Japan stumbled to a 3-0 defeat against fellow World Cup qualifier Tunisia in the final of the Kirin Cup on Tuesday, bringing a disappointing end to a run of four games over 13 days.

Japan, 23rd in the FIFA rankings, wasted several first-half chances before conceding twice from defensive errors by captain Maya Yoshida against the 35th-ranked North Africans in front of 31,292 at a rainy Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture.

It was Tunisia's first win against Japan, who had won all four previous meetings, including in the 2002 World Cup group stage exactly 20 years ago in Osaka — when the Samurai Blue secured their first knockout-stage berth with a 2-0 result.