Walid Regragui was not lucky enough to play in the FIFA World Cup, but he said that "God gave him a chance to make history." He is a coach for Morocco, and asked proudly, "Why don't we dream of winning the cup?"

Coach Walid Regragui considered himself "the happiest person in the world" after leading - today, Thursday - the Moroccan national team to qualify for the round of 16 - for the first time in 36 years - by defeating Canada 2-1, at Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, to top a complex group that included: Croatia and Belgium.

The only Arab representative in the tournament has now collected 7 points, two points ahead of Croatia - the runner-up in the world - while Belgium - ranked second in the world - and ranked third in the last edition left.

"It was not an easy match, it is the best for us in the championship," Rekragui said in a press conference. "We had a fighting spirit and deservedly won. The players are ready to die for the team and the plan."

He praised the right-back, Ashraf Hakimi, who made the second goal, and he was prejudiced against his injury, before he went out in the last minutes in pain, and won the man of the match award.

He continued, "Ashraf Muhareb, he is amazing, he pressed until the end of the match despite his injury, and he deserved the best player award."

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The former Wydad coach - who took charge of his country's national team just about two months before the Qatar finals - added, "We did not come here to lose. Everything is possible and the levels are different for the teams, as we saw Argentina and France. I think Africans can go far, and why not dream of winning the cup? We are." We give a dream to the next generation."

The players gathered around Regragui in a circle after the end of the match, celebrated with the fans and gave an enthusiastic speech in front of them.

He explained, "I told them we should be proud of ourselves. It is an opportunity that may not be repeated. Unfortunately, I did not play in the World Cup. I tried twice and did not join the national team. God now gave me an opportunity to make history as a coach, and now I am the happiest person in the world."

"The players always hit me on the head in the circle," he joked. "Maybe this brings them luck."

Morocco is waiting to face the second-placed team in Group E, which includes Spain, Germany, Japan and Costa Rica.

Crazy atmosphere

In turn, Hakim Ziyech - the scorer of the first goal for Morocco against Canada - expressed his pride in contributing to his country's qualification for the second round, adding, "We fought in all moments of the match, and stood firm on the field. We wrote history today. It is a wonderful feeling to score a goal in the World Cup." I saw the crowd's joy, the atmosphere was crazy."

Hakim Ziyech - Moroccan national team player: We made a great effort to qualify and made history today #WorldCup_Qatar_2022 |

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"For us, we know that the atmosphere is always like this when Morocco plays, that's why we play football," Ziyech said.

For his part, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou expressed his great happiness, telling Al Kass TV, "This is a historic night for the Moroccan people, and this is because of the great work spirit that contributed to the achievement that was achieved. This team has the qualifications to compete. The players dream about that, and the fans have the right to dream." This generation is empowered."

Bono thanked the Moroccan fans who supported the national team with great enthusiasm in the tournament matches.

After kissing his head .. Yassin # Bono about qualifying for the round of 16: It is a historic night and we made the Moroccan people happy # Qatar 2022 # World_Cup_Qatar_2022 #Cup_Channels @FRMFOFFICIEL @EnMaroc #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup @CanadaSoccerEN # Atlas Lions pic.twitter.com/A0mCUGBCM1

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As for defender Nayef Akrad, he confirmed that he knew that the Canada match would not be easy, and thanked the Moroccan fans and all the Arab fans for their support, and said, "Canada had nothing to lose and played comfortably, and we knew that we needed a point to qualify. In the second half we suffered." From physical exhaustion, because we play every 4 days."

Akrd did not rule out Morocco reaching advanced stages in the World Cup, and said, "Why not? We were able to stand up to the strong group teams, and we have qualifications, and we will try our best to make the Moroccan people happy and write history."

And the Moroccan national team became the only Arab representative in the tournament, after the exit of Qatar - the owner of the land - Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in the first round.