Regragui warns Morocco can get even better after shocking Belgium
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team can get even better at the World Cup in Qatar after they followed up a creditable draw with Croatia by stunning Belgium.
Regragui steered his country to arguably the greatest win in their World Cup finals history.
Second-half goals from Abdelh am ids abiriandzak aria Aboukhlel secured the 2-0 win for the Atlas Lions in a World Cup which has been characterisedby shock results, with saudi Arabia sinking Argentina and Japan upsetting Germany.
Morocco head into their final Group F match against Canada on four points, a return after two matches that they could scarcely have dreamed of before the tournament started.
However, there is no chance of Regragui allowing the players to bask in the glory of their win, as he said: “We can still do better, we can still improve–the more we play together the better we will get. We are a difficult team to beat.
“We haven’ t qualified yet andi am not happy with four points. It’s going to be even tougher when we get to the knockout stage, but we have matched two of the best teams in the world.”
Moroccan fans dominated the crowd at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha and Regragui said: “There was a lot of pressure to make Moroccan supporters happy, everybody was waiting for this win.
“Seeing Morocco fans coming from all four corners of the world to support your team, you feel those family ties.”
Ha kimziyech, who has struggled to make an impact at Chelsea since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2020, was chosen as player of the match.
Regragui said: “This guy is incredible – the spirit, when he comes in the national team, when you give him love, confidence, he can die for you.
“Hakim is a key player, when you have him in the team, it’s a different team. He only needs a coach to give him confidence.”
Ziyechw as a modest recipient of his award and said: “I don’t think I deserve it to be honest. It’s something we did together, It’s for everybody (in the team) and everybody who was behind us. It’s hard to pick one (player), because we did it all together.”
Belgium are not out of last-16 contention, but Roberto Martinez believes pressure to perform is getting to his team.
“We lack that joy, it maybe due to the weight we’re carrying on our shoulders," the Spanish coach said.