AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — One other surprisingly robust efficiency by an Arab nation on the World Cup in Qatar stifled the specter of Luka Modric and held 2018 finalist Croatia to a 0-0 draw.Morocco’s resilient efficiency Wednesday got here 24 hours after Saudi Arabia sparked the primary World Cup within the Center East into life by beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in one of many greatest upsets within the match’s historical past.Tunisia adopted that up with a scoreless draw in opposition to European Championship semifinalist Denmark.Morocco managed to do sufficient to rein in Croatia captain Modric, who was nonetheless his workforce’s greatest participant of their Group F opener and had top-of-the-line possibilities when his shot simply rose over the crossbar within the first half. Dejan Lovran obtained a shot off at a nook within the second half and Sofyan Amrabat cleared off the road for Morocco to protect the draw.“It was a tough sport, particularly within the first quarter-hour,” Modric stated. He stated Croatia “missed one thing up entrance.”Modric didn’t have almost the identical form of influence he had all through the final World Cup in Russia when he led Croatia to its first remaining earlier than shedding to France.That was largely right down to Morocco, who harassed and harried the Croatians at each flip, buoyed by their red-shirted followers, who outnumbered and made rather more noise than the Croatian supporters.“They performed their hearts out. I congratulate them on that,” stated Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. “That they had a very energetic sport they usually had nice help.”The 37-year-old Modric is enjoying in his fourth and what’s anticipated to be his remaining World Cup, the place he’s trying so as to add a global title to his trophy-laden profession with Actual Madrid.He was voted greatest participant on the World Cup 4 years in the past to broad acclaim. When he was then introduced as participant of the match on Wednesday, it was greeted by an outburst of boos from Morocco followers who had chanted and whirled scarves as they jumped up and down within the remaining minutes at Al Bayt Stadium.Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi had the perfect likelihood for Morocco with a thumping second-half shot punched away with each fists by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.The outcome was a serious confidence-booster for Morocco and coach Walid Regragui, who was solely employed on the finish of August — his first worldwide teaching job — and had lower than three months to arrange the workforce for Qatar.“We have been enjoying in opposition to the runners up for the final World Cup,” Regragui stated. “I’m so pleased with the boys. I’m pleased with the boys.”MORE THAN MODRICAs good as he’s, Modric is nearer to 40 than 30 now and can want extra assist from his workforce if Croatia goes to get to a different World Cup remaining. Forwards Ivan Perisic and Nikola Vlasic weren’t the threats they have been anticipated to be in opposition to Morocco and Vlasic went off injured within the second half.“We haven’t come right here simply to compete,” Modric stated. “On the idea of our Russian expertise we’ve got ambitions to do the identical and even higher. However even earlier than that match we stated let’s first set a major goal of getting previous the group stage.”ROOKIE COACHThere have been critical issues that Regragui’s lack of worldwide expertise and time to arrange the Morocco workforce would lead to one other early exit. Morocco has solely obtained previous the group stage as soon as at a World Cup, again in 1986. However Regragui’s workforce was nicely drilled, even when Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech didn’t play in addition to anticipated on the best wing.WHAT’S NEXTMorocco and Regragui have one other big check of their subsequent sport in opposition to No. 2-ranked Belgium in a tricky Group F. Croatia will anticipate a win in opposition to Canada.___
Morocco holds Modric and Croatia 0-0 at World Cup
