sacred union behind Morocco forward of the historic semi-final

Printed: 12/12/2022 – 07:34Modified: 12/12/2022 – 08:00

Qatar is crimson with happiness. At Souq Waqif in downtown Doha, it has been 24 hours since Morocco’s match towards Portugal topped Atlas Lions as the primary African group to achieve the semi-finals of the World Cup. As guests start flocking to this nerve-wracking metropolis middle to take pleasure in one of many few non-match nights on the 2022 World Cup, there’s just one actual matter of dialog: Morocco’s performances and the semi-final towards France.

“It is distinctive. That is the primary time in Morocco and within the Arab world. I do not actually have phrases but. There’s an excessive amount of emotion,” explains the Moroccan fan, nonetheless in shock.

Morocco has achieved an exemplary course. 22^{to me} the nation within the desk was capable of defy all predictions all through the event. First in Group E, certified as Group of Dying the place they defeated Canada and Croatian world runners-up earlier than beating Belgium. Then there have been exploits towards Spain (0-0, tab0-3) and Portugal (1-0).

“We’ll win this World Cup”

“We’re within the semi-finals and it is prefer it’s regular,” enthuses Amine, who traveled from Montreal, Canada for the quarter-finals. “Now we’re on the lookout for tickets to the semi-final!”

“We will win this World Championship as a result of our gamers are taking part in rather well,” says Sarah, 38, a crossfit trainer in Agadir. “Walid Regragui, he’s nice and with our Tête d’avocat we are going to win.”

>> Walid Regragui, coach Morocco: “We are attempting to be the locomotive in Africa”

Enthusiasm is contagious. As quickly as Sarah is completed expressing her pleasure, one other group of followers continues:

“We beat the largest groups, so why not France?” considered one of them shouts. “We’ll beat France, we are going to beat Argentina and we are going to go down in historical past. Finish of a very good night” – provides a buddy who already sees himself within the ultimate.

“Shhh! Siiir!”, a Moroccan hit

On this jubilant stagnation, a battle cry united all Moroccans: “Siiir! Siiir!”. A distant cousin of the well-known battle cry “siiuuuuu!” by Cristiano Ronaldo. This music has accompanied Walid Regragui since his time at FUS in Rabat. Notes that didn’t depart him when he now sits on the benches of the nationwide group. Within the stands in Qatar, the Moroccans are greater than a majority in every of their matches. This could nonetheless be the case on Wednesday, December 14, through the shock towards France.

The semi-final would be the first official confrontation of this world between Błękitni and Atlas Lions, the sixth match in whole with a positive steadiness of Blue: three wins, a draw and one other Moroccan victory after penalties on purpose (1998). To start with, the match could have a particular that means due to the widespread historical past woven between the 2 nations, between colonization and immigration.

“It is like between father and mom”

This distinctive feeling is greatest summed up by Ahmed and Youssef: “We’re Moroccans in coronary heart and blood, however we have been born in France,” explains Ahmed, a lawyer from Miami.

“It is like between father and mom, usually we won’t select. However France has already gained two World Cups: Go to Morocco! When we’ve got two Cups in every single place, we are going to encourage 50/50 there,” provides Youssef, 38 years outdated and a health care provider in Grenoble.

“We have at all times been behind France, 1998, 2006, however that is Morocco for the primary time. We’ll deliver the trophy residence. Lengthy stay Morocco and lengthy stay France and will the perfect win!” buddy.

We’re the shock, the freshness

However Morocco’s pleasure doesn’t cease on the borders of the Kingdom and France, it’s extra world for all the Arab world, which is already celebrating on this first World Cup hosted within the Persian Gulf.

“The Arab world, Africa, they’re all behind us. I’ve Polish, Peruvian mates… all of them assist Morocco! We’re the shock, the freshness, everybody loves that about soccer! C It is David versus Goliath!” Ahmed is delighted.

“It is phenomenal what’s occurring to us. What makes me completely happy is that Arabs, Africans, Berbers collect round Morocco… Morocco has develop into a supply of satisfaction for everybody”, Ali’s enthusiasm, crimson T-shirt on his shoulders. The Agadir native now lives in Qatar and enjoys this distinctive World Cup for Atlas Lions: “I sincerely hope that we’ll not cease there and that extra African and Arab groups will attain this degree. -the”

It’s attainable that the rise within the variety of groups certified for the subsequent event in 2026 proves that he was proper. With the transfer to 48 groups, the variety of locations on the African continent will improve from 5 to 9. This can improve the chances of CAF groups to be invited to the ultimate 4 sooner or later.