Expect “TUN-is, TUN-is, TUN-is” chants to reverberate around the Al Janoub stadium as Tunisia enjoys overwhelming home-like support when it takes on Australia in each team's second match at the World Cup on Saturday. (More Football News)
One of the four Arab teams at the first World Cup in the Middle East, Tunisia had arguably the loudest set of fans in the first round of games when it held European Championship🌠 semifinalist Denmark to a 0-0 draw.
And the support isn't just from Tunisians. Fans waving Palestinian flags ha🃏ve been followin💦g Tunisia, and there are also supporters of the squad from Egypt and Algeria.
Tunisia's team bus was 🥃mobbed by red-clad fans upon arrival in Qa⛎tar last week.
“We know the value of our Tunisian supporters in Doha, and the Tunisian diaspora🦩,” coach Jalel Kadꦰri said.
“This gives us a strong morale boost.”
Both teams will have higher expectations after Australia was beat 4-1 by defending champion🥂 France in its Group D opener.
All four�� of France's goals came from attacks down the flanks, with three of them headed in💧.
“Conceding three goals from wide areas is obviously a very clear lesson for us to learn,” Aus🅘tralia midfielder Jackson Irvine said.
“We obviously have to deal with the c🎃rosses better.”
France leads the group with three points, Tunisia and Denmark are next with one point eꦬach and Austr🍌alia trails with none.
Tunisia is seeking to advance from the group stage for the first time in its sixth World Cup appearance, while Australia has only reac🧸hed the last 16 once — in 2006 — in five previous trips to soccer's biggest event.
“There's a bit more pressure because🥂 Australi🐼a have nothing to lose now. It's like a final for them,” Tunisia defender Mohamed Dräger said.
“We need to be ready like (Tuesday). With the same spiri🃏t and the same concentration, we can achieve some▨thing.”
Tu💦nisia's spirit is embodied by combative midfielder Aïssa Laï♚douni, who earned player of the match honors against Denmark in his first career World Cup match.
Laïdouni set the tone in the very first minute when he stripped Denmark playmaker, Christian Eriksen, of the ball with an aggressive sliding tackle — then st🔯ood up and pumped his arms menacingly, gesturing to the crowd to get even more fired up.
“It's important to c𒈔ome at the game wit🍌h a lot of determination,” Laïdouni said.
“This is World Cup, it's not a small competition. … It's also imp🌊🗹ortant to show (the fans) we are so determined.”
