Sierra Leone 2-2 Tunisia: A second half revival in Freetown
Despite going down as early as the 8th minute at the sold out at Brookefields National Stadium due to a comedic mistake by Saber Khlifa, the Carthage Eagles were able to regain their composure in the second half and play something resembling football on a catastrophically waterlogged pitch.
It was a frustrating beginning to the match for our team and fans alike. As the players struggled to cope with the Sierra Leone’s pressure while Tunisian viewers sat around impatiently waiting for a feed of pitiful quality that didn’t arrive until past the midway point of the first half.
Instead of the highly anticipated game, we were treated to endless mumbo jumbo by Mahmoud Ouertani and Skander Kasri.
It’s not everyday that you hear guys talking about the importance of not conceding an early goal without knowing that we’ve already done so…
We survived the first half and came out a different team after Sami Trabelsi gave his men an earful in the dressing room. Knowing his composed style, it probably wasn’t too agressive but incisive and to the point. While we were still subjected to plenty of slips and tumbles, there was clearly a renewed intent to hold onto possession and build attack patiently instead of punting the ball upfield.
On came Darragi for Saihi to further improve our ball conservation. The move worked wonders as the FC Sion playmaker created both our goals with his ability to see the telling pass and execute it. While his performance and that of Gharbi’s were exceptional, that of Jemaa and Balbouli were the complete opposite. The latter nearly cost us the game, once again raising the question of whether or not it’s time to turn to Ben Cherifia or Ben Mustapha permanently. And what can we say about Jemaa that we haven’t already? The man is an enigma.
More Tunisia News
Roster changes for Sierra Leone qualifier
Sami Trabelsi has announced his squad for our 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone set to be played in Freetown on September 8 and, at first glance, it’s an odd one. The defensive department has undergone the biggest makeover while our midfield and attack have remained pretty much intact.
Goalkeepers: ... [read more]
Trabelsi’s 22 to face Iran
Yesterday Sami Trabelsi announced his roster for the August 15 friendly against Iran that will take place in Budapest. While opinions will undoubtedly vary, I’d go ahead and call it a near perfect list.
Aside for the confusing omissions of Moez Ben Cherifia, Aymen Balbouli, and a deserving Hamza Ben Younes, the squad ... [read more]
Nemesis Named: Sierra Leone
Nemesis is probably pushing it considering we’ve only faced Sierra Leone once before in our history (a 2-0 win in Sousse back in 1996) but we are about to get much better acquainted with the Leone Stars in the coming months.
We already knew that they were in our 2014 World ... [read more]
Cape Verde 1-2 Tunisia: Two wins out of two!
Results-wise, you can’t really ask much more from our team after two matches played in 2014 World Cup qualifying. Alongside Egypt, we’re the only side to have started with six points on the trot and one of only three teams to have achieved away wins on the road to Brazil ... [read more]
Tunisia 3-1 Equatorial Guinea: Second half changes produce spirited comeback
Analysis to come! Consider this a placeholder for comments on what was a fantastic turnaround after a depressing first period. First three 2014 World Cup qualifying points in the bag before our trip to Cape Verde this week!
Update
The change in fortunes from our national team from half to half is down to two things: A switch in formation and a ... [read more]
Club Football News
The Problems Plaguing Brazil
If you've been paying attention to the pandemonium in Brazil, you might notice this football-mad country is pretty damn mad about some football, namely the World Cup (the Rio Olympics aren't helping either). Basically, just like everyone else who throws a big party, they're not happy with the costs and ...
Fun With Romanian Riot Police
Football is - sport in general, really - a great place for some creative hyperbole. "He shot it to the moon!" Well no, not really. "The defender has him in his back pocket." Diego Buonanotte or Maximiliano Moralez perhaps, but no one else. Today, we have a new one: "Boy, ...
Lecce Fans Really Wanted Promotion, Let Everyone Know
Given Lecce has spent recent times bouncing between Serie A and Serie B, the dungeons of Italian football, where they were placed for doing all sorts of scandalous Italian things, aren't quite acceptable. The fans let their displeasure be known after failing in the playoffs for promotion back to Serie ...
Sebastien Squillaci Becomes Clark Kent
Call it a week, call it a month, call it a summer. The battle is over. "Can I just stay here with you?" "Definitely not." One needn't have paid the slightest attention to Sebastien Squillaci's time at Arsenal to find the genius in this video. Every club should have one. [101gg] ...
This Year In Schadenfreude
The Guardian has gone and shaken some salt into several open wounds by unveiling the twenty worst sitter misses of 2012-13. There are some solid names on the list, including Barcelona's fresh new 50m+ signing, and they don't discriminate based on gender, either, with Nicoletta den Ridder is a solid ...
Aruban Goalkeepers Gone Wild
Ketchup and mustard kits aside (no corner taken on color richness), this little clip from Aruba has so much going for it. From the mere fact it's a goalkeeper goal, to the Marco Tardelli-esque celebration of unadultered joy and childlike innocent, to the complete meltdown at the end by the ...
Brendan Rodgers Provides Interview Of The Year
Watching sports interviews, no matter the sport, is like watching a cheating husband attempt to deflect questions. The actual question is answered roughly three percent of the time. Brendan Rodgers somehow manages to do the same when it's a 9 year old firing the hard-hitters his way. Almost as though ...
Javier Mascherano's Fight Club
Football has a bit of a reputation for a little bit of liar, liar, pants on fire when it comes to the injuries. Javier Mascherano has boosted that several levels. Beyond kicking another dude in the back while being taken off for an injury, he then hopped off the stretcher ...
USER COMMENTS
To Go To Togo
i would have rather played morocco. theyre a better team. ... [Read More]To Go To Togo
http://www.lequipe.fr/ ... [Read More]To Go To Togo
YAYAY! i was hoping for this so bad, i think it'll be a good match! ... [Read More]To Go To Togo
Tunisia-Algeria match confirmed for February 9th in Tunis!This is a big one!This is the game ... [Read More]To Go To Togo
Does anyone know who were the two Tunisians who got nominated? ... [Read More]

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