Morocco thumped Jordan 4-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021. The Atlas Lions, winners of the last edition of the Arab Cup, put on a dominating performance extending their unbeaten run in 2021 to 21 games.
Goals from Yahaya Jabrane, Badr Baoun, Mohammed Chirbi, and Soufianne Rahimi ensured the North Africans cruised into the knockout stage with eight goals from two matches.
Jordan now have to get a result from their final group match against Palestine on Thursday, while Morocco face neighbours and rivals Egypt, who crushed Sudan 5-0 for a top-of-the-group clash.
Morocco coach Hussein Ammouta who played for and coached Qatar’s Al Sadd, winning the league titles in both spells, hailed his players for keeping the consistency from their opener.
“The first match was difficult because the players were not yet into the tournament atmosphere. The team played well today," the coach said after the win.
"We thank the Moroccan fans for attending the match. Thanks to the organising committee for the reception we have received.” The largely one-sided affair started with both teams at first testing their defences. Morocco took an early lead in the fourth minute as Yahaya Jibrani smashed home from close range after goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Lalla made a mess of Mohammed Nahiri’s curler.
Morocco continued to dominate play, and Achraf Bencharki soon tested Lalla in goal, but he managed to push out for a corner. The North Africans made it two in the 24th minute from their seventh corner.
Azaro reacted quickly to Ismail El Haddad’s corner kick before drilling a shot across goal with Badr Baoun on hand to turn in from close range again. Jordan, who beat Saudi Arabia by a lone goal in their opener, had a rare chance at goal but substitute Hamza Al Dardoor, who replaced injured captain, Baha Faisal, early in the first half, failed to control Noor Al Rawbdeh’s pass.
Morocco looked the more likely to score, and El Haddad forced a save from Lalla with a lovely volley after sleek play from the Atlas Lions.
Just before halftime, Mohammed Chibi scored one of the goals of the tournament. Bencharki’s corner picked out the defender unmarked on the edge of the box. His right-footed volley sailed into the right corner with Lalla well beaten, giving the Lions a well-deserved cushion going into halftime.
After the break, Jordan started playing with more purpose, but the Moroccan defence snuffed out any attacking threat, and in turn, the attack created more chances as Rahimi and Chirbi both went close for the Lions, but Lalla was on hand to save.
El Haddad almost made it four after a bursting run through the Jordanian defence, but the Al Khor forward could only see his effort flash wide with the goalkeeper to beat. Azaro again failed to cap his performance with a goal, with the striker lacking conviction in the final third as his short dragged well wide.
Rahimi completed the rout three minutes from time from the spot after Mohammed Abu Hasheesh was called for a handball in the box.
Jordan coach Adnan Hamad said the injury to Faisal and conceding a goal so early made it more difficult for his team to compete.
“I think that the scenario of the match had an impact, especially the early goal and the injury to our captain Faisal greatly affected us, but the chances are still there,” Hamad said.
“We knew the match would be difficult. Morocco played well and deserved to win. We will try to improve the players’ confidence, which is very normal in football. We have to be realistic. We lost, but the opportunity still exists.”
