"Japan are Asia's best": Renard's Tunisia prepares for a Kubo-less Japan

"For me, Japan are the best in Asia"

At his first news conference as Tunisia coach, Herve Renard was asked about the team standing in his way on Saturday. His answer was not diplomatic filler. "I know Japan very well. For me, they are the best team in Asia," he told reporters, as relayed by Foot Mercato. "Their warm-up matches were fantastic, with very good results, and the first match against the Netherlands was also a fine performance." He said this knowing Japan would be without Kubo, ruled out hours earlier.

What he wants to fix: solidarity and discipline

Tunisia opened with a 5-1 loss to Sweden, and Renard was hired the next day in place of Sabri Lamouchi. Foot Mercato counted ten goals conceded across the side's last two matches, with the goalkeeper directly involved in several. Renard's message was about basics: "Solidarity between the players is essential — a quality that was missing in the last match." The Associated Press quoted him telling the squad to "keep their heads up," and saying, "At the moment we need to be focused on ourselves. We still have a few days to be ready." Reports from his first training described an early dressing-down. Tunisia have never reached the knockout round in seven World Cups, and lose-or-go-home is close.

The opponent is wary of Japan even without Kubo

Kubo was hurt in the 71st minute of the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, in a collision with Denzel Dumfries, and asked to come off. After an MRI, the JFA confirmed he will miss the Tunisia game and remain in Nashville rather than fly to Monterrey. There was better news elsewhere: Ayase Ueda, on a separate program on the 17th, rejoined full training. On the right, Yukinari Sugawara said "whoever comes in can make the difference," and Daichi Kamada called Kubo's absence "a big chance for someone else." Renard is not preparing for a deflated Japan; he is preparing for the side he just praised.

The math is not symmetrical

After one round Sweden lead Group F on three points, with Japan and the Netherlands on one and Tunisia on zero. A Japan win takes control of the qualifying race; for Tunisia, anything but a win all but ends the campaign. Japan and Tunisia kick off at 13:00 JST on Sunday, June 21 in Monterrey — a fixture that also marks the 1000th match in World Cup history. It airs in Japan on the Nippon TV network, NHK BS, and DAZN.