Taoussi: ‘Bounou Called Me at 7 a.m and Said, Mr. Rachid, Aim for the Net’

Rabat – Moroccan coach Rachid Taoussi has shared details of a phone call he received from members of the national team following Morocco’s World Cup win over the Netherlands.

The Atlas Lions defeated the Dutch side 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

The result secured Morocco’s place in the round of 16, where they will face Canada.

Bounou calls Taoussi after Morocco’s win

Taoussi said goalkeeper Yassine Bounou called him at around 7 a.m.

Portuguese assistant coach Joao Sacramento and forward Soufiane Rahimi were also present during the call.

“Bounou and Sacramento called me and said, ‘Mr. Rachid, the net, the net,’” Taoussi said during a television appearance.

He added that Rahimi also spoke to him about an opportunity he had during the match.

“Rahimi told me, ‘I wish I had put that chance into the net,’” Taoussi said.

Ouahbi Uses taoussi’s famous phrase

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi had referred to Taoussi’s famous expression before the match against the Netherlands.

“Perhaps I will use Rachid Taoussi’s phrase and tell the players: ‘The net.’ Shoot toward the goal,” Ouahbi said.

He also sent his greetings to Taoussi and recalled the message he regularly gave his players during training.

“He used to tell his players: ‘Enjoy yourselves in training and shoot toward the goal,’” Ouahbi added.

The phrase became popular among Moroccan football supporters and was widely shared again after Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands.