Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Touted as ‘dark horse’ among the Arab teams at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Morocco lived up to the expectations rising to emerge as leaders in Group F beating Canada 2-1 in their last group game at the Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday. Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En Nesyri had the Atlas Lions 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, but an Nayef Aguerd own-goal swung momentum in the Canucks’ favour.
Atiba Hutchinson hit the bar in the second half, with the ball bouncing down on the line and back out, and Morocco held on for the three points. Morocco will now face the runners-up in Group E, which contains Costa Rica, Germany, Japan and Spain, in the last 16.
Morocco players threw their coach Walid Regragui into the air after the match in delight. Regragui believes his team is capable of “great things” after becoming the first African team in 24 years to top a World Cup group.
Regragui said: “We set ourselves an objective of giving everything we’ve got and trying to get past the group stage. We’ve done that, so why not aim for the sky?
“We’re not going to stop here, we are a very difficult team to beat, so why not dream of lifting the trophy? “Let’s not get carried away but, if we are fighting fit, we know we are capable of great things.” Sports page 1
