Morocco will look to reach the FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16 when they take on Canada at the Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday.
The group stage at the FIFA World Cup 2022 is nearly over, but several positions are up for grabs for the Round of 16. In Group F, the top two finishers are yet to be confirmed. And Morocco will look to reach the knockout stage when they lock horns with Canada at the Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday.
Morocco began the FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with a goalless draw against Croatia, with neither team looking impressive. But the Atlas Lions stepped up considerably in their second outing, beating a listless Belgium 2-0. And Walid Regragui’s men are one of only three teams yet to concede a goal in Qatar thus far.
On the other hand, Canada might be disappointed by losing the first two outings in the group stage. The Canucks have looked promising, taking the game to European powerhouses Belgium and Croatia. But John Herdman’s charges have faced defeat in both their matches, meaning they cannot reach the Round of 16.
Morocco cruised to a 4-0 win the last time they clashed with Canada in a friendly in 2016, with Hakim Ziyech scoring a brace. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the FIFA World Cup 2022 encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Canada
"This group has been chasing and reaching history throughout this journey" 🔝
Jonathan Osorio on what's at stake in the final group match v. Morocco.#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/xFUZgXTgJe
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 29, 2022
John Herdman does not have any injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of the final group game. The Canada head coach will have a full-strength squad to choose from against Morocco on Thursday.
Herdman lined Canada up in a 4-4-2 formation against Croatia, but it did not yield the desired result. However, Les Rouges should play in the same system versus Morocco, with Herdman likely to hand minutes to a few fringe players. Dayne St. Clair should come in for Milan Borjan between the sticks, with the defensive line likely to witness one change.
Sam Adekugbe should replace Richie Laryea on the left side of Canda’s defence, with Alistair Johnston set to continue on the right flank. Johnston is reportedly closing in on joining Celtic. Meanwhile, Steven Vitoria and Kamal Miller will continue in the central defensive partnership.
Tajon Buchanan and Alphonso Davies have been the standout performers for Canada at the FIFA World Cup 2022. And the duo will continue as the wide attackers for Les Rouges, looking to put the Moroccan defence under pressure. But the central midfield pairing might witness one change.
With games coming thick and fast, captain Atiba Hutchinson might drop to the bench, with Jonathan Osorio starting in his stead. Osorio will join Stephen Eustaquio in the middle of the park. Finally, Lucas Cavallini should come into the starting eleven to form the strike partnership with Alphonso Davies.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): St. Clair; Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe; Buchanan, Osorio, Eustaquio, Davies; Cavallini, David
Morocco
Walid Regragui has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of the final group game. The Morocco head coach will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal against Canada on Thursday.
The good news is that Yassine Bounou is fit and available after pulling out just before the game against Belgium. But Bono has recovered from the bout of illness and will likely return to face the country of his birth. Munir Mohamedi will make way for Bono between the sticks.
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) November 28, 2022
Morocco will line up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of Bono, with the outfield players likely remaining unchanged again. Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saiss will form a solid central defensive partnership, with Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui continuing as the full-backs.
Sofyan Amrabat will aim to keep things tight in the middle of the park. But Azzedine Ounahi and Selim Amallah will need to support the full-backs to keep the rampaging Tajon Buchanan and Alphonso Davies quiet. The duo will also look to provide the forward thrust from the midfield.
Hakim Ziyech seemed to rediscover his best touch against Belgium. And the 29-year-old will be the creative supremo for Morocco versus Canada. Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En-Nesyri will complete the offensive unit for the Atlas Lions.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Key Stats
- Morocco have never lost in three previous meetings with Canada in all competitions (W2 D1), most recently clinching a 4-0 win in October 2016.
- Thursday’s clash will be Morocco’s fifth FIFA World Cup game against a non-European nation. The Atlas Lions have lost their four previous such games (vs Peru, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Iran).
- Canada are out of FIFA World Cup 2022 after losing their first two matches. They have now lost all five of their World Cup games in total, with only El Salvador (6) playing more times while losing on each occasion.
- Morocco have kept a clean sheet in their last six games in all competitions, now going 622 minutes without conceding since Lyle Foster’s strike for South Africa in June. Should they keep a shut-out in this match, they will be the first African side not to let in a goal in their first three matches at a single World Cup.
- In addition to scoring their only goal at this year’s World Cup, Alphonso Davies leads all Canada players for total ball carry distance (473 metres) and chances created (5).
Player to Watch
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech has long been one of the most enterprising playmakers in Europe. But he has lost his verve since joining Chelsea, with things going from bad to worse in the last 30 months. The ongoing season has been difficult for the 29-year-old, who has become a bit-part player for the Blues.
In addition, amid heavy links with AC Milan, Ziyech arrived in Qatar with a cloud of uncertainty hovering over his future at the club level. But Morocco’s vice-captain has gradually found his groove at the FIFA World Cup 2022. And after scoring against Belgium, he found his smile again. Expect Ziyech to be the danger man for Morocco versus Canada to get them to the Round of 16.
Prediction
Canada 0-2 Morocco
Canada made history last week by scoring their first-ever goal at the World Cup. But the match against Croatia ended in agony, as a 4-1 defeat ended their campaign prematurely. So the game on Thursday is a dead rubber for Les Rouges. But they will be eager to go out with a bang versus Morocco.
However, the Atlas Lions are one of the most formidable units in Qatar, and they are one of three teams yet to concede a goal. So while Alphonso Davies might threaten in fits and parts, Morocco should remain comfortable at the back. And Hakim Ziyech should rise to the occasion again to deliver three points.
The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-0 win for Walid Regragui’s charges, who will end the group stage unbeaten. And depending on the result of the game between Belgium and Croatia, they might even top Group F.
