Hannibal scouting shackles Eriksen
TUNISIA rising star Hannibal has revealed how inside knowledge on Christian Eriksen stopped Denmark.
The Manchester United teenager – on loan at Birmingham City this season – warned his international teammates they would be heading for defeat if they did not stop the former Tottenham midfielder.
Eriksen was welcomed to the World Cup with a crunching tackle inside the opening 60 seconds from Aissa Laidouni.
Denmark never got up to the speed of the game in the face of Tunisia’s intensity as the sides drew 0-0 and Hannibal claimed it was because of an inside job.
He said: “I trained with Eriksen every day at Manchester United.
“I told the boys in our midfield that he was a very good player and not to give him any space.
“I don’t think we gave him any, I think it worked.”
Tunisia, backed by a huge ex-pat population in Qatar, were good value for their point.
Hannibal, 19, said: “The Tunisian mentality is that we are aggressive – but we are also good players.
“I wasn’t surprised at all by the result.We’re good defensively.”
Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer acknowledged the difficulties that Kasper Hjulmand’s side faced but said they will not be frightened by the prospect of facing France on Saturday.
He said: “We’ve played them twice in the Nations League and beat them twice. We know that it’s possible with the qualities we have.”