Saudis and Tunisians share a high scoring draw
Saudi Arabia are one of those team that are difficult to judge. In 1994 they played some great stuff, qualified for the second round having beaten Belgium and Morocco in the group stages and provided the goal of the tournament through Saeed Al Owairan. In 1998 and 2002 they were poor, suffering humiliating defeats. So the question was whether the 2006 version would be more 1994 or 1998/2002. The answer, following today’s entertaining draw with Tunisia in the battle of the Group H minnows was probably more 1994, although the Tunisians were the better side.
The Tunisians took the lead with a spectacular volley from Toulouse’s Zied Jaziri but the Saudis equalised through Al Kahtani and then took the lead in a dramatic style through veteran of 4 World Cups Sami Al Jaber. But the Tunisians earned a deserved draw through Jaidi’s header in stoppage time. Having watched the Ukrainians play, both teams will be confident of progressing to the second round.
