Duke the hero for Australia as they see off Tunisia

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Nov 26, 2022. 14:30

Australia bolstered their hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup last 16 after edging Tunisia 1-0 in their Group D encounter at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Mitchell Duke’s 23rd-minute header settled the contest in Al Wakrah as Graham Arnold’s side managed to hold onto their lead on this occasion, having also opened the scoring against France before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat.

The Socceroos moved up to second in the group ahead of Les Bleus’ clash with Denmark, while the Eagles of Carthage have only the one point to show for their efforts after two matches.

The game got off to a scrappy start as both teams were guilty of giving away possession sloppily, although Australia showed more intent early on.

The crowd had to wait 21 minutes for the first attempt at goal, which came the way of Tunisia when Mohamed Drager found space in the final third and lined up a shot from 25 yards out that flew over the crossbar.

The Socceroos sprung into action and launched an attack of their own two minutes later, resulting in the opening goal. Craig Goodwin advanced down the left flank before drilling in a cross that deflected into the path of Duke, who glanced his header into the right corner of the net.

Australia threatened again on 34 minutes with Goodwin involved once more after he sent in a low cross towards the near post, where Jackson Irvine flicked the ball just wide of the far upright.

A quick throw-in from the North Africans nearly brought the equaliser on 41 minutes as Issam Jebali was released into space down the left flank and he picked out Drager, whose goal-bound shot was blocked by a sliding Harry Souttar.

Goodwin and Duke combined again to good effect in the final minute of the first half, with the Fagiano Okayama striker steering his header straight at Aymen Dahmen after getting on the end of his team-mate’s cross.

Mitchell Duke’s men were presented with a glorious opportunity to draw level in the third minute of stoppage time when Youssef Msakni latched onto Jebali’s cutback pass on the right but failed to hit the target from inside the area.

After an uneventful opening to the second half, the Socceroos almost doubled their lead on 71 minutes as Jamie Maclaren raced away down the left wing and fired in a cross that just eluded the advancing Mathew Leckie with the goal gaping.

Tunisia went up the other end of the pitch and tested Mat Ryan twice in the space of a minute, with Msakni getting both of his shots on target, the first one from range and the second after he cut inside from the left flank.

Aaron Mooy had a sniff at goal moments later as he struck a half-volley narrowly over the target after being fed by Maclaren, while Montassar Talbi hit a firm volley from 30 yards out straight at Ryan on 84 minutes.

The Eagles of Carthage had one final chance to rescue a point two minutes from time when Wajdi Kechrida surged down the right side and cut the ball back for Wahbi Khazri, who couldn’t get enough power on his strike to beat Ryan.

Tunisia (0) 0

Australia (1) 1 (Duke 23′)

Tunisia: A. Dahmen, D. Bronn (W. Kechrida 73′), Y. Meriah, M. Talbi, M. Drager (F. Sassi 46′), E. Skhiri, A. Laidouni (W. Khazri 67′), A. Abdi, N. Sliti, Y. Msakni, I. Jebali (T. Khenissi 73′).

Australia: M. Ryan, F. Karacic (M. Degenek 75′), H. Souttar, K. Rowles, A. Behich, R. McGree (A. Hrustic 64′), A. Mooy, J. Irvine, M. Leckie (K. Baccus 85′), C. Goodwin (A. Mabil 85′), M. Duke (J. Maclaren 64′).