Looking to avoid an early exit

Saudi Arabia, in their fourth consecutive finals, also want to wipe out a nightmare 8212; they were thrashed 8-0 by Germany in their first outing at the 2002 finals in Japan and departed without scoring a goal. Tunisia will be without leading striker Francileudo dos Santos and also their preferred 4-4-2 formation is likely to find midfield space at a premium against Saudi Arabia8217;s 4-5-1, intricate approach.

THE SQUADS

TUNISIA: Goalkeepers: Ali Boumnijel 1, Adel Nefzi 16 038; Hamdi Kasraoui 22; Defenders: Karim Haggui 3, Alaeddine Yahia 4, Hatem Trabelsi 6, Mehdi Meriah 7, Radhi Jaidi 15, David Jemmali 18, Anis Ayari 19 038; Karim Saidi 21; Midfielders: Mehdi Nafti 8, Kaies Ghodhbane 10, Jaouhar Mnari 12, Riadh Bouazizi 13, Adel Chedli 14, Hamed Namouchi 20 038; Sofiane Melliti 23; Forwards: Karim Essediri 2, Zied Jaziri 5, Yassine Chikhaoui 9, Francileudo dos Santos 11, Issam Jomaa 17

SAUDI ARABIA: Goalkeepers: Mohd Al-Deayea 1, Mabrouk Zaid 21 038; Mohd Khojah 22; Defenders: Ahmed Dokhi 2, Redha Tukar 3, Hamad Al-Montashari 4, Naif Al-Qadi 5, Abdulaziz Khathran 12, Hussein Sulimani 13 038; Ahmed Al-Bahri 15; Midfielders: Omar Al-Ghamdi 6, Mohd Ameen 7, Mohd Noor 8, Mohd Al-Shlhoub 10, Saud Khariri 14, Khaled Aziz 16, Nawaf Al-Temyat 18 038; Mohd Massad 19;Forwards: Sami Al-Jaber 9, Saad Al-Harthi 11, Mohd Al-Anbar 17, Yaser Al-Kahtani 20, Malek Mouath 23

Referee: Mark Shield Australia, Assistant Referees: Nathan Gibson Australia 038; Ben Wilson Australia, Fourth Official: Carlos Chandia China, Stand-by: Cristian Julio China