H組的突尼斯和沙特阿拉伯並不被外界看好。為了能夠從小組出線，這兩支球隊在6月15日在德國漢堡的比賽將會盡力去戰勝對方。突尼斯和沙特阿拉伯都是第四次參加世界盃決賽階段的比賽，但是由於同組的還有出線熱門西班牙和烏克蘭，因此，他們被看成是陪太子讀書的角色，小組出線難度很大。但是任何一方如果能在這次正面交鋒中取勝，那麼它小組出線的可能無疑會增加不少。兩支球隊都意識到了這場比賽的重要性。

　　突尼斯後衛達維德熱馬利説“能夠與沙特打頭一場比賽很幸運，如果我們我們在這場比賽取得好的開局，那麼我們就又向小組出線邁出了一步”。本屆世界盃是突尼斯連續第三次的參加該項賽事。他們在1998和2002年世界盃上取得的戰績均是兩負一平，一粒進球，以小組末名結束小組賽。

　　突尼斯的主帥是2002年世界盃時法國隊的主教練羅歇勒梅爾，在那屆杯賽中，法國隊顆粒無收便打道回府，本屆世界盃，他一直為球員的傷病情況頭痛不已。隊中出生在巴西的前鋒多斯桑托斯在勒梅爾自2003年執教球隊以來，一位突尼斯在28場比賽中攻入了18粒入球，但是由於傷病，他將缺席本場比賽。候補前鋒伊薩姆傑馬由於膝傷也已被送回國內，另一名前鋒Chaouki Ben Saada被急召入隊中。另外，後衛馬希德梅裏亞也受了腿傷，目前身體狀況還難有定論。勒梅爾率領這支迦太基雄鷹參加了2004年非洲盃，目前他已和突尼斯足協將自己的國家隊合同延長到了2010年世界盃。在他的指揮下，突尼斯的世界排名已經升至21。

　　但是由於過分重用在歐洲效力的球員，而忽略了在本國踢球的球員，比如在蘇超格拉斯哥流浪者效的中場哈米德納穆希，在法甲波爾多效力的達維德熱馬利，勒梅爾也受到了外界的批評。哈米德納穆希説“他很了解足球，作為一個教練，他幾乎贏得了所有可以贏得的榮譽，你總是會受到批評，這就是足球。我們有23名球員，並不會對這些爭論有興趣”。

　　這場比賽的焦點將是兩隊的門將，突尼斯的阿裏布姆尼傑爾是本屆杯賽上年齡最大的門將，他今年已經40歲了，他將成為世界盃歷史上年齡第五大的球員。他説“我肩頭有許多的責任，我有很多的經驗，這將會幫助那些年輕的球員，我需要找到合適的語言去讓他們平靜下來，並創造出良好的球隊氛圍”。而沙特阿拉伯則擁有33歲經驗豐富的門將穆罕默德代亞耶亞，他已經為國家隊出場181次。已參加了過去三屆世界盃的他目前正遭受著輕微的肩傷困擾，他的替補是27歲的馬布魯克扎伊德。代亞耶亞説“就連貝利也曾經是一位替補球員，我將會幫助扎伊德成長，他是一名優秀的球員”。

　　沙特此次是第四次參加世界盃，他們希望再現1994年第一次參加世界盃的輝煌，當時沙特小組賽擊敗摩洛哥和比利時而進入16強。四年前的韓日世界盃，沙特三戰皆負，包括0比8慘遭德國屠殺。那場比賽是“沙漠之子”力圖去忘記的。“我們要取得一定的成績，而不僅僅是來參加比賽。2002年時一個大的挫折。但那僅僅是一場同德國的比賽。接下來的比賽我們表現的不錯”穆罕默德代亞耶亞説道。沙特的防守依然讓人不放心，在過去的14場友誼賽中，他們丟了14個球。主教練馬科斯帕克塔還沒有公佈球隊的陣型，不過他很可能採取防守的451陣形。哈馬德蒙塔沙裏將是沙特後防線的領軍人物。24歲的他在中後衛的位置上的32場比賽中打入6球。馬科斯帕克塔説“哈馬德蒙塔沙裏是亞洲最優秀的球員，他不知疲倦，年輕的他擁有光明的未來”。

　　沙特足協主席蘇丹本-阿卜杜勒-阿齊茲親王向球員保證每贏得一場比賽，他將給每名球員100，000利亞爾的獎金（約27，000美元或21，328歐元），如果能夠小組出線，還將給每名球員300，000利亞爾的獎金（約81，000美元或63，986歐元）。對內沒有一人在歐洲踢球的沙特要想在本屆世界盃有所作為並不容易。沙特主教練馬科斯帕克塔説“看看特立尼達和多巴哥，他們半場比賽後就少了一名球員，但是他們面對強大的歐洲職業球隊，依然保住了一分，這表明如果你努力做到最好並保持信心，你可以做成任何事”。

　　鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-wcup-saudiarabia-tunisiapreview&prov=ap&type=lgns

　　原文：

　　Saudi Arabia-Tunisia Preview

　　By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN, STATS Senior Writer

　　June 14, 2006

　　Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are not expected to advance out of Group H. In order to do so, a winner will likely have to emerge when the two teams meet Wednesday in Hamburg, Germany.

　　With favorites Spain and Ukraine also in the group, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia -- each making a fourth World Cup appearance -- are considered underdogs to the powerful European squads. A draw would likely leave both teams in a difficult position, but a win by either would give the victor plenty of hope going into its final two group matches.

　　Both teams realize the importance of the opener.

　　"We are fortunate enough to be playing the Saudis in the first game," Tunisia defender David Jemmali said. "If we get off to a good start in that match, it could put us on the road to qualifying."

　　The Tunisians -- the only African squad with previous World Cup experience -- are in their third straight World Cup as they try to advance past the group stages for the first time. They managed a draw and two losses in both 1998 and 2002, scoring only one goal and finishing last in their group on both occasions.

　　Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre -- who guided France to its goalless World Cup performance in 2002 -- has been dealing with a variety of injuries leading into the opener. Brazilian-born striker Santos, who has scored 18 goals in 28 games since taking Tunisian nationality in 2003, has been ruled out of this match with a shin injury.

　　Reserve striker Issam Jomaa has been sent home because of a knee injury, and Chaouki Ben Saada was added as a replacement. In addition, defender Mehdi Meriah has a leg injury and his status is unclear.

　　Lemerre guided the "Carthage Eagles" to the 2004 African Nations Cup and recently signed an extension through at least the 2010 World Cup. Tunisia has risen to 21st in the world rankings under his leadership.

　　But Lemerre has received criticism for his usage of European-based players -- midfielder Hamed Namouchi plays for the Glasgow Rangers in Scotland and Jemmali for Bordeaux in France -- over players from Tunisia's domestic league.

　　"You can see that he knows soccer. He's won almost everything as a coach," Namouchi said. "You always get criticism ... that's football. But these are the 23 players and we're not interested in the polemic."

　　Tunisia's preparation hasn't been smooth. The Carthage Eagles beat Belarus 3-0, drew Uruguay 0-0 and were forced to play a warmup match against a German amateur team when Kuwait and Iraq withdrew from planned exhibitions.

　　Wednesday's match could feature a pair of veteran goalkeepers. Tunisia's Ali Boumnijel is the oldest player in the World Cup at age 40 and will become the fifth-oldest player in the history of the event.

　　"I have a lot of responsibility. I have a lot of experience and that helps the younger ones," Boumnijel said. "It's about finding the right words to calm them, creating the right atmosphere."

　　Saudi Arabia could start 33-year-old veteran keeper Mohammed al-Deayea, who has a world-record 181 caps. Al-Deayea -- who is suffering from a slight shoulder injury -- has been on all three previous Saudi World Cup squads, but could be pushed aside in favor of 27-year-old Mabrouk Zayed.

　　"I was once told by a coach that even Pele was a substitute, so if Mabrouk Zayed is chosen, my duty is to help him and provide advice if needed. I think he's an excellent keeper," Al-Deayea said.

　　Saudi Arabia is making its fourth straight World Cup appearance, but hasn't been able to duplicate its success from its initial run in 1994, when it beat Morocco and Belgium in group play to reach the Round of 16. The Saudis dropped all three matches four years ago, including a humbling 8-0 defeat to Germany in their opener.

　　It's a memory that the "Sons of the Desert" hope to erase.

　　"We will compete, not only participate. Everyone says the setback was 2002. It was only one game, against Germany. The following games we played well," Al-Deayea said.

　　The Saudi defense remains a problem, conceding 24 goals in 14 friendly matches. Coach Marcos Paqueta, who has not formally named his starting lineup, will likely use a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation to try to alleviate those woes.

　　The defense will be anchored by Asian player of the year Hamad al-Montashiri. The 24-year-old Al-Montashiri has also scored six goals from central defense in 32 games for the Saudis.

　　"Al-Montashiri is the best player in Asia. He doesn't stop. He never stops. He's a very good player and he's young. He has a bright future ahead of him," Paqueta said.

　　Saudi soccer federation chief Prince Sultan bin Fahd has promised each player 100,000 Saudi riyals (US $27,000; euro 21,328) for every win and an additional 300,000 riyals (US $81,000; euro 63,986) if they advance to the second round.

　　It's an unlikely scenario for a nation which has no players on a top European-based league, although the "Sons of the Desert" are undeterred.

　　"You saw Trinidad. They played half the match a man down and secured a point against a very good, professional European team," Paqueta said. "It showed that if you try your best, play well and remain confident, you can do anything."

　　作者-于歡-北京第二外國語學院-英語系

責編：佟杉杉