Morocco's performance in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and wider implications

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a great effort. 4th place finish for the brilliant Morocco team. They've done their country and Africa proud at this World Cup <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/QIZBq186uX">pic.twitter.com/QIZBq186uX</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1604161040396259328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[SalimBhai]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a great effort. 4th place finish for the brilliant Morocco team. They've done their country and Africa proud at this World Cup <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/QIZBq186uX">pic.twitter.com/QIZBq186uX</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1604161040396259328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Great effort. Will be the team go best come next time.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I think the right answer is there were Right wing people and hooligan moroccan things also. The riots were in multiple countries, even Israel. Those 40 thugs could not be in all those places

Moroccans were in Israel?

 

[MenInG]

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Tens of thousands of jubilant Moroccans welcomed their national soccer team home Tuesday after the players exceeded the North African nation’s wildest expectations and finished fourth at the World Cup in Qatar.

Fans packed squares and lined up along avenues and streets in and around Rabat, lighting flares, waving flags, dancing to the beat of drums and cheering as an open-top bus carrying the suit and tie-clad players rolled into the capital with a heavy police escort.

Smiling players and coach Walid Regragui waved, blew kisses to their ecstatic fans and snapped selfies against the backdrop of undulating crowds and swinging palm springs.

At some points along the parade route, the crowds spilled from sidewalks onto a four-lane highway carrying the bus. slowing down the vehicle as it traveled to the royal palace where King Mohammed VI was waiting to receive the players to “celebrate their great and historic accomplishment.”

As the first African or Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals, the Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, made history and was one of the big success stories of the tournament, the first hosted by an Arab nation.

After the team beat former European colonial powers Belgium, Spain and Portugal, it lost to France in the semifinals. Its record-setting performance led to the players receiving a hero’s welcome.

“Morocco’s run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be remembered in the history books as one of the most exciting campaigns since the tournament’s inception,” café owner Reda Ghazi, 27, told The Associated Press. “It was the dream of every Moroccan to win something, especially because Morocco is a country where the passion for football is overwhelming.”

Morocco finished fourth in the competition after losing to Croatia 1-2 in the third-place play-off on Saturday, exceeding the expectations of most Moroccans.

“I still can’t wrap my head around what happened in this World Cup,” added student Anour El Berkaoui, 23. “The team has now set the bar so high that we won’t be happy with anything less than winning the upcoming African Cup of Nations.”

The Moroccan team charmed many Arab soccer fans who saw in the team a reflection of themselves. Players waved the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrated on the field with their mothers and children.

The team also galvanized support across Africa.

“As an African team, we broke a lot of records and made the whole continent proud,” Rabat resident Omar Zorgane said .

“Morocco as a whole will gain a lot from this year’s World Cup, from tourism to getting the attention of other countries to possibly hosting one of the biggest tournaments in the world in the future,” he said.

AP

 

[SalimBhai]

Moroccans were in Israel?

There are Jewish Moroccans

 

[MenInG]

Tens of thousands of Moroccans thronged the capital on Tuesday to welcome home their national football team, the first Arab or African squad ever to reach the semi-final of a World Cup.

The team and their coach Walid Regragui waved from an open-topped bus as they were driven from the airport and around central Rabat, accompanied by dozens of police cars and motorbikes with flashing lights and wailing sirens.

The crowd cheered and some waved flares as fireworks crackled in the sky over the seaside capital, AFP correspondents said.

"I'm so proud of our team. Who knows -- maybe next time they could win the cup," said Adam Najah, a 27-year-old waiter from the city of Meknes.

He said he had travelled over 150 kilometres (90 miles) to "experience this historic day" and "celebrate the beautiful story of Morocco at the World Cup".

Many supporters, clad in the team's kits and waving red flags, had waited hours to see their heroes.

"I can't describe my joy! They made us Moroccans, Arabs and Africans proud," said Abdeljabbar Bouroua, 54, as the bus passed through central Rabat.

Morocco finished top of a group including Croatia and Belgium, who came third at the 2018 World Cup, before knocking out Spain and Portugal to reach the last four.

The Atlas Lions lost Saturday's third place play-off 2-1 against 2018 runners-up Croatia, but captured the imagination in Qatar.

"I would have liked to take them in my arms and kiss them," said 19-year-old law student Leila Messour, who came to watch the team with her friends.

"They passed by quickly but we saw them -- I haven't been so happy for a long time."

The team later headed to the royal palace, where they were received by King Mohammed VI "in recognition of the historic achievement".

The king, alongside crown prince Moulay Hassan, handed out awards to the president of the Moroccan football federation, the team coach and the players, country's national news agency MAP reported.

The players' mothers also accompanied them to the palace, MAP added, saying it was in recognition of their efforts to "instil in their children the values of patriotism, sacrifice and national belonging".

AFP

 

[shaz619]

Tens of thousands of Moroccans thronged the capital on Tuesday to welcome home their national football team, the first Arab or African squad ever to reach the semi-final of a World Cup.

The team and their coach Walid Regragui waved from an open-topped bus as they were driven from the airport and around central Rabat, accompanied by dozens of police cars and motorbikes with flashing lights and wailing sirens.

The crowd cheered and some waved flares as fireworks crackled in the sky over the seaside capital, AFP correspondents said.

"I'm so proud of our team. Who knows -- maybe next time they could win the cup," said Adam Najah, a 27-year-old waiter from the city of Meknes.

He said he had travelled over 150 kilometres (90 miles) to "experience this historic day" and "celebrate the beautiful story of Morocco at the World Cup".

Many supporters, clad in the team's kits and waving red flags, had waited hours to see their heroes.

"I can't describe my joy! They made us Moroccans, Arabs and Africans proud," said Abdeljabbar Bouroua, 54, as the bus passed through central Rabat.

Morocco finished top of a group including Croatia and Belgium, who came third at the 2018 World Cup, before knocking out Spain and Portugal to reach the last four.

The Atlas Lions lost Saturday's third place play-off 2-1 against 2018 runners-up Croatia, but captured the imagination in Qatar.

"I would have liked to take them in my arms and kiss them," said 19-year-old law student Leila Messour, who came to watch the team with her friends.

"They passed by quickly but we saw them -- I haven't been so happy for a long time."

The team later headed to the royal palace, where they were received by King Mohammed VI "in recognition of the historic achievement".

The king, alongside crown prince Moulay Hassan, handed out awards to the president of the Moroccan football federation, the team coach and the players, country's national news agency MAP reported.

The players' mothers also accompanied them to the palace, MAP added, saying it was in recognition of their efforts to "instil in their children the values of patriotism, sacrifice and national belonging".

AFP

View attachment 118217View attachment 118218View attachment 118219View attachment 118220

Incredible scenes and richly deserved!

 

[MenInG]

French prosecutors have told AFP that #PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape.

Hakimi was questioned by prosecutors on Thursday in connection with accusations from a 24-year-old woman, and subsequently charged.

 

[SalimBhai]

He is also getting divorced. Tough times

 

[KingKhanWC]

French prosecutors have told AFP that #PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape.

Hakimi was questioned by prosecutors on Thursday in connection with accusations from a 24-year-old woman, and subsequently charged.

I hope this is not true but he's been charged so there must be some evidence.

The PSG owner is also in trouble it seems.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

There goes the image of mummy's darling boy.

 

[sweep_shot]

Is it a fake charge? Would love to know more details.

He doesn't seem like that type of person. Would be shocking if this is true.

 

[sweep_shot]

Muslim guys should stay away from liberal girls. These girls are often deceptive. They may even frame guys; it has happened before. I hope Achraf Hakimi wasn't framed.

Go for good old arranged marriage or a legitimate Muslim Matrimonial site. Do things properly and you can avoid situations like this.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Muslim guys should stay away from liberal girls. These girls are often deceptive. They may even frame guys; it has happened before. I hope Achraf Hakimi wasn't framed.

Go for good old arranged marriage or a legitimate Muslim Matrimonial site. Do things properly and you can avoid situations like this.

You a parody, mate?

 

[sweep_shot]

You a parody, mate?

I said folks should avoid certain girls. Why parody?

Doing things properly is the right way to go in today's "Me Too" era.

I was pointing out there are bad fishes out there.

 

[topspin]

You a parody, mate?

)

The unintentional comedian.

 

[sweep_shot]

You a parody, mate?

)

The unintentional comedian.

I am seeing a trend. A lot of the men (including Muslim men) fall for these secular women. Some of these women are like venomous snakes. There have been cases where women falsely accused men and ruined their lives.

I think a man needs to be careful in today's "me too" era. It is better to find a girl using the right channel.

That's all.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

I said folks should avoid certain girls. Why parody?

Doing things properly is the right way to go in today's "Me Too" era.

I was pointing out there are bad fishes out there.

Train the noise, avoid the bad fish

 

[MenInG]

Morocco continue their progress

==

Morocco stunned Brazil 2-1 in a friendly international on Saturday as the north African side recorded a first ever win over the five-time world champions.

Midfielder Sofiane Boufal, a former Southampton star, but now playing with Al Rayyan in Qatar, gave Morocco the lead after 29 minutes, scoring with a powerful turn and drive from a pass by Bilal El Khannous.

Brazil skipper Casemiro levelled in the 67th minute when his weak shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

But on-loan Sampdoria midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri struck the winner with a volley in the 79th minute as Morocco showed that becoming the first Arab or African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals last year was no fluke.

"I wouldn't say we lacked understanding, it's about putting into practice the ideas of a new coach," said Manchester United's Casemiro.

"I think we played a good game and did everything as far as possible to win."

Only 10 of the 23-man squad that took Brazil to a disappointing quarter-final exit at the World Cup made the trip to Morocco for the game.

The injured Neymar was again missing with his number 10 shirt passing to Real Madrid youngster Rodrygo.

Brazil also had a new manager in the dugout with interim coach Ramon Menezes having replaced Tite who stepped down after the World Cup last-eight exit at the hands of Croatia.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) hopes to be able to announce the name of its new coach before the start of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in September.

According to Brazilian media, the CBF's first choice is Carlo Ancelotti, currently in charge of Real Madrid.

However, he is not expected to make a decision on his future before the end of the European season.

Before kick-off at the Ibn Batouta stadium, both teams paid tribute to Pele, who died last December at the age of 82.

Until Saturday, Morocco had suffered defeats in their only two other meetings with Brazil -- 2-0 in a 1997 friendly and 3-0 in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup in France.

AFP