Debutants Morocco are not at the Women’s World Cup just to make up the numbers and are looking to surprise, just as their male counterparts did in making the semifinals in Qatar last year.
Morocco open their Group H campaign in Australia and New Zealand against world No 2, Germany, today, a tough start but a challenge the side is embracing.
“They (the players) all know they’re here at the World Cup,” French coach, Reynald Pedros, said yesterday. “They all know it’s going to be their first game and they are debutantes.
“But the message for them is that it is something that is extremely positive; it’s going to give us so much experience.”
Captain Ghizlane Chebbak says the players feel a responsibility to perform as the first Arab nation to take part in a Women’s World Cup.
“We are not here just to make up the numbers, but to compete,” she said. “We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup. We feel that we have to shoulder a big responsibility to show a good image, and to show the achievements that the Moroccan football team has made in terms of progress by qualifying to the Women’s World Cup.
“This is a great milestone for us and we hope that our match with Germany will pave the way for other matches.”
Morocco’s biggest issue is a lack of goals; they have not scored any in their last five internationals, but at the same time have only conceded four times, and have goalless draws with Italy and Sweden.
Meanwhile, Africa had a disappointing start at the championship after South Africa and Zambia suffered defeats in their respective opening matches.
The Banyana Banyana was beaten 2-1 by Sweden after Zambia had been beaten 5-0 by Japan in their opener.
Amanda Ilestedt scored a last-minute winner as the Swedish denied South Africa the chance to picking up their first point at a World Cup, having lost all three matches on their only previous appearance in 2019.
South Africa opened the scoring with a 48th-minute goal from Hildah Magaia, but it was cancelled out by a deflected Frida Rolfo effort before Ilestedt’s decisive header.
Sweden top Group G, with Argentina and Italy to meet today.
Japan got their campaign off to a perfect start with a dominant win against debutants Zambia.
Hinata Miyazawa’s two goals were separated by a Mina Tanaka strike before Jun Endo added a fourth.
Zambia goalkeeper, Catherine Musonda, got a second yellow card for conceding a late penalty in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Her replacement, Eunice Sakala, saved Riko Ueki’s penalty but was ruled to have come off her line and the Japan striker slotted home the second effort.
Japan move top of Group C, above Spain on goal difference. –BBC
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Publish date : 2024-07-16 11:45:55
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Author : africa-news
Publish date : 2024-07-17 11:51:42
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