When the World Cup’s group stage reaches the second round, every match becomes a qualification game. Tunisia and Australia kicked off the second round of the World Cup group stage on November 26 (Beijing time). Despite losing all of their first-round games, Tunisia finished one point ahead of Australia. At last, Australia defeated Tunisia 1-0 to earn three points in a match that was crucial, giving them a boost in the group match standings and giving them some momentum going into the final round. Additionally, it was Australia’s third World Cup victory overall.
A fight that cannot be backed down
Australia lost to France with a score of 1-4 in the opening round, and Tunisia and Denmark drew 0-0. The two teams met again in the second round after failing to score three points. To get a ticket to qualify the next round, it’s a fight confrontation that cannot be backed down.
Although Tunisia had previously qualified five times for the World Cup, it had never made it past the group stage. The game will have to be decided by three points because they play a formidable French team in the group’s final match.
“We know that the opposition has good stamina and fitness, they are quick and good at taking chances, but they also have weaknesses that we can exploit, according to our analysis of previous matches against them,” Tunisia coach Qadri said before the match. The competition is fierce on the Australian side as well, and after their opening loss, they are in desperate need of a victory.
Australian coach Arnold said, “We have to do our best.” Aziz Besic, another team member, added: “We have to match our performance to that battle and play our own football. It’s going to be a battle.”
Both teams have won once before, but the most recent meeting was in the 2005 Confederations Cup, when Tunisia defeated Australia with the score of 2-0. Upon reuniting after a separation of more than ten years, neither team carries much psychological baggage from the past. But Australia, who are competing in their sixth World Cup, have a better track record, having advanced to the round of 16 in 2006.
Australia took the initiative back
Tunisia has a team value of 62.4 million euros, which is higher than Australia’s 38.4 million euros. But the performance on the field will determine whether the match is won or lost.
In this match, Tunisia sent the starting lineup is:
goalkeeper: Damen; Defenders: Talby, Meriach, Bloon; Midfielders: Dregg, Abdi, Leduni, Sirri; Strikers: Msacconi, Jebali, Slatey.
Australia’s starting line-up is:
goalkeeper: Ryan; Defenders: Karacic, Rawls, Beshi, Suthar; Midfielders: Mooy, McGree, Owen; Strikers: Leckie, Duke, Goodwin.
In the early stages of the game, Australia took the lead and frequently caused trouble in the Tunisian penalty area with crosses from the left. While Tunisia, on the other hand, were tired of defending, occasionally relying on counter-attacks, and then waiting in the wings.
The Tunisian supporters, however, are more outspoken in Hukla’s Janoub stadium. Every time their team touched the ball, the Tunisian fans, who were in a sea of red, erupted in cheers.
However, the Tunisian crowd was unable to influence the outcome of the match, and Australia was the team to break the tie first. Australia’s striker Duke headed in a teammate’s cross to give Australia the lead in the 23rd minute.
The first goal at this World Cup was also scored by a player from Japan’s second-tier league, Duke. Brazil was the only team to deny Tunisia, who had kept nine of their previous ten clean sheets across all matches, but they lacked many effective countermeasures for Australia’s cross ball.
Tunisia had a fantastic opportunity at the 40-minute. Australia, however, blocked Tunisia’s initial shot and follow-up attempt. Msacconi received a cross from a teammate in front of the goal at the half. However, his opponent blocked his shot, preventing him from converting the equalizer.
The Australian team ultimately prevailed in a struggle that was nearly “hand-to-hand.” With the win, Australia, which had the lowest ranking in the preliminary round, maintained its chances of qualifying the next round.