Czech the Technique: Tijani on a Tear for Slavia Prague

After being overlooked in our match against Angola for reasons unbeknownst to this humble blogger, Slavia Prague midfielder Tijani Belaid decided to get some attention the best way possible: How about scoring a brace in his clubs 5-0 thrashing of Bohemians two weeks ago and subsequently being voted player of month?

That was enough to earn him a call up from Coelho but the former Inter Milan signee must not have been satisfied by making it into the preliminary list for our trip to Ouaga as he followed that up with yet another brace in a more competitive matchup against Ostravia that finished 3-2 in Slavia’s favor. Belaid logically picked up man of the match honors once more.

Four goals in two matches is nasty no matter how you cut it but if you look at the manner in which they were scored it’s even more impressive. The first goal against Bohemians was pure determination and the second one was an exemplary free kick while the two against Ostravia showed off his impeccable shooting technique (the first a full volley and the second a powerful yet accurate strike from outside the box as defenders are closing in on him).

At a time where the injury bug is biting the hardest (more on that below), this represents a sliver of hope as the the national team is in dire need of goals this weekend against Burkina Faso. Thankfully for us, Tijani has a history of producing high drama (the good kind). Not only did he find the net on his debut in the red and white but he also opened the scoring and assisted in our match against Cote d’Ivoire. This had special significance because it was his first time back in the team after that horrific highway accident that robbed him of a chance to play in his first African Cup back in January. Furthermore, he is still the only Tunisian player to have scored a goal in the UEFA Champions League.

We might not have our top notch center forwards available at the moment but its reassuring that our midfield looks like one of the most offensively capable in recent memory. We’ve yet to see how Ben Khalfallah will fit in but if the hype is to be believed, he’s got skills. Add to that in form players such as Belaid, Ben Saada, and Darragi and it’s clear that despite being ravaged by injuries, the firepower is still there. Plus we have one of the finest support strikers in the land, Youssef Mouihbi who will be counted on for inspiration and trademark flair.

Long story short: The goals might very well come from midfield rather than our attack. In all honesty I could care less where they come from as long as we win! If Selliti and Ben Dhifallah score and leave me with egg on my face then I’ll be one happy guy with egg and a huge grin on his face.

Hopefully Tijani, the top scorer for his club team and the Carthage Eagle who is flying highest at the moment, can show his teammates the way like he has done in the past.

More Pics

here, here, and here.

Highlights

Slavia versus Bohemians (5:0)

Slavia versus Ostravia (3:2)

In Other News

After giving Tijani sufficient love, there’s yet another injury problem which I alluded to earlier in the post that is worthy of mention. Our starting left back, Yassine Mikari has some kind of head injury (a concussion I’m guessing) that will keep him away from the pitch for ten days minimum. At first Mosaique FM was saying that NT doctors were still requiring he come to Tunis so they could do their own tests but now it’s apparently certain the Mikari will not come along to Ouagadougou with the rest of the team.

This is big loss since he is one of our most vivacious players who likes to take people on while running full steam ahead down that left side. I’ve always expected better crosses from him though and he’s yet to deliver them consistently. The flipside is that it is a huge chance for Khalil Chemmam who is currently the only left sided defender left in the team. Will Coelho add another? Or will he leave the squad at 24 for the time being before he makes his final cut? It seems risky to travel with only one left back but stranger things have happened. We’ll find out soon enough…