The Morocco National Team will participate in its second consecutive World Cup coming up against world class squads and looking to turn the tables in the group stage, for a second time in its history.
Tensions are high as Morocco’s national selection looks to create an upset in Group F where many football professionals see Croatia and Belgium as favorites.
Former Moroccan national team player Mustapha Bidoudane explains the team’s ambitions heading into the competition. “the goal for our selection is an honorary performance.”
Morocco’s Head coach Walid Regragui’s tenure started on August 31, leaving him with less than three months of preparations for the World Cup.
Bidoudane believes “we shouldn’t expect miracles, We need to have trust and confidence in ourselves and our players.”
“We have a good balance of experience and ambition.”
Morocco’s 1986 World Cup participation is considered by many as the ‘highlight’ of Moroccan football history as Morocco faced a strong group including England, Poland, and Portugal, falling short against 86’ finalists West Germany on the Knockout stage.
“I believe we have enough quality to upset any opposition, we always put up a challenge and have a respectable record against European giants” Bidoudane said.
“Our hope is to see the national team go through to the knockout stage since we are heading into the competition without pressure.”
Morocco will face Croatia in the first game while Canada will take on Belgium.
The Croatian squad, consisting of many of the 2018 World Cup finalists will be a key challenge to Morocco, Bidoudane said.
Teams like Belgium or Croatia count on their world class players, like Real Madrid’s (Luka) Modric and his world class game awareness will be a key element to the Croatian team, Bidoudane said.
He says that Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne is a special player to watch out for, but maintained that Walid Regragui will respond to these challenges through his tactical and technical planning.
The World Cup hosts the most distinguished lineups and squads in world football, predicting outcomes is a rather difficult endeavor, as Ex Moroccan Striker describes, “I hope that any surprises are good ones for our team. Everyone knows and talks about Croatia and Belgium, top tier competitors, but the dark horse of this group for me is Canada, a young, talented and hungry squad that is not as talked about like the others (Belgium & Croatia).”
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