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Former Japan GK Motomiya Predicts 4-0 Victory Over Tunisia at World Cup Public Viewing
Former Japan goalkeeper Motomiya Kenji predicted a 4-0 Japan victory over Tunisia at a World Cup public viewing event on June 21, a prediction that came true. In a lighthearted moment with his wife, former women's national team player Maruyama Karina, he praised Japan's improved form while warning of tougher challenges ahead in the knockout stages.
Quick Facts
Who
Motomiya Kenji
What
Public viewing event for Japan vs. Tunisia World Cup match
When
June 21, 2026
Where
Roppongi Hills Arena
- Public viewing event for Japan vs. Tunisia World Cup match
- Motomiya predicted 4-0 Japan victory
- Japan won 4-0
- Discussion between Motomiya and his wife about match outcome
- Motomiya Kenji
Former Japan national team goalkeeper Motomiya Kenji appeared at a FIFA World Cup public viewing event held on June 21 at Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo, hosted by McDonald's and Coca-Cola. The event featured Motomiya, 61, alongside television personality Harry Sugiyama and other guests.
Motomiya boldly predicted a 4-0 victory for Japan against Tunisia, a forecast that proved accurate. When discussing the outcome, he remarked that a 4-0 scoreline was unimaginable at the 1998 World Cup in France when Japan first participated in the tournament. He praised the current team's preparation, stating they were in better form than in the previous World Cup.
Motomiya's wife, Maruyama Karina, a former member of Japan's women's national team (Nadeshiko Japan) and a winner of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, participated in the prediction discussion. When Motomiya declared Japan would "dominate," Maruyama countered, "Soccer isn't that simple," drawing laughter from the audience. Motomiya noted this was the first time they had discussed soccer together.
Regarding the match itself, Motomiya selected forward Ueda Kiyosu as his man of the match, though he acknowledged the choice was difficult. While expressing confidence in Japan's strength and noting he had rarely felt such composure watching a World Cup match, he cautioned that the knockout stages would present a significantly higher level of competition. He emphasized that despite the dominant victory, the team's true objective remains winning the tournament.
Why This Matters
This moment captures Japan's evolving confidence in international football and the sport's growing prominence in Japanese popular culture. Motomiya's accurate prediction highlights how far Japan has come since their World Cup debut, while his candid remarks about knockout-stage challenges set realistic expectations for the team's tournament ambitions. For readers following Japan's World Cup campaign, this event provides insight into expert perspectives on team performance and preparation.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1998
WireJapan participates in World Cup for the first time
Jan 1, 2011
WireMaruyama Karina wins FIFA Women's World Cup with Nadeshiko Japan
Jun 21, 2026
WirePublic viewing event held at Roppongi Hills Arena with Motomiya, Maruyama, and Harry Sugiyama
Jun 21, 2026
WireJapan defeats Tunisia 4-0 in World Cup match
Jun 23, 2026
WireNews article published about the event