DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou leant again in his chair, shook his head and stated: “Pinch me, I’m dreaming.”Sure, Morocco actually is within the World Cup semifinals.Earlier than arriving in Qatar, the north African nation had solely ever gained two of its earlier 16 matches on the World Cup. The crew’s coach had been in place for simply 4 months. Its gamers had been proficient however battling a tradition of underachievement by the nation at main soccer tournaments.So, how has Morocco managed to prime a gaggle containing second-ranked Belgium and 2018 finalist Croatia after which get rid of Spain and Portugal — two of Europe’s soccer powerhouses — to turn out to be Africa’s first World Cup semifinalist and the delight of the Arab world?The reply lies in a daring determination by its soccer federation and not too long ago put in coach Walid Regragui’s unwavering perception in a sport plan that’s being adopted to the letter by a selfless and gifted group of gamers.No crew has been in a position to crack the code. Can France within the semifinals?COACHING CHANGEThe basis to this unlikely underdog story was inbuilt August when Vahid Halilhodzic — an skilled Bosnian coach who guided Morocco serenely by way of African qualifying — was fired by the federation basically due to his refusal to pick out Hakim Ziyech, one of many nation’s greatest gamers. The federation cited “divergent visions” as the explanation for firing Halilhodzic and changed him with Regragui, a former Morocco worldwide who had simply led Wydad Casablanca to the African Champions League title. Regragui was about to inherit probably the most proficient Morocco squad in a era.SQUAD DEPTHThe crew has by no means had so many gamers from prime European golf equipment. The 2 full backs, Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, are starters for Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, respectively; winger Ziyech performs for Chelsea, albeit not so often; goalkeeper Bounou and striker Youssef En-Nesyri are at Sevilla in Spain; Sofyan Amrabat is the defensive midfielder at Fiorentina in Italy; heart backs Hayef Aguerd is at West Ham within the Premier League, the place captain Romain Saiss was not too long ago enjoying for Wolverhampton. Regragui’s job was two-fold: to get his gamers functioning in a system that would get outcomes on the World Cup and to get them believing they might shock the world. “I informed them, ’You don’t come to the World Cup solely to play three video games,” he stated. He has created a masterpiece. TACTICSRegragui units his crew up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with the protection usually in a deep, low block and Amrabat sitting straight in entrance, by no means venturing ahead. Towards the supposedly larger groups this World Cup, the four-man midfield line additionally has dropped additional again to create one other defensive protect, leaving En-Nesyri because the lone striker. When the opponent loses possession, Regragui has drilled his gamers to interrupt ahead on the counterattack at tempo, utilizing the power of full backs Hakimi and Mazraoui to enrich the mercurial expertise of Ziyech and fellow winger Sofiane Boufal. From being remoted, En-Nesyri instantly finds 5 – 6 teammates with him. The method requires self-discipline and excessive ranges of psychological focus. “Now we have a transparent sport plan — everybody has to work,” Regragui. “We’re displaying the world you possibly can succeed even if you happen to don’t have as a lot expertise and cash.”THE NUMBERSThe statistics behind Morocco’s run are extraordinary. The crew has solely conceded one purpose — and that was an own-goal by Aguerd in opposition to Canada — that means Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal have failed to interrupt down Morocco. They’ve solely allowed 10 photographs on track in 5 video games. They’re averaging lower than three photographs on purpose and surviving on a median possession of simply 29.8% per sport. Towards Spain, Morocco had 343 passes and its opponent had 1,041. “I don’t assume they’ve ever run as a lot of their lives,” Regragui stated. “Whenever you put in a lot coronary heart, you give yourselves an opportunity.”FANSHelping Morocco’s gamers is the backing they’re getting at every sport from followers who’re streaming into Qatar to observe the historic run of the crew nicknamed the Atlas Lions. Each match has felt like a house sport for Morocco, whose passionate supporters greeted all of the spells of possession by Spain and Portugal with ear-piercing whistles and jeers. The supporters have been ubiquitous in Doha, proudly carrying across the Morocco flag and sporting the crew’s crimson jerseys. Their nationwide’s crew’s solely main title was on the African Cup of Nations in 1976. Morocco is 2 wins away from dwarfing that and changing into probably the most unlikely World Cup champion. ___Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80___AP World Cup protection: https://Fifanews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Morocco’s tactical masterplan ignites unlikely World Cup run
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