DOHA —
Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their
World Cup opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong
performance against one of the pre-tournament dark horses.
اضافة اعلان
Tunisia have
never reached the World Cup knockouts in five previous attempts but Jalel
Kadri’s side will be encouraged both with a point at Education City Stadium and
with how they performed against the fancied Danes.
Since Kadri took
charge of the team in January Tunisia have only lost to Brazil and they
frustrated Denmark in front of thousands of noisy North Africans.
Christian Eriksen
was largely anonymous on his return to major tournament football after nearly
dying on the pitch at the European Championship last year, wilting in the face
of ferocious defending.
Denmark had come
into the match as favorites but Tunisia tore into their more illustrious
opponents from kick-off, flying into tackles.
The massed ranks
of Tunisians in the stands created a crackling atmosphere and they cheered
every tackle and clearance.
The Arab side
nearly took the lead in the 11th minute, with Mohamed Drager’s long-range
effort clipping off Andreas Christensen and drifting just wide.
The Danes began
to get a foothold in the game but talisman Eriksen struggled to shake off the
attentions of Tunisia’s well-organized backline, and although they got into
dangerous positions any attacks were comfortably snuffed out.
The Tunisians
came closest to taking the lead in the opening period, Copenhagen-born Anis Ben
Slimane straying offside before slotting past Kasper Schmeichel, who then made
sure the scores were level at the break with a wonderful stop.
Issam Jebali
managed to break through onto Youssef Msakni’s smart pass but his dinked finish
was brilliantly tipped away by the onrushing Schmeichel.
Tunisia kept up
the intensity but it was Denmark who had the two best chances of a tight second
half.
Eriksen was
denied what would have been a fine goal by Aymen Dahmen’s fingertip save in the
69th minute and from the subsequent corner substitute Andreas Cornelius somehow
headed onto the post from close range.
That would have
probably won the match for Denmark as Tunisia failed to match their physical
efforts with much real creativity.
After surviving a late
penalty scare they celebrated a precious and unexpected point with their
passionate supporters.
Read more Sports
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
