Saturday, March 23, 2013

Tunisia 2 - Sierra Leone 1

Tunisia played host to Sierra Leone in Rades, where a win for the home side would stretch their lead in the group to five points.  The Carthage Eagles created three clear opportunities in the first period, but Sierra Leone goalkeeper Christian Caulker was on his game.  Issam Jemaa was victimized by the first of Caulker's saves.  It came from a header after a great cross by Yassin Mikari.  Sierra Leone had their chances too, but they were not nearly as effective on offense.  The half ended without a goal.

Ten minutes after the restart, Caulker made a miraculous save on a Jomaa shot that was already behind him when he touched it.  However, Caulker was the goat two minutes later.  His pass out to the left was intercepted by Saber Khalifa, who then delivered the pass across the goal on a breakaway from an Oussama Darragi opening goal.  Tunisia turned the 1-0 into a 2-0 a quarter hour later with a Wahbi Khazri free kick twenty-three yards that should have been held by Caulker.  Two minutes later, Karim Haggui was beaten to a ball with his back turned to goal by Alhassan Kamara, and Kamara flicked over the goalkeeper for a slow-rolling goal.  Sierra Leone nearly equalized in the final minute of stoppage time as Kei Kamara fought off two defenders for a loose ball before spinning and firing on frame.  Tunisia goalkeeper Moez Ben Chirifia made the diving save to preserve the victory.  Tunisia win 2-1.

Tunisia 9 pts +4
S. Leone 4 pts 0
E. Guinea 1 pts -2
Cape Verde 0 pts -2

Goals
Tunisia
Oussama Darragi 57
Wahbi Khazri 72

Sierra Leone
Alhassan Kamara 74

Match Reports:
http://sierraleonefootball.com/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1211-leaders-tunisia-defeat-sierra-leone-to-open-a-wide-gap
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/match/78102/tunisia-vs-sierra-leone/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANK_l0mSQx0

No comments: