2022 FIFA World Cup: How Canada can finish with a win vs. Morocco
AL RAYYAN, Qatar – After a whirlwind week, the Canadian males’s nationwide workforce’s World Cup is coming to an finish on Thursday.
In phrases of knockout-stage ramifications, there’s nothing at stake. Canada’s hopes of advancing had been dashed after dropping 4-1 to Croatia on Sunday.
However, there’s nonetheless a chance to realize extra historical past after scoring the nation’s first purpose at a males’s World Cup. Clinching a primary victory would do wonders for the skin confidence on this workforce main into the 2026 cycle.
“It’s a real opportunity for our players and for our country to keep stepping forward,” stated Canada coach John Herdman in his pre-match press convention on Wednesday.
“I think for all the people who’ve been waiting for Canada to arrive and were wondering how we were going to show up, I think we showed up on the front foot and that will be our approach again.”
It’ll be simpler stated than completed towards Morocco, which can pose one other stiff check within the Group F finale at Al Thumama Stadium.
Here is what it’s worthwhile to know forward of Thursday’s match.
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POTENTIAL LINEUPS
Here is how Canada might line up towards Morocco.
The again line ought to stay the identical aside from Sam Adekugbe certainly beginning at the least considered one of these three matches. Adekugbe, an out-and-out left-back, may be the wiser alternative right here when dealing with Achraf Hakimi or Hakim Ziyech, as Laryea did wrestle at instances to comprise Andrej Kramaric within the Croatia loss.
“Ziyech and Hakimi are just next level,” stated Herdman. “It’s [Morocco’s] centre of gravity and I think every team in the world is going to struggle with what they’ve created there. It’s not an easy tactically, it’s a real collective defending you need to [defend them].”
From there, the remainder of the facet depends upon Stephen Eustaquio’s and Atiba Hutchinson’s health. Eustaquio continues to be being assessed after struggling a hamstring harm within the first half on Sunday, so he’ll be touch-and-go main as much as kickoff.
Meanwhile, Hutchinson was uncovered a number of instances within the first half, though that may have extra to do with Canada’s lack of defensive self-discipline. The 39-year-old’s distribution was nonetheless very priceless in enjoying by way of Croatia’s excessive press.
The change to a trio with Jonathan Osorio and Ismael Kone checking in masked that weak point within the second half, so anticipate both or each gamers to start out in entrance of Hutchinson.
As for Morocco, which has health considerations itself, that is how the workforce would possibly arrange.
The solely change from the 2-0 win over Belgium can be Yassine Bounou returning to the purpose after recovering from harm. Coach Walid Regragui confirmed that the Montreal-born goalkeeper might be match for the sport.
The apparent gamers to observe might be Hakimi, Ziyech, Noussair Mazraoui and Sofiane Boufal. All three will pose important threats out large, particularly in transition.
“We know the difficulty that we’ll face tomorrow,” stated defender Steven Vitoria. “We learned some lessons over the first two games. We know every game is different. But we are also very clear with our identity and that’s where we talked about those gaps, that’s where that positive growth is for us is to stay true to our philosophy and close certain gaps.”
CANADA’S X-FACTOR: BUCHANAN AND DAVIES
Nobody on the World Cup has tried extra carries than Alphonso Davies (18) and Tajon Buchanan (19), in accordance with Opta. Davies can also be among the many match leaders in open-play possibilities created (5), whereas Buchanan has 4.
It goes with out saying, then, that they’ll be key towards Morocco.
It’s much more obvious when contemplating they’re each wingers by commerce. Both like to chop inside and dictate video games from the half areas, however they may thrive in wider areas.
Hakimi and Mazraoui might be pushing very excessive up the pitch, which suggests there might be house in behind to take advantage of.
Thorgan Hazard and Michy Batshuayi displayed this to a tee. Hazard obtained a go on the left wing, then performed in an exquisite go for Batshuayi behind Hakimi.
Playing that ball, and a ahead like Jonathan David making that run, stretches the Moroccan defensive form and can unlock house for the likes of Osorio to shadow into the field.
MOROCCO’S X-FACTOR: TEAM DEFENDING
The Moroccan assault hasn’t produced lots of high quality possibilities regardless of possessing arguably two of the highest chance-creating full-backs on the earth, but it’s the defence that’s held agency.
Morocco has conceded simply 1.3 anticipated targets (xG), 15 photographs and 0.08 xG per shot, all of which rank seventh on the World Cup.
A key piece of that success has been Sofyan Amrabat, the deep-lying midfielder who has been one of many best-performing defensive midfielders on the World Cup.
“Sofyan is playing exceptionally well,” stated Morocco coach Walid Regragui. “He’s playing as a defensive midfielder, just in front of the defensive line and I think that we’re hoping that he can grow with the team. He’s in top form and this allows us to play very well.”
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The proven fact that Morocco held Croatia to only 5 photographs is a testomony to the work Amrabat places in off the ball. He’ll certainly be simply as essential to ensure that Morocco to succeed in the knockout stage at a World Cup for the primary time since 1986.
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