Tunisia Falls to Syria in Arab Cup
A Familiar Defeat
The Tunisian national team suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of Syria, reminiscent of their previous encounter in the 2021 Arab Cup. Despite a strong start, Tunisia failed to capitalize on their early dominance, allowing Syria to take control of the game and ultimately emerge victorious.
A Promising Start
The match began with Tunisia on the front foot, creating several scoring opportunities in the first half. Ismael Gharbi's shot sailed over the crossbar in the 12th minute, followed by Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's attempt that went wide of the post. Moez Naffati's cross into the box found no takers, and the team's dominance continued, albeit without a tangible reward. Gharbi's shot was deflected by Yassine Meriah, and Naffati's 18-yard effort went wide, while Ali Maaloul's free kick sailed over the bar.
A Turning Point
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum, as Syria scored a stunning goal just four minutes in. Omar Maher Khribin's direct free kick hit the post and found its way into the net, despite Aymen Dahmen's valiant attempt to save it. This goal sparked a transformation in the Syrian team, who became more aggressive and pressed the Tunisian players in their own half. Tunisia's attackers struggled to create chances, and the team's efforts were hindered by the opponent's numerical advantage in their half of the field.
A Desperate Attempt
In a last-ditch effort to salvage the game, coach Sami Trabelsi introduced Seif Jaziri as a substitute, replacing defender Marouane Sahraoui. Jaziri's presence added a new dimension to the attack, and he created several scoring opportunities, including a shot that found the side netting and another that forced the Syrian goalkeeper to intervene. Despite these efforts, Tunisia was unable to find the equalizer, and the game ended in a 1-0 defeat.
A Post-Mortem Analysis
The loss can be attributed, in part, to the team's inadequate preparation, with players arriving in groups until the eve of the match. This lack of cohesion and preparation ultimately proved costly, as Tunisia fell to a more realistic and efficient Syrian team.
Starting Lineup
Tunisia's starting lineup consisted of:
- Aymen Dahmen
- Yassine Meriah
- Oussama Haddadi
- Ali Maaloul
- Ferjani Sassi
- Moez Naffati
- Marouane Sahraoui (replaced by Seifeddine Jaziri in the 62nd minute)
- Ismael Gharbi
- Omar Laayouni
- Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (replaced by Chiheb Jebali in the 78th minute)
- Firas Chaouat
