World Cup Preview - Group H - Tunisia

Tunisia

Coach: French blowhard Roger Lemerre.

Game Schedule:
June 14 – Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia (12 p.m. EST)
June 19 – Tunisia vs. Spain (3 p.m.)
June 23 – Tunisia vs. Ukraine (10 a.m.)

Prospects: Tunisia – the only previous qualifier from the African confederation this time around – qualified for the World Cup finals by the slimmest of margins on the last day of qualification against Morocco in Tunis. This might make some feel that they have the biggest chance of playing the African underdog favorites. Not so. As before, Tunisia will be making up the numbers. Roger Lemerre has crafted a hard working side but they simply don’t have the quality to compete as this level.

Big Media Story: Believe it or not, the Tunisian government has taken the unusual step of banning all public display of support for the nation’s team!

Key Player: Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi keeps things tight at the back for Tunisia.

Youngster to watch: Speedy Troyes winger Ziad Jaziri.

Who Will Get the Goals: Brazilian born Francileudo dos Santos – six goals in qualifying.

Who Will Get the Cards: 32 year old captain Riadh Bouazizi.

Funniest Name: Defender Karim Haggui.

Prediction: In each of the previous three appearances, Tunisia have gone out ingloriously in the first round. Same thing again.