The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia may have flown back to Algiers by misadventure kicking themselves out of the Qatar world cup as she lost by a lone goal to the Kangaroos of Australia at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Mitchel Duke scored the lone goal with a back header in the 23rd minute of play and that was the second goal of the Aussies at the Mundial.
Tunisia had 4 goals on target against Aussies 2; played 5 corner kicks against 2 wasting all chances even bagging all the available three yellow cards in their desperado but they left it late allowing Australia to move them around in the first half.
As the final whistle was blown, it was a moment to remember a television series in the 70s loved by children in Nigeria just a year after colored Television was introduced – SKIPPY THE BUSH KANGAROO was interesting to watch and the Tunisian players may have been carried away by the memory of that as they lost vital chances in the match. Skippy used to hop around carrying her baby in a pouch on her chest.
It was the third time the two teams were meeting. Australia had beaten Tunisia 3-0 on 1st October 1997 in an International Friendly but Tunisia won 2-0 at the FIFA Confederations cup on 21st June 2005.
Tunisia drew goalless with Denmark in the first round game while Australia lost 1-4 to Champions, France. Now we wait for Denmark versus France result at 5pm on Saturday.
France is on top of the table in group D with 3 points and +3 goals difference and a win against Denmark means Les Bleus are in the round of !6 even before meeting Tunisia. Australia is second with 3 points with -2 goals difference and will be hoping for a Denmark loss against France. Denmark is third on the table with just a point like Tunisia but has not conceded a goal.
It will be difficult for Tunisia to beat France despite many shockers seen in this tournament because expecting a Tunisian win over France will be like expecting a champion Cyclist to ride his bicycle up the Olumo rock in Abeokuta, Nigeria which does not have an Alpine way.
The last group D matches will be played simultaneously at 1600 hours on Wednesday 29th November with Australia trading tackles with Denmark and Tunisia having a mandate to defeat France or go home.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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