Morocco head coach Walid Regragui admits the World Cup third-place playoff is the “worst sport” to play in, but he nonetheless seeks to make historical past by guiding his aspect to change into the pioneering African nation to safe a medal within the prestigious match.
Having overwhelmed Belgium, Spain and Portugal to achieve the semis, Morocco misplaced 2-0 to reigning champions France as their record-breaking run got here to an finish in Qatar.
They will now face Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday to battle for the bronze medal, having already change into the primary African nation to achieve a World Cup semifinal.
While Regragui stated the match was “the worst game to play” and likened it to winning the “booby prize,” he’s eager to achieve success.
“We would love issues to have gone in a different way and performed within the remaining however there may be one other sport to play, we want to be on the rostrum,” he stated.
“We know that Croatia additionally desires to complete in third place, we performed them in our opening sport in order that can be good.
“It can be no stroll within the park bodily, they’ve had yet another relaxation day.
“We have to clear our heads a bit however once you come out of a semi-final, the primary time we’ve ever been in a single, feelings have been working excessive and it was fairly troublesome. However, my gamers nonetheless have that urge for food they wish to end effectively they usually know they nonetheless have one sport to play with all to play for.
“Finishing third will not be the identical as ending fourth and we wish to take a medal dwelling with us.”
Regragui additionally backed the Moroccan Football Association’s official grievance to FIFA after they weren’t awarded a penalty throughout the semifinal, as an alternative seeing Sofiane Boufal booked when he seemed to be fouled by Theo Hernandez.
“All is honest in love and battle, our FA wished to place ahead the grievance, I really feel they have been proper in doing so however that doesn’t change something for us,” he stated.
“We ought to have had a penalty and Sofiane mustn’t have had that yellow card. It will not be the top of the highway for us, we’re nonetheless enjoying for third place and even one of the best nations could be enjoying for third place.
“After the sport, we are going to take into consideration what the longer term has in retailer. We may have a very completely different standing following the World Cup.
“I don’t actually need to encourage my group, we’re on the World Cup representing Morocco.
“We even wish to win friendlies so the purpose is to get that third place, we wish to up our FIFA rating. If we end third in a World Cup, we are going to actually hike it up.
“We wish to present what we’re made from and in addition pave the best way for the way forward for Moroccan soccer.”
Regragui confirmed skipper Romain Saiss is not going to be match for the ultimate, having risked his captain at simply “60-70%” within the semifinal, a choice which backfired when he limped off after simply 20 minutes.
“We misplaced our captain Romain Saiss throughout the sport, we took a threat but it surely was a threat price taking,” added Regragui.
“We wished to exit to battle with him main the battalion. We have one other couple of injured gamers however we are going to see the way it goes.
“We actually, actually pushed our gamers to their limits however they nonetheless wish to exit tomorrow and play once more however we’re going to be taking dangers once more. Romain Saiss is out – he has been dominated out from this third-place sport.”
