Croatia and Morocco had been friendly since the Croatian referendum on Independence from Yugoslavia on 25th June 1991. In fact, Morocco on the 11th of December 1996 played their first match together in Casablanca but I report that when it comes to football, it is always no paddy for jungle or on this platform. No paddy in Nigerian language and as related to the match means no friendship on the field of play or all diplomatic relations suspended until after the match.
In 1996 Croatia was invited by Morocco for the first edition of Hassan 11 Trophy organized by Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Only three editions of the competition held. In 1996, Morocco was 2-0 down within 15 minutes of play via a brace from Goran Vlaovic but Salahedine Bassir and Ahmed Bahja scored one year to end full time at 2-2. Croatia won on penalties 7-6.
Their first group F meeting in Qatar at the 2022 world cup was a real DESERT STORM that ended goalless. Morocco plays defensive football and waits for you to be careless to put in one or two goals and then you go home. I was severally corrected that France is not the Dan Blocker of Qatar 2022 but Morocco who were on an operation code named NO PARKING SPACE.
In Qatar, Morocco blocked 5 shots to 3 of Croatia; had no corner kick because they were at their base most of the time when Croatia had 5 corners; there were 17 foul calls to Croatia and 11 to the Croats; the only yellow card of the match went to Sofyan Amrabat who committed a foul on Luka Modric in the 78th minute. Croatia loves using cross passes like France to cause havoc in the enemy territory like the present Russia was bombing Ukraine but the blockings kept the Croats at bay. It is expected that Croatia will still be in control of the game through ball possession as they had 64% -36%.
To get to the semifinals, Croatia played goalless with Morocco; slammed Canada 4-1 and played another goalless with Belgium in the group stages to become runners-up in that Group F. Then Croatia played 1-1 after Extra time with Japan in the round of 16 before clinching it on penalties 3-1. In the quarterfinals, Croatia dismissed the Samba boys of Brazil 1(4)-1(2) and were beaten 3-0 by Argentina in the semifinals. Meaning that Croatia won a match; drew 4 and lost one. She scored 6 goals and conceded 5.
Morocco was not the focus from Africa as the world gazed on Senegal without Sadio Mane but Morocco emerged winners of Group F from a goalless draw with Croatia; whipped Belgium 2-0 and piped Canada 1-0 before facing the LA LIGA crooners of Spain who were ousted in the round of 16 on penalties 3-0 after goalless at 120 minutes. They piped Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals and were humbled 0-2 by in the semifinals by France. Morocco played 6 matches; won 3; drew 2; lost one scoring 4 goals and conceding three.
The implication of the current form stated in the last two paragraphs is that the Croatians are likely to score more goals than Morocco but the defensive tactics of Morocco could be an advantage to them. That was what we also felt against France who humbled them 2-0 and could have scored more.
Moroccan Manager, nick named Avocado head because of his perceived baldness from a love to barb ‘Gorimapa style’, tactful Walid Regragui who only took over on August 31st told the press “our defeat (to France) was due to several injuries in the camp. We gave the maximum, that’s the most important thing, we had few injuries, we lost Agued in the warm up, Saiss, Mazraoui at half time against a team like France, the slightest mistake is paid for in cash.” If those injuries still persist, then Croatia will pick the Bronze without sweat.
The Moroccan camp is truly down with injuries. Abdelhamid Saburi is down; hit man Hakim Ziyech is on medical observation; Aguerd has muscle injury and Mazraoui has hip injury. Hakim has reportedly donated all his world cup bonuses ($325,000) to poor people in Morocco.
Youssef En-Nesyri could still make the difference for Morocco but play maker and Captain Luka Modric who takes all the set pieces is still there with Ivan Persic on the left flank.
Despite political affinity, Croatia wants to win to add Bronze to her show glass while Morocco will put it on record as the first African team to win the Bronze. Even with a loss, Morocco will be the first African team to place fourth.
On Sunday at 4pm it will be a classic final with Magical Messi and his Argentine squad and the Defending Champions, France.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
#FifaworldcupQatar2022.
