World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 23, 2022 at 10am UK

Morocco
0 - 0
Croatia

Amrabat (78')

Walid Regragui: 'Morocco happy to settle for Croatia draw'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 November 2022

Morocco boss Walid Regragui says that he was more than happy to settle for a goalless draw with Croatia in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Walid Regragui has revealed that Morocco's main focus against Croatia on Wednesday was to ensure that they 'lived for another day'.

Having been drawn alongside the 2018 runners-up and highly-fancied Belgium in Group F, Morocco are only regarded as outsiders to reach the knockout stages.

However, the Atlas Lions more than matched their more illustrious opponents at the Al Fayt Stadium, deserving claiming a share of the spoils from a goalless draw.

Although Croatia can claim to have had more openings in the final third, Zlatko Dalic's side did not do enough to earn maximum points in Al Rayyan.

The Checkered Ones' coach admitted as much after the match, criticising his players for not showing enough courage in the final third.

Sofyan Amrabat makes a challenge for Morocco against Croatia in their World Cup game on November 23, 2022. © Reuters

In sharp contrast, Regragui was delighted with the point, feeling that his team can now focus on trying to collect three points against fellow group outsiders Canada.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Regragui said: "Our goal was to live for another day as defeat in the first match ends your hopes in the competition.

"We did our best, the goal was not to lose. I've only been here for two months and I'm proud of the players. We wanted to achieve another result, but in the end we are satisfied with the draw.

"We will wait for the outcome of the Belgium match, and then we will look to qualify for the last 16 against Canada."

Morocco must first take on Belgium on Sunday before the Canada encounter takes place four days later on Thursday.