Tunisia and Saudi Arabia Gear Up for World Cup's Arab Derby
June 14, 2006
Tunisia turned heads when they won their first World Cup match in 1978, but 28 years later they're still waiting for victory number two.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia also impressed on their debut, beating Morocco and Belgium to reach the knock-out round in 1994. But two barren campaigns in 1998 and 2002 -- including a humiliating 8-0 reverse to Germany -- have left them scratching around for another win.
Both need to pick up points in Munich to stand any chance in an imposing Group H which also features Spain and Ukraine.
Tunisia's campaign has been given extra impetus by coach Roger Lemerre, who is seeking redemption after his World Cup nightmare four years ago with France.
The defending champions crashed out winless and goalless in one of the World Cup's greatest flops, with Lemerre receiving his marching orders soon afterwards.
Lemerre has already led Tunisia to the 2004 African Cup of Nations title, making him the only man to win different continental crowns after France's Euro 2000 triumph.
He has now set his sights on succeeding where he failed with France -- by reaching round two. "Every country dreams of reaching the second round of the World Cup at least once in their history. That's my dream too," said Lemerre.
"The first two group matches will be decisive. After that day, we will know where everyone is and what they have to do."
A Frenchman's dream driving Tunisia
Lemerre has lent Tunisia a dash of South American flair with the inclusion of Brazilian-born Jose Clayton and Francileudo dos Santos, who helped them secure six wins, three draws and a defeat in qualifying.
However the 'Carthage Eagles' will be sweating on the availability of Dos Santos, who has plundered 18 goals in 28 appearances, after he picked up an injury last week.
Saudi Arabia cruised through qualifying undefeated, beating South Korea home and away as they made it to their third finals in as many attempts.
The three-time Asian champions will be hoping to make the step up to the big stage with Brazilian Marcos Paqueta, their 16th coach in 12 years after Gabriel Calderon was sacked in December. "It's against the only other Arabian team, it's going to be an Arab derby, a fight of a game," Paqueta said.
Saudis thrash German sides in warm-up to main event
The Saudis have enjoyed a fruitful warm-up in Germany, banging eight past a Frankfurt reserve side and 15 past Bad Nauheim XI, including seven from veteran striker Sami Al Jaber.
However, Al Jaber was among nine players to miss training last week after injuring his right foot.
Officials were quick to dismiss talk of an injury crisis, and midfielder Omar Al Ghamdi was adamant that the 'Sons of the Desert' could erase memories of the 2002 drubbing by Germany.
"Our team is better than the one who played in Japan," Al Ghamdi. "We are better because we have prepared well both technically and physically and played some tough matches."
Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed Al Deayea is the most capped player of all time, while his Tunisian opposite number Ali Boumnijel will become the World Cup's oldest player, at 40 years and 62 days.