Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” said Iranian football player Reza Ghoochannejhad on social media. Despite his controversial score against his own team, Aziz Bouhaddouz can count on the support of his fans, and moreover, on the surprising support of some members of Iran’s 2018 World Cup team.
The Moroccan attacker, who called himself an “idiot” after scoring the own-goal that won the game for Iran, can find comfort in the reassuring messages of the Iranian national team.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkDtJlUHY0n/?utm_source=ig_embed
“Aziz Bouhaddouz, I don’t know you personally, but in life, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Don’t let this own-goal bring you down. We are all professional sportsmen, and this is a part of football. I am so happy and proud of my team and my country, but wanted to wish you also all the best in your career,” Iran’s attacker Ghoochannejhad wrote on his Instagram page.
Fellow Iranian national team member Alireza Jahanbakhsh also had a message of encouragement for Bouhaddouz, writing, “Aziz Bouhaddouz, keep your head up, old man, we are all professionals, so do not worry and stay positive.”
For his part, Sadar Azmoun shared a picture of the Moroccan player crying, asking him to “be a man and to have faith.”
Although he was harshly criticized for “letting his team down,” Bouhaddouz has also received an outpouring of love and support from Moroccan fans, who don’t want him to blame himself for a “mistake that could happen to everyone.”
Placed in Group B, Morocco’s next game will be against Portugal on June 20. The Portuguese team just eked out a victory against Spain with a late-in-the-game free kick. The team’s superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, was responsible for all three of his team’s goals. Spain, who claimed three goals against the Portuguese team, will be Morocco’s final opponent in the first round, on June 25.
