National Team Coach Sami Trabelsi: Tunisia's 2-2 Draw Against Palestine "Tastes Like a Defeat"
National team coach Sami Trabelsi expressed his disappointment after Tunisia's 2-2 draw against Palestine on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in the second day of Group A of the 2025 Arab FIFA Cup. He stated that the match "had the taste of a defeat," emphasizing that the two conceded goals were the result of "naive mistakes" and poor defensive positioning on set pieces.
Press Conference
In a press conference, Trabelsi clarified that his presence at the helm of the national team in this competition was dictated by circumstances, rather than a personal choice. He insisted that he took no risks in accepting this mission and fully assumes his responsibilities.
Regret and Explanation
The Tunisian coach expressed his regret after the bitter draw, especially since Tunisia was leading 2-0 and had shown a more convincing face than in their first match. He explained that he is leading the national team due to the presence of more than five players from the A and A' teams, and the abandonment of the option to engage a U23 team for the competition.
Assuming Responsibility
"Being at the head of the technical staff is a duty, not a fear of a bad result or a potential dismissal," he stated, rejecting the idea of a risky bet, unlike other teams like Morocco, Egypt, or Algeria, which are engaged with alternative coaches or squads. Assuming "full responsibility" for the result, Trabelsi emphasized that the two Palestinian goals could have been avoided. He acknowledged a significant decline in his team's performance in the second half, marked by clear signs of fatigue in several players.
