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In the preliminary round of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Morocco defeated Portugal 3-1, Abderrazak Khairi (center) contributed two goals
Photo: imago sport photo service
This article will be continuously updated.
Morocco's former World Cup hero Khairi: 'Can make it to the final'
7.52 a.m .:
Before meeting Portugal in the quarterfinals (Saturday, 4 p.m. / ZDF and Magenta TV).
Morocco's former World Cup hero Abderrazak Khairi sees a strong chance for the outsiders in Qatar's World Cup quarter-finals against Portugal.
"What we're seeing today is historic - being one of the top eight teams here.
I think they can make it to the final.
Our players are fighting for our homeland," said the 60-year-old in Doha to the German Press Agency.
Khairi scored two goals in a 3-1 win over Portugal in the 1986 World Cup group stage match in Mexico.
Morocco later lost 1-0 to Germany in the round of 16 thanks to a late goal by Lothar Matthäus.
»We have to watch out for Modrić«
7.48 a.m.:
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has defended the early substitution of his star player Luka Modrić in the World Cup round of 16 against Japan.
»It was almost 100 minutes when I took Luka out.
I didn't make this decision alone.
We discussed it.
It was a very difficult match.
We had to walk great distances," said Dalić before the quarterfinals against Brazil (Friday 4 p.m. / Magenta TV).
»In the last 15 minutes we wanted to bring in fresh energy again.
It's worked out.
Of course Luka will have a place as long as he wants, but we have to take care of him too," added Dalić of the 37-year-old captain.
Modrić had a couple of memorable moments against the Asian underdogs but also seemed sluggish in some scenes.
To his outstanding form from the 2018 World Cup,
Ronaldo, Ronaldo, always just Ronaldo
7.35 a.m .:
Observed by dozens of TV cameras, photographers and reporters, Ronaldo completed a training session on the pitch on Thursday for the first time since being demoted to the substitute bench in the World Cup round of 16 against Switzerland.
Even before that, at the press conference for the quarter-final game against Morocco (Saturday, 4 p.m. / ZDF and Magenta TV), it was almost exclusively about the fuss about his reserve role and the report about an alleged departure threat by the offensive player.
Portugal's national soccer player Otávio, who answered the journalists' questions, took the fuss about captain Cristiano Ronaldo and his reserve role at this World Cup calmly: "Of course he attracts attention, but he's part of the team," he said 27-year-old midfielder from FC Porto when asked if the debate about the 37-year-old superstar annoyed him.
“If he's fine, the team is fine.
We want to achieve our goals together.«
see/dpa
