After an inspiring draw in opposition to Denmark, Tunisia is trying to attain the World Cup knockout levels for the primary time.
Who: Tunisia vs Australia, Group D
The place: Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
When: Saturday, November 26, at 1pm (10:00 GMT)
Rating: Tunisia (30), Australia (38)
Saturday’s sport is the third assembly between Tunisia and Australia, with either side having gained one of many earlier two. Australia beat the Carthage Eagles 3-0 in a 1997 pleasant, but it surely was a reversal of fortunes for the latter on the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup the place they beat Australia 2-0.
After a goalless draw of their opening fixture in opposition to Denmark, semi-finalists on the final European Championships, Tunisia have secured their second clear sheet out of a complete of 16 World Cup matches.
They’re competing within the finals of the World Cup for the sixth time of their historical past, they usually need to attain the knockout spherical of the competitors for the primary time.
Coach Jalel Kadri is prone to retain most of Tunisia’s beginning XI in opposition to Denmark, as there are not any new harm issues.
Wahbi Khazri was a shock omission for Tunisia in that sport. However because the crew’s main aim scorer, the skilled attacker ought to return to the beginning eleven in opposition to Australia. The 31-year-old will seemingly exchange Anis Ben Slimane, becoming a member of Youssef Msakni and Issam Jebali in a present of extra pronounced attacking ambition.
Captain Msakni made his mark in opposition to Denmark, and is anticipated to be instrumental within the remaining third in opposition to Australia alongside along with his strike companions.
And 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shall be hoping to play extra minutes, after being introduced on as a late substitute in opposition to Denmark.
Tunisia’s final and certain hardest sport on the group stage shall be in opposition to France subsequent Wednesday, so their possibilities of qualifying for the knockout spherical might largely depend upon their outcome in opposition to Australia.
Of their opening sport, the Socceroos had been on the receiving finish of a 4-1 drubbing by Les Blues, and in the event that they lose once more on Saturday, they may have crashed out of the World Cup on the group levels for a file third time after 1974 and 2014.
Australia, who’ve misplaced 11 of their 17 video games on the World Cup and have didn’t win of their final seven outings on this stage – their longest winless streak within the competitors.
Nonetheless, coach Graham Arnold just isn’t anticipated to make any radical adjustments to his crew. Captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is anticipated to have a greater command of his field and higher safety from his defenders this time.