The nationwide group made historical past on this yr’s FIFA World Cup after beating elite groups Belgium, Portugal and Spain.
Morocco’s nationwide soccer group have obtained a hero’s welcome upon their return dwelling after undertaking the seemingly not possible feat of ending fourth on the World Cup in Qatar.
After their airplane touched down on Tuesday, the gamers rode an open-top bus via the foremost avenues of the capital, Rabat. With flares, chants and flags, 1000's of Moroccans turned out to greet the gamers, who injected new vitality into African and Arab soccer.
Underdogs Morocco, referred to as the Atlas Lions, conquered hearts with their never-say-die perspective and made historical past as one of many massive success tales of this yr’s event.
Morocco defeated elite groups, beating second-ranked Belgium, gorgeous 2010 champions Spain in a penalty shootout within the final 16, and persevering with their spectacular run with a 1-0 win in opposition to 2016 European champions Portugal, earlier than stumbling in opposition to the defending champions France. Alongside the way in which, the Atlas Lions grew to become the primary African and Arab nation to succeed in a World Cup semifinal.
The gamers’ record-setting efficiency earned them a particular celebration by followers, as police stood guard within the streets of Rabat. Massive crowds lined the streets and the remainder of the North African kingdom for the homecoming.
Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Rabat, described an “ocean of pink and inexperienced” greeting the nationwide group.
“The individuals of Morocco are roaring to welcome the Atlas Lions. There's a lot pleasure. I used to be within the crowd earlier and I met individuals who got here all the way in which from Holland to witness this second. Kids, households, girls, grandparents coming right here to witness this second collectively,” Haque mentioned.
“There’s such a stage of communion that this group has dropped at Morocco. Because the bus strikes slowly in the direction of the palace of the king, you may see crowds of individuals working behind the bus.”
The royal court docket mentioned on Monday that King Mohammed VI would obtain the group on the palace in Rabat “to have a good time their nice and historic accomplishment”.
The group completed fourth within the competitors after shedding to Croatia 1-2 within the third-place playoff on Saturday, exceeding the expectations of most Moroccans.
“This group has introduced a lot pleasure, not solely to the individuals of Morocco, but in addition to Africans, the Arab world and to tens of millions of Moroccans who dwell overseas. This group of 11 gamers, most of them are twin nationals. And there’s pleasure in being obtained like this by their nation of origin,” Haque mentioned.
The Moroccan group charmed many Arab soccer followers who noticed within the group a mirrored image of themselves. Gamers waved the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrated on the sphere with their moms and kids.
The group additionally galvanised assist throughout Africa.
“If somebody had advised me earlier than the event that we'd play seven matches in Qatar, we'd have been completely happy,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui advised BeIN Sports activities.
“All Moroccan, African and Arab individuals have seen how this group fought and needed to make the nation completely happy … We are going to attempt to return after 4 years,” added the 47-year-old coach, who solely took cost in August.
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