World Cup 2022: Iran, last opponent in preparation match for Tunisia
Tunisian midfielder Wahbi Khazri, battling Brazilian defender Renan Lodi, under the gaze of Vinicius Junior (left).
© Pierre René-Worms/RFI
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
3 mins
Future opponent of France at the World Cup in Qatar, Tunisia announces a final preparation match on November 16 in Doha against Iran.
The Carthage Eagles will previously be training in Saudi Arabia from November 6 to 13 before arriving in Qatar.
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During the
2022 World Cup
, Wahbi Khazri's teammates will face Denmark to start the group stage, before meeting Australia.
The third meeting will be against the Blues, reigning world champions.
Tunisia has never had the opportunity to pass the first round of a World Cup, in six participations.
A severe defeat against Brazil in a friendly
Last June, the Tunisians won the Kirin Cup against Japan, the host country (3-0).
In the semi-finals, they beat Chile (2-0).
In September, the men of Jalal Kadri, appointed last April, distinguished themselves by beating the Comoros in the Paris region (1-0), before being corrected by
Brazil
at the Parc des Princes (5-1).
“
The score is tough, but there is a lot to take in this kind of game.
I don't think it's going to weigh, we played against one of the best teams in the world
commented midfielder Ellyes Skhiri.
Goals from Raphinha (11th, 40th), Richarlison (19th), Neymar from the penalty spot (28th) and Pedro (74th) were enough for the Brazilians to win.
The Carthage Eagles had briefly equalized by Motassar Omar Talbi (18th) but were too quickly weighed down by the exclusion of Dylan Bronn at the end of the first period.
Against the Comoros, on a goal from Taha Yassine Kehenissi, the Tunisians, without genius, had recited their football, well organized, very compact.
Successful match against Denmark
In Qatar, the challenge for the Tunisians promises to be complicated.
Denmark hit hard by beating the French twice in the Nations League.
The first two places in Group D are logically promised to the Blues and the Danes.
“
France remains favorite to win a second World Cup in a row, with considerable potential, which can go a long way.
Faced with a team of such a level, you must not leave space and stay focused, be very attentive, not give the ball to the opposing team
, ”said coach Jalal Kadri.
The first meeting of the Eagles will already be decisive.
And in case of victory, it will take out the big game against Australia to hope to climb for the first time in the round of 16.
The Australians owe their place to Qatar after a play-off against Peru and a penalty shootout.
They had finished third in their pool behind Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Youssef Msakni's dream
In 2018, Tunisia started their tournament by losing to England before a second defeat against Belgium.
For the third meeting against Panama, Tunisia left Russia, ending 40 years without a World Cup victory (since winning against Mexico in their first match in 1978).
Captain of Tunisia, Youssef Msakni had missed the 2018 World Cup after a serious injury and the striker of Al-Arabi, in Qatar, hopes not to relive this heartbreak in 2022. "
I did not throw in the towel , I achieved this goal with the qualification (of Tunisia) and, now, our objective is to cross the first round
.
(...)
Of course, 2018 was both a good and a bad time.
It was good to be present
(in Russia)
with my teammates to give them confidence.
But, for the rest, it was disappointing
: when the referee whistles the start of the match, you have the impression of not being able to help your team-mates on the field
,” Msakni told AFP.
Decimated by the Covid-19 last January in Cameroon for the African Cup of Nations, Tunisia had left the tournament after a defeat against Burkina Faso in its quarter-final.
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