December 12 – Channelling their inner ‘Rocky’ in eliminating Portugal 1-0 from the World Cup and becoming the first African country to reach the last four of the global finals, coach Walid Regragui believes that his side can win the ultimate prize.
“We have a clear game plan,” said Regragui of the Morocco PowerPlay. “Everyone has to work. I think they’ve never run as much today as in their lives, but they do that for their country.
“We’ve beaten Spain, Portugal, and Belgium without conceding; that’s not a miracle, that’s working hard. We’ve made our people happy and proud, our continent happy and proud.
“When you watch Rocky, you want to support Rocky because of his heart and commitment, and I think we’re the Rocky of this World Cup.
“When you are a small team you need to dream, to believe. I think it is a big, big message for the world. I think now the world is with Morocco.”
Morocco broke new ground by becoming the first country from Africa to reach the last four of the World Cup with Youssef En-Nesyri’s soaring 42nd-minute header from Yahya Attiyat-Allah’s cross proving the difference between the two teams. The Atlas Lions held on for a famous victory despite the second-half introduction of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo and Walid Cheddira’s late sending-off after picking up two bookings in quick succession.
With a string of outstanding saves, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, earning his 50th cap, produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep a fourth clean sheet in the competition. At a news conference, Bounou echoed Amrabat’s feelings but also stressed that Morocco had shed their inferiority complex with this victory.
He said: “Pinch me. I think I’m dreaming. These moments are great but as our coach said last time we are here to change the mentality. The feeling of inferiority, we need to get rid of it. A Moroccan player is apt to face anyone in the world. A generation coming after us know now that Moroccan players can create miracles.”
Morocco’s success has inspired widespread support in Africa as well as an outpouring of pride in the Arab World during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East.
“The Africans and the Arab world have given us this energy,” confirmed Regragui. “It is a feat and we have made history. What’s important for future generations, is we have shown it’s possible for an African team to get to the semi-final of the World Cup. Or even the final, why not?”
Fatigued by their exhausting second-round victory against Spain on penalties, Morocco were without West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd, Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui and captain Romain Saiss sustained an injury in the second half, but with dogged defending and great resilience they delivered another masterclass to outlive the Portuguese. Regragui, however, praised the strength-in-depth of the squad at his disposal.
“I have 26 players and if you want to win this competition you need to believe in everyone,” explained Regragui. “If you have one sick and injured you need to put another one in the team. Attiat-Allah, El Yamiq, Benoun…a lot of players began their World Cup today and Hamdulillah we have a chance. The spirit is good.”
“I need to make a choice but I hope Mazraoui and Aguerd can come back because it’s very important to my system and Saiss as well.”
After impressing in the group stages with a top-spot finish and excelling against Iberian opponents in the knockout phases, Morocco will face France and Regragui believes Morocco have every right to dream of winning the ultimate prize in football.
“Why shouldn’t we dream of winning it? If you don’t dream, you don’t get anywhere. We haven’t achieved anything yet [but] we are in the semi-finals. Everyone will be afraid to play us.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714121456labto1714121456ofdlr1714121456owedi1714121456sni@i1714121456tnuk.1714121456ardni1714121456mas1714121456