Arab fan support key for Tunisia vs Australia match

DOHA, Qatar, Nov 25 (AP): Expect "TUN-is, TUN-is, TUN-is" chants to reverberete around the Al Janoub stadium as Tunisia enjoys overwhelming home-like support when it takes on Australia in each team's second match at the World Cup on Saturday.

One of the four Arab teams at the first World Cup in the Middle East, Tunisia had arguably the loudest set of fans in the first round of games when it held European Championship semifinalist Denmark to a 0-0 draw.

And the support isn't just from Tunisians. Fans waving Palestinian flags have been following Tunisia, and there are also supporters of the squad from Egypt and Algeria.

Tunisia's team bus was mobbed by red-clad fans upon arrival in Qatar last week.

"We know the value of our Tunisian supporters in Doha, and the Tunisian diaspora," coach Jalel Kadri said. "This gives us a strong morale boost."

Both teams will have higher expectations, after Australia was beat 4-1 by defending champion France in its Group D opener.

All four of France's goals came from attacks down the flanks, with three of them headed in.