Tunisia Holds Denmark 0-0 as Arab Teams Impress at World Cup 

Tunisia's forward #07 Youssef Msekni celebrates their draw with fans after the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 22, 2022. (AFP)
Tunisia's forward #07 Youssef Msekni celebrates their draw with fans after the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 22, 2022. (AFP)
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Tunisia Holds Denmark 0-0 as Arab Teams Impress at World Cup 

Tunisia's forward #07 Youssef Msekni celebrates their draw with fans after the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 22, 2022. (AFP)
Tunisia's forward #07 Youssef Msekni celebrates their draw with fans after the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between Denmark and Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 22, 2022. (AFP)

Arab teams are making an impact at the first World Cup in the Middle East. 

Tunisia held European Championship semifinalist Denmark to a 0-0 draw Tuesday, three hours after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in a shocking upset. 

"It’s amazing what (Saudi Arabia) did," Tunisia defender Montassar Talbi said. "We watched a bit of the game in the dressing room. We saw the results. It gave us maybe a little power. We are proud of them. For the Arab countries, too." 

Before a stadium filled almost entirely with Tunisia's red-clad supporters, midfielder Aïssa Laïdouni set the tone in the very first minute when he stripped emblematic Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen of the ball with an aggressive sliding tackle — then stood up and pumped his arms menacingly, gesturing to the crowd to get even more fired up. 

"I’m always proud to represent Tunisia and we always go on the pitch 100% committed," Laïdouni said through a translator. 

Tunisia likely deserved more but an expert save shortly before halftime by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel helped Denmark preserve the draw. 

Having already gone down to the grass after Tunisia broke through the defense, Schmeichel stuck his hand up to deflect a shot from Issam Jebali, who plays his club ball in Denmark for Odense. 

It was just the sort of save that the keeper’s father, former Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel, used to pull off. 

"We didn’t come to get a draw. We wanted to get the win, and I think we did have chances for that, but at the end of the day we’re happy with the draw," Laïdouni said. 

The match marked Eriksen’s return to a major tournament less than a year and a half after his cardiac arrest with Denmark at Euro 2020. 

Assuming his customary playmaker position, Eriksen produced a dangerous long-distance shot on goal in the second half that Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen had to bat away. 

And on the ensuing corner, Denmark hit the post. 

Tunisia also survived the chance of a last-minute penalty for Denmark but the referee ruled to play on after a video review for a possible handball. 

Denmark has lofty goals following its performance at last year's Euro 2020 and a near-perfect qualifying campaign, while Tunisia is seeking to advance from the group stage for the first time in its sixth World Cup appearance. 

After a lack of atmosphere at several of the opening matches, the huge number of Tunisian fans inside Education City Stadium made it feel like a home match for the North African team. Tunisia fans chanted, banged drums and blew air horns when their squad had the ball — then hissed and whistled loudly whenever Denmark had possession. 

Many spectators waving Palestinian flags also supported Tunisia. 

In the end, both teams produced 13 shots. 

Tunisia is not known for its attacking prowess but coach Jalel Kadri said the big crowd support helped his team raise its tempo. 

"It lifted our spirits," Kadri said. "Mentally it gives us a great lift. It really helped us. But tactically and physically we also played very well." 

Tunisia will next play Australia on Saturday in Group D and Denmark will meet defending champion France on the same day. 



AFC President Hails Saudi Organization of AFC U17 Asian Cup

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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AFC President Hails Saudi Organization of AFC U17 Asian Cup

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the Kingdom's remarkable success in hosting the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which concluded on Sunday in Taif after three weeks of competition among 16 Asian national teams, SPA reported.
He stated that the Kingdom successfully provided the ideal environment to host the tournament and presented it in a way that befits the reputation and stature of Asian football, further proving the Kingdom's capability to host major sporting events to the highest organizational standards.
He also praised the exceptional roles played by various official entities in the Kingdom in creating the factors for the tournament's success, expressing his gratitude to Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).