World 
Tunisia 
Step Two: Tunisia vs. Mozambique Preview
(yep I stole mosaique’s jpeg, shame on me I know) Here we are then, Tunisia versus Mozambique is less than 24 hours away and though anticipation has been building on Tunisia WCB for a while, it seems our countrymen are only just waking upto the fact that this is kind of a big deal. Mosaique FM were giving out free tickets yesterday to help generate some excitement and it seems the FTF is obliging also by assuring free transportation for NT fans from various points in Tunis to the stadium.
It’s unlikely we’ll see a sellout but I think it’s safe to say there’ll be more supporters there than there have been in previous encounters and that will only be beneficial in terms of motivating our players. If we want to go to the World Cup then we have to play our part.
As Coelho said, this match is more important than the Nigeria match. Why? Because this one is tomorrow and the Nigeria one is on the 20th. Quite simple really. At this stage of the competition every point could be the difference between going to South Africa next summer and not.
Facing us we have a talented and much improved Mozambique squad who famously held Nigeria to a draw (and very nearly beat them) in Maputo a day after we defeated Kenya in Nairobi. You might point to their artificial pitch as one of the main reasons they looked so good but anybody who watched the encounter will tell you their players have real quality.
Add to that the fact that the majority of the Mart Nooij’s side have been training together at least once a week for the past couple months and its clear that they have developed a clear understanding of what they’re trying to do on the field and that familiarity, not to mention their speed and athleticism, might bother us.
On our end, the losses of Issam Jemaa and Amine Chermiti aren’t reassuring in the least but given what Sami Allagui and Lassad Nouioui have been capable of with their club sides there’s no reason to think that they can’t replicate that form with us. Plus this could be a chance for Ali Zitouni to make his mark as well. All will depend on who Coelho puts his faith in and how the match develops thereafter.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. We learned our lesson from the Burkina Faso home loss in the previous round and aren’t taking anyone lightly. Plus we’re coming off a big win in Kenya and a goal-fest against Sudan (not a reference match I know but still good for confidence).
According to our coach, we’re going to have to impose our style by using a high press to suffocate Mozambique’s attacks. Then we’ll leave it to our technically skilled players to link up and hopefully produce some quality football. We’ve seen a lot of improvements in that department and with players like Darragi and Ben Khalfallah we won’t be lacking in inventiveness.
Questions
1. Will we finally see Mikari in the first team? He missed out on the Kenya encounter but he’s been tearing it up for Sochaux. Our Roberto (Mi)karlos should be in the starting lineup but hopefully Coelho doesn’t go for the more defense choice of Jemal. I know he scored the opening goal against Kenya but enough of playing people out of position. We need to attack Mozambique and Mikari is well known for what he brings offensively. Plus his defense has improved a great deal in France where his coach insisted he work on that part of his game.
2. Boussaidi, Ifa, or Souissi on the right? Probably Boussaidi if you look at Coelho’s history…
3. Ragued with Ben Yahia or Korbi in defensive midfield? Tough to call this one even though Ben Yahia has the edge in terms of NT experience. He hasn’t done anything outstanding with us yet so the door might be open for Korbi after a positive first match against Sudan. Still, Coelho might favor an older player but hard to judge.
4. Another Jaidi/Haggui pairing in central defense? People have their opinions on this. I would go for a younger combination but you’d expect the coach to stick to his tendencies at this point.
5. Lassad Nouioui to start? Although he’s fit, we don’t know just how fit. Coelho said anything is possible with this. Lassad was recently named one of the revelations of the year in La Liga by L’Equipe. I know we’re not gonna put him in the match just for that but good on him! I can’t wait to see him play in a national team jersey but my gut is telling me he’ll come on in the second half…
What do you think?
Hear what the Coelho and some players had to say yesterday.
Tomorrow is a chance for our fans to finally end years of disavowing the NT. Tunisians stopped supporting our boys under Lemerre because no one could identify with the team. Now we have a coach and a group that are legitimately trying to produce some quality play and hopefully things will have well and truly changed after the match tomorrow. We need a win to prepare for Nigeria in a good state of mind. If you’re in Tunisia please try to make it!!!
FORZA TOUNES!!!
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 64 comments.
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By Moni | June 6th, 2009 at 2:39 pm 
off course they have the right to talk (the sauoedies ) Ramzay , they almost beat us at Germany WC2006 !!! Tunisia = Shame , each Worldcup we are Shame !!
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 2:43 pm There were definitely bizarre decisions but three points in the bag. Tunisia are notorious for playing down to their opponents, and against Nigeria it will be something completely different. Why Darragi didn’t start is just a mystery to me but hey we won…
Posted from 
United States
By Achraf | June 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm The most important thing is we got 3 points!!!!
I did not like the starting line up in the first place!
I am not a fan of Korbi, Ghariani, and Souissi. I would have rather had Ifa or Bousaidi at the right. Ghariani got a yellow card and will not play against Nigeria. Same goes for Mikari. We will miss Mikari for that game most, he played really well today.
My Players of the game:
-Khallfallah-you can see it in his eyes and emotion that he wanted to win
-Mikari-Tackling and fighting for every ball, love the speed and gets back to defend quickley
-Darragi-came in against Kenya assisted the winning goal, and today sealed the game with a goal himself. Deserves to Start against Nigeria
-Hagui-This is the Hagui we have been waiting for.
There will be roster changes filling the spots for mikari and ghariani and possibly other players.
Hopefully Ben Saada is not injured and will be ready to get called up.
By bassem | June 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm Lets say this, this was an exam for these players and they deserved a C minus. Coelho if you’re plan is to fake out Nigiria like this, don’t think its going to work mate. I saw and i think he also saw people already leaving the stadium so they wouldn’t catch traffic, and thats pore mate realy pore, 20th of june is not far away, i looked forward to this match, but i am realy thinking the opposit right now.
Posted from Netherlands
By Ramzey | June 6th, 2009 at 2:50 pm Rami your unbeleivably optimistic!!! Even if we get Chikha back soon its still useless…..what the Tunisian national team needs is an injection of heart and some balls, you know I’m currently watching Brazil and Uruguay game right now and brazil is up 2-0, but uruguay is going all out, cuz they know its the national team they’re not just representing themselves, but the ppl of their country as well.
Until the national players and the retarded coach who got a brainfart starting 3 defensive midfielders understand this, then we’re going nowhere. They might as well go fishing!!
By bassem | June 6th, 2009 at 2:51 pm I am realy not that kind of guy any more Rami who thinks 3 points in the bag great. I realy realy didn’t like the play methode and was tired seeing the ball playing forward by Jaidi to nothing!
No sorry but no thanks, i rather lose and play my guts out trying winning then lean back and enjoy the ride with a comfi 1-0 advantage and singing one out with making a great affort to make a second or a third goal or even not seeing goals in perspective but try to reach one and other flawless making a nice combination.
Posted from Netherlands
By Achraf | June 6th, 2009 at 2:57 pm You guys have to remember that we were missing Jemaa, Chermiti, Bensaada, Chikhaoui and are injured and they are our top offensive players. Lets see what happens when we get Chermiti against Nigeria and maybe ben saada.
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 2:59 pm At this point in the qualifiers how well you play will matter little. I’m not saying I don’t want to see good play, we all do of course! Saying three points is good and that we’ll play better against Nigeria isn’t unbelievably optimistic, it’s perfectly reasonable if you just take a look at our history. I don’t know what Coelho was thinking either but I also think you can’t argue with the finishing scoreline. You tell me 2-0 and we play shit before the match I say thank you and take the points. Imagine we play amazing and don’t score, then what? We go into a huge game against Nigeria potentially behind them in the standings or on equal footing. I’d rather keep our advantage.
No one is saying we saw great things but we need to also be constructive in our criticism rather than outright insulting players and coaches. Doesn’t really help…
I say this with the utmost respect for all your opinions. Thats why we’re here to debate. We won, I’m happier than I would be if we played well and lost. I want us to go to the World Cup.
Posted from United States
By Nabil | June 6th, 2009 at 3:03 pm I hate to maon but that was dreadful. Almost feel like why bother with the World cu if we’re going too that garbage.
In the infamous words of Herm Edwards
“HELLO WE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME”
Why the hell do we always play such cowardly football?
So tired of this shit, 2006 World cup onwards we refuse to start players with skill, it’s all graft. 06 it was Chedli, Bouazizi and Nafti, today Korbi, Ben Yahia and Ragued…… JUST PLAY TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we lose we lose, but at least go down playing some real football, not this hit and hope, pray for a 1-0 victory garbage. If Cohelo can’t produce such a team than hire a man like Fouazi Ben Zarti.
We have the players, Darraji, Abdel Karim Nafti, Bouazzi, Zitouni also the likes of Chermiti, Jemma and Chikaoui set to return etc etc and yet we play such timed, cowardly and uninspiring football. No one is saying we have to be Brazil or Spain but look at Egypt, Croatia, Turkey, USA, Japan, Paraguay etc They all play to their strengths, they play to win and they play without fear.
Were we not all proud of the Maher Kanzri U-17 WC performance in South Korea?
Anyone else remember Argentina 78?
PLAY TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
By Ramzey | June 6th, 2009 at 3:05 pm Rami i tip my hat off to you…how did you manage to finish writing and post that article on goal.com????
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 3:12 pm Nabil, I understand your frustrations (and everyones). Totally legitimate. Coelho said he looked to control then for us to express ourselves in the second half. Same thing against Kenya, same against Holland. It’s a bit of a weird trend. He likes to tired teams out then release our best technicians to take advantage of them. It’s weird but so far it’s worked twice in a row. I don’t agree with it but he’s the coach…
Ramzey, that’s why I didn’t do a liveblog and didn’t comment throughout the match. I was writing as it was happening. It’s a newly acquired skill and only the second time I’ve done it. A race against time really. But thank you! Hopefully it’s not too bad because I was stressed out while writing it. It’s really hard to dissassociate yourself.
Posted from United States
By Achraf | June 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm I love the quotes Nabil, I am a fan of Herm Edwards.
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm Also, let’s not forget the time that this match is coming in. It’s the end of the season and these guys haven’t had much rest at all, especially the local players. Maybe Coelho is saving some of them… I don’t know, I still wanted Darragi to start but look the tactic paid off even though we played with fire. The biggest satisfactions are Darragi, Ben Yahia’s first NT goal, Ben Khalfallah, Mikari (although it sucks he’s missing Nigeria with yellow) and the THREE POINTS! We can critique the style all day but in the end Coelho did his job, he won us the match. So far so good but clearly there’s a lot of question marks still. Lemerre wouldn’t have even put Darragi in I bet. He would’ve put a defender to keep the lead and then maybe we would’ve conceded cuz everyone would have sat back.
Posted from United States
By Saber | June 6th, 2009 at 3:38 pm only few pluses
Darragi, he came in hungry and I like that about a player.
Haggui was very stable.
Ben Khalfallh, my opinion: made many mistakes, not creatif enough. well he was also alone ( bad tactical choice from the coach).
I think some experienced players like Ben Saada or Benachour if he switches the league should be welcomed.
about the others I dont wanna even bother to talk.
Rami with all respect, man Im starting to believe that you are a promoter of the Natinal team. Well we all want Tunisia to be on the Top but not that way.
We can also play well and win, so please dont tell me you are happy with the three points even if we played like shit. This is Mozambique for God sake.
Tunisia doesnt really show a face depending on the level of the opponent. I saw the World cup, I saw the confederations Cup and we didnt play like Germany, Argentina or Spain did.
Respect for the fans who made it to the stadium, They really didnt deserve to be treated that way. and maybe you shouldnt wonder if no fans come anymore.
With this Football maybe you can qualify to the world cup if you have Mozambique, Kenya and some luck to get some points against Nigeria. But in the World cup you will only show a bad face and you can wait 20 more years for the first three points in the world cup.
Good Luck to tunisia, to you all and Rami please a bit critic in your articles does not hurt anyone.
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm I am a promoter of the national team lol! That’s why I do this writing (in English) to increase our visibility and so that people know more about us. I am critical when I need to be but I’m entitled to think 2 matches + 2 victories is a positive thing (which it is!). I’ve repeated so many times I don’t understand why he didn’t put Darragi and I echo your other qualms etc. but I’m not going to insult anyone. Not my style buddy I’m sorry.
Constructive criticism is the way to go. And saying that the fans didn’t deserve that doesn’t accomplish anything, they came and they saw us win a match. Maybe not in the way we wanted to but we won. It’s a fact and its very good before facing Nigeria. I don’t pretend to know everything or to be the ultimate authority on this subject. It’s a blog, this is a debate and we’re all entitled to our opinions. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know I don’t hesitate to criticize (just check Tunisia vs. Burkina faso from a while ago) but I give credit where credit is due also. Coelho whether you like it or not has completed his task for today. Don’t forget we are missing some very important players. I think his choices are weird also but he’s closer to the players and he’s a coach. We’re fans, huge difference.
Posted from United States
By Nabil | June 6th, 2009 at 3:55 pm Well said Saber.
This was the World cup vs Saudia all over again and it’s simply unacceptable. As the adage goes “possession is 9/10TH of the law”
The inability retain possession is just mind bogging three years after the disgrace tat was the 06 World cup. It’s simply a midfield does only need ball winners but rather ball takers. By that I mean player whom when they have possession can either beat the opposition, maintain possession and produce quality passes. Does not need to be the killer Zidane like through ball, but rather a core of midfielders who are cohesive and make the simple yet effective passes that can not only wear the opposition down but eventually create scoring opportunities. As I said earlier we’re hardly Brazil, Spain or Argentina but one look at the likes of the USA, Egypt, Croatia, Turkey, Japan etc shows what it takes to make a real impact on the World stage.
We’re simply not playing well, and it’s all about tactics, it’s obvious the tactics employed by Lemerre and Cohelo are not working in terms of seeing a significant improvement in the quality of the NT. The U-17 World should have been an opener to the powers that be of Tunisian football.
We simply play not to lose and frankly most of us are sick of it.
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 3:59 pm Let me be clear in emphasizing the fact that I understand everything you guys are saying and share your opinion in almost all of it but let’s not pretend Coelho and Lemerre are the same. There’s a lot of ways to document the differences but I seriously don’t have time right now. In any case, I am happy with the win as it puts pressure on Nigeria who can’t afford another slip up. We’re thinking about this in different contexts I guess. I’m thinking of it purely from a qualification standpoints while some most are thinking of it in the grand scheme of things. I think that’s the main difference right now.
Posted from United States
By Abdullah | June 6th, 2009 at 4:03 pm I fully agree with you Rami, some are just too pessimistic, the only thing that is helpfull is to be realistic and i think you are.
I am confident Coelho is aware of the flaws of our NT.
Posted from Netherlands
By Saber | June 6th, 2009 at 4:04 pm I dont recall that i insulted you or I meant to do!! but if you think I did sorry buddy.
I hope you are wright at the end and we play a good world cup!!
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm Oh Saber no no don’t misunderstand me my friend. That’s not what I meant. I just meant people insulting the coach. But even then I understand people don’t have anything personally against him. I’m just trying to moderate some things a bit but my fault for not being clear.
In the simplest terms. I am thrilled people have such strong feelings and am happy you guys come here to express them. Please keep them coming on the new post. We have ample time to discuss and analyze while we wait for June 20th which, if we win, is putting one foot in South Africa.
I think part of the reason I only care about the points is that I have my team specific tickets for tunisia already and desperately want to cover my team on site at South Africa 2010. Maybe that’s why I’m a bit biased. No hard feelings though, I love the debate!
Posted from United States
By Skander | June 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm Hi everybody.
Can’t agree more with Rami, no matter how excremental the playing, I would take a 2-0 win and 3 points in the ranking over all the artistry in the world if it means getting us closer to qualifying (and yes Tunisia does play down to it’s opponents more or less).
In the CAN 08 quarterfinal game against Cameroon, we played the most beautiful soccer I’ve ever seen Tunisia play and lost 3-2. Wouldn’t everyone have preferred a 2-0 win with crappy playing?
Aren’t we the people who sing “Jibouha selma ya baba selma”?
On a humorous note, I was trying to find some indication of the result as I couldn’t watch the game and found this enlightening statement from the bbc: “Lens defender Alaeddine Yahia scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 21 minutes.Oussama Darragi, from Tunisian champions Esperance, was on target for the Carthage Eagles with their second goal in injury time at the end of the match.”?!?
Anyone know where I can see the goals?
And what happened with Nigeria vs Kenya?
By Rami | June 6th, 2009 at 4:22 pm Goals not yet available. I’d keep an eye out on 101greatgoal.com
Nigeria Kenya is tomorrow. Thanks for the support bud lol. 
Posted from United States
By Skander | June 6th, 2009 at 4:22 pm F#$%^&#$%^C!!!!!
Mikari is out the game with Nigeria!
By Skander | June 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm By bassem | June 7th, 2009 at 8:50 am I’m sorry i realy want to feel the way you do guys but i can’t share your optimism about the upcoming game against Nigiria. I know the players are trying hard but with this starting squad or with this position playing game we are not going to make it against a tuff Nigiria that you can’t compare with Mozambique.
And watch, everybody who’s optimistic now will bitch about it after the game of Nigiria when we go down, then we would all share the same opinion off failure of tactic play of Coelho. So sorry for cracking down Coelho but its the same day different shit if i may say so. At the moment i can’t see any difference between him and Lemmere.
Posted from Netherlands
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