Walid Regragui, head coach of Morocco, reacts during the national anthem prior to the semifinal match against France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Dec. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Morocco coach Walid Regragui admitted his side was affect by injuries in their 2-0 semifinal defeat to France and hoped to show "football in Morocco exists" in the third and fourth place play-off against Croatia.
DOHA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Morocco coach Walid Regragui was a proud man after a 2-0 defeat to France in the semifinals ended his side's hopes of a first ever World Cup final for an African nation and he also lamented the injury misfortune that dogged his team in the game.
Regragui had named Romain Saiss and Naif Aguerd in his starting line-up, only for Saiss to leave the pitch after just 20 minutes, while Aguard was forced to withdraw after his muscle problem returned in the pre-game warmup.
"We lost Aguerd in the warm-up, Saiss and then (Noussair) Mazraoui at half-time. It was a bit too much for us but those who returned gave their all," he said after the game.
The coach admitted that "against a team like France, the slightest mistake is expensive, and we can't go to the final when we waste as many chances as we had in the first half.
"We were better in the second half, but we didn't score, and the second goal (in the 79th minute) kills us," said Regragui.
Hugo Lloris (L), goalkeeper of France, makes a save during the semifinal match against Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Dec. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Morocco will now play Croatia in the third and fourth place play-off and he admitted he would give a chance to players who have not been regulars in his side.
"It's going to be hard mentally, we're going to give playing time to those who have played less," commented the coach.
Regragui insisted Morocco "wanted" third place, but said "most important thing is to have performed well, to have shown that football in Morocco exists and that we have great supporters." ■