Tunisia will look to exploit Australia’s weaknesses: Coach
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri said he was not surprised Australia lost to France in their World Cup opener but was intrigued by their performance levels against the world champions.
Australia are botom of Group D following their 4-1 loss to France. They next play on Saturday against Tunisia, who drew 0-0 with Denmark, and Kadri said he had spoted weaknesses in Graham Arnold’s Australia team.
“I analysed the match, not only this match but all other matches. We’ve seen unexpected results, strange results. We were surprised by the performance but not too surprised that France won, they are the title holders,” Kadri said on Friday.
“We know the smallest detail of the performances of the Australian team because we have analysed all of their previous matches, this is why we were not surprised by the score but we know they excelled in their stamina and fitness.
“They have players who are able to run fast, who can ensure a good exploitation of opportunities. Nevertheless, they have weaknesses we can hopefully exploit.”
Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri knows all about running, with the 27-year-old midfielder known for his stamina and endurance.
“I do run a great deal, running is one of my strengths, I hope I can do that tomorrow,” he said.
“That’s part of being a footballer, doing that time and time again. I’m capable of doing that.
“I’m extremely fit and use my running to the best of my ability and I hope the team benefits from that. That’s one of my qualities and I’ll try to take advantage of that.”
With three teams potentially batling for the remaining spot behind likely qualifiers France, Kadri said he trusted his players to take more risks ater the draw with Denmark.
“In the first match we had chances to score, we should have scored. I have no doubt about the capabilities of our atackers to score and make it difficult for our opponents. We will take risks,” Kadri said.
“In my main speech prior to a match ... it’s heart-to-heart. Whatever I feel, I express. We are Arabs, we’re very emotional.
“We speak from the heart and hopefully every word I tell them reaches them and it translates to performances on the pitch.”
AUSTRALIA MUST ‘MUSCLE UP’ FOR TASTY TUNISIA CLASH, SAYS ARNOLD: Coach Graham Arnold told his Australia side “to muscle up” for what promises to be a physical World Cup clash against Tunisia.
Australia took a shock lead against holders France in their opener in Qatar before being soundly beaten 4-1 and have another tough test in a Tunisian side who held Denmark to a goalless draw. Australia’s World Cup campaign will be in grave danger if they don’t win and it will be akin to an away match in Qatar with an estimated 30,000 Tunisian fans expected to back their side at Al Janoub Stadium.
“We’ll be in their faces, we’ll be up high and chasing and pressing, we’ll be on the front foot,” the 59-year-old Arnold told a pre-match press conference on Friday.
“The Tunisians like physical games and we’ve got to match the physical aspect,” he added.
“We’ve got to muscle up and give it our best.”