Hectic, heroic and hungry for the win – Tunisia squeeze past Japan

This game was always going to be close, but Tunisia nearly threw away a nine-goal, first-half lead against the tenacious Japan. The result means Tunisia pick up their first points of Spain 2019 and put themselves in the driving seat for at least the fourth eighth-finals qualification place from the group. 

Japan have now failed to win in their first three games and with matches against the USA and Spain remaining, their progression through to the knockout stages is in danger.

GROUP A
Tunisia vs Japan 26:25 (14:8)

After six minutes it was 4:0 to Tunisia and Japan had already taken their first team time out. Just over 10 minutes later it was 9:3 (15th minute) and it was 14:5 with five minutes remaining of the half. 

It was clear that Japan had to do something drastic as even a second time out failed to stem the tide, but the first half had been a disaster for them, compounded by a two-minute suspension after eight players went on court for Akira Yoshimura’s side.

A few goals just before the break meant the difference was just six at the break (14:8) but Tunisia continued in their strong defensive and offensive flow until the last quarter (22:14, 43rd minute).

But whether it was a combination of Tunisia thinking their job was done or Japan realising they had not done theirs, the Asian junior runners-up started to claw back the deficit.

A 4:0 run brought them within four (22:18) and Mohamed Ali Sghir called a Tunisian time out but now his words were not working and a 5:1 run, rounded off by two strikes from Takumi Sueoka for Japan put them in touching distance of two goals (23:21 – 52nd minute) and set up a frantic final eight minutes which had the players, coaches, officials and crowd in the As Travesas Sports Hall on edge, full of nerves.

Everyone knew what was on the line and as Japan consistently took their chances, Tunisia suffered two scares in attack but managed to score twice with passive play being signalled, first through Ahmed Bannour (24:21 – 53rd minute) and then Islem Jbeli (25:23 – 56th minute).

After a short break in the proceedings for an injury to Tunisia’s Mohamed Amine Darmoul, Japan eventually equalised following a Tunisian attacking foul by Noureddine Maoua. After a focussed build-up, captain Sueok set-up Seito Yano who carefully lobbed over the onrushing Asil Namli.

Both sides then missed opportunities to score again with Tunisia’s attack being halted by passive play and left-hander Rennesuke Tokuda opting to shoot rather than pass as his shot from the left fizzed past the bottom-right post of Tunisia’s goal.

Despite these opportunities missed, Tunisia took a time out with just over 20 seconds left, regrouped and sunk home from nine metres thanks to a thunderbolt from Ala Mustapha. There was still a handful of seconds left and with Tokuda in possession he set up Yano, but his shot flew through the air when the buzzer sounded, hitting the net a split second after the game had finished.

Ali Sighir collapsed to the Tunisia bench and let out a deep breath of relief. His job was done, and Tunisia appear to have one foot in the eighth-finals after just the second one-goal victory in four matchdays of Spain 2019, following Denmark vs Norway on day two.

Best player of the Match: Ala Mustapha (TUN)