Skhiri apologises to Tunisia fans, admits they lacked level to compete at World Cup

[p]The Carthage Eagles’ FIFA World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end on Saturday after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/japan-ULXPdOUj/tunisia-QqZVYk95/?mid=SzGJdIdt"]a heavy 4-0 defeat against Japan[/a] at Estadio Monterrey Guadalupe in Mexico in their second Group F match.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] had lost their opener [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/sweden-OQyqbHWB/tunisia-QqZVYk95/?mid=UaJKzaHN"]5-1 against Sweden[/a], the outcome that led to the sacking of coach Sabri Lamouchi and the appointment of Herve Renard ahead of the clash with Japan.[/p][p]Daichi Kamada put Japan ahead after finishing a cross from Keito Nakamura. Kamada’s opener was his second of the tournament and the fastest goal that Japan have scored at a World Cup.[/p][p]The previous quickest goal was by Shinji Kagawa in 2018 against Colombia, when he scored in the sixth minute.[/p][p]Ayase Ueda made it 2-0 for Japan, Junya Ito slotted home the third, before Ueda grabbed a second late on to complete the emphatic victory.[/p][p][b]Speaking to FIFA.com, captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/skhiri-ellyes/UawLDteR/"]Skhiri[/a] expressed his deep regret towards Tunisia’s supporters and admitted the team had fallen short of the standards required on football’s biggest stage.[/b][/p][embed guid="9c798c53-8eb5-4c27-b749-4c358a13107e" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2068574153590874254" social-type="twitter" /][h2]‘We apologise to our supporters’[/h2][p]"We have to be honest with ourselves," said Skhiri. [b]"When we look at our performances in the last two matches, the truth is simple: we do not have the level required for this tournament right now.[/b][/p][p][b]"That is the reality. I am truly sorry to the Tunisian people."[/b][/p][p]Skhiri added: [b]"We apologise to our supporters. We are deeply sorry and very disappointed. We understand that they are not happy at all, and apologies alone are not enough.[/b][/p][p][b]"There is nothing else we can say. We simply have to work, improve and show it on the pitch. That is what people expect from us - actions, nothing more."[/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][p]On conceding nine goals from two matches, Skhiri, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, admitted the team had committed too many individual mistakes, which was unacceptable at this level.[/p][p][b]"At this level, you cannot afford to make mistakes like that,"[/b] offered Skhiri. [b]"Our problem was not a lack of effort.[/b][/p][p]"We simply do not have the required level right now. Japan were much better than us, and we have to congratulate them on their performance.[/p][p][b]"We also need to apologise to our fans once again and accept the difference between the two teams."[/b][/p][p]With no points from their opening two matches, Tunisia are now mathematically eliminated from the competition.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/netherlands-WYintcWb/tunisia-QqZVYk95/?mid=0lERfdRh"]Their final Group F fixture against the Netherlands[/a] will serve only as an opportunity to restore some pride and avoid leaving the tournament without a point.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="34d01d25-0ec3-483f-84c2-e1bf51d14293" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]