Japan marked the 1,000th game in World Cup history with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, moving to the brink of a place in the round of 32.

Ayase Ueda scored twice, while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also found the net as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.

Tunisia, who were routed 5-1 by Sweden in their tournament opener, can no longer hope for a place in the knockout rounds.

The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener, were always in control against Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium.

The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Herve Renard, who was hastily appointed to take over the World Cup campaign after predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following the Sweden drubbing.

Renard's team never looked like threatening a technically superior Japanese side that quickly displayed their trademark smooth passing game.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, finishing from close range after deft interplay from Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.

Japan almost scored again moments later, with only a desperate goalline clearance from Dylan Bronn denying them a second goal.

Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was also kept busy, clawing away a shot that barely crossed the goal line.

Japan finally added to their tally in the 31st minute, with striker Ueda taking advantage of hesitant Tunisian defending to surge forward and thunder a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The rout continued in the second half, with Junya Ito latching onto a brilliant through ball to calmly finish on 69 minutes before Ueda scored again with a looping header in the 83rd minute.

Source: www.aljazeera.com