Morocco coach Walid Regragui
After a dream run in Qatar, coach Walid Regragui wants Morocco to go all the way to win the World Cup.
As the Atlas Lions meet reigning champions France in tonight’s semi-final, Regragui has said his side must seize the opportunity “which may not come again”.
Morocco took a tough route to the semis, beating the likes of second-ranked Belgium in the group stage before shocking Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase on their way to becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the last-four stage.
They now meet Didier Deschamps’ side, who are hot favourites to retain their title.
Morocco have not defeated France in their previous five outings but their six-match unbeaten run at the World Cup – their best streak in the finals – has given the North Africans confidence to dream big.
“I have been saying it since the start, our dream is to win the World Cup,” Regragui told reporters on the eve of the semi-final to be played at Al Bayt Stadium.
Morocco’s players take part in a training session.
“The more we advance. The closer we approach our dream. We will fight tomorrow to go further.
“It’s not just words, we have to go further, maybe we won’t have another opportunity. We are not the favourites but we are confident. We’re going to fight to move on, for the African nations, for the Arab world.”
He said his team will give its best to pull off another upset in the tournament.
“We are playing the world champions with many world-class players and a very good coach. We will show great desire and try to pull off an upset,” said Regragui.
The coach, meanwhile, said his team will continue with their strategy that saw them allowing ball possession to their opponents.
“We are going to play as we know how to do,” said Regragui.
“These figures about 60-70% possession, but it is no good if there are only few shots on goal,” he said referring to games against Spain and Portugal where the Europeans took only four shots on target, with more than 70% possession.
“The expected goals too...'we should have won, we had 4% expected goals’....Well, we are here to win, that’s all,” he said.
France coach Didier Deschamps
Morocco have conceded only one goal in the tournament so far but their defence faces a stiff challenge in Kylian Mbappe, who is tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
Regragui said France possess more dangerous players and his side has no especial plans against the Paris Saint-Germain striker.
“I am not going to try and set up any particular tactical plan to counter Kylian,” he said.
“France also has other good players. (Antoine) Griezmann is on top of his game and playing well between the lines and Ousmane Dembele is also a perfect complement to Mbappe on the other wing.
“If we just focus on Mbappe that will be a mistake. They have world-class players and they will be going for it with all they got. We need to focus on what we can do to cause problems for France.”
The coach hoped his injured players to be available with captain Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd uncertain for the semi-final.
France’s forward Kylian Mbappe strikes a ball as midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (left) and defender William Saliba look on during a training session. AFP
Morocco capable of hurting France: Deschamps
Meanwhile, French coach Didier Deschamps has warned Les Bleus of Morocco’s threat, saying the North Africans are not good in defence only.
“They are good in defence but their entire squad is strong. If not they would not have reached the semi-finals. With quality players in the attack, they can hurt us,” he told reporters yesterday.
“I have watched their games and we have taken key notes. We will try to find solution against them.”
Deschamps praised Regragui hailing him as a “very strong” coach.
“Walid has done exceptional job. It’s a fantastic achievement to lead the team into the semi-finals,” he said.
KEY FACTS
- This is France’s sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in their last nine participations in the finals.
- France are the first FIFA World Cup holders to reach the semi-finals since Brazil in 1998.
- France have been successful in 15 of their last 17 FIFA World Cup knockout ties (including one penalty shoot-out win).
- France have won each of their last six FIFA World Cup knockout matches.
- Morocco are only the third nation outside of Europe or South America to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, following the USA (1930) and Korea Republic (2002).
- Morocco are the 25th nation to compete in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. They are the only nation in this year’s semi-finals who have yet to feature in the semi-finals.
- Morocco are unbeaten in their last six FIFA World Cup matches (W3 D3). This is their best unbeaten streak at the finals.
- Morocco have yet to concede a goal from an opposition player at the tournament. The only goal against them in four games came in their 2-1 win over Canada, when Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd accidentally flicked a cross past his own goalkeeper.
Previous meetings:
France and Morocco have met five times in official international fixtures. The first took place in 1988, which France won 2-1, but their history goes back further. They played unofficial games in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. France have never lost an official match against Morocco. The most recent clash was a 2-2 draw in Paris in 2007.
