Australia faces Tunisia in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday, looking to rebound from a crushing loss to France in the first round. The Socceroos fell 4-1 to France in their 2022 opener on Tuesday, while Tunisia and Denmark tied 0-0.
Tunisia vs Australia Group D Match Preview
For the sixth time in their existence, Tunisia is participating in the World Cup finals, where they hope to go beyond the group round finally.
The African team has started off well in this tournament, holding a powerful Denmark squad to a goalless draw in their group opener after losing all three of their previous group games in 1998, 2002, and 2006.
The match against Australia is crucial for Tunisia since their last and most challenging group-stage encounter is next Wednesday against France.
The squad captained by Jalel Kadri has not lost a competitive match since January, and they qualified for the World Cup finals by defeating Mali in the third qualifying round.
Tunisia’s 2-0 victory over Denmark at the Confederations Cup in June 2005 should give them plenty of confidence heading into this match, which will be just the third time they have played Australia.
As previously reported, Australia is already in a precarious situation in Group D after a 4-1 loss to the eventual winners, France, on Tuesday.
Craig Goodwin gave the Socceroos the lead in the ninth minute. Still, France responded with four unanswered goals from Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud (twice), and Kylian Mbappe to put Australia at the bottom of the group.
Graham Arnold’s squad qualified for the 2022 World Cup by prevailing in penalty shootouts against the United Arab Emirates and Peru and then by defeating New Zealand in two friendlies at the end of September.
Australia has now participated in the previous five World Cups, winning once and being ousted in the group stage three times. However, in 2006, the national team advanced to the round of 16 to place 2nd in Group F behind Brazil. Then they were eliminated by Italy, 1-0.
Tunisia vs Australia Group D Team News
There were no reported injuries in Tunisia’s first encounter against Denmark. Therefore most of the starting XI from that game should be available for selection once again.
Wahbi Khazri, the team’s top scorer with 24, did not play in their first game of the tournament but is set to start here.
The 31-year-old might take over for Anis Ben Slimane, with Youssef Msakni and Issam Jebali practically sure to keep their starting positions in the final third.
Similarly, Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, who came on as a substitute against Denmark, will be looking to increase his World Cup playing time here.
Australia’s loss to France shouldn’t prompt head coach Arnold to make wholesale changes to his roster, especially as the match against the Blues still had its merits.
The starting lineup for the Socceroos should be the same as the one that entered the field at the opening whistle on Tuesday, with Mitchell Duke still in the forefront of the attack.
The team’s highest scorer, 31-year-old Mathew Leckie, will start on the right side once again, and he is expected to be joined by Goodwin, who scored the winning goal against France.
Additionally, Harry Souttar (Stoke City), Aaron Mooy (Celtic), and Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) are in contention to start for Australia on Saturday.
- Tunisia Possible Starting Lineup: Khazri, Dahmen, Meriah, Talbi, Skhiri, Laidouni, Abdi, Jebali, Bronn, Msakni Drager,.
- Australia Possible Starting Lineup: Irvine, Ryan, Souttar, Rowles, Mooy, Leckie, McGree, Behich, Goodwin, Duke Atkinson.
Tunisia vs Australia Group D Prediction (1-1)
It’s tough to choose a winner here, but either Tunisia or Australia might come out on top on Saturday. There is a good likelihood that this Group D match will be a low-scoring draw due to the close match between the two clubs.
