Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium to register their first World Cup victory in 12 years to revive their World Cup second round qualification hopes on Saturday, November 26, 2022.
The victory snapped Australia’s seven-match winless run at World Cups since they last picked up three points in a victory over Serbia in 2010.
Australia provisionally moved up to second in Group D behind reigning champions France.
Japanese League second division side Fagiano Okayama striker Mitchell Duke scored midway through the first half with a glancing header past keeper Aymen Dahmen who plays for Tunisia’s eight times top flight league winners CS Sfaxien to give Australia the lead and the winning goal.
Tunisia’s best chance came when skipper Youssef Msakni who plays as a winger or forward for Qatar Stars League club Al Arabi on loan from Al-Duhail shot just wide.
Tunisia brought on the squad’s top scorer Wahbi Khazri in the second half as they upped the tempo in search of an equaliser, but the Australian defence stood firm with goalkeeper and skipper Mat Ryan a calming presence at the back.
France play Denmark in the other Group D encounter later on Saturday.
COMMENTS