Ali al-Kaabi, one of the former star players of Tunisia, said that his country can surprise at the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.
Kaabi made history as the first player to score Tunisia’s World Cup 44 years ago. After winning 3-1 against Mexico in the tournament held in Argentina in 1978, Tunisia’s first goal came from Kaabi.
The legendary football player evaluated the Tunisian National Team’s chances of success in Qatar to the AA correspondent.
Stating that Tunisia gave a good test in the qualifiers, Kaabi thinks that this momentum can continue in the World Cup.
“I believe we will achieve the success that the Tunisian people want”
Kaabi said, “Being ready, focusing and reading the opponent is very important in football. The team that fulfills these will be successful. The National Team has gained great experience despite some shortcomings. When we look at the rivals in the National Team’s group, I believe that we will achieve the success that the Tunisian people want.” said.
Noting that Tunisia won the friendly match against Iran 2-0 last week, Kaabi said, “I think the National Team squad, led by Coach Jalal al-Kadri, where I had the opportunity to follow the last camp work in Saudi Arabia, was well chosen.” he said.
First goal is to get to the second round
Tunisia will face Denmark, France and Australia in Group D at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Emphasizing that the first goal is to reach the second round and that the first match is very important for this, 69-year-old Kaabi said, “We will play our first match against Denmark. The first match is usually the key to the rest of the matches. That’s why we need to focus on the game before Denmark, which is good physically and tactically. In the second match, we will play against Australia, a team that stands out with its aggressive football as well as being physically strong. Our national players need to be well prepared for this match as well.” used the phrases.
‘Tunisia may surprise ex-world champion France’
Reminding that his other rivals in the group, France, are in trouble with injuries, Kaabi said:
“The French national team had to replace players like Pogba, Kante and Nkunku due to injuries. After these changes, Tunisia may embarrass former world champion France by surprising them.”
The former star football player said that Tunisia, which has never passed the group stage in the World Cup finals it participated in, can surprise this time.
Evaluating the teams participating in the World Cup from the Arab region, Kaabi said, “Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been preparing for the World Cup for years, so they can achieve good results. Morocco, which has a strong football league, has many football players playing in Europe; I think they will be among the successful teams in the Cup.” said.
Tunisia has participated in the World Cup 5 times before
Known as the “Eagles of Carthage”, the Tunisian National Football Team played its first international match against its neighbor Libya in 1957. The Eagles of Carthage won the match played in the capital Tunis, 4-2.
Joining FIFA and the African Football Confederation (CAF) in 1960, Tunisia came to the fore as the team that participated most in the African Cup of Nations.
The Tunisian National Football Team, which had the chance to participate in the World Cup 5 times before, in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018, was eliminated in the first round each time.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Tunisia, which will compete in Group D, which includes Denmark, France and Australia, will face Denmark for the first time on Tuesday, November 22.
This will be the second match between Tunisia and Denmark in their football history. The friendly match played between the two teams in May 2002 resulted in Denmark’s 2-1 advantage.