The Moroccan women’s team lost to their French counterpart 4-0 (half-time 3-0) on Tuesday in Adelaide, in the Round of 16 of the Football World Cup (Australia-New Zealand). French goals were scored by Kadidiatou Diani (15th), Kenza Dali (20th) and Eugenie Le Sommer (23rd, 71st).
Morocco, the first Arab nation to take part in the Women’s World Cup and reach the 2nd round, earned respect at this global event, after holding their own against a number of teams well-versed in this type of competition.
After a euphoric first round, in which the Atlas Lionesses were beaten by Germany (6-0), before bouncing back to beat South Korea (1-0) and Colombia (1-0), they came up against a French team determined to reach the podium of this Cup, particularly after the elimination of major world women’s teams such as Germany and the United States.
Despite a French attempt to camp in the Atlas Lionesses’ zone from the start of the match, the Moroccans were able to curb the ardor of Hervé Renard’s charges and display the same defensive solidity as in their last two games.
Attempts by the French to break down the flanks, particularly on the right flank, were thwarted by a solid defense led by goalkeeper Khadija Er-remichi.
To keep their goal, the Moroccans opted for counter-attacks, leaving the ball monopoly to Les Bleues. It was a choice that paid off, as the French onslaught finally broke through the Moroccan defence after just 15 minutes.
After an early scare when Selma Bacha’s cross-shot was parried by Er-remichi (14th), French striker Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring in the 15th minute. A Sakina Karchaoui cross found Diani unmarked on the left-hand side, and she scored her 4th goal of the tournament, following her hat-trick against Panama in the 3rd group match.
This opening goal paved the way for victory for the French, who took advantage of the Moroccan defense’s lack of concentration. Les Bleues doubled their lead in the 20th minute, thanks to Kenza Dali’s inside post.
Three minutes later, they took the lead through Eugenie Le Sommer, after a poor clearance by Nesryne El Chad in the penalty area. The ball fell to Le Sommer, who fired an unstoppable cross-shot past Er-remichi.
As the first half drew to a close, the Moroccans began to take risks, but without really troubling goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
In the second half, the Moroccans came back with new ambitions to reduce the deficit. Ibtissam Jraidi came close to scoring the first goal when Sakina Ouzraoui fed her at the back of the French defence, but the French goalkeeper was able to parry the ball away from Jraidi’s feet in extremis.
Just as the Moroccan players began to destabilize the French defence, the French team added a fourth goal through Le Sommer.
Despite this elimination, the Moroccans left a good impression and set an example of a team that is progressing and dreaming of inviting itself into the big leagues, thanks to an enlightened national vision for the development of women’s soccer.
For a place in the semi-finals, France will face Australia, who eliminated Denmark (2-0) in the Round of 16.
As an avid Moroccan football fan ,I can only be proud of all this team ,who in just a very short time managed to advance to the round of 16 th ,and I would like to also say thank you Mr Lakjaa for all that good work you’ve done so far