Tunisia vs. Cameroon: The Preview

February 2nd, 2008 | by: Rami |

Probable Lineup

GK: Kasraoui
Defense: Felhi, Jaidi, Haggui, Bekri
Midfield: Traoui, Nafti, Mnari, Ben Saada
Strikers: Chikhaoui, Santos

According to Mosaique FM (which hasn’t been wrong so far), that is the lineup we will play with. It’s basically the defense from the Senegal game mixed with the midfield and strikers from the South Africa game. I honestly do not know how I feel about the decisions in defense especially. Some might cast a doubtful eye towards the glaring omission of Chermiti from the starting lineup but I was kind of expecting this after he played a full 90 minutes against Angola. Given that Lemerre favors using all the players at his disposal, I had a feeling Chermiti would only come on as substitute after expending a lot of energy in his first outing of the tournament. This leaves quite a bit of firepower on the bench with Jemaa and Ben Dhifallah also on the sidelines. It is no secret that Chermiti is a great player and my only hope is that he doesn’t come into the game at the 70th minute or something. Basically I say give Santos 55 minutes and if he doesn’t score sit him down and let Chermiti stretch the slow and aging defense of Cameroon.

It is clear when you look at who we’ve picked in defense that our chief concerns are Eto’o and Geremi as we took away Ben Fradj and Mikari who usually come up the flanks to offer support to the attack. I guess Lemerre and Maaloul don’t want to see Eto’o and others take advantage of the large spaces they leave behind them. I am leaning towards disagreeing with them though because their presence also gives us more options in attack and stretches the opposing team. Our coaches are the ones getting paid by the federation though and hopefully they earn those paychecks in this next game. We don’t want to come out of this wondering “what if.”

Their thought process must be that we will beat them on the counter attack using a solid and defensive back four as a base to start out attacks from once we steal the ball. It’s risky business considering we didn’t really show much in the first game besides the Jemaa goal. There wasn’t much build up play in the Senegal game and that would be a nightmare scenario. On the other hand, this is the fourth game of the tournament and you would expect more chemistry to have built by now so maybe this will work.

One thing that our technical staff has proven so far is that they are good at studying the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and retooling their lineup accordingly. Hopefully the next game is no different as it is clear they’ve identified Cameroon’s huge problems with transition offense and defense. So if we play “en bloc” like we usually do and are steady in our positioning we can expect to steal a lot of balls in midfield, at which point we will play a vertical game like we saw Egypt do effectively in Cameroon’s opening loss.

Let me say that this is not the Cameroon of previous years. The Lions don’t look so indomitable to me. I didn’t see their last group match but in the two that I saw they looked a shadow of their former selves. Even Eto’o looked bored to me. Sure they scored a a lot of goals but that Zambian defense practically went out of their way to show them the path to the net. This isn’t to say that the game will be easy, it most definitely will not, but it is to say that they are well within our grasp and that with our astute field positioning and some good counter attacking football we can take them down. Ben Saada’s presence should help in this respect as he links between midfield and attack a lot better than Jemaa did. Even though Jemaa gives his all on the field and I respect him for it, sometimes he doesn’t give the most obvious passes that could lead to goals. Basically this is the game where Chikhaoui must shine brightest. He can’t afford to be isolated and tentative like against Senegal. I have faith that he will rise to the occasion.

Another way to go about it would have been to keep Ben Fradj and Mikari in order to add bodies to our own built attacks but I guess Lemerre has made it clear this is out of the question. Given what we’ve done so far in this tournament, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. One thing that’s good about this lineup is that Felhi will offer cover for Jaidi who has made some mistakes in this tournament. He’s getting better every game but he worries me sometimes. I am certain that a lot of people will be extremely upset to see our the return of our so called prudent lineup and I understand their nervousness. The thing is, if things go our way, this has the potential to work very well against this Cameroon team. I just hope thats at the end of the game the decisions will be justified and not frowned upon. There is no exact science but for now this is the plan.

If I hear anything new lineup related as the match approaches I’ll update this post with that information. For now this is what we know. Maybe tomorrows edition of Dimanche Sport will shed more light on all these issues. If you have an opinion please share it.

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Bman

The only thing that really concerns me is can I call in sick Monday!!! This is when your really gonna start feeling the excitement and tension!

Lemerre and his staff do seem organized and I have to admit, beating Tunisia is something no one else has been able to do so far, and if they do it wont be easy. So It is always interesting to what they can conjure up when it comes to their lineups. At this point, they know a loss isnt optional so If changes need to be made i think they will be.

Ben Frej, Mikari……OF COURSE they should definitly play, I was thinking about the lineups in my mind this morning and i thought for sure they would be in after what I have seen. Maybe the looked at Egypts game and figured out how Egypt beat Cameroon.

I am agreeing with Ramis’ reservations. The one thing Felhi has on Ben Frej is Speed, maybe they wanted him to cover the wings in a way Ben Frej could not. Also i remember in the first 3 games Eto’o also likes to go to the far left wing and send crosses to the middle to the other Cameroon attacker. So they probably need Felhis speed to corral him in.

Also Mikari has been a revelation at left back. No one has been able to break him down and he is making opposing attackers chase him back to their own half. I dont know about Bekri, but i dont know what Mikari did to loose his place.

After watching the games, I thought the lineup vs South Africa was the strongest of all 3 sans Chermiti. However i do think this attack is quite strong still.

It is clear since Jemaa is out I think Tunis will not be attacking from the wings like against Angola or Senegal. I think It will Be like against South Africa with Chikha and Ben Saada tucked in behind Santos. Frankly thats alot better since Santos isnt Drogba he isnt going to be able to fight for a ball in the air against someone LIKE Andre Bikey lol.

Another thought, is maybe since this is an elination game, maybe they are releasing a linup that might fool Cameroon??

Anyhow im sure Cameroon is not thrilled to be playing Tunisia. Also I noticed Eto’ is getting a penalty kick in basically every game so far. Hopefully we will take a page from Egypts strategy book. Why couldnt this game be on SUNDAY!!!!
http://egypt.worldcupblog.org tamim

good luck tunis…meet you in the final isa!.
Rami

Bman, I feel you on the Monday gametime issue. I’m going to work too… Might figure out a way to get out early though. I hate time difference, hugely problematic. All that matters to me is that we win though. I KNOW we can do this!
marwen

if you guys have telesud you could watch it when you come back from work
http://deleted Moni

Bekri ??? Okee , but I thought Merieh is better then Bekri.
Now it feel like salt in an open wound , leaving for a continental competition without a right-foot-attacker !!
Skander

Rami, if you think time difference is an issue for people in North America, why don’t you come to Japan and appreciate the ungodly hours I have to keep to watch ANC games!!
Skander

Our chances in this game are microscopic! We are not even in the same class as Cameroon. And in the unlikely event that we do somehow make it past the QF, it will only be for us to be torn apart by Ghana in the semis. Why was everybody so happy when we made it first out of our group? Somebody should have deliberately scored an own goal at the end the game against Angola, just to make sure that we have a chance of making to the final. Now we are going home for sure!!!
Bman

I think we are definitly in the same class as Cameroon, Tunisia belongs at least in the top 8 of AFRICA and thats where we are at this moment. I mean Egypt already beat them, the only advantage for us playing Egypt is they are a familiar rival.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-dose/daily-dose-2408.html Daily Dose 2.4.08 – World Cup Blog – African Cup of Nations 2008

[...] Carthage Eagles vs Indomitable Lions previews (Tunisia Blog) [...]
jihedc

Why not believe? It’s a 1 game and anything possible. Look at the Giants beating the super favorite Patriots in the super bowl. Although we didn’t beat Cameroon in almost 40 years, there is still a game to play, and if you don’t believe you can win, just don’t play and go home today!!!!
This is a young new team without many big names, but with a big heart.
If I am following Skander, even if we win this game, we will be killed for the next one against Ghana? What kind of logic is this? Of course we will be going home, who knows when, tomorrow, may be? next week, hopefully. Be back this evening Skander, stop your fears and enjoy the ride
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org/ Rami

Skander, back when the Club World Cup was in Japan I became damn near nocturnal so I feel you too buddy (same goes for 2002 World Cup). Definitely not the ideal place to be if you’re following games in Europe or Africa… Meanwhile, I don’t share your view that facing Egypt would have been better as playing Cote d’Ivoire in the case of defeating Egypt would not have been so great either. Basically I’m against “picking” your opponents. That mindset can land you in trouble quick and to me it just goes against the whole idea of the sport. As far as I’m concerned, Best thing to do is play to win every game and hope for a win. Cameroon is well within our reach. It’s not certain but right now it’s 50/50 and could go either way. We’ll know soon enough as the game will soon unfold before our eyes and we’ll see what our boys are made of and if the technical staff made the right decisions. I read in La Presse that Platini and others actually see Tunisia coming out on top as we are tactically a vastly superior team (Decastel the coach of CSS said the same thing on Dimanche Sport). We have our cards to play and we have every right to believe that we can do it. If at the end of the day we fight hard and it’s not enough then so be it. But going into the game this is where things stand.

Allez les Aigles de Carthage!
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org/ Rami

Jose Mourhino’s Take:

J.M. : La Tunisie possède un joueur que j’apprécie beaucoup : Yassine Chikhaoui qui joue au FC Zurich. Il était sur le banc lors du dernier match mais il a un gros potentiel. Il y a aussi un Jaïdi toujours aussi important en défense. Il n’est plus si jeune, plus si agile mais il a toujours une grosse présence, notamment dans les duels aériens. Et l’équipe est bien organisée. Ils jouent très bien, les positions sont respectées. Je pense que c’est une équipe qui joue en réfléchissant, ils pensent le jeu. Ce sera très intéressant de voir comment ils se comporteront face au Cameroun. Sur le plan de l’organisation, de la tactique, du plan du jeu, je crois que la Tunisie est meilleure mais le Cameroun possède deux ou trois joueurs capables de faire la différence, en particulier Samuel Eto’o.

In English (approximate translation, google translate since I’m lazy and then some minor changes of my own):

J.M. : Tunisia has a player that I greatly appreciate: Yassine Chikhaoui who plays with FC Zurich. He was on the bench in the last match but he has a big potential. There is also a Jaïdi as important as ever in defence. He’s not getting any younger or more agile but he still has a big presence, especially in the aerial duels. And the team is well organized. They play very well, the positions are respected. I think this is a team that plays with a lot of thought, It will be very interesting to see how they will behave facing Cameroon. In terms of organization, tactics, the plan of the game, I believe that Tunisia is better but Cameroon has two or three players capable of making a difference, especially Samuel Eto’o.

http://fr.sports.yahoo.com/04022008/70/can-2008-l-oeil-de-mourinho.html
Nabil

If we want to become the Champions of Africa, we have to face the good teams one way or another. I know we can do it and it doesn’t matter what path we take.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/african-cup-of-nations/cameroon-vs-tunisia-africa-cup-of-nations-quarterfinal-liveblog.html Cameroon vs Tunisia – Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinal LiveBlog – World Cup Blog – African Cup of Nations 2008

[...] a tough time. Silva Dos Santos found his scoring boots against South Africa and (according to a reliable source) will likely partner Chikhaoui, with teenage-sensation-in-waiting Amine Chermiti back on the bench. [...]
yuusf

you guys can watch the game from work. go to this website channelsurfing.net
Tom

I have been a keen watcher of Chermiti and Chikhaauoi throughout and before this tournament and im just wondeering if you guys agree with me that Chermiti has a fair bit more potential than Chikhaoui and is more consistent throughout the match?
Skander

Watching the game now. We’re boned! We’re like a bunch teenagers playing against a team of professional adults! It’s disgusting.
harissa

Tunisia really sucks! what a waste, they should have let Algeria or Libya to advance; they are much better teams.
Tunisian players “feehem alliaba,” and very gay. I am embarrassed to watch them.
Skander

Please stop calling the players gay. It’s insulting to gay people!
Rami

it could be worse and it could be better actually. near the end of that half we were dominating and that second could have went in. we’re not done yet man, a whole second half to play. 2-1 is a lot better than 2-0. but godamn i wish that santos shot and ben saada follow went in!!!
Skander

Let’s hope that the last 10 min weren’t flukes. Cameroon seems to be really well placed on the field. The only way we’re making it out of this is with offensive football.
jihedc

Those Lions are not very impressive so far, they should thank the defense. Still totally open game. Harissa haloua, enjoy the game, and stop ass-smarting…
jihedc

Harissa Haloua, this one is for you. More to come
jihedc

Relax Skander, the best is to come. It looks like we are fresher , but….
Mahmoud

you go Tunisia !!!! My heart is with you. Your Moroccan friend….
jihedc

The defense gave the game, too bad, but I am very positive with this young team and I see a great future, and a good show if they make 2010. Still not very impressed by this Cameroon team. Good game, but we lost. How do you feel Skander?
Mostafa

man oh man hard luck Tunisia you guys played a wonderful game against 11 plays and the referee!

in every one eyes you win. “besara7a into niktoohom”.

you might have lost the game but you earned every one’s respect.

hard luck this time.

Mostafa from Egypt!
Nabil

Nooooooooooooo! I thought we had it. We played better football from the time we were down 2-0. I’m really disappointed. I have to say though that Lemerre did a great job coaching and preparing for this tournament despite a few incidents. I am sad to see him leave.

Our defense was good. We only made 2 or 3 major blunders and Cameroon took those chances to score.
marwen

i thought we played way better and we deserved to win. \

It was a great effort by all the players.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

Thanks Mostafa and good luck to Egypt in the Semis. I wish you guys all the best and hope you don’t see a referee like this one today. I agree with everyone who’s saying we played better. Little details lost this one but I am so proud of this team. My post game report will come later tonight once I’ve digested this loss a little more. I’m gutted because I know we are better than them.
harissa

Tunisia went home,I am happy!
cry babies used to cry in Tunisia and got away with allot, but in Ghana, they have to earn the match. It shows that Tunisia is a weak team who likes to blame someone else; the coach, the referee, the weather,…anybody.
go home and eat more………………………………………………
Harissa
Tom

Do people agree with me that Chermiti is a bigger talent than Chikhaoui and has better potential?
Rami

It’s an interesting question Tom. I’m not sure really how to answer it though. They’re so different. One is short, a born goalscorer, and super fast and the other is more technical and a true offensive midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Zidane in his young career. Time will tell who is bigger but I don’t know… Chikhaoui will make it to a big club before Chermiti though. They are both the future of Tunisian football… Sorry I can’t properly answer the question.
Tom

I also thoght it was hard to answer but there is just this buzz surrounding Chermiti. I do know Chikhaoui is a good no 10. just his passing is not that great imo. In their respective positions i just feel there is something about Chermiti that edges it for me, im just suprised he didnt break through the ESS first team younger. Not that i knew much about him before 4 months or so before the african cup of nations tournament it just seems qute suprising while Chikhaoui was captain at something like 17.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

I respect your opinion that edges it towards Chermiti. I am just partial to Chikhaoui’s technical ability. It’s just a matter of the type of style that I like in a player. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve made it very clear in this blog that Chermiti is also a big favorite of mine and how could he not be? He is one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen. And I’m talking on the world scale here. It’s not by accident that he was voted best player in the African Champions League. Also the thing he has over Chikhaoui is his combativity. Chikhaoui is more aloof and a pretty quiet guy while Chermiti is a cut throat type of player that loves to win above all else. In fairness to Chikhaoui, he’s come a long way in just one half season at FC Zurich and is starting to learn how to be more aggressive. The future is bright for both of them.
http://deleted Moni

Truely Jaziri is tunisias fastest striker. He and Santos called by bbc “The magic duo” very dangerous to have on your half.
Mostafa

Chermiti is pretty good. I vote for him! i wish we can get him in el-ahly.