Japan snatch narrow win over Tunisia

TUNIS: Japan nicked a 1-0 victory over Tunisia here on Wednesday to send the north Africans to their first defeat under former France coach Roger Lemerre. 

A 39th minute goal from Atsushi Yanagisawa proved enough for Zico's team to win a game that was dominated by a Tunisian side who lacked any attacking bite. 

Tunisia were the livelier team in the first half at the El Menzah stadium and the Japanese defence were forced to continually halt Imed Mhadhebi in his tracks as he tried to create chances from the left wing. 

The only goal of the game came from a long pass that left Yanagisawa one-on-one with the goalkeeper and the Sampdoria striker easily found the net. 

Although Tunisia enjoyed most of the second-half possession, Japan almost scored a second goal when Kaji Akira rounded the keeper only to see Khaled Badra clear his shot off the goal line in the 76th minute. – AFP