Japan head coa

Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts from the sidelines during the 2026 World Cup Group F football match between Tunisia and Japan at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

ch Hajime Moriyasu said his players must aim higher despite setting a World Cup record for an Asian side in Saturday's 4-0 win over Tunisia.

In the 1,000th World Cup match, Japan became the first Asian team to score four goals in a game at football's showpiece.

Japan, which has never progressed beyond the round of 16 in the tournament, is now second in Group F with one game remaining before the knockout stage.

"I have been told about that [the record]. If that is the case, I have to take it as a positive," Moriyasu said.

"At the same time, together with the players, we want to continue building the history of the Japanese national team. We want to aim higher and achieve more so people can see our growth."

Moriyasu said Japan had benefited from the lessons learned in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their opening match.

He made several changes to his starting line-up, among them the inclusion of Junya Ito, who repaid his manager's faith with the team's third goal.

"After the first match, the coaching staff got together and looked at what we had to do," Moriyasu said.

"The players understood what we wanted from them. They also reflected on the first match themselves and wanted to show what they had learned through their performance.

"We knew we had to stay focused for this match. They felt the tension and the need to perform, and I think that showed today."