Tunisia reduced to ten men in first half

Ukraine 0 Tunisia 0

Tunisia’s hopes of causing an upset against Ukraine were dealt a blow when striker Zied Jaziri was sent off in the last minute of goalless first half.

The Troyes forward was shown red for two cautions and left Tunisia with a mountain to climb in the second half.

The first half itself was a tight affair with few goalmouth incidents.

An embarrassing slip by Radhi Jaidi in the third minute nearly cost Tunisia dear.

The Bolton centre-back tried a backheel only for Andriy Voronin to intercept - but the Bayer Leverkusen forward failed to take advantage, and then Jaidi made up for his blunder with a decent interception to prevent Andriy Shevchenko having a shooting chance.

Jaziri picked up his first booking by Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla for a blatant dive when challenged by Andriy Rusol, then Adel Chedli fired high from 30 yards.

Rangers midfielder Hamed Namouchi struck a direct free-kick on target but Oleksandr Shovkovskyi was able to make a comfortable save.

The first real chance fell Ukraine’s way in the 20th minute when the ball broke to Anatoliy Tymoschuk and he tried to beat Ali Boumnijel with power instead of setting up a certain goal by passing to Shevchenko, and the Tunisian goalkeeper saved.

Shevchenko tried an audacious volley but did not connect properly, then the Ukraine skipper broke through on goal and only Jaidi’s tackle stopped him opening the scoring.

Rusol had to scramble the ball clear after Jaziri threatened to pounce then Oleg Shelayev forced Boumnijel to parry his long-range dipping shot.

Jaziri felled Tymoschuk from behind in the dying seconds of the half and was shown a second yellow followed by red.