Tunisia and Mauritania Draw 1-1 in Friendly Match
The Tunisian national football team drew 1-1 with their Mauritanian counterparts in a friendly match on Wednesday at the Hamadi Agrébi stadium in Radès. The Tunisians opened the scoring through Firas Chaouat in the 37th minute, before Mohamed Sarr equalized for Mauritania in the 51st minute. This was the first test for the Carthage Eagles as they prepare for the Arab Cup in Qatar and the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with upcoming matches against Jordan (November 15) and Brazil (November 18). The 1-1 draw against a modest Mauritanian team highlights the numerous adjustments that need to be made by Sami Trabelsi before the next matches: finding automatisms, refining tactics, and developing a greater variety of offense to avoid relying on aerial play.
First Half: Tunisia Dominates but Lacks Fluidity
From the start, Tunisia, composed mostly of locally-based players, seemed to want to impose their tempo. The Carthage Eagles monopolized the ball and were enterprising, seeking to make their mark through possession football. However, the glaring lack of automatisms within the team was palpable. Combinations struggled to find fluidity, and intentions were marred by sometimes hazardous execution. The left side, animated by veteran Ali Maaloul, was the primary Tunisian offensive artery in the early stages of the match. His activity and quality of centering promised opportunities, but without immediate concretization. In response, Mauritania, somewhat shaken, found balance after the first quarter of an hour, compensating with sometimes excessive aggression, as evidenced by their regularly whistled muscular interventions.
Turning Point and First Goal
The dynamics could have shifted at the half-hour mark. On a culpable error by Oussama Haddadi, the Mauritanians created their first real opportunity, recalling the Tunisians to vigilance. But it was ultimately Tunisia that opened the scoring, logically, in the 37th minute. On a perfectly executed corner by Ali Maaloul and poorly negotiated by the Mauritanian defense, Firas Chaouat propelled the ball into the net with the sole of his foot.
Injuries and Equalizer
The end of the first half was, however, darkened by worrying injuries affecting both teams: Ibrahima Keita for Mauritania, and especially Issam Jebali, who seemed to have contracted a muscle injury, for Tunisia. The restart was a cold shower for the Carthage Eagles. Against all expectations, and only six minutes after returning to the field, Mohamed Sarr equalized for Mauritania. On a stopped ball, the Mauritanian player took advantage of Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's poor positioning, who was late to align, thus breaking the offside line and deceiving the Tunisian defense. A gross and costly tactical error.
Second Half: Tunisia Struggles to Find Rhythm
From then on, everything had to be redone for Chiheb Jebali's teammates. If the Tunisians resumed their offensives in a more organized manner, they were met with increased aggression from the Mauritarians. The offensive solution often became simplistic: high centers towards the head of Firas Chaouat, systematically anticipated by the opposing central defense. Sami Trabelsi tried to react by launching Ferjani Sassi and Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida in the 63rd minute, then goal-scorer Seifeddine Jaziri in place of Chaouat in the 77th minute. If Tunisia maintained a slight territorial advantage and multiplied attempts in the final moments, they never managed to find the gap to snatch victory.
Tunisia's Lineup:
Noureddine Farhati, Ali Maaloul (Ben Hmida, 63rd), Yassine Meriah, Oussema Haddadi, Mohamed Ben Ali, Houssem Tka, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Firas Belarbi (Sassi, 63rd), Chiheb Jebali, Issam Jebali (Layouni, 45th), Firas Chaouat (Jaziri, 77th).
