Cycle 2
15:00
27/11/2022
Belgium
0
:
0
Morocco
Report by Paz Hasdai, messenger of Walla!
Sports for Qatar, after Iran's victory over Wales (photo: Paz Hasdai, video editing: Assaf Drori)
Belgium
The Red Devils did not impress in the 0:1 victory over Canada, to say the least, but more important than improving the impression will be to get three more points that will secure a place in the round of 16.
Romelu Lukaku held two full training sessions alongside his teammates, but coach Roberto Martinez made it clear that the striker is expected to return to the squad only in the match against Croatia, in the group stage lock-in round.
It seems that the Spaniard's main dilemma is in midfield, between Amado Onana and Yuri Tillmans.
The latter was the one who started against Canada, but his ability was not satisfactory, but on the other hand he has already played 33 times alongside Axel Witsel - who is supposed to continue in the full back position.
Onana, who partnered with Witsel in only three games, offers the Belgians more physical strength and contribution on both sides of the pitch.
Martins referred to the meeting with two natives of Belgium who play for him: Anas Zarouri and Bilal Al Khanous: "You have to choose to play for the country you feel something for, it has to come from the heart and we have to understand their choice."
The coach added: "Our first half against Canada was below our level, we have experienced players and players with potential who have not yet gained experience in the World Cup, so we don't know how good we can be."
The one who was interviewed today is the star Kevin de Brauna, who surprised in an interview with "The Guardian" when he was asked if Belgium has a chance to win the World Cup: "We have no chance to win, we are too old", he said and doubtless he was joking, "I think we had a chance to win in 2018 . We are a good team, but an aging one that has also lost some key players. Good young players have arrived, but they are not at the level of those who were with us in 2018. I see us more as a team that can surprise."
Will continue in the Belgium squad.
Hazar (photo: GettyImages, Julian Finney)
Morocco
The Africans, who failed to score in the first round and finished 0:0 with Croatia, will be looking for their first victory in the World Cup since 1998 (two draws and two losses since then).
Morocco is on a streak of six games without a loss, and knows that a victory will bring it significantly closer to the round of 16.
Coach Walid Ragraghi will probably continue with the 11 that started in the first round, when Sufian Amarbat will have to be careful of a yellow card in order not to miss the third round.
If there is still a change, he may arrive in the right back position, as Nousier Mazrawi is carrying a minor injury.
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Doubtful because of the injury in the previous game.
Mezrawi (Photo: Reuters)
Trivia
* Belgium and Morocco have already met once in the World Cup: it ended in a 0:1 victory for the Europeans in 1994.
* The Red Devils have never been defeated by an African team in the World Cup, with their record standing at three wins and a draw - all games were in the group stage.
In 2018, they defeated Tunisia 5:2.
* Roberto Martinez's team can become the first ever to win nine consecutive games in the group stage of the World Cup.
On the eve of the meeting with Morocco, Belgium stands on eight victories in a row.
The composition of the groups
Referee:
Cesar Ramos (Mexico)
Stadium:
Al Thomamah (Doha)
Belgium coach: Roberto Martins
The game setup
5:3:2
1t.
Courtois
21 T.
Castan
19 to
Dandonkar
2t.
Alderworld
5j.
Vertonghen
11 J.
Carrasco
8J.
Tillmans
6a.
Witsel
7 k.
de Brauna
10a.
The Hazar
23 m.
Batshuayi
Substitutes bench:
Morocco coach: Walid Raghraghi
The game setup
4:5:1
1J.
Bono
2a.
wise
5 n.
Agar
6 r.
stableman
3 n.
Mezrawi
7 h.
Zaish
15s.
Amallah
4s.
Amarbat
8 a.
Unakhi
17s.
Bhopal
19
An-Nasri
Substitutes bench:
seventh house
Group
games
victories
draw
losses
gates
points
1
Brazil
1
1
0
0
0-2
3
2
Switzerland
1
1
0
0
0-1
3
3
vault
1
0
0
1
1-0
0
4
Serbia
1
0
0
1
2-0
0
FIFA World Cup
news
Tags
Belgium national team
Morocco national team