World Cup 2022: Australia defeats Tunisia 1-0 to dream of spot in Qatar’s knockout stages
On Saturday night, Graham Arnold masterminded Australia’s third ever World Cup win. See his message to the haters and the aftermath of the famous goal.
World Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from World Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After masterminding just Australia’s third ever World Cup win, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold – a lightning rod for criticism during his four-year tenure in the top job – fired back at the ex-players and fans who savaged him and his team after the France loss.
The Socceroos’ destiny is in their own hands after a glorious 1-0 victory over Tunisia, thanks to a first-half Mitchell Duke goal and a tactical masterclass from Arnold, who now knows that victory against Denmark would book certain passage through to the Round of 16.
It was a historic day at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Doha, and Arnold nearly ran out of time in his press conference going through the list of players who had performed out of their skin.
Fed Square: that’s the tweet. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vT3JbuVDYv
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 26, 2022
It started at the back, with captain Mat Ryan inspirational in goals, while centre backs Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles put in imperious displays as Australia secured their first clean sheet since the 1974 World Cup 48 years ago.
That it came just three days after a frustrating night, in which they watched four goals slip by for France, made Australia’s resolute defence all the more impressive.
But it was that French defeat that left Arnold wide open for his critics to have a swing, and they didn’t miss.
“Who cares? They’ve never coached,” Arnold said of his detractors.
But when pressed on the verbal attacks from former players, which over the past week has included former Socceroos Craig Foster, Mark Bosnich and Zeljko Kalac, Arnold’s response was more telling.
PLAYER RATINGS: WHO STARRED FOR THE SOCCEROOS?
Fed Square: that’s the tweet. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vT3JbuVDYv
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 26, 2022
“I haven’t seen who was critical. Some of them have never even been to a World Cup,” he said.
“I don’t listen to them. They have no effect on my life.”
Arnold had every right to be in a chipper mood as the long-awaited victory sparked wild celebrations across Australia – with spectacular vision emerging of fan celebrations in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
“The fans back at home, it’s a moment they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and I just wanted them to enjoy it.
“That’s what I said to the boys before the game: ‘Let’s put a smile on the nation’s face’.
“There’s one or two teams that can bring the nation together: Socceroos and the Matildas.
“When the Socceroos play at World Cups, AFL fans, rugby league fans, cricket fans. they become football fans.
“Imagine the celebrations that are going on at home?”
The win moved Australia into second place in Group D, on three points, with France and Denmark still to play later on Saturday.
A victory would guarantee progression to the knockout stages, while a draw may also be enough depending on the result of Saturday’s late fixture.
“We’ve got to see what the result is tonight, but nothing will change for us,” Arnold said.
“We will focus on ourselves, making sure we get ourselves right.”
‘Time to make history’: Round of 16 dream alive after historic win
- Tim Michell
Desolation one day. Delirium the next.
Socceroos fans in Qatar and at home have genuine reason to dream of a berth in the knockout stages after a 1-0 victory over Tunisia.
Mitch Duke’s first half header was the difference between the teams as the Australians – considered outsiders after being humbled by world champions France – climbed to second in Group D.
Graham Arnold’s side will enter its final group game against Denmark with the knowledge victory will secure a place in the last 16.
“This was the best performance I have seen Australia play for a very long time. I hope they continue this,” Socceroos legend Harry Kewell said on SBS.
The Socceroos replicated their energetic start against France in the opening half, bossing possession and enjoying more territory than the Tunisians.
Their dominance was rewarded when Duke rose highest and glanced his header past Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in the 23rd minute.
“No words, such a big moment for my family and my supporters,” Duke said.
“It is the best feeling in the world, but try not to get too caught up because there is one more game to win and get out of the group.”
Duke celebrated with a hand gesture for his son Jaxson who was among more than 40,000 fans who packed the stands of the Al Janoob Stadium in searing heat.
Tunisia only got going after coach Jalel Kadri went to his bench in the second half and could have equalised had it not been for the efforts of Harry Souttar and Mat Ryan in the last 20 minutes.
Ryan was faultless under a long-range barrage from the desperate Tunisians, while Souttar twice produced tackles to deny Tunisia goalscoring opportunities.
“Honestly, I will go to war with these boys,” Duke said.
“A huge shift by the lads, keeping the clean sheet and getting a result, we fought until the end, everyone gave 110% and that is all you can ask. We showed the Aussie spirit and we got the result.”
Arnold said his team has silenced its doubters.
Many supporters were writing the Socceroos’ World Cup obituary after they were blown away by France.
But Australia’s first victory on football’s biggest stage in 12 years has completely changed the mood of the nation.
“Just hugely proud of the boys, they showed that great fighting Aussie spirit tonight. We were in their faces all the time. I just expect to made the nation very proud,” Arnold said.
Australia’s Group D fate will be decided on Thursday morning against Denmark (2am AEDT).
ARNIE’S DEFIANT MESSAGE TO AUSSIE DOUBTERS
Joe Barton in Doha
MATCH RECAP
FULLTIME SCORE AUSTRALIA 1-0 TUNISIA“A lot can happen in six minutes,” says Fahid Ben Khafallah on SBS. Read the roommate.
ADDED TIME: 6 MINUTESHarry Souttar has pulled off two enormous tackles and Mat Ryan is thwarting Tunisia who are throwing everything at Australia nearing added-time.
Awer Mabil and Keanu Baccus have been subbed on. Craig Goodwin and Mathew Leckie are off. Boy they got through some kilometres tonight.
80-MINUTE UPDATE
Milos Degenek is on and Mat Leckie is staying out there despite appearing sore. We’re 80 minutes in and Australia still leads 1-0.
“If we decide to hold on it’s going to be a long 10 minutes,” says Harry Kewell on SBS.
Goodwin and Leckie are cooked. They have rinsed every last effort out of their bodies. Troopers. #WorldCup2022
— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) November 26, 2022
CHANCE AUSTRALIA!
Jamie Maclaren’s cross is inches from a sliding Mathew Leckie and at the other end Mat Ryan saves sharply. The game is well and truly opening up now. And did anyone else hear that noise from Harry Kewell when he thought it was going in?
20 MINUTES REMAIN!
Plus added time of course and who knows exactly how long that may be? Can Australia hold on or even nab a second goal?
TUNISIAN FAVOURITE SUBBED ON
Tunisia goes to its bench again to try and change the game, introducing former EPL man Wahbi Khazri.
If you’re like me and follow Sunderland, you will remember Khazri most fondly for his 38 appearances in the northeast of England.
He only scored three goals but when he did score they were special.
He’ll be a threat for the Socceroos in his 73rd international appearance.
Aissa Laidouni is the man to make way.
THE SUBWAY SOCCEROOS MAKE SOME SUBS
And not of the sandwich kind. Ajdin Hrustic is on after missing the first game in place of Riley McGree, while Jamie Maclaren replaces the goalscorer Mitch Duke. There are 63 minutes gone but the way this World Cup has gone there could be 40 minutes left.
“Great opportunity for them to get on, this game will open up and they have to take their chances,” Harry Kewell says on SBS.
WHEN WILL ARNOLD GO TO HIS BENCH?
Graham Arnold was criticised after Australia’s loss to France for taking too long to make changes.
There are almost 60 minutes gone in this game, when will he pull the trigger?
“If you look at Australia’s bench, when they come on and if they have space, that is going to be dangerous,” the commentators note.
Subs subs subs #Socceroos
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) November 26, 2022
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
Tunisia has made its first change with Mohamed Drager replaced by Ferjani Sassi.
Harry Kewell says Tunisia “brought nothing” in that first half but Australia needs to be prepared to weather a more attacking storm.
“That is not taking away how good Australia where, but they have to come at Australia. But if Australia stick to their plan and the way they played in the first half, we will be all right,” Kewell said on SBS.
DARE TO DREAM … RIGHT?
💰 BET OF NOTE 💰
— TAB (@tabcomau) November 26, 2022
At half-time we took a bet of $500 on Australia to the win the World Cup @ odds of $401! #Qatar2022
AUSSIE FANS GOING OFF IN MELBOURNE
Video shows fans at Melbourne’s Federation Square erupting when Australia found the back of the net in the opening half.
Hundreds of fans are jammed into the area in Melbourne’s CBD, which was where a clash between Australia and French fans took place a few days ago.
It appears everyone is pretty happy tonight though.
Scenes at Fed Square #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/mZKX8RNfow
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) November 26, 2022
CHANCE TUNISIA!
Youssef Msakni is inches from making it 1-1 after his shot is just wide of the right upright. “You cannot miss those, that is a massive chance,” says Fahid Ben Khalfallah in commentary.
CHANCE TUNISIA!
What a block by Harry Souttar. Mo Drager has a golden chance to make it 1-1 after the ball falls to him in the box but Souttar uses his big frame to send the ball wide of Mat Ryan’s goal with a desperate lunge.
Brilliant, Harry Souttar! ðŸ‘🧱
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
AUSTRALIA SCORESMitch Duke is on target with the header and Australia leads 1-0 against Tunisia!
Harry Kewell was full of praise for the goal on SBS: “What helped this run was Behich, his pressure. We do get fortune, but Duke is ready. That is unbelievable, that is just guiding the pace. All he has got to do is just a guide that in and that is the perfect header for us.”
Mitchell Duke's header is the 50th goal of this World Cup. He celebrates with his son, Jaxson. #TUNAUS#Qatar2022pic.twitter.com/iI6vOTGSkr
— Football24/7 (@foet247europa) November 26, 2022
Outstanding Wikipedia work boys. pic.twitter.com/5vCFSpjFa4
— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) November 26, 2022
WHO’S REALLY FEELING THE HEAT?
We know the pressure on Graham Arnold and the Socceroos — but how about Tunisia?
Former A-League star and Tunisian Fahid Ben Khalfallah summed up the significance of the match for Tunisia.
“Yes, it is massive,” he told SBS.
“We are 12 million people, I’m sure, the whole country has stopped, everything, just to watch. The pressure is massive because they can make history.
“If they win today, it is going to be crazy, I can’t even imagine. But there is a lot of time (left).”
CRAZY NOISE AS ROOS BOSS OPENING STAGES
Five minutes in and no real chances to speak of but the noise is deafening.
The Tunisian fans promised noise and are bringing it and then some.
“We just can’t be putting crosses up in the air because again, (with) Tunisia playing with three centre halves, it will be very difficult to compete,” Harry Kewell says on SBS.
“A perfect ball is going to be very difficult so we have to find little angles and drive to the byline and lock to cut the ball back.”
KICK-OFF
Australia v Tunisia is underway at Qatar’s Al Janoub Stadium!
Let’s go boys @Socceroos 💪ðŸ½ðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡º
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) November 26, 2022
PRE-MATCH NEWS
GRAHAM ARNOLD SPEAKS PRE-MATCH
“We are not talking about France, we are looking at Tunisia. That was our expectations, the first 28 minutes, now we have got to do it for 90,” he says on SBS.
On the Tunisian challenge: Strength, speed, we have got to be in their faces and not give them any time on the ball.
“It will be great, exciting afternoon for the boys. It will be an electric atmosphere, unique occasion.”
AUSSIE FANS OUTNUMBERED 20 TO 1 IN QATAR
The crowd is starting to fill up and this has a very different feel to the France game on Tuesday.
For starters, it is LOUD. It feels, at a rough estimate, about 30 times louder than the crowd in the France-Socceroos game.
Also, you’re a brave soul if you’ve turned up to support Australia today because you’re outnumbered by 20-1. At least.
This is a Tunisian home game in all respects bar the actual ground it is played on.
45 minutes before kick-off, the Socceroos came onto the field to warm up and the boo was deafening – and the ground was barely a quarter full.
Aziz Behich reckons it will put a bit more fire in the bellies of the Australian stars – well there’s plenty of fire in the stands right now.
This is going to be a hell of an atmosphere.
— Joe Barton in Doha
SIDELINED SOCCEROO HAILED ULTIMATE TEAMMATE
What a man.
It’s no secret Martin Boyle is a popular man in the Socceroos camp and he has put aside his personal disappointment to support his teammates against Tunisia.
Boyle found out in recent days he injured his ACL after he was ruled out of the world cup with a knee injury.
The severity of that issue only became apparent in recent days.
One of life's great people, @MartinBoyle9! Heartbreakingly ruled out of the @FIFAWorldCup with an ACL injury, surgery Wednesday, at the venue today to support his @Socceroos teammates and with a massive smile. The ultimate teammate. pic.twitter.com/oykRfvTkIz
— Rebecca Trbojevich (@RTrbojevich) November 26, 2022
Head Vibes Manager @MartinBoyle9 doing his part... 👀#Socceroos#GiveIt100#FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/ugS9PIsUNm
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 26, 2022
AUSTRALIAN TEAM CONFIRMED
Only one change made by Graham Arnold, with Fran Karacic coming in for the injured Nathaniel Atkinson.
Joe Barton is on the ground in Qatar and also reports Ajdin Hrustic is on the Socceroos’ bench.
Fans have reacted angrily to a lack of selection change from the Socceroos.
“No Devlin?” one tweeted.
“Surely have to change the midfield up?” tweeted another.
“Release the real line-up please” added another.
On SBS, John Aloisi said: (Hrustic) mustn’t be ready to play, he must not be totally confident with the other wingers to start the games. I’m sure he will make substitutes a lot earlier this game than he did last.”
In addition to Karacic for Atkinson a change in midfield wouldn’t surprise. Would love to see Devlin start for energy early to set the tone.
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) November 26, 2022
Duke/JMac up top will be an interesting call. Either way Maclaren plays at some stage. Deserves his World Cup bow. Stinking hot day fyi.
Only one @Socceroos change. Karacic for Atkinson. Surprised there wasn’t 1-2 more. Let’s go lads 🇦🇺
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) November 26, 2022
SOCCEROOS TEAM v Tunisia
Ryan
Karacic Souttar Rowles Behich
Mooy McGree Irvine
Leckie Duke Goodwin
BOSNICH: SOCCEROOS TO FACE WC’S MOST FEROCIOUS MIDFIELD
Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich says Australia is about to confront the World Cup’s “most ferocious” midfield.
“They were the most ferocious, tenacious midfield I have seen so far at the World Cup,” analysing Tunisia’s 0-0 draw against Denmark on SBS.
Bosnich pinpointed Aissa Laidouni and Ellyes Skhiri as players who could give Tunisia the impetus if Australia’s midfield is not up to the task.
There was a clamour from some fans for Cam Devlin to be brought into the middle to provide a hard edge, but Graham Arnold has stuck with the same midfield which started against France.
Former A-League player and Tunisian footballer Fahid Ben Khalfallah said Australia would have to be ready for the Tunisians to take the game to them.
“I think it is going to be a very good game, both teams want to win it and Tunisia will have to go and press. And that is what they want to do anyway. I think it is going to be good. Because I talked to a couple of people from the staff and what they say is, they are going to be very positive.”
HOW AUSTRALIA CAN DRAW AND MAKE KNOCKOUT STAGES
The worst-case scenario for Australia is being eliminated from the World Cup tonight.
That would be the outcome if the Socceroos lose to Tunisia or if they draw and Denmark defeats France.
But there is still a remote chance Australia could draw against Tunisia and squeeze into the last 16.
That would require France to beat Tunisia in its last group game, leaving the African nation with two points (from draws against Denmark and Australia).
The reigning world champion would also need to defeat Denmark in a match which kicks off at 3pm AEDT tomorrow.
In that scenario, France would top the group with nine points, Tunisia would finish with two points and Australia would need to defeat Denmark in its last match to tally four points.
AUSTRALIA V TUNISIA STARTS AT 9PM AEDT
If Australia is to qualify for the knockout stages of Qatar, it more realistically needs to win tonight.
If that eventuates and France defeats or draws with Denmark, Australia will be second in Group D with one round of matches remaining (France would have six or four points, Australia three, Denmark one or two and Tunisia one).
It really is that big against Tunisia from Graham Arnold and his team.
THE LAST TIME AUSTRALIA PLAYED TUNISIA …
Was all the way back in 2005 at the Confederations Cup.
Striker John Aloisi finished with four goals to be one of the top scorers at the tournament, but Australia conceded 10 in a group that also featured powerhouse nations Argentina and Germany.
Australia lost its last game 2-0 to Tunisia as coach Frank Farina fielded a team featuring Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Tony Vidmar, Jason Culina, Mark Viduka and Aloisi.
Little did we know Guus Hiddink was about to change the immediate future of Australian football for the better …
Australia’s last win against Tunisia was a friendly in 1997 when Viduka, Matthew Bingley and Aurelio Vidmar found the back of the net.
TUNISIA’S BRUTAL VERDICT ON FRANCE’S AUSSIE DEMOLITION
The Socceroos’ 4-1 thrashing at the hands of France might have shocked the bleary-eyed fans who woke up at the crack of dawn. But it was no surprise to Tunisian coach Jalel Kadri.
Australia will face Tunisia in their must-win Group D clash on Saturday – where a loss will end their tournament in the group stages for a fourth World Cup in a row.
But, according to Kadri, there are few surprises Socceroos coach Graham Arnold can pull on the Tunisian team due to their meticulous planning on the Australians.
“From the beginning of this tournament we saw strange results, so to speak, and we were surprised by the performance but not too surprised that France won because they are the titleholders,” Kadri said.
“We know the littlest detail of the performance of the Australian team, because we’ve analysed all of their previous matches. This is why we were not surprised by the score (4-1).
“But we know that they excelled in some parts, when it comes to their stamina and fitness. This is why we show the greatest respect to the Australian team.
“I consider them capable of playing a high level of matches. They have players who are able to run very rapidly, who can ensure a good exploitation of opportunities.”
With an excellent draw against the highly rated Denmark spurring them on, Tunisia are optimistic their efforts have united a nation that is being divided by political crisis.
“This is what I hope for. We have seen the joy on the streets, and how proud they are to be part of a small country according to the world – but a big country according to our eyes,” added Kadri.
“As members of the Tunisian team, we feel very proud.”
Tunisia have never reached the knockout stages of the World Cup, but victory over Australia would put them on four points and in a great position to create history when heading into their final group stage clash with France.
“We are lucky enough to be at the World Cup – and we know Tunisia has never got through the group stage before,” said star midfielder Ellyes Skhiri.
“We have an opportunity to get into the history books. We have two very difficult matches in front of us. But we mustn’t have any regrets.
“We played well in the first match but it’s going to be even tougher from now on. We must give everything so we have no regrets.”
ROBBIE SLATER’S GRIM PREDICTION: AUSTRALIA CAN’T WIN
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has provided a grim forecast for Australian fans ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash against Tunisia.
“When you look at Saturday night’s FIFA World Cup game with Tunisia the simple answer is: we can’t win,” he said.
And he has a message from those supporters who want the Socceroos to go into all-out attack mode tonight — don’t kid yourself.
SOCCEROOS READY TO EMBRACE CROWD PRESSURE
They are the Red Wall army who will give the Socceroos hell for 90 minutes: but Aziz Behich believes Tunisia’s vocal crowd advantage will simply add “fire to the bellies” of the Australians in their must-win match.
Australia fans are going to be wildly outnumbered at tonight’s crucial Group D clash, with Doha’s large local Tunisian population out in force as their country attempt to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
Against Denmark, the Tunisian fans – decked out in the red of their nation – created one of the most hostile atmospheres of the whole tournament as they inspired their team to a draw against the World No. 10 Danes.
Let's go Australia!#Socceroos#GiveIt100#FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/6AFyJA4oB3
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 26, 2022
But far from being intimidated, Behich says Australia will feed off the frenzied atmosphere.
“You want to play in front of fans. We’ve been fortunate enough with our national team, we’ve been to places where a lot of teams would’ve struggled,” Behich said.
“It’s exciting. Personally, I’ve been lucky enough to play in hostile environments in Turkey, we saw footage of (the Tunisian) fans and that’s what you want.
“You never want an empty stadium. Our supporters against France were great, they were loud, you could hear them.
“I’m excited to get out on that pitch and hear the hostile environment … it puts fire in the belly to be honest.”
PUNTERS UNLOAD ON SOCCEROOS
Parochial punters have unloaded on Australia to keep its World Cup alive with a win against Tunisia tonight.
Almost 50 per cent of bets with TAB are on the Socceroos to win, a result which could send Graham Arnold’s team as high as second in Group D.
Australia are $3.75 outsiders with Tunisia $2.10 with TAB.
Most of the bets on tonight’s match have been small wagers as parochial Australians look to get behind the Socceroos in the must-win clash.
Punters have backed a 2-0 and 2-1 win Australia win more than any other result.
Tunisian star Wahbi Khazri is favourite to score the first goal of the contest.
A win would propel Australia into second in Group D, at least until France faces Denmark.
If France then accounted for the Danes, Australia would only need a draw in their last group match to progress.
ATKINSON TO MISS CRUNCH TUNISIA CLASH
Joe Barton and Adam Peacock
The Socceroos will start a different right back in tonight’s clash with Tunisia with Nathaniel Atkinson unable to start with an ankle injury.
Atkinson was a notable omission from Australia’s light session this morning in Doha, and team officials have confirmed he hasn’t recovered from a knock suffered in Australia’s defeat to France on Tuesday.
Atkinson was given a tough time against arguably the best player on the planet, Kylian Mbappe, but on reflection analysis shows the 22 year-old wasn’t totally torn to shreds.
There were 14 one-on-one duels between Mbappe and Atkinson in the game, with Atkinson beaten on three occasions.
KICK-OFF IS AT 9PM AEDT
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made a point of mentioning the youngster’s performance in a press briefing with Australian reporters yesterday.
“I just said to Nathaniel: you’re going to remember this for the rest of your life,” Arnold said.
“You’re going to sit there in 20 years time when you retire, with a beer in your hand, telling everyone how you played against one of the best players in the world.
“And you’re gonna show them two mistakes but ten things you did great. You’ve gotta look at the positives and what that kid’s gonna learn out of it.”
Arnold now has to choose between Thomas Deng, Milos Degenek and Fran Karacic to fill the right back vacancy.
WHO COMES IN?
Italy-based Fran Karacic will be charged with helping restore Australia’s leaky defence – which conceded four goals to a rampant French outfit.
Midfield star Ajdin Hrustic, who has recovered from his own ankle complaint, is another strong contender to be deployed into Arnold’s starting line-up for Saturday’s clash.
“He’s getting there, he trained well (on Friday) and he’s recovered well. Mentally and physically he’s in good shape,” Arnold said at his pre-match press conference.
“Tomorrow will be a very, very physical game – Tunisia like a physical game. We’ve got to match the physical aspect of it. But he’s in good shape.”
There could also be movement up front, with Mitchell Duke under pressure from fellow strikers Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings to hold his spot leading the line.
Arnold said he was loath to make too many changes, however.
“The boys have pulled up fantastically well. I don’t think there’ll be too many changes,” Arnold said.
“We’ve got to put our strongest line-up out there.
“Tomorrow is a different kettle of fish (compared to the France game). We’ll be in their faces, up high, chasing and pressing, like they do and as other teams do, and being on the front foot.
“I don’t want to give away the starting lineup … Jamie’s obviously a great goalscorer, Mitchell Duke works hard.
“We’ve got some choices to make. At the end of the day I think at some stage you’ll see both of them on the field.”
Atkinson was given a tough time against arguably the best player on the planet, Kylian Mbappe, but on reflection analysis shows the 22 year-old wasn’t totally torn to shreds.
There were 14 one-on-one duels between Mbappe and Atkinson in the game, with Atkinson beaten on three occasions.
Arnold, on Thursday, had made a point of mentioning the youngster’s performance to Australian reporters.
“I just said to Nathaniel: you’re going to remember this for the rest of your life,” Arnold said.
“You’re going to sit there in 20 years’ time when you retire, with a beer in your hand, telling everyone how you played against one of the best players in the world.
“And you’re gonna show them two mistakes but ten things you did great. You’ve gotta look at the positives and what that kid’s gonna learn out of it.”
WILL GHOST OF CAHILL SPOOK SOCCEROOS OPPONENT?
Liam Fitzgibbon
Tunisia’s knowledge about the Socceroos is limited heading into Saturday night’s (AEDT) crunch World Cup clash — even to just a single iconic moment for one of their stars.
“I remember that goal from Tim Cahill … This is my last memory (of Australian teams),” defender Mohamed Drager told News Corp, referring to Cahill’s classic 2014 World Cup volley against the Netherlands.
“It’s good for us that he’s not playing anymore. (laughs).
“ … Look I haven’t seen a lot of them to be honest … but I know the history of Australia is as a big team, especially in World Cups, they’re tough to play. So I expect a hard game to be honest.”
There will be no danger of complacency from Tunisia, says Drager. And that will surely also be the case from Graham Arnold’s men after the North African side held world No. 10 Denmark to a scoreless draw in their opening match.
”It was good (result). I think it changed the expectations of the other teams that will face us. Maybe it was a big ‘hello’ to them and yeah, we are proud,” said Drager, who plays for Swiss side Luzern, on loan from Premier League club Nottingham Forest.
“We don’t want to make it too big as it is because it’s nil-nil. It’s not a big win. But yeah, obviously then Denmark’s one of the best teams in Europe, especially the last two years. So yeah, the expectations gets a bit higher now.”
Drager did not watch the Socceroos fall 4-1 to France in their opener but he is refusing to read too much into the result, especially knowing how desperate Arnold’s side will be in a meeting of the two lowest-ranked teams in the group.
“What’s the saying, backs to the wall right?,” he said.
“They don’t have a lot to lose if you know what I mean. So it will be tough for us, and like a final as well, because we didn’t want Denmark. We got just a point, so we need to get to four points because the French team will be tough.
“To be honest, I have a lot of respect for this game against Australia because I think we didn’t speak too much about Australia. All the focus was more on Denmark and the French team.
“So I hope we don’t make the mistake as well to underestimating the Australians.”
One thing is guaranteed – Saturday’s match will feel like a hostile away match for the Socceroos, with Tunisia among the most supported teams in Qatar.
There are an estimated 40,000 Tunisian nationals living in Doha, and it seemed most of them had a ticket to their opening match played amid and incredible, loud atmosphere.
“It was like a home game for us,” Drager said.
“How many people were in the stadium, say 42,000? I think it was 40,000 (Tunisians).
“It was great. It was nice. Everything went peacefully and I hope to experience this in again in the next two games as well.
“Maybe even in the next three or four games.”
Originally published as World Cup 2022: Australia defeats Tunisia 1-0 to dream of spot in Qatar’s knockout stages
Slater: Socceroos’ ‘huge problem’ – and how they can fix it
After back-to-back losses against teams the Socceroos must be beating, their main problem has come clear to ROBBIE SLATER, he reveals what it is and the ‘wildcard’ that could be the answer on the road to 2026.
Socceroos road to 2026 World Cup set to get even harder
Socceroos midfielder Keanu Baccus says he only expects qualifying for this and future World Cups to get harder as more and more Asian countries invest more into national football teams.