DOHA: For the first time in 12 years, Australia have won a game at the World Cup. For the first time in 12 years, there’s realistic hope of a spot in the round of 16 – and for the first time in 12 years, thanks to Mitch Duke’s glorious header, there’s something to truly believe in.
It was a positively Cahillian effort from Duke, who forced most of the 41,823 fans at the Al-Janoub Stadium to be quiet, and sent the small pockets of Aussies into pandemonium.
It was very arguably the most-complete performance that the Socceroos have ever put together at a World Cup. The beautiful chaos of Japan and the frantic second half against Serbia are well-noted, but this was a match that Australia absolutely deserved to win.
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In a glorious first 45 minutes, Aaron Mooy pulled the strings in midfield, every Tunisian effort into the area was absorbed by a magnetic Harry Souttar in the heart of the defence.
Two late Tunisian attacks were thwarted, first by a Souttar block, and then by captain Youssef Msakni missing his team’s best chance of the match – but given the run of play, to go in at 1-1 would have been brutally cruel on Australia.
The second half was more even, but you could hardly say the Tunisians dominated.
Yes, they played with far more daring than in an ultra-conservative first half, but Australia were hardly parking the bus themselves.
Mat Leckie had a glorious chance to poke home for 2-0 with 20 to go, but narrowly missed latching onto his Melbourne City teammate Jamie Maclaren’s cross, who had come on for the goalscorer Duke.
Both Maclaren and Ajdin Hrustic were introduced midway through the second half, and there was plenty of criticism towards the Australian boss for waiting too long to make changes against France – he ensured there would be no repeat.
Socceroos claim victory against Tunisia
Tunisia, knowing that a draw barely helped them and a loss would just about send them home, came in wave after wave in the dying stages – Souttar again the hero with a slide tackle after a Kye Rowles slip had turned the ball over in his own half.
You have to ask where the fire that Tunisia played with in the final 10 minutes was for the rest of it – but if you’re an Australian player or supporter, that’s by the by.
The exact scenario for qualification won’t be clear until after France play Denmark, but it’s highly likely that a draw with the Danes will be enough to secure a spot in the last 16.
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