By Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport, Tunis

The Japan game was Lemerre's first defeat

Tunisia manager Roger Lemerre has admitted that his team is not as invincible on home territory as had been earlier thought.

"This defeat [to Japan in Tunis] means we are not champions of friendly games, as many journalists have been saying," said the Frenchman after the Carthage Eagles 1-0 loss on Wednesday.

The defeat ended Tunisia's unbeaten run in 10 games.

The north Africans had not lost a game since last year's tie against France on 20 August.

We are not champions of friendly games Roger Lemerre

"I would have preferred that we had beaten Japan, to give us a boost after the last two results.

"The game could have also ended in a draw but there was little concentration on our part to fight for the equaliser," Lemerre believed.

The manager said their poor form against the Japanese surprised him as he felt that they were capable of a better performance.

"If [this game against Japan] had been against a major European side the game could have been more difficult."

Ironically, the Japanese were the last team to beat the 2004 Nations Cup hosts. They beat the Tunisians during a group game at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Astoshi Yanagisawa scored the only goal of Wednesday's tie after pouncing on a loose ball, giving the Tunisian goalkeeper little chance.