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DOHA — Morocco are seeking to reach the FIFA World Cup’s knock-out stage for the first time since 1986. Canada, already eliminated, are hoping to leave Qatar with their first win.
Morocco would advance with a victory or a draw today at 5pm (Zimbabwean time), and also could reach the round of 16 with a defeat depending on the result of Belgium’s match with Croatia.
The Atlas Lions opened with a 0-0 tie against Croatia before upsetting second-ranked Belgium 2-0 on goals by Romain Saïss and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
And Morocco coach Walid Regragui wants “no regrets” after facing Canada today, with his team aiming for qualification to the World Cup knock-out stage for the first time since 1986.
The north African side reached the last 16 in Mexico 36 years ago for the only time in their history, and a point against already-eliminated Canada would see them repeat the feat.
Morocco are second in Group F, level on four points with leaders Croatia, who face Belgium, on three points, while Canada are bottom with no points.
“We don’t want to have an eye on the Croatia and Belgium match to decide our own fate, we (need to) give everything we’ve got so we have no regrets at the end,” Regragui told a press conference yesterday.
“We’ll give everything we’ve got. Our players want to make history and will give 110 per cent to ensure the Moroccan population is happy.”
Morocco players have been allowed to bring their families to the tournament and after the 2-0 win over Belgium on Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was pictured in an emotional embrace with his mother in the stands.
“Before we got here we had a strategy meeting, to bring families with us or not,” said Regragui.
“Based on our experience in 2018, along with our technical team, we chose the option to bring the families.
“Some players have kids, some would rather have their parents with them. We did a good job in that regard. When you win, there’s no negatives, everyone is happy, but if you lose they will say — ‘Why did you bring the families?’
“We meet them after the game and then we concentrate on the next one.
“The spirit of family off the pitch, we want to bring that onto the pitch, and until now it’s functioning very well.”
African champions Senegal qualified from Group A after beating Ecuador on Tuesday and Morocco have a good chance to join them in the next round.
“Senegal showed us a great path, we want to go through and move forward,” said Regragui.
“Morocco is my priority, Morocco and Moroccans. (But) we hope to fly the flag of African football high.
“Often African football has been described as sub-par, not as good as elsewhere, but we’ve shown we can give anyone a run for their money.”
Morocco and Canada have met once previously, a 4-0 victory by the Atlas Lions in a 2016 friendly as Hakim Ziyech scored twice.
Ziyech, a 29-year-old Chelsea midfielder, was dropped by Halilhodzic but returned to the national team in September under Regragui after a 15-month absence.
“A lot of people talk about him, about he is a crazy guy, he is a difficult guy to manage, he can’t help the team,” Regragui said. “For me, what I say, when you give him the love, the confidence, he can die for you. And it’s what I give him. … He is a big player, playing on a big team in Europe and you see he is a different player with the national team. All of the coaches give him the confidence, the same with the staff.”
Canada are 0-5 in World Cup play, failing to score in their only other appearance in 1986. After outplaying Belgium for most of their opener this year, but losing 1-0, they took an early lead against Croatia but lost 4-1.
Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first World Cup goal, putting them ahead 68 seconds in with the fastest goal of this year’s tournament.
“There’s a lot for us to play for,” Canada coach John Herdman said. “We came here to make history. The first game, they said they wanted to show fearless(ness) and entertain. They did that. The second game, they said they wanted to score goals, and if those goals were enough to win a match, then that would have been us with three points, but it wasn’t. So this last game is about getting a result and winning for Canada and really making this country believe we’re in the right direction for 2026.”
Canada will co-host the next World Cup with the US and Mexico.
Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustáquio left at half-time against Croatia because of a hamstring injury. — AP
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