Dark horse make it a ‘big day for Morocco’
SEEN as the dark horse among Arab teams at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Morocco produced a golden surprise as they shocked Belgium 2-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.
A overwhelmed Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui reacted to the Moroccan victory saying he had no words to describe the joy. In a televised statement after the match, Regragui said, “I am happy not for me, but because I have pleased the people of Morocco, who have been waiting for this victory since the 1998 French World Cup.”
Morocco did not field an unwell goalkeeper Yassine Bono but preferred Mohammadi in his place.
Regragui said the
victory would not have been possible with the support of fans.
Goal scorer Sabiri said: “This is a big day for Morocco. We tried to give everything to win this match.”
“This is a significant and historic day in Moroccan football, congratulations to us. Qualification is not yet decided, we have to be careful and calm against Canada, this opportunity should not be wasted,” he said.
“I am happy with the performance, the fight and the spirit that the players showed. It was not an easy match,” he said.
While Sabiri’s successful shot at the net came off a free kick in the 73rd minute, Zakaria Aboukhlal added the second goal in the 93rd minute of the match.
The defeat to Morocco puts the chances of Belgium advancing to the next round in jeopardy. They meet 2018 finalists Croatia in their final group game.