Substitutes
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Match Preview
- World Cup Group F Matchday 2 sees Tunisia as nominal hosts in Monterrey. Both teams enter after their opening fixtures, making this a must-not-lose encounter for knockout qualification hopes. Tunisia seek their first-ever progression from the group stage in their seventh attempt, while Japan reached the Round of 16 in 2010, 2018 and 2022.
- Both sides line up in 3-4-2-1 formations, with compact midfield boxes and dynamic wing-back transitions proving decisive. Tunisia deploy Yan Valery (27, Young Boys) at right wing-back and Ali Abdi (32, Nice) on the left, while Japan counter with Ritsu Doan (28, Frankfurt) and Keito Nakamura (25, Lens) providing width and penetration.
- Tunisia's number 10 Hannibal Mejbri (23, Burnley), a Manchester United academy product with Qatar 2022 experience, provides creative impetus. Japan's Daichi Kamada (29, Crystal Palace) has hit his stride in his second Premier League season after winning the Europa League with Frankfurt, bringing tactical sophistication to the midfield duel.
- The striker battle pits Tunisia's Anis Ben Slimane (25, Norwich City, 188cm) and his individual breakthrough ability against Japan's Ayase Ueda (27, Feyenoord), who brings Eredivisie golden boot contention form. Ueda has evolved from backup at the 2022 tournament to Japan's main striker, scoring consistently through World Cup qualifying.
- Japan's back line features Takehiro Tomiyasu (27, Arsenal) at right centre-back, leveraging 84 Premier League appearances over four seasons to handle the pace of Tunisia's Sebastian Tounekti (23, Celtic) and Elias Saad (26, Hannover 96). Tomiyasu's versatility across centre-back and right-back positions adds tactical flexibility.
- Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri (31, Frankfurt, 185cm) anchors the midfield in his third World Cup after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. His duel with Japan's Kaishu Sano (25, Mainz) for defensive midfield control will shape possession patterns, with both players' ball-winning and distribution skills under scrutiny.
- Comparing the back threes: Tunisia field experienced duo Montassar Talbi (28, Lorient, 190cm) and Dylan Bronn (31, Servette), while Japan's new captain Ko Itakura (29, Ajax) marshals Hiroki Ito (27, Bayern Munich) and Tomiyasu in a formidable defensive unit.
- From the bench, Japan can unleash Daizen Maeda's (28, Celtic) explosive pace and the experience of 39-year-old Yuto Nagatomo in his fifth World Cup. Tunisia have Elias Achouri (27, FC Copenhagen) for left-sided penetration and PSG-trained technician Ismael Gharbi (22, Augsburg) as impact options.