Morocco's hopes in the World Cup quarterfinal against France have been significantly impacted as star forward Ismael Saibari has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed on Wednesday that Saibari, who sustained the injury during the last-16 match against Canada, will not be fit for the crucial match scheduled for Thursday in Boston.
“Everyone is 100 percent fit except Saibari. This game comes too soon for him, but I hope he is not out for the rest of the competition,” Ouahbi stated. Saibari has had an impressive tournament, scoring in each of Morocco's three group games and converting the winning penalty in the shootout against the Netherlands.
Impact of Saibari's Injury on Morocco's Strategy
Saibari's absence is a significant blow to Morocco, as he has been one of the standout players of the tournament. His performance included scoring key goals and providing assists, making him a critical part of the team's attacking strategy. In his place, Soufiane Rahimi stepped up in the last match against Canada, scoring Morocco's third goal.
“He’s not ready, but I hope it’s not the end of the tournament for him,” Ouahbi added, hinting at the possibility of Saibari returning if Morocco progresses to the semifinals.
Morocco's Quarterfinal Challenge Against France
The upcoming match against France is particularly significant for Morocco, as they seek to avenge their previous 2-0 defeat in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. Coach Ouahbi has dismissed the notion that reaching the quarterfinals is a success in itself, emphasizing the team's desire to win the quarterfinal match.
“Tomorrow, we will try to get to the semifinals. I don’t like this sentiment that we have already done well and anything else is a bonus,” Ouahbi stated, reinforcing the team's competitive spirit.
Player Insights Ahead of the Match
Morocco's Brahim Diaz, a player from Real Madrid, expressed confidence in his team as they prepare to face one of the tournament favorites. Diaz, who will be up against teammate Kylian Mbappe, stated, “Tomorrow, we are playing one of the favourites, but we have shown we can compete, and that is why we are here. I have full faith and full confidence in the team.”
With the stakes high and the absence of Saibari felt, Morocco aims to put forth a strong performance against France, hoping to advance further in the tournament.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
