On Tuesday (Nov), crowds of spectators gathered in Tunis to watch the national football team begin its World Cup campaign. Australia will play the Carthage Eagles on Saturday (Nov 26).
The European Championship semifinals Denmark was held to a 0-0 tie by Tunisia.
Fans of football were ecstatic.
”We didn’t play badly. We were able to score, but the referee canceled a penalty kick for us”, Charfeddine Ben Osman passionately explains.
“We did a good job. Now, we have to do more against France and Australia. I hope God will be with us. Only make us happy in this country.”
Despite the draw in the Qatari stadium’s Education City, both teams managed 13 shots and multiple scoring opportunities. Additionally, they each earn a valuable point in group D. After defeating Australia, France now has a three-point advantage.
“How courageous, how strong, how willing they were!”, this other Tunisian supporter exclaimed.
“This is the determination that we want. This is the strength of the Tunisian players that we want. That’s why all the world is talking about us. These players are the “Italian-Arab “players. We have the strongest determination and will in the Arab world. With this determination, we will win,” Oussama Dridi predicted.
Assa Ladouni, a midfielder for Tunisia, set the tone for the match in the opening minute by tackling Denmark’s iconic playmaker Christian Eriksen aggressively and stripping him of the ball. He then rose up and pumped his arms menacingly, urging the audience to get even more energised.
Although Tunisia probably should have scored more, Denmark was able to hold on to a draw thanks to a brilliant stop by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel just before halftime.
Tunisia had already sunk to the ground after getting past the defense.
Aymen Dahmen of Tunisia had to block a dangerous long-range shot on goal that Dane Christian Eriksen took in the second half while assuming his usual role as the playmaker.
And then Denmark struck the post at the next corner.
The overwhelming presence of Tunisian fans inside Education City Stadium created a home-like feeling for the North African team after several of the opening matches lacked excitement.
When their team had the ball, the supporters cheered, beat on drums, and blew air horns; when Denmark had the ball, they hissed and whistled loudly.
In its sixth World Cup appearance, Tunisia aims to advance past the group stage for the first time.
