The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Tunisia

Jan 24 1830 GMT Tunisia- Rwanda 2:1 (final score)
Before the match:
After a colorful opening ceremony Tunisia will kick off with an evening match this time and Rwanda will have a huge task to control the fired up hosts and their own nerves. The hymns are played and the match will kick off any minute.
1st half:
- ('3) Both teams look sharp and well organised, as far as this can be said after only 3 miuntes, and both already with one nice attacking attempt
- ('3-'10) The match has calmed a little, Tunisia look hot, Rwanda have a lot to do in trying to prevent from bid opportunities: 2 free kicks for Tunisia, but no harm, except the first yellow card of the tournament for a Tunisian player who was too quickly executing.
-('15) The first promising counter attack for Rwanda since the 3rd minute ends with a yellow card for a diving attempt by Rafael
-('19) The Rwanda keeper intercepts a dangerous through ball on Jaziri
-('23) Biggest opportunity for Tunisia after a through ball on their Brazilian striker Santos: The keeper clashes with him 15 m in front of the goal and the ball bounces in direction to the goal but goes narrowly wide. The referee says goal kick.
-('25) Rwanda: A 30 meter attempt by #11, wide
-('26) Tunisia: The third attempt to surprise Rwanda with a quickly executed free kick, a through ball on Jaziri who fires under the bar from half right, 10 meters to the goal - 1:0
-('31) Rwanda: free kick 18 meters - great goal by Rafael - 1:1
-('34) Rwanda fired up and maybe a bit overexcited, a yellow card after an optimistic tackle
-('36) Tunisia with a dangerous counter attack but it runs out of steam
-Rwanda sometimes very adventurous in their attacking of Tunisia when the North Africans are in ball possession. This opens spaces for through balls but is quite well executed anyway and pressuring the Tunisians a lot
-('41) Rwanda break through on a counter attack but Tunisia are lucky that when the striker falls the referee does not see it as a last man foul
-('42) Tunisia answer quickly but the keeper of Rwanda is very reliable
-('43) Rwanda attack with 5 players and Tunisian keeper has difficulties with a shot from the right hand side
-('44) Tunia are dangerous in the air and Rwanda are in trouble after a corner
halftime 1:1
A good game. Tunisia have lost their focus a bit after things did not turn out as planned. Rwanda had an obvious boost of confidence after the goal. In the final minutes of the half Tunisia seemed to recover. Until now good refereeing apart from being a bit quick with yellow cards.
2nd half:
- ('46) Tunisia begin determined with a neat looking attack
-The fans let the Tunisian players know they are not satisfied, and Tunisia look a bit nervous
-Good defending characterizes the beginning of the second half
-('55) two more quick yellow cards for Rwanda for small things - the second one is the second against #4 - Rwanda are down to 10
-('57) the free kick from the left is a sharp ball in front of the goal - Rwanda seem still shocked by the suspension and Santos scores from 3 meters - 2:1
-('60) Ben Achour, so far one of the most conspicious players with his free kicks, goes down in the penalty area, makes too much theatralics about it - and gets yellow, it is his second, too, Tunisia are down to 10, too
-Rwanda try to attack, tunisia draw back and play on counter attacks
-('68) substitutions on both sides
-('69) Tunisia free kicks remain creative but the Rwanda keeper is always alerted
-('70)-('75) Tunisia control the match
-('79) Rwanda: Out of the blue a big opportunity after an error in the Tunisian defence, but the strikers seem overanxious to use it perfectly - and play too complicated
-('83) spectacular bycicle kick volley by Santos from the edge of the penalty area - but no problem for the keeper
-('85) a spectacular challenge stops a Tunisian counter attack in the last moment
-('85-'90) Rwanda seem too tired to put real pressure on the hosts, the Tunisan counter attempts look more dangerous
-there should be some injury time after several injuries
-Rwanda: a last desperate 30 meter attempt goes wide
final score 2:1
a brave game by Rwanda, well organised, Tunisia looked well prepared but not always confident, still enough to win the opening match against the outsiders