Jaidi secures Tunisia a late lifeline

Tunisia ... 2 Saudi Arabia ... 2A stoppage time header from Radhi Jaidi earned Tunisia a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia after a thrilling finish to their World Cup Group H opener yesterday.

Saudi substitute Sami Al Jaber scored in the 84th minute to put his team 2-1 ahead and seemingly on their way to a comeback win in the all-Arab clash. Al Jaber, who has played for the Saudis in three previous World Cups, tucked the ball home just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Tunisians, seeking to win a World Cup game for the first time since they beat Mexico in their first appearance in 1978, led at halftime thanks to a Ziad Jaziri strike after 23 minutes. But after dominating the opening period, they lost their way and Saudi Arabia came back strongly in the second half, Yasser Al Qahtani levelling in the 57th minute.

Tunisia dominated from the start and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after only two minutes. The Saudis were confined to a few counter-attacks and they finally fell behind in the 23rd minute.

From an inswinging free-kick on the right, defender Tuker headed clear, but the ball rebounded off his team-mate Hamad Al Montashari and fell for Jaziri who volleyed it beyond keeper Mabrouk Zaid from 10 metres.

Tunisia lost their sense of urgency after the break and paid for it when a revitalised Saudia Arabia levelled.

A long ball from defence set Mohamed Noor free on the right and from his low cross to the near post Yasser Al Qahtani evaded two marking defenders to steer the ball home.

Despite the disappointing late setback, Saudi Arabia's record-breaking striker Al Jaber, who was struggling with a thigh injury before the match, insisted his team's World Cup hopes were still on track.

"We were unlucky to let a goal in one minute before the end. Now we have one point. It is not the end of the competition for us. Our second half performance will motivate us to play equally well against Ukraine," he said.

Tunisia, meanwhile, were bitterly disappointed with their point from a match they were convinced they would win.

"We didn't recognise our team today," said midfielder Adel Chedli. "It was a catastrophe. We never really found our rhythm. It was a pity because we led 1-0 at half-time and then we did some foolish things."

SUBSTITUTIONS

TUNISIA: Nafti for Bouazizi (54 mins), Ghodhbane for Chedli (69 mins), Essediri for Chikhaoui (82 mins). Subs not used: Ayari, Ben Saada, Gmamdia, Kasraoui, Melliti, Nefzi, Saidi, Santos, Yahia. Booked: Haggui, Bouazizi, Chedli, Chikhaoui.

SAUDI ARABIA: Ameen for Noor (75 mins), Mouath for Al Temyat (66 mins), Al Jaber for Al Kahtani (82 mins). Subs not used: Al Anbar, Al Bahri, Al Daeyea, Al Harthi, Al Qadi, Al Shlhoub, Khathran, Khojah, Massad.

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia).