The Tunisia Under-17 football team showcased an impressive performance in their opening match at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, decisively defeating Fiji U17 with a score of 6-0. The match, held early this morning, highlighted Tunisia’s superior technical skills and strategic play, with the young Fijian team struggling to keep pace.
From the outset, Tunisia dominated possession and effectively controlled the rhythm of the game. The first goal came a mere 30 minutes into the match when Wassim Slama converted an assist from Lyes Ghodhbane. Just six minutes later, Firas Tayechi doubled the lead after being set up by Aymen Touati, ensuring Tunisia went into halftime with a solid 2-0 advantage.
Following the halftime break, Tunisia continued to assert their dominance. Ranim Achari capitalized on a defensive mistake from Fiji just after the start of the second half, scoring in the 46th minute. Slama made his mark once again, netting his second goal of the match in the 53rd minute, further extending Tunisia’s lead to 4-0.
Tunisia coach Hatem Nafti made key substitutions in the 62nd minute, bringing in Aymen Saidi, Saif Abdallah, and Mohamed Tlili, all of whom contributed positively to the team’s performance. Saidi scored Tunisia’s fifth goal in the 74th minute with assistance from Tayechi, while Abdallah followed suit six minutes later, finishing off a play initiated by Adem Grira. Tayechi capped off the rout in the 86th minute with his second goal, closing out the match with an emphatic 6-0 victory.
Fiji’s U17 team, while suffering a heavy defeat, made history earlier this year by securing their first-ever place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup after performing remarkably in the OFC U-16 Championship. Their qualification reflects the growth of football in Fiji, illustrating the potential of young Fijian talents on the global stage. This match against a dominant opponent like Tunisia will serve as a learning experience, helping the young players develop their skills for future competitions.
The outcome serves as a reminder of the increasing competitiveness in youth football across regions, as teams like Tunisia continue to demonstrate their prowess while younger teams like Fiji strive to bridge the gap.