We’ve gained everybody’s respect now — Morocco boss boasts after last-16 feat
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his team has earned the respect of the football world following the 3-2 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands on Tuesday.
The Atlas Lions earned an impressive victory after the regulation time and extra time ended 1-1.
Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop restored parity for Morocco in the 91st minute.
The Dutch missed three of their spot-kicks before Ismail Saibari scored his effort to send Morocco to the round of 16.
Ouabhi said Moroccan football is now reaping the benefits of their impressive performances at the 2022 edition of the tournament.
He said: “The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Morocco team, and I’m well placed to speak about this,” said Ouabhi, who last year coached Morocco to a momentous victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
“Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supporters, the fans believe in us as well. It’s so important. They’re demanding, but it’s because they know just how far we can go.
Read Also: Morocco reach World Cup last-16 with shootout win over Netherlands
Morocco will face co-hosts Canada in the last 16, with a potential quarterfinal meeting with France looming.
Ouabhi is expecting a difficult clash against Canada on Saturday while expressing confidence that the team can go surpass their outing at the 2022 edition.
He said: “We know that it’s game after game, and people think that it’s kept to be easy for us, it’s going to be a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case. Canada is a team that is going to be difficult for us.
“What we need to be telling ourselves is no one can stop us,” he said. “We’re unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.
“But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we’ll go home, and we need to ensure that we have all the tools that we’re using, the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can, and that’s the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have.”
Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals at the 2022 edition before they lost to France.
Top Stats From Morocco vs Netherlands
Players to score 3+ goals at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups:
◉ Kylian Mbappé
◉ Lionel Messi
◉ Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo has now scored as many World Cup goals for the Netherlands as Dennis Bergkamp, Wesley Sneijder, Rob Rensenbrink, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie (6).
Johnny Rep (7) is the only Dutch player with more.
