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Tunisia a different team in the second half
This is going to be a long, long second half on the evidence of the first 10 minutes.
Tunisia is camped inside the Socceroos’ half, dominating possession and pegging Australia back to the edge of their box. There’s not as much pressure from the Socceroos when they’re without the ball, but the Africans are yet to create a decent opening.
I think Graham Arnold will have to think about making some changes soon to keep the intensity high.
Now Craig Goodwin has flashed a ball right across the six-yard box after Mat Leckie doggedly wins the ball in midfield. No-one was quite prepared to gamble enough from Australia to bust a lung and get on the end of that. Best chance Australia has created after the break.
Souttar tries to shake off knee complaint
Harry Souttar, who has been a tower of strength in the heart of the Socceroos defence, is down with a knock to his left knee as he defends a Tunisia corner. He’s collided with teammate Jackson Irvine in a case of friendly fire. He appears to be moving relatively smoothly now. We’ll keep an eye on that.
The Africans are really starting to turn the screws at the start of this second half with a couple of corners in quick succession. Much better from them after the break.
Kick-off
There’s one change for Tunisia at half-time. Ferjani Sassi is on for Mohamed Drager. Australia is unchanged, which is good news for Mitch Duke.
Back underway in the second half. Tunisia start us off.
A huge, nerve jangling 45 minutes coming up for Australian fans.
Tunisia’s Issam Jebali competes for the ball.Credit:Getty
Does Arnold need to make changes?
OK Socceroos experts, when does Graham Arnold ring the changes? Does he even need to?
Garang Kuol, Awer Mabil and Ajdin Hrustic are waiting on the bench. They’ve got goals and creativity in them, but will Arnold be happy to sit back and try to protect the one-goal lead? It’s been a brutal game-and-a-half from most of these Socceroos starters in oppressive conditions, so fresh legs might be needed.
We’re still waiting for an update on goalscorer Mitch Duke, who appeared to shake off that knee problem he picked up shortly after scoring.
Tale of the tape in favour of the Socceroos
This is how the tale of the tape looks at half-time. The Socceroos just shading most areas.
Oh forget it, the only one that really matters is the scoreboard: Australia 1 Tunisia 0.
‘Best Socceroos have played for some time’
By Vince Rugari
This is the best I’ve seen the Socceroos play for some time. Up for it. But they need a second goal, they were skating on thin ice towards the end of that half.
Half-time: Australia 1 Tunisia 0
There’s the half-time whistle from German referee and the Socceroos are still alive – at the moment – in the World Cup with a 1-0 lead over Tunisia at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Mitch Duke’s 23rd minute header from Craig Goodwin’s cross put Australia ahead, and you would have to say it’s a lead they richly deserve.
They’ve played with far more intensity, particularly in midfield, than their rivals and have looked comfortable in possession for the most part.
But Tunisia will be heartened by the way they finished the half with Harry Souttar throwing himself desperately in front of a goal-bound shot and captain Youssef Msakni spurning a slorious chance just before the break.
How are the nerves?
Youssef Msakni reacts to missing a golden chance before the break.Credit:Getty
Tunisian skipper misses glorious chance
What a chance. How is Tunisia not level? You just have to score from there, surely?
Youssef Msakni has made an incisive run to the near post and a beautiful pass from the right finds him on the edge of the six yard box, but he has steered his shot wide of Mat Ryan’s post. Anywhere on target and the goalkeeper has no chance.
That’s what they call a gilt edged chance.
Socceroos hanging on just before half-time.
WATCH: Socceroos score opener through Duke
The moment that sent Australia into pandemonium. Five minutes of added time in the first half.
Desperate Souttar keeps Socceroos ahead
Well, that’s clearly the best chance Tunisia has had and if not for the desperate Harry Souttar throwing himself at the shot from Mohamed Drager, then we might be talking about the game being level again.
The big defender throws himself into the line of a shot from 12 yards out, and it’s hard to see if Mat Ryan had it covered, but it was definitely on target. Drager was on the end of a Tunisian move after a Socceroos turnover.
In Souttar, we’re talking about a player who is only playing his third competitive match in a year. Outstanding.
