BEIJING, May 30 -- Led by two-time Africa Cup of Nations winning coach Herve Renard, Morocco will return to the World Cup after an absence of 20 years. The Atlas Lions will be hoping to repeat their achievement from the 1986 World Cup when they surged into the last 16.
Unusually for a national team, over half the players heading to Russia were born outside of Morocco, in either France, Spain, or the Netherlands. However, FIFA rules on nationality and citizenship allow them to represent the north African country internationally.
Renard's side are grouped with the 2010 World Cup winners Spain, European Championship title holders Portugal and Asian powerhouse Iran in a tough Group B. With the Iberian duo widely considered strong favorites to progress far into the knock-out stages of the tournament, the Atlas Lions arrive in Russia as considerable underdogs, and will have to play very well to be in with a chance of making the last 16.
In the face of such tough opposition, a defensive style of play will be the order of the day, which Morocco have been well versed in recent months.
In their last round of qualification, Renard's men finished top of a group containing Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon and Mali, maintaining a six-game unbeaten run without conceding a single goal and scoring 11 in the process.
Under the management of Renard, the only man to ever win the African Cup of Nations with two different countries (Zambia and Cote d'Ivoire), the Atlas Lions play possession-based football and press aggressively in defence.
Juventus center-back Medhi Benatia, 31, anchors a well-rounded and organized defense and is certainly the most decorated squad member. A former Italian Serie A all-star player, Benatia also captains the team and his leadership both on and off the pitch will be crucial to any success the Atlas Lions have. Benatia will face his former Bayern Munich teammate Thiago when Morocco take on Spain.
Further forward, 25-year-old Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech is the fulcrum of Morocco's attacking play. The former Netherlands U-21 international scored nine goals and made a league-leading 15 assists in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, being named Dutch Footballer of the Year for his troubles. Morocco will be looking to his vision and creativity if they are to spring any surprises in Russia.
Elsewhere, rising star Achraf Hakimi has just lifted the Champions League trophy with La Liga giants Real Madrid. The Spanish-born wing-back made his senior debut for the Los Blancos earlier this season and has proven an able deputy for Dani Carvajal.
On the only previous occasion Morocco advanced into the World Cup's second stage, they held England and Poland to goalless draws before defeating Portugal to top their group. And if the Atlas Lions are to repeat the heroics of 32 years ago in Russia this summer, perhaps another victory against Portugal may be necessary.
高中英语语法-范文:编辑部的回信
高中英语语法-英语说明文的写作方法(二)
高中英语语法-英语写作有用的100个句式(八)
高中英语语法-英语写作有用的100个句式(十)
高中英语语法-英语写作有用的100个句式(四)
高中英语语法-范文:功课 Homework
高中英语语法-陈琳教授谈中学生英语写作
高中英语语法-英语议论文的语言特点
高中英语语法-范文:口头通知
高中英语语法-英文写作必背之35个句型(1)
高中英语语法-范文:论习惯 On Habits
高中英语语法-范文:求职信
高中英语语法-范文:出国学习 Going abroad for studies
高中英语语法-范文:我今后的打算 My future plan
高中英语语法-英语说明文的写作方法(一)之一
高中英语语法-范文:邀请信 A Letter of Invitation
高中英语语法-范文:无意之中成英雄 The Hero
高中英语语法-范文:重视食品安全问题
高中英语语法-范文:有奖竞猜 Are Prizes a Good Thing?
高中英语语法-范文:求职信 A Letter of Job Application
高中英语语法-主述位理论与写作
高中英语语法-英语写作中的结构重组问题
高中英语语法-范文:发展旅游业的好处 On Developing Tourism
高中英语语法-英语写作有用的100个句式(六)
高中英语语法-范文:用英语记日记 On Keeping a Diary in English
高中英语语法-英语写作中的修辞
高中英语语法-如何提高英语写作水平
高中英语语法-范文:选读还是通读?Reading Selectively or Extensively
高中英语语法-主述位理论与写作
高中英语语法-范文:名人隐私 Privacy of Famous People
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |