Morocco coach Walid Regragui mentioned his facet are “the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup” after the Atlas Lions grew to become the primary African staff ever to achieve the semi-finals with a surprising victory over Portugal on Saturday. The injury-hit North Africans held on for a 1-0 victory at Al Thumama Stadium to arrange a last-four conflict in opposition to both England or France, after Youssef En-Nesyri’s headed purpose late within the first half. The win over Portugal got here after knocking out Spain within the final 16 on penalties and beating the world’s second-ranked staff Belgium within the group stage.
“If you watch Rocky, you wish to assist Rocky Balboa due to his arduous work and dedication and I feel we are the Rocky Balboa of this World Cup,” Regragui advised reporters.
“We’re changing into the staff that everybody loves at this World Cup, as a result of we’re exhibiting that even when you do not have as a lot expertise, when you present that want, coronary heart and perception, you possibly can obtain.
“I am positive a lot of you’ll say it is a miracle, however we have gained with out conceding in opposition to Belgium, Spain, Portugal and that is the results of arduous work.”
Morocco will tackle both holders France or England on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium with the prospect to develop into the primary nation from outdoors Europe or South America to achieve the ultimate.
“We will dream, why should not we dream about profitable the World Cup?” added Regragui, who solely took over as coach in August.
“It would not price you something to have goals. European nations have been used to profitable the World Cup…
“We have performed some actually prime sides, however up to now we have not achieved something.
“Anybody who performs us now should be on the prime of their sport to beat us, it will not be simple for them, that is the message I am attempting to ship out.”
– ‘We needed to write historical past’ –
Morocco had already surpassed expectations by changing into solely the fourth African nation and first Arab nation to achieve the quarter-finals.
However they managed to go one step additional than Cameroon in 1990, Senegal’s 2002 facet and the Ghana staff of 2010.
“We got here up in opposition to a very nice Portugal staff. We’re drawing on all we now have, we nonetheless have guys injured. We have now a mindset,” Regragui advised France’s TF1.
“I advised the fellows earlier than the match we needed to write historical past for Africa. I am very, very pleased.”
Regragui, a France-born former Morocco worldwide, had already made historical past of his personal as the primary African coach to take a staff into the World Cup quarter-finals.
Morocco had been with out injured defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd on Saturday, whereas captain Romain Saiss was stretchered off early within the second half.
“We’re very proud as a result of the gamers who did are available did a unbelievable job,” mentioned Regragui. “We’re a 26-man squad and to get far on this event we’ll want all of them.”
Morocco nonetheless have one of the best defensive report within the World Cup. The one time they’ve conceded in 5 matches was an personal purpose in opposition to Canada.
“It is loopy. We’re residing a dream and we do not wish to get up. I’ve goosebumps,” mentioned winger Sofiane Boufal.
“The whole lot we now have, we deserve. We work arduous. It is not over. There’s nonetheless the semi-final and god prepared, the ultimate.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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