Australia boost qualification chances with 1-0 win over Tunisia

Mitchell Duke’s scientific header within the first half helped safe three factors for the Socceroos.

Mitchell Duke's purpose was the distinction between the 2 sides [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]

A spirited Australian facet has defeated Tunisia 1-0 of their second Qatar World Cup match, with Mitchell Duke’s good end within the first half being the decisive issue within the extremely aggressive conflict.

The outcome at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday retains Australia’s hopes of qualification alive and sees them climb into second place in Group D behind France.

Tunisia are actually winless of their opening two video games and lie on the backside of the group.

Australia had gained solely two matches of their 5 appearances on the World Cup earlier than this, and so they squeezed into this version by way of a playoff.

However they began on a robust foot towards Tunisia, which had held Denmark 0-0 of their opener and wish to attain the knockout stage for the primary time.

The Australians dominated the primary quarter-hour, with out mustering a shot.

Tunisia first sniffed at purpose within the nineteenth minute, however skipper Youssef Msakni was squeezed out, after which defender Mohamed Drager blazed over.

Within the twenty third minute, Australia took the lead their possession deserved.

Craig Goodwin, who scored the opener within the loss to France, crossed from the left and the ball ricocheted for Duke to move into the online.

The #AUS followers celebrating Duke's purpose vs #TUN is unimaginable! 🤯pic.twitter.com/hOlPzqLC5a

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 26, 2022

The Japan-based centre-forward, 31, exchanged indignant phrases with the Tunisian bench when he was bundled over on the half-hour mark.

However the skirmish ended with him shaking substitute Hannibal Mejbri, the Manchester United teenager.

One other England-based participant, defender Harry Souttar of Stoke Metropolis, made a heroic last-ditch block from the harmful Msakni as half-time approached.

Tunisia’s followers had their heads of their fingers in damage time when Msakni lastly escaped Souttar, solely to sidefoot vast from shut vary.

Coach Jalel Kadri introduced off Drager on the break and changed him with a midfielder, Ferjani Sassi, and a match that had simmered as much as that time threatened to boil over.

Tunisia dominated proceedings within the second half however Australia held on to their lead [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Australia have been inches away from a second however Mathew Leckie couldn't join with a low cross as he slid in entrance of the purpose.

Minutes later, goalkeeper and skipper Mathew Ryan denied Msakni from shut vary and Australia held on below intense strain to go away Tunisia’s World Cup marketing campaign in serious trouble.

The Socceroos face Denmark – who play France later Saturday – of their ultimate group recreation, with the knockout spherical in sight.

Beforehand, their finest World Cup efficiency got here in 2006 when additionally they reached the final 16, within the days of the favored trio: Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, and Mark Viduka.

There aren't any such superstars within the workforce this time as Graham Arnold’s Australia produced an distinctive efficiency on the 42,000-capacity Al Janoub Stadium to win their first World Cup recreation since 2010.