Mitch Duke's first-half header gave Australia a 1-0 victory over Tunisia and sparked their chances of moving on to the World Cup knockout rounds.
The Socceroos had to endure some late pressure to gain a victory after Duke converted Craig Goodwin's left-wing cross in the 23rd minute, but now they have everything to play for when they face Denmark in their final Group D match. With just one point after two games, Tunisia will need to defeat the reigning champions France on Wednesday and hope that other outcomes go their way.
Australia managed to win the hectic opening but was unable to take advantage of Tunisia's several crosses into their box.
The Australia team's plan clearly included wide-area delivery of the ball, and it began to pay off halfway through the first half. Using a quick touch in the middle of the field, Duke initiated the move before sprinting into the box and deftly deflecting Goodwin's cross beyond Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.
As the first half went on, Tunisia became a more potent attacking force and had two chances to tie the score before halftime. Issam Jebali's determined play after 41 minutes allowed him to find Mohamed Drager at the far post, but defender Harry Souttar sprinted across to block his goal-bound attempt.
The tenacious Jebali then moved to the right, but captain Youssef Msakni missed the target with his low center. However, after 71 minutes, when substitute Jamie Maclaren escaped down the left and delivered a low cross that was just inches in front of the sliding Mathew Leckie, Tunisia's desperate search for an equalizer nearly brought them undone once more.
In the end, a second goal wasn't necessary because Australia's tenacious backline, led by Souttar, did enough to keep Tunisia out and record just the Socceroos' second clean sheet in 18 World Cup games.
WHY DOES THAT MATTER? AUSTRALIA ATTEMPTED A LAST-SIX SHOT.
Australia is once again in contention to advance, but they won't know what they need until after Denmark's match against France later on Saturday.
The Socceroos, who have only ever advanced to the round of 16, face the Danes in a pivotal matchup next. Snooker is needed in Tunisia. It is imperative that they defeat Les Bleus in their final game, but even if France has already qualified by the time they play at Education City Stadium, that outcome is implausible.
TUNISIA IS KEPT AT BAY BY EXCELLENT SOUTTAR
Souttar, a center back for Stoke City, was a titan at the center of the Australian defense.
Drager was successfully stopped by the 24-year-prompt old's action in the first half, and he did it again in the second half when Taha Yassine Khenissi attempted to take advantage of a rare mistake by Kye Rowles.
JEBALI'S ENERGY IS IMPRESSIVE.
The tenacious Jebali was responsible for all of Tunisia's perilous situations. The 30-year-willingness to run the channels was a constant source of annoyance for the Australia backline. He plays club football for Odense in Denmark.
Unfortunately for the north African team, his excellent build-up play was not matched by his precise finishing, as both Drager and Msakni missed fantastic chances to score. It was a day of great frustration for Msakni's team as Australia kept their first World Cup clean sheet since a 0-0 draw against Chile in 1974. Msakni had six shots, the most by a Tunisian player in a World Cup match.
NEXT, WHAT?
On Wednesday, Australia will play Denmark, and Tunisia will compete against the reigning champions, France.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0