Karacic to replace injured Atkinson as Tunisian coach delivers Socceroos backhander

Doha: Graham Arnold has confirmed Fran Karacic will play at right-back in the Socceroos’ must-win World Cup clash on Saturday night as Tunisia’s coach claimed he “wasn’t surprised” by Australia’s 4-1 shellacking at the hands of France.

Italy-based Karacic has been handed a start over Milos Degenek and Thomas Deng on the right side of Australia’s defence in the absence of Nathaniel Atkinson, who picked up an ankle knock in his battle with French superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Fran Karacic will start at right-back for Australia against Tunisia, Graham Arnold has confirmed.Credit: Getty

Arnold volunteered the information at his official pre-match press conference after the Socceroos’ training session, which was staged under the searing Qatari sun in preparation for a 1pm local start time at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the air-conditioned venues, players and coaches have complained about the draining impact of the conditions during day games in Doha, four of which have ended in scoreless draws.

Arnold was, however, coy on the fitness status of key midfielder Ajdin Hrustic, who is yet to feature at the World Cup and is trying to overcome an ankle injury he sustained on club duty for Hellas Verona.

“He’s getting there. He trained well tonight,” he said.

“He’s recovered well, he’s mentally and physically in good shape. Tomorrow will be a very, very physical game. Tunisians like a physical game, and we’ve got to match the physical aspect of it.”

Nathaniel Atkinson won’t face Tunisia due to injury.Credit: Getty

Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri delivered a similar assessment of the Socceroos, praising their physicality and fitness as their biggest strength and said they had an “excellent game” against France. Even so, he provided something of a backhanded compliment, declaring that from what he knew from scouting Australia’s recent displays, the final score did not exactly shock him.

“We were surprised by the performance, but we’re not too surprised that France won because they are the title-holders,” he said.

“We know the littlest details of the performance of the Australian team because we have analysed all of their previous matches; this is why we’re not surprised by the score. We know that they even excelled in some parts, such as when it comes to their stamina and their fitness.”

Tunisia has never made it out of their World Cup group in five previous attempts, and Kadri said this was their chance to “make the Tunisian dream come true” and to “protect our heritage” in front of what will feel like a home crowd for them. The huge Tunisian expat community in Qatar packed the stands for their scoreless opening draw with Denmark, creating a raucous, intimidatory atmosphere.

“That’s what you want, that’s what football is all about,” Socceroos defender Aziz Behich said. “I’m excited to get out on that pitch and hear the hostile environment – it kind of puts fire in my belly a bit more, to be honest.”

The Socceroos have three players on yellow cards – Mitch Duke, Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine – who will be automatically suspended for their final match against Denmark if they receive another caution, but Arnold said that would not influence his team selection, hinting that Duke and Jamie Maclaren would both see minutes.

The match will kick off at 9pm AEDT, a rare primetime viewing slot on a weekend for an Australian match at a World Cup, and in light of the almost winner-takes-all stakes, it makes this one of the team’s most hotly anticipated games in many years.

“We all saw the footage back home after [Craig Goodwin] scored. It gives you goosebumps that you do that to the nation back home,” Behich said.

“It’s a perfect time for everyone back home, our family, friends that will be watching. We’re going to go out there all guns blazing. When that final whistle goes, we want to see more footage of everyone at Fed Square going crazy again – that’s our main goal.”

Meanwhile, Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said the result of the Socceroos’ match would influence how they approached their showdown with France. Denmark and France will be played six hours after the Australia-Tunisia game, which could shape the machinations in Group D.

Hjulmand put Australia’s loss into perspective by hailing the immense strength in depth of Les Bleus, and was hopeful – but not exactly confident – that Goodwin’s early goal had exposed weaknesses in France’s defensive that Denmark could exploit.

“It’s an opponent who belongs at the very, very top of world football – they’re the reigning champions, and the quality of the talent they have in France at the moment is spectacular,” he said.

“France has a lot of injuries, but they have an unbelievable amount of top players. Hopefully, we can do something.”

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