Tricky Tunisia test for Danes
DENMARK go into their opening World Cup game against a tricky Tunisia side today (9pm Malaysian time) in the unusual position of being among Europe’s dark horses, in with an outside chance of winning the tournament if they can get everything right in Qatar.
The key group game will be against France but first they will need to ensure that there are no slip-ups in their opener against the Tunisians, who beat Iran 2-0 in their final pre-World Cup friendly.
A 5-1 drubbing by Brazil in Paris aside, Tunisia’s recent performances have been steady without being spectacular, but they are still capable of punishing any mistakes the Danes might make.
At the 2018 World Cup they held England scoreless until Harry Kane scored in the 91st minute to give the English a narrow win.
Appearing at their sixth finals, Tunisia have never made the knockout stage. Being drawn in a group with Denmark, France and Australia has left them with something of a mountain to climb.
Coach Jalel Kadri, who was promoted in January after Mondher Kebaier was fired, has wowed to quit if Tunisia fails to get out of the group stage in Qatar.
“It’s my personal ambition. If we don’t get through, I will not have succeeded in my mission, despite how tough the task is,” Kadri said.
“We want to make our dream come true and get through to the knockout round at the sixth time of asking.
“It is a complicated group. France are the seeded team, the title holder with experience and maturity and one of the main favourites for the title,” Kadri later told worldsoccer.com.
“Denmark played the semifinals of the last European championship and are a top-10 country, which tells you everything about their form and pedigree. Australia play in the Asian zone, but they have a European mindset.
“We’re very realistic. Nevertheless, I will pass on to the players a message of optimism and ambition, even though I know the mission is difficult.
“The most important thing is to know how to cope with the difficult moments in a game.” – Reuters/Agencies