``New scenery'' where the Japanese national football team fell one step short.The
World Cup Qatar tournament, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East, reminds us once again how difficult it is for Japan to overcome the barrier of the last eight. It has become a competition.
In that tournament, there is a country that made it to the quarter-finals for the first time, something that Japan could not achieve.
Morocco is the only non-European and South American team to make it to the last eight.
They will face Portugal in the quarterfinals at midnight on the 11th Japan time.
“Morocco” has many things in common with the Japanese national team
Morocco is ranked 22nd in the world.
Not only is Japan ranked 24th and the ranking is almost the same, but there are also surprising commonalities.
Halilhodzic, who once coached the Japanese national team, led Morocco in the African qualifiers.
However, after deciding to break through the qualifying rounds, he was dismissed in August this year, and he is facing this tournament under the new coach Waleed Legraghi, and the Japanese national team dismissed Mr. Halilhodzic just before the last tournament in Russia. A team that followed a similar path.
Japan surprised the world by defeating powerhouses Germany and Spain in the first round of this tournament.
Morocco was another team in the same primary league that surprised the world.
In the first match of Group F, they drew 0-0 against Croatia, the runner-up in the previous tournament, and in the second match, Kinboshi beat world No. 2 Belgium 2-0.
Then, in the third match, they defeated Canada 2-1, leading the group and advancing to the knockout stages for the first time in 36 years, driving Belgium out of the first round.
powerful side attacks
Leading the team's attack is Hakim Ziech, who plays for Chelsea, a powerhouse in the English Premier League.
A left-handed midfielder who primarily plays on the right side, Zies builds offense with precise kicks and unique ideas.
And defender Ashraf Hakimi forms a combination with Zies on the right side.
The 24-year-old, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the same French division as Neymar of Brazil and Kylian Mbappe of France, is one of the world's best sidebacks.
In the first league match against Canada, he played a key role in the team's offense and defense, assisting a teammate's second goal with a cross ball from the right side.
Battle with powerhouse Spain
The first round of the final tournament against Spain, who was second in the same group as Japan.
Many of the Moroccan supporters in the packed stadium were cheering the players on.
As soon as the Spanish player got the ball, there was a big boo, just like Morocco's home game.
The match was dominated by Spain, who excelled in technique.
Despite Spain's 63% possession rate and Morocco's overwhelming 21% possession rate, they were unable to create decisive moments, and all players solidified their defense in their own half. rice field.
Stubbornly in a penalty shootout
After 120 minutes, including extra time, with neither team having a decisive goal, the penalty shootout came.
Goalkeeper Yasinu Bunu stood in front of Spain.
They blocked Spain's shots three times in a row, and received a big cheer from the crowd.
Morocco scored two kickers, and the fourth kicker they welcomed was Hakimi.
In this stage where a goal can be decided to win, Hakimi scored a loose shot that missed the goalkeeper's timing in the middle of the goal.
Playing for one of the world's top clubs, Hakimi's composure on the big stage saw Morocco reach the last eight for the first time ever.
[Click here for detailed data] Morocco x Spain
After the match against Croatia, Japan national team player Daichi Kamata said, "If I can play in the place I'm aiming for in these four years, and face the next tournament, I'll grow even bigger, and I think I'll be able to help the Japanese national team even more. So, for the next four years, I would like to continue playing at a better club.”
He pointed out that in order for Japan to overcome the wall, it is important to play at a high level in club teams and accumulate experience.
to become an Arab star
Morocco, like the host country Qatar, is the only Arab team to advance to the final eight.
They will be the first African team to advance to the quarter-finals, and will face the powerhouse Portugal at 0:00 a.m. on the 11th Japan time.
The Middle East's first World Cup, in which the host country lost three games in a row for the first time in history, is once again heating up with Morocco's breakthrough.