PREVIEW: Fifa World Cup Third-place Play-Off: Morocco vs Croatia

Third-place Play-Off: Morocco vs Croatia

17 December 2022

Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan

KO- 17:00 (SA Time)

Match Preview: 

Africa would be proud to see Morocco returning home with a FIFA World Cup bronze medal after no nation ever progressed beyond the last eight on the global stage.

The clash against Croatia is also a repeat of the two teams’ opening game in the tournament, which was played to a goalless draw.

This time, however, pride, as well as $27-million (approx. R477-million), will be at stake at Khalifa International Stadium this evening.

In what would be game number seven for the two teams, the Croatians have been down this road before after claiming third spot in their first-ever appearance as a sovereign state in France 1998. 

Having broken most African records in this World Cup, the opportunity to walk away with R477 million in prize money would go a long way in the investment in the growth of Moroccan football. 

This comes just a day after the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was awarded the hosting rights to the next Fifa Club World Cup in February 2023. 

Team News: 

Morocco 

Regragui is the first African coach to get this far in the World Cup. Given the nature of this game, the 47 year-old former Wydad Casablanca head coach is not anticipating a tight game like the competition’s opening clash.

Regragui has also praised 37 year old Croatian legend Luka Modric, who would be playing his last World Cup game. 

"I think it will be different from the first match where both teams had calculated too much to take at least a point and advance in the competition, tomorrow I think it will be lighter, there will be more space.

“I don't know if it's Modric's last World Cup game, but knowing the player, and as he is one of the best in the world, he's a competitive warrior and will want to finish his World Cup in style. When you have a great player like Modric, he wants to finish on a great note, we should be wary and respect them."

Croatia

One of the biggest talking points heading to this game was the comment Dalic made about the appointment of Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim as the man in the middle for this bronze medal game. 

The 56 year-old is very familiar with football in the Gulf region, having spent seven years in the neighbouring Saudi Arabia, coaching top clubs.

“Well to be honest I think that Fifa has now taken on a huge risk on itself, I am not underestimating anyone, but I hope that after the match, we will not be talking about the referee.”

Players to watch 

Sofyan Amrabat

Age:26

Club: Fiorentina (Italy)    

Moroccan midfield powerhouse Sofyan Amrabat has had a World Cup to remember, he remains the only player to have played each and every minute of Atlas Lions’ campaign so far. 

The Netherlands-born midfielder, who also managed to wear the Orange colours briefly at junior international level, is also one of the players who showed some huge improvement from Russia four years ago. 

It is not a surprise that Amrabat who has arguably been the best central midfielder at this World Cup, with strong dominance on the ball, has attracted a lot of interest in Europe. With clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona among those mentioned. 

Marcelo Brozovic

Age: 30

Club: Inter Milan (Italy)

One of the most intelligent football players on the pitch, against Argentina Marcelo Brozovic, was one of the victims of Argentina’s superior tactics on the night as they bombarded the midfield and didn’t give Dalic and his players time to breathe. 

But apart from this game, Brozovic has shown his quality in this tournament, he’s remembered for having broken his own World Cup record of the most distance covered by a player during the last 16 clash against Japan, which they won on penalties. 

The 30 year-old covered an astonishing 16.7km over the 120 minutes against the Asians and went on to play 114 minutes against Brazil and put on another 15.7 km. 

The Inter-Milan midfield workhorse comes with balance in the midfield, playing a crucial role both in defense and attack and gives the freedom to players like Modric to shine.