihito, grandson of Emperor Taishō, who had previously visited South Korea with her husband before the 2002 World Cup. What she witnessed was a proficient Japanese team, effectively managing their energy in the second half while facing a significantly weaker opponent.
Ito netted the third goal after Ueda’s flick in the 69th minute, aided by Mohamed Amine Ben Salida, who was positioned several yards behind the defensive line. Renard, incredulous, viewed the replay on an iPad, spending much of the subsequent drinks break staring blankly ahead. Ueda later added a clever looping header for Japan’s fourth goal, at which point Renard appeared utterly defeated.
While Renard may not have anticipated a long-term tenure with Tunisia, given the recent trends, he is unlikely to last until Thursday’s final group match against the Netherlands.
