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PREVIEW
Expect “TUN-is, TUN-is, TUN-is” chants to reverberate across the Al Janoub stadium as Tunisia enjoys overwhelming home-like help when it takes on Australia in every group’s second match on the World Cup on Saturday.
One of the 4 Arab groups on the first World Cup within the Middle East, Tunisia had arguably the loudest set of followers within the first spherical of video games when it held European Championship semifinalist Denmark to a 0-0 draw.
And the help isn’t simply from Tunisians. Fans waving Palestinian flags have been following Tunisia, and there are additionally supporters of the squad from Egypt and Algeria.
France vs Denmark, FIFA World Cup: Preview, head-to-head file, predicted 11, streaming data
Tunisia’s group bus was mobbed by red-clad followers upon arrival in Qatar final week.
“We know the value of our Tunisian supporters in Doha, and the Tunisian diaspora,” coach Jalel Kadri stated. “This gives us a strong morale boost.”
Both groups can have increased expectations, after Australia was beat 4-1 by defending champion France in its Group D opener.
All 4 of France’s objectives got here from assaults down the flanks, with three of them headed in.
Predicted 11
Tunisia: Dahmen; Bronn, Meriah, Talbi; Drager, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi; Khazri, Jebali, Msakni
Australia: Ryan; Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin; Duke
“Conceding three goals from wide areas is obviously a very clear lesson for us to learn,” Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine stated. “We obviously have to deal with the crosses better.”
France leads the group with three factors, Tunisia and Denmark are subsequent with one level every and Australia trails with none.
Tunisia is looking for to advance from the group stage for the primary time in its sixth World Cup look, whereas Australia has solely reached the final 16 as soon as — in 2006 — in 5 earlier journeys to soccer’s greatest occasion.
“There’s a bit more pressure because Australia have nothing to lose now. It’s like a final for them,” Tunisia defender Mohamed Dräger stated. “We need to be ready like (Tuesday). With the same spirit and the same concentration we can achieve something.”
Tunisia’s spirit is embodied by combative midfielder Aïssa Laïdouni, who earned participant of the match honors in opposition to Denmark in his first profession World Cup match.
Laïdouni set the tone within the very first minute when he stripped Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen of the ball with an aggressive sliding deal with — then stood up and pumped his arms menacingly, gesturing to the gang to get much more fired up.
“It’s important to come at the game with a lot of determination,” Laïdouni stated. “This is World Cup, it’s not a small competition. … It’s also important to show (the fans) we are so determined.”