By: Gordon D’Costa
Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui praised the efforts of the entire team and also lauded the fans for their support. “The first half was probably our best performance in very long. Canada was a strong opponent and with ‘nothing to lose’, they fought well,” Regragui said during the post-match press conference.
Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui
Morocco became the second African nation, after Senegal, to qualify for the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup. The North Africans produced another stellar performance to record another well-deserved victory against Canada, crushing the North American team 2-1.
The Moroccans were unbeaten in three matches and with seven points finished at the top of Group-F, which ensured their progress to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. The Atlas Lions not only made their countrymen proud, but also the whole Arab world since they became the first Arab country to qualify for the knockout stage of this global football tournament. Croatia who drew goalless with Croatia was the second team to qualify from this group.
Morocco will face Spain, who lost 2-1 to Japan and finished second behind the Asian nation in Group-E, in the round of 16, on Tuesday, December 6.
The star player for the Africans was Achraf Hakimi, who played an outstanding game and contributed with the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri to score Morocco’s second goal and secure their win.
The Moroccan defender Hakimi with a measured long aerial pass found Youssef En-Nesyri who scored Morocco’s second goal in the 23rd minute. Earlier, Morocco’s football star Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
The 24-year-old Achraf Hakimi, who plays for French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, was later named by FIFA as the ‘Man of the Match’ for his excellent performance which inspired the Africans to victory.
Canada managed to get one goal back after an own goal scored by Morocco’s Nayef Ageurd who put the ball into his own net in the 40th minute.
Regragui also had words of praise for Hakimi, who was responsible for the second goal. “Moroccans should be kissing his head. He was the best player in the match, playing with an injury. He does deserve it (Man of the Match’ award),” he mentioned.
“Congratulations to the players who entered history, deservedly. I also thank the Moroccan fans in Doha and back home. The Moroccan people needed the qualification.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions were terrific throughout and produced spectacular performances in the initial phase of the 2022 World Cup. The first opening game against 2018 runners-up Croatia finished in a 0-0 stalemate as both teams earned one point each. The North Africans seemed to have gained tremendous confidence and upped the ante in the next game and they registered a stunning 2-0 win against Belgium before winning their second match in the group.
They now need to carry the momentum to the next round and if they play with the same kind of commitment and could spring another surprise against Spain who came a cropper against Japan, and qualified as the second team from their group.