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Join on Telegram Rabat – Morocco’s national team started its campaign to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup with a 2-0 win against Sudan.
The one surprise in Halilhodzic’s starting line-up was his decision to keep Sofyan Amrabat on the bench. He chose, instead, to start with Aymen Barkok as a second pivot with Adel Taarabt. Ilias Chair, meanwhile, was responsible for the build-up. In the back, Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd were responsible for keeping the threats away from goalkeeper Bounou’s net. A mission that appears to be easy given the names on the other side.
In the attacking third, the former Japan head coach, chose Zakaria Aboukhlal and Youssef En-nesyri to fill the flanks behind the main striker Ryan Mmaee, who made his first official debut after a friendly against Albania back in 2016.
For the opening 10 minutes, it appeared unavoidable that the Atlas Lions would find a breakthrough as Ilias Chair and Ryan Mmaee were active in the front. Ilias Chair’s efforts were quickly converted.
It was in the 10th minute when the Queens Park Rangers’ playmaker skillfully passed Sudan’s defender before crossing the ball, the ball was headed by a Sudanese defender before it fell in front of Moroccan center-back Nayef Aguerd who easily put Morocco in the driver’s seat.
An excellent save from Sudan’s goalkeeper Abu-Eshrein denied a long-range shot from Aboukhlal after a play from En-Nesyri who passed three players
Fans of both teams may have been completely let down by the mediocre football on display by the two national teams in the first half. To their credit, however, Sudan did not collapse after Aguerd’s first goal with the Atlas Lions. They stayed focused with their defensive line remaining vigilant.
Unlike the first half, the second part of the game started quite promisingly for fans of a more pleasing attacking style of football. Morocco appeared to force its rhythm on the Falcons of Jediane, forcing them to stay in their third of the pitch.
It was, as the first half, Ilias Chair behind Morocco’s threatening opportunities. The 23-year-old scored the second goal for the national squad in the 53th minute after he crossed the ball towards the penalty box where Mohamed Abuaagla deflected it to the back of the net.
In the last 10 minutes of the game, the Sudanese were desperately attempting to attack the Atlas Lions for their country’s pride. However, Morocco’s defensive line, which got bolstered by Sofyan Amrabat from the bench, kept the danger at bay.
With tonight’s win, Morocco now tops Group I ahead of Guinea and Guinea Bissau. Halilhodzic’s men will play Guinea on September 6 in Conakry.
