Futsal World Cup: Morocco-Brazil, the Atlas Lions’ meeting with history

Friday 27th September 2024 06:46 PM

In a remake of the quarter-final of the previous edition, the Morocco face the Brazil at the same stage of the World Cupin Uzbekistan, Sunday in Bukhara. As a sign of destiny, Lions of the Atlas achieved a first success against theIran in World Cup to climb into the top 8. Three years after losing with difficulty to the Brazilians, the men of Hicham Dguig have the opportunity to take their revenge on the Seleção and qualify, for the first time in the history of the Kingdom, in the semi-final of the Futsal World Cup. “You saw that despite the injuries, we managed to beat the best team in Asia,” said Hicham Dguig. “In Africa, unfortunately we only have the CAN every 4 years. While in Asia, the Continental Cup is played every two years and the futsal is a very popular sport. You see the benefit of playing so many friendly matches against world-renowned teams. And I would like to thank the Federation for the work it is doing in this direction,” he insisted in a statement to our media colleagues present in Bukhara.

The Seleção, the favorite giant of the Atlas Lions

Among the nations that Morocco regularly faced in the cycle leading to this World Cupthe Brazil was the most frequent opponent. In total, Morocco and Brazil faced each other 4 times in friendly matches (1 victory for Morocco, 2 for Brazil). “It’s no surprise to meet the Morocco at this stage of the competition, indicated Marquinhos Xavier, Brazil coach. Anyone who followed their preparation cycle was able to see the development they experienced and the excellent results obtained. It will be a great match and I am convinced that we will play a match worthy of the quarter-finals,” concluded the Brazilian technician. There Selection takes the meeting very seriously, so much so that the entire Brazilian delegation was at the universal complex in Bukhara to follow the Morocco-Iran round of 16 match.

Sunday in Bukhara, Lions of the Atlas have a mountain to climb. In addition to the officials injured before the tournament, the national team lost two other players during the first round. Facing theIran, Khalid Bouzid also pointed to the infirmary. With Fightwho plays almost with a limp, Hicham Dguig is practically obliged to compose a new team for each half, even going so far as to involve the replacement goalkeeper Bensellammore skilful with the ball.

However, if the changes in strategies and players gave the national team a qualification for the quarter-finals, it is above all the combativeness of an entire group which marks the spirits and which makes this team the best sporting team of all. time at Morocco. Facing the BrazilTHE Lions of the Atlas have the opportunity to write a new page in their already brilliant history.