Hakimi Ziyech who scored the curtain raiser with a team mate
Africa on Thursday secured another slot in the round of 16 games of the Qatar 2022 world cup after Senegal as The Atlas Lions of Morocco devoured Les Rouges (The Reds) of Canada making all young team see red in a 2-1 win of group F.
It was the first time in thirty years that Morocco would qualify for the round of 16. For the first time also Yamashita of Japan emerged the first female Ref that will be 4th official in the world cup since it began in 1930.
Morocco showed early she meant business when Hakimi Ziyech scored the curtain raiser with a left footer lob that went straight into goal after Milen Borjan great mistake in the defence. It is significant to note that Canada scored the fastest goal of this tournament under 2 minutes and conceded the second fastest goal now.
Achraf Hakimi scored the second goal from Youssef En-Nesyn assist but a severe pressure on Morocco which brought an own goal in the 40th minute when a cross into the Moroccan vital area was sent into goal by Naif Aguerd for 2-1.
Under pressure Sam Adekugbe, son of a Nigerian Pastor based in Canada got a ‘special’ yellow card in the 45+2 minutes from a dangerous challenge on Achraf Hakimi. Brazillian Ref Raphael Claus who handled the England versus Iran match did not hesitate to book Sam.
Thrice had they met before, and Morocco won twice with the third encounter ending in a draw. In a friendly match on 24th October 1984 Morocco won 3-2; on 1st June 1994 it was 1-1 and on 11th October 2016 Morocco dazed Canada 4-0.
In the Qatar Group F matches, Atlas Lions of Morocco played goalless with Croatia in the first-round while Belgium drew 1-1 with Canada. In the second round, Belgium fell 0-2 to Morocco and Croatia bashed Canada 4-1.
At the end of hostilities in this group, Morocco led the group with 7 points and +3 goals difference; Croatia became Runners-up with 5 points and +3 goals difference. Belgium was kicked out placing third with 4 points and -1 Goals difference while Canada could not get a point but went with -5 goals deficit.
Tomorrow, Friday the last of the group stage matches in Groups G and H will be played. In group H at 1600 hours The Black Stars of Ghana will meet Uruguay in a match to revenge their last meeting at the world cup when Luiz Suarez played foul for Uruguay to win. In the other group match, South Korea will trade tackles with Ronaldo’s Portugal.
At 2000 hours, Group G will be decided between Lions of Cameroon and the Samba Boys of Brazil and then the Serbians will clash with Switzerland.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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