The disappointing defeat that the Tunisian national team received today, Saturday, against Australia in the second round of Group D of the Qatar World Cup 2022, sparked a barrage of criticism of the players and the technical staff and a wave of anger in the football community in Tunisia and through communication platforms.

And after losing with a goal without a response, against the Australian national team at Al Janoub Stadium, the chances of the “Carthage Eagles” to qualify for the second round for the first time in the history of their participation in the World Cup have become almost impossible, especially since they now occupy the last place in the group, and they will also be faced with the need to win in the third round. And the final of the first round against France, the 2018 World Cup champion, and waiting for the result of the second match between Australia and Denmark.

Almost zero chances

The Tunisian national team achieved a positive result in its first match against Denmark, by drawing without goals and leaving with an honorable performance, but the loss to the Australian national team, which conceded 4 full goals in the first round against France, made the Carthage Eagles very weak chance of advancing to the final price.

And at the South Stadium in Al-Wakra region, the Tunisian national team entered its second match in the World Cup, and it enjoys the support of thousands of fans, aspiring for a football show worthy of a team that presented a distinguished performance in the first round, but the team seemed conservative at the start of the match and without offensive solutions, and left possession to Australia, which succeeded In tightening its grip on the match, when its striker, Mitchell Doc, managed in the 23rd minute to open the scoring with a header that hit goalkeeper Ayman Dahman.

Australia takes the lead with a goal through Mitchell Duke, from a header that hit goalkeeper Ayman Dahman.# Qatar 2022 |

#WorldCupQatar2022 #TunisiaAustralia #WorldCupQatar2022 |

#Qatar2022|

#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/8QattJiYQp

- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 26, 2022

The Tunisian national team was subjected to harsh criticism in local football circles and on communication platforms, but most of it affected coach Jalal Al-Qadri, who was criticized by critics and observers for his excessive fear of the opponent and not pushing his players towards the attack to react, but most of his options seemed sterile and were the cause of a defeat that cast the fortunes of the Carthage Eagles. Unheeded by many technicians and observers.

Former Tunisian star Najib Ghumaid confirmed that "the Tunisian national team handed over the keys to the match to the Australian team from the start, and it was not the initiator of the attack, with the exception of some attempts that came at the end of the first half and did not change anything in the course of the result," he said.

Ghumaid - one of the stars of the Tunisian national team in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina - said that after the remarkable level against Denmark, "we hoped that we would win today and take a final step towards the final price, but the team disappointed our expectations. The squad that Jalal Al-Qadri entered was not successful, as evidenced by Naeem Al-Seliti was lost in the front line, but what is worse is that the changes were not successful, especially Ferjani Sassi and Al-Khenisi. In general, today's match is to forget because it is the worst in all respects.

Regarding the France match and the chances of qualifying for the second round, Ghumaid told Al-Jazeera Net, "It is better to think about presenting a good level than to think about the qualification calculations because things seem almost settled. The team lost today the match that it should not lose, and in general I think we gave an inspiring performance against Denmark and face Pale against Australia, we have to save face against the roosters."

Tunisia coach Jalal Kadri expressed his "great disappointment" following the defeat, saying, "The strong presence of the Australian team, especially in the first half, and the strong physical fitness of its players contributed greatly to today's result. We knew that very well. We played a great match against Denmark in The first round, we were the most dangerous on the goal and the most creating opportunities, and we were close to achieving victory, but we did not succeed in scoring, today we also paid the price for the lack of offensive efficiency.

Al-Qadri talks about the reasons for Tunisia’s loss to Australia# World_Cup_Qatar_2022 |

#Qatar_2022 |

#Tunisia _ Australia #Qatar2022 #WorldCup2022 |

#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QzXxDKOcwZ

- beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 26, 2022

Al-Qadri added, "The match was difficult, as expected, and decisive for the two teams. We did not appear at the level we had hoped for in the first half, and Australia imposed its advantage and control over the midfield. The Australian team is a respectable team that pressured us from the beginning and did not give us the opportunity to play the way we wanted." Going into the match, he forced me to change the tactical plan more than once, to play long balls, and he succeeded in scoring from half a chance, and this is to his credit.”

Al-Qadri concluded in the press conference after the match, "Our fate is not in our hands now. We will see what the outcome of the second match will be. Our task will not be easy and we bear our responsibility."

Poor performance and unjustified fear

Tunisia's defeat led the interactions through communication platforms and between critics and observers, who unanimously agreed that Tunisia, with its defeat today, came very close to bidding farewell to the World Cup, while the coach and players were subject to very harsh criticism.

Coach Jalal Al-Qadri led the criticism, for his tests on the level of players and the style of play, as he kept many offensive cards until late, despite the team's delay in the result.

Losing from teams in the second and third tiers in Europe annoys me, but losing to teams like Australia is impossible to find a justification for


.

- Amir Abdel Halim (@AmirAbdElhalim) November 26, 2022

Sports analyst Ahmed Yamani commented in a tweet to him, "What does Al-Qadri possess to coach the Tunisian national team and in the World Cup when he has not achieved any coaching achievement during the 15 years of his career? When will the coach be up to the event and attack Australia? This is the weakest level of football for Tunisia in the last 20 years."

A set of questions..


What does al-Qadri have to coach the Tunisian national team "and in the World Cup" while he is a grocer for 15 years, coaching 15 teams without any achievements?


What does Essam El Jabali offer?


Who is Ali Abdi in the first place?


When will the coach keep up to date and attack Australia?

Tunisia's weakest football level in the last 20 years.

- Ahmed Yamany (@AhmedYamany) November 26, 2022

Analysts criticized the team's unjustified decline and its failure to attempt the initiative, and to settle for defense without trying to advance, despite the availability of opportunities and the team's ability to create danger every time it attacks.

Journalist Mohamed Awad commented in a tweet, "Unfortunately, it could have been better than it was, and the wrong approach to the start of the meeting was paid for by Tunisia."

Unfortunately.. it could have been better than it was

A wrong approach to the start of the meeting .. Tunisia paid for it pic.twitter.com/CH2YgtoWvJ

- Muhammad Awad (@mohammedawaad) November 26, 2022

Sports journalist Taha Omani criticized the players' lackluster performance, saying, "They lost the match themselves, and the players had a very bad day."

Tunisia will return to you...they lost the match themselves.

The players had a very bad day.

- Taha IMANI (@Tahamurcielago) November 26, 2022

Many players appeared at a weak level during the match, as they missed many opportunities and were unable to take advantage of the gaps in the ranks of the Australian national team.

It is noteworthy that the Tunisian national team, which has been chasing the dream of qualifying for the second round of the World Cup since its first participation in the 1978 edition, will conclude the first round of the Qatar World Cup by meeting France next Wednesday at the Education City Stadium.