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A Win Amid Question Marks: Tunisia vs. Mozambique Post Match Thoughts

June 6th, 2009 | By: Rami | 83 Comments »

So we won the match and actually looked quite decent when Darragi finally came on but the real question on everyone’s mind is why didn’t Coelho put him in from the start?

Consider this a place to drop your thought following the encounter. I have some commitments to attend to and will update this post once I am operational again tomorrow night.

Stay tuned for highlights and more analysis. In the meantime, the floor is yours!

Update

So I’ve had some times to reflect on the match. Perhaps I should’ve watched it again but frankly I haven’t had the time and don’t feel like watching our players running around the pitch chasing Mozambicans for the majority of the second half. So I’m skipping that step and going straight to things I was noticing and wondering about as I watched on Saturday.

The most obvious question, and one I alluded to in the original post match reaction is the lack of Darragi in the starting lineup. Its seems absurd to go out with three defensive midfielders when you’re playing at home but that’s exactly what we did. People might argue Ben Yahia brings a lot more than a regular defensive midfielder would and that’s usually true (on the first goal particularly- the pass to Ben Khalfallah not the PK) but it’s still and odd decision.

Darragi is unquestionably the best player at our disposal right now and not taking advantage of his blistering form seems illogical. He came in and the improvement was so drastic that it was hard to believe one player can have that type of influence.

So what do we make of this? To me this match might’ve been a test for the type of gameplay we’re going to employ against the Nigerians. I’m not 100 percent on this (how could I be?) but if you recall we played against Holland with the same lineup we used against Kenya. Then we basically just used Mozambique to prepare out strategy against Nigeria. I could definitely be wrong about this but it seems to me that’s what we’re trying to do.

We’re basically looking to start as solidly as we can while relying on counter attacks and quick offensive transitions (its the same thing it just sounds nice) and then throwing in our most creative player near the end of a match as a game changer.

Some will argue for and against this option. I think I’m going to refrain from it since I’m not entirely sure this is what’s going on and secondly I think we should trust our coach even though his decisions were questionable. When it comes down to it we’ve gathered maximum points in two encounters and are one win away from taking a huge step towards South Africa. Right now what our team needs most are devoted fans and preferably ones who will actually cause some commotion rather than ones who just came to pass the time.

The argument that a team that doesn’t produce brilliant or pleasing play isn’t deserving of support is pretty shallow. First of all it’s a national team and it’s not something you choose. Second of all the team has massive potential and everyone knows it (we arguably have more technical players at our disposal than we’ve ever had). Finally, a team that wins is worthy no matter how they play. This is World Cup qualifying, not a beauty pageant. No one is arguing that joga bonito is a bad thing, I’m just arguing its not the only thing. Plus, we have a young team that can develop just that with time…

Back to the game though:

1. Khaled Souissi may bring a lot defensively but his crosses (if you can even call them that) were appalling. Perhaps its not his fault since he’s playing out of position but I don’t really buy that because a footballer should be able to deliver a lofted pass or at least put it somewhere in the penalty box, not in the stands like he did more than once.

2. Allagui looked isolated in attack but good on him for capitalizing on the only real ball that he could exploit. A real striker’s penalty as he successfully sold it to the referee (there was contact but not much, still a penalty though).

3. Mikari looked much better on his side than Souissi while making his own share of mistakes. We’re going to miss his presence against Nigeria. I’m guessing we’ll revert back to Jemal on the left as you can’t seriously expect Coelho, who won’t even trust Ifa on the right, to give Abdennour the keys to the left side of our defense.

4. First Chermiti and now Nouioui. A week after gambling with Chermiti in the Sudan match we go ahead and gamble with Lassad. Makes me wonder about this medical staff… At least our Hertha Berlin boy should be back against Nigeria. As I mentioned in the previous update, him and Darragi together could cause huge problems for the slow backline of our West African opponents.

5. The defense looked pretty solid apart from that loss of concentration on the Mozambicans’ best chance…

6. Which brings me to Kasraoui. We’re hard on him but on this match saved us twice in a row on successive plays. First the one I just mentioned above and then the corner that ensued. Really great reflexes and I hope it’s a sign of more to come from the newly signed Lens keeper. In a match where he barely touched the ball he was still instrumental in our victory.

Anything I missed? Anything still on your mind? Do you think that Coelho will implement the same strategy against Nigeria?

Match and Goals

Download: 1st half here, 2nd half here, 1st goal here, 2nd goal here (via Forum Koora Tounsia)

Suspensions and Injuries: So the match wasn’t only a poor showing but we also ended up losing both Yassine Mikari (yellow card accumulation), Ghariani (yellows too) and Lassad Nouioui (hamstring injury) for Nigeria. Mikari has bee replaced in the list by Etoile’s Aymen Abdennour while Nouioui will not be replaced since Chermiti will be available by June 20th.

TUNISIE MOZAMBIQUE 2-0 : CAN- MONDIAL 2010
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Tags: CAF WCQ, Group H, Humberto Coelho, Ousemma Darragi, Tunisia vs. Mozambique

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 83 comments.

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By Feedi | June 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am

http://www.soccerbase.gr/news.aspx?lang=en&id=2009-06-07
About the transfer of Nafti.
And Ben Khalfallah talked with Lens.
Here is the site:
http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2009/20090610_1002_ben-khalfallah-plait-a-caen.html

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | June 10th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

Big News!!!
Amar Jmel is going to France club ligue 2 FC Nantes for a 2 year contract. Jmels former coach Rohr who was announced as Nantes coach is the one who added Jmel since he is familiar with him.
Got this news from infosfoot.

Feedi, It looks like Lens is going to be like a tunisian club, but it is good for our players to play together and have good chemistry. Especially if Jemaa and Khallafallah play together.

Posted from United States

By Rami | June 10th, 2009 at 6:16 pm

We’ll see if that Nantes news is real. I’ll wait till I hear it on mosaique to believe it 100 percent but I have to admit they haven’t been wrong before. Not a bad move as long as he plays regularly, which I expect he would. I guess Rohr liked his heart, goal scoring ability, and strength in duels.

As for Lens, I like their interest but its going to be very interesting for them when all their Africans leave for the CAN next January!

Posted from United States

By Achraf | June 10th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

Here is an article on Lassad Nouioui about his injury. Depor did not want him to play in the first place as he was not fit enough to play.

http://www.deportivo-la-coruna.com/n-news.php?cid=2270&ctg=1

By Rachid | June 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

Is leaving l’Etoile, the Champions League, and the possibility of playing in the Club World Cup to join a French League 2 team such a great career move? Good luck to him; it looks like his head got too big to serve any useful purpose for l’Etoile anyway. The wise people in charge kind of knew that already and recruited at least one suitable replacement, Ayari from USMo.

By Rami | June 10th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Isn’t Ayari a left back though? I never saw him play in central defense but then again I don’t watch USMO every week. He’s similar to Jemal in that he’s a defender that scores.

Thanks for the link Achraf, I like the way Depo’s doctors are thinking. Hopefully he’ll benefit, Depo will benefit, and so will our national team. It might’ve been unwise for him to play but I can’t fault him for wanting to represent his country. Hopefully he heals fine and rehab and strengthening programs work wonders.

Posted from United States

By Yassine | June 11th, 2009 at 6:09 am

Big loss in defense for l’Etoile, clearly Jmel prefered the money over the chance to play in the Club World Cup. ESS should get a replacement soon, Bachtobgi for example. Ayari is a replacement for Meriah who signed for CA.

By thamer | June 11th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

apparently ben khalfallah signed for three years with valenciennes. thats a pretty good move. theyre a pretty good team and im guessing fahd is good enough to start for them, so that’ll be great for the national team.

Posted from United States

By Achraf | June 11th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

Yea Thamer, Its a busy summer for a lot of our players. I like his move because ligue 2 is not for him and he did not want to play there either. Hopefully he will be a starter. He is 27 years old.

By Feedi | June 11th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

BEN KHALFALLAH A VALENCIENNES : Le Caennais Fahid Ben Khalfallah s’est engagé pour trois saisons avec Valenciennes. La Voix du Nord confirme l’information selon laquelle le Tunisien de 26 ans aurait préféré VA au RC Lens.
This is from Eurosport.
Lens is interested in allot of Tunisian players but don`t buy or lean them.I really want to see of Lens is going to buy a tunisian player.
Kasraoui is purchased but there are alot of other Tunisian players in the interest of RC Lens.
Rami its infosfoot says that Jmel is going to Nantes too.Here is the site:
http://www.infosfoot.net/fr/articles/article.php?id_article=2102

Posted from Netherlands

By Rami | June 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Yea but mosaique fm just denied the Jemal move: http://www.mosaiquefm.net/index/a/ActuDetail/Element/7324-Ammar-Jmal-au-FC-Nantes-Intox.html

so it’s not such a clear picture.

Happy for Fahid, it’s a good move for him. Lens wanted him too but I guess he felt better at Valenciennes. They play attractive football I hear…

Posted from United States

By Rachid | June 11th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Rami, I’m not sure about Ayari’s position, but he’s the one who regularly scores for USMo. Is he related to you? Just kidding! I hope the news about Jmel is not true and that he stays with l’Etoile until at least the Champions League is over. What do you think about CA’s new coach? It looks like he has substantial “African experience” which is good for CA. How about CSS’s choice for Setif’s coach? What is this new phenomenon: obsession of Tunisian clubs with Algerian coaches?

By Feedi | June 12th, 2009 at 12:46 am

Rami,Jmel denied it too on infosfoot.He siad that Nantes,Young Boys and Nice wants him.I hope he goes to Nice.They play in an better ligeu than Nantes and Young Boys.

Posted from Netherlands

By bassem | June 12th, 2009 at 4:08 am

Realy great news for the guys to leave to abroard but hopefully we will see them play aswell, these transfers are great but offten to soon and with out result, i hope next season will be great for our guys talking about playing minutes and getting that experience.

Posted from Netherlands

By Rami | June 12th, 2009 at 8:14 am

This article came through on my google alerts: http://www.labaule.maville.com/actu/actudet_-Football-Le-Tunisien-Ammar-Jemal-retrouverait-Rohr-_spo-967366_actu.Htm

Rohr confirms the interest in Jemal. Not surprising stuff but I thought I’d share anyways. I think it won’t hurt him to stay and help Etoile in the champions league and then bounce but if he must go then wherever he can get steady time is good. I hope all this hoopla doesn’t take his mind off Nigeria. We need him as concentrated as ever right now…

Posted from United States

By Sami | June 12th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

Any news on Santos? Has he found a new team since his contract expired with Sochaux?

By Achraf | June 12th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

Here is where you can get the tickets for the Tunisia -Nigeria game june 20th!!
http://www.tunisieticket.com/details?ev=1243930659

By Abdullah | June 13th, 2009 at 11:35 am

I’m wondering where Ragued will be singing, he has to move.

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | June 13th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

I hope Ragued makes it to Italy, I heard rumors that 2 clubs want him from Italy.

Also, Abdennour reinjured something the was injured before and did not practice.

Posted from United States

By Abdullah | June 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

Achraf wich rumours where that? Because i only heard that chievo was interrested..

Posted from Netherlands

By Achraf | June 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm

Yea Abdullah, Chievo and Catania are the two Italien clubs interested in him and a lot others from other countries.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/04/22/1222513/houcine-ragued-in-demand-throughout-europe

By Achraf | June 15th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Here are some noce pictures of the National Team during there training in Portugal and it looks like they are having a good time playing tennis, riding bikes, etc. I cant wait for the game on Saturday!!

It has been very slow on this blog!!

By Rami | June 15th, 2009 at 6:38 pm

You forgot the link bud: http://www.mosaiquefm.net/Tsawer/thumbnails.php?album=357

Posted from United States

By Rami | June 15th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

And yea, I noticed the slowness too. My b for the lack of updates in the past week. I’m swamped at work as usual and most of my free time is going to my girlfriend who leaves the country next week for really long… Hope that’s not getting too personal!

But yea, don’t worry preview is coming as will a match report of course. Nothing much to report anyways. No one is seriously injured (and please please may it stay that way!) and the players are doing fine in Portugal. They’ve been giving updates here and there but honestly nothing very newsworthy. They’re studying Nigeria’s last few games and doing different exercises to fix the problems we saw during the Mozambique match. That’s the extent of it really…

Posted from United States

By thamer | June 16th, 2009 at 5:33 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SGJAbcOa0Q&feature=fvw

…he’s so freakin good

Posted from United States

Comments are closed