Socceroos hold final training as they look to bounce back against Tunisia
Australia and Tunisia are going head to head in a crucial Group D match at the Qatar World Cup.
Both sides are looking for their first win of the tournament at the Al Janoub Stadium, after Tunisia shared a goalless draw with Denmark in their opening match, while Australia were well beaten by the reigning champions France. Any victory here will give the winners a real shot at progressing to the knockout rounds, with France and Denmark meeting later today, in which these two sides will be hoping France can inflict maximum damage in order to open up second spot in the group.
Tunisia and Australia have met only twice before: the Australians won a friendly in 1997, and Tunisia won their only competitive meeting at the 2005 Confederations Cup.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
44 mins: Almost! Australia win another free kick with this one coming just inside Tunisia’s half of the pitch. Craig Goodwin floats another decent ball into the middle and Mitchell Duke gets his head to it again.
His connection isn’t great this time and he nods it straight to Aymen Dahmen in goal.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
41 mins: Chance! It should be 1-1!
Tunisia throw the ball down the left side and get it up to Issam Jebali. His strength allows him to take the ball into the penalty area before a cutback comes to Youssef Msakni.
Msakni is closed down quickly but not before he lays the ball off to Mohamed Drager. Drager runs onto a first time shot but Harry Soutter leaps in front of the ball and makes a brilliant block to deny Tunisia an equaliser.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
38 mins: Drager challenges Goodwin for an aerial ball and is clipped in the face by the Australian’s trailing leg. Tunisia come away with the ball though and Youssef Msakni drives up the pitch.
He carries it into the area and has a shot but Aziz Behich is well positioned to block the effort.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
35 mins: Goodwin miscues his delivery as he sends the corner into the box. The ball dips behind the first defender and Jackson Irvine meets it with a backheel that finishes wide of the near post.
Decent improvisation from the Australian midfielder but it comes to nought.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
32 mins: Talbi gets over to the left and blocks a cross behind for an Australia corner. Despite going behind Tunisia haven’t really responded in the attacking third.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
29 mins: Fun fact, Mitchell Duke’s headed finish was the 50th goal of this World Cup and we’ve not even reached the halfway point of the group stages.
(PA)
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
26 mins: Tunisis obviously came into the match with a similar gameplan to the one they used against Denmark but Australia’s pressure has broken them down.
These two teams are of similar quality so that opening goal could prove vital as the match goes on.
Mitchell Duke lunges into a tackle as he tracks back to help out the defence and is whacked on the shin by an innocent folow through.
GOAL! Tunisia 0-1 Australia (Duke, 23’)⚽️
23 mins: Huge moment! Australia take the lead!
Australia have had success sending the ball long with the front men winning the ball in the air. The do so here and knock it down to near the halfway line.
The ball comes out to Craig Goodwin on the left as Mitchell Duke starts a flying run from deep to get into the box in time to meet the cross.
He jumps towards the ball unopposed and guides a beautiful header over to the far corner!
Tunisia 0-0 Australia
21 mins: Shot! Tunisia come down the left wing and force Australia onto the back foot. They send it square quickly and two passes gets the ball over to Mohamed Drager who’s got time to set himself before letting fly from around 30-yards.
It’s Tunisia’s first real go at goal and Drager belts the effort well over the crossbar!
Tunisia 0-0 Australia
18 mins: Oh that’ll be a sore one! Mitchell Duke leaps towards a long ball and glances it on before landing awkwardly on his back as he clambers over the nearest defender.
The forward stays down to catch his breath and shuffles away awkwardly to run off the pain.