Tunisia 2
Saudi Arabia 2

A stoppage time header from Radhi Jaidi earned Tunisia a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia after a thrilling finish to their World Cup Group H opener yesterday.

Saudi substitute Sami Al Jaber scored in the 84th minute to put his team 2-1 ahead and seemingly on their way to a comeback win in the all-Arab clash.

Al Jaber, who has played for the Saudis in three previous World Cups, tucked the ball home just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Tunisians, seeking to win a World Cup game for the first time since they beat Mexico in their first appearance in 1978, led at half-time thanks to a Ziad Jaziri strike.

But after dominating the opening period, they lost their way and Saudi Arabia came back strongly in the second half, Yasser Al Qahtan levelling in the 57th minute.

Tunisia had dominated from the start and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after only two minutes and almost scored after eight minutes.

The Saudis produced a few counter-attacks and forced a flurry of corners, but they finally fell behind in the 23rd minute.

From an inswinging free-kick on the right, defender Tuker headed clear, but the ball rebounded off his team-mate Hamad Al Montashari and, as the ball fell in space, Jaziri volleyed it beyond keeper Mabrouk Zaid from 10 metres.

Tunisia lost their sense of urgency after the break and paid for it when a revitalised Saudi Arabia levelled.

A long ball from defence set Mohamed Noor free on the right and from his low cross to the near post Yasser Al Qahtani evaded two marking defenders to steer the ball home.

Al Jaber rues late equaliser

Saudi Arabia's record-breaking striker Sami Al Jaber insisted his team's World Cup hopes were still on track.

Al Jaber, who was struggling with a thigh injury before the match, was bitterly disappointed the Saudis had not taken all three points after his goal.

"We were unlucky to let a goal in one minute before the end. Now we have one point. It is not the end of the competition for us. We have to work hard against Ukraine," Al Jaber told reporters.

"I am still recovering and I will do everything possible to be ready for that match."

Tunisia: 1-Boumnijel; 6-Trabelsi, 18-Jemmali, 3-Hagui, 15-Jaidi; 20-Namouchi, 13-Bouazizi (8-Nafti 55), 12-Mnari, 14-Chedli (10-Ghodhbane 69); 9-Chikhaoui, (2-Essediri 82) 5-Jaziri.

Saudi Arabia: 21-Zaid; 2-Dokhi, 3-Tuker, 4-Al Montashari, 13-Sulaimani; 6-Al Ghamdi, 8-Noor (7-Ameen 75), 16-Al Thaker, 18-Al Temyat (23-Al Hawsawi 67), 14-Al Khariri; 20-Al Qahtani (9-Al Jaber 82).

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia).

Scorers: Jaziri (23), Jaidi (90); Al Qahtani (57), Al Jaber (84).

Half-time: 1-0; Attendance: 66,000.