Tunisia’s Coach Upbeat Despite Defeat

Tunisia national team head coach Nabil Maaloul is upbeat despite a 2-1 loss to England on Monday evening.

A brace from Harry Kane ensured the Three Lions pick the maximum points in their opening 2018 World Cup Group G match played at Volgograd Arena in Russia.

The North Africans scored their lone goal through Ferjani Sassi thanks to a 34^th minute penalty and although the Carthage Eagles’ boss was disappointed with the result, he was pleased with what he saw from his charges.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We performed very well and we were able to defend ourselves for 90 minutes. It’s true that they (England) controlled the match towards the end. They have excellent players in terms of speed,”[/perfectpullquote]

said Maaloul.

England complained long and loud about the penalty awarded to Tunisia and what they called failure of VAR to give them two spot-kicks of their own but Maaaloul played down the penalty claims.

“Maybe if I go back and look at match I can see what fouls were committed,” he said.

Tunisia are third in Group G, above Panama on goal difference ahead of their next game against Belgium on Saturday.