Tunisia vs Australia: Both teams eye just third World Cup victory

Tunisia and Australia will both be hoping for a rare World Cup win when the two sides face off at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

It has been 12 years since the Socceroos last came out on top in a World Cup match, despite qualifying for the last three tournaments.

Tunisia ended their 30-year wait for a second win at a World Cup when they defeated Panama in Russia four years ago but are yet to progress past the group stages in five attempts.

However, the Eagles of Carthage know victory in this fixture will present their best opportunity at advancing to the knock-out rounds in their sixth World Cup appearance.

Their performance in their opening fixture demonstrated they are not just in Qatar to make up the numbers, holding their own in a goalless draw against the highly fancied Denmark.

Tunisia impressed with the intense nature of their tactics which, coupled with the electric atmosphere created by the travelling Tunisian fans, worked wonders in unsettling the Danes’ rhythm.

Australia faced the unenviable task of beginning their campaign against the defending champions, France, with the quality of Kylian Mbappe and co. condemning the Australians to a 4-1 defeat.

This is not to say the Australians did not have their moments. Craig Goodwin earned beers for life down under after just nine minutes when he turned home after Mathew Leckie provided the spark with a tempting cross.

For just under 20 minutes, they turned the world champions upside down.

Not all is lost for the Socceroos, with promising signs shown going forward, with Leckie in particular impressing and Jason Cummings looking dangerous when he was introduced.

Australia’s last World Cup, a 2-1 win victory Serbia at South Africa 2010, is remembered mostly for Tim Cahill’s header. Australia will be hoping one of their new stars can deliver the knock-out punch.

A third World Cup win for Australia would in effect create a playoff for a place in the last 16 in their final group game against Denmark.

For both teams, national jubilation is just 90 minutes away.

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