Australia boost qualification chances with 1-0 win over Tunisia

A spirited Australian side has defeated Tunisia 1-0 in their second Qatar World Cup match, with Mitchell Duke’s smart finish early in the first half the decisive factor in the highly competitive clash.

The result at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday keeps Australia’s hopes of qualification alive and sees them climb into second place in Group D.

Tunisia are now winless in their opening two games and lie bottom of the group.

Australia had only ever won two matches at the World Cup before this and squeezed into this edition via a playoff.

But they started the better against a Tunisia team who held Denmark 0-0 in their opener and are looking to reach the knockout stage for the first time.

The match was being shown on primetime Saturday night television in Australia and viewers saw their gritty side dominate the first 15 minutes, without mustering a shot.

Tunisia had the first sniff of goal in the 19th minute but skipper Youssef Msakni was squeezed out, then defender Mohamed Drager blazed over.

In the 23rd minute Australia took the lead their possession deserved.

Craig Goodwin, who scored the opener in the loss to France, crossed from the left and the ball ricocheted for Duke to glance his header back over his own shoulder and into the net.

Australia were playing on the break and were inches away from a second but Mathew Leckie could not connect on a low cross as he slid in front of goal.

Minutes later goalkeeper and skipper Mathew Ryan denied Msakni from close range and Australia just about held on under intense pressure to leave Tunisia’s World Cup campaign in deep trouble.

The Socceroos face Denmark — who play France later Saturday — in their final group game and the knockout round is in sight.

Their best World Cup performance came in 2006 when they also reached the last 16, in the days of Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.

Graham Arnold’s Australia don’t have players of that ilk but they have lots of heart. In front of 42,000 at Al Janoub Stadium, where their fans were heavily outnumbered, they produced an exceptional performance to win their first World Cup game since 2010.