Morocco women’s national team head coach Reynald Pedros has picked a strong squad for their 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup Round of 16 fixture at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia on Tuesday.
A 6-0 thumping at the hands of Germany suggested that this could be a tough tournament for former France international Pedros and his side but the Atlas Lionesses recovered to post narrow wins over both South Korea and Group H winners Colombia to advance in second ahead of the Germans and the Koreans.
What is now already a memorable tournament showing could get even better if Morocco were to eliminate France who are the best part of 100 places above their opponents in the FIFA World rankings.
Read Also: FIFAWWC: Pedros confident Morocco can upset France
Meanwhile, France under Herve Renard collected seven points from their three group games to go through as Pool F winners, two points clear of Jamaica in second, while Morocco managed a shocking finish as runners-up behind Colombia in Group H, at the expense of Germany.
While France are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth women’s World Cup in a row, Morocco are riding the crest of a wave and in uncharted waters on their tournament debut. Les Bleus started off with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, edged out Brazil 2-1, and then ran out 6-3 winners over Panama in an entertaining conclusion to the group stage.
Morocco starting XI: Khadija Er-Rmichi, Hanane Ait El Haj, Nesryne El Chad, Nouhaila Benzina, Zineb Redouani, Fatima Tagnaout, Ghizlane Chebbak, Elodie Nakkach, Sakina Ouzraoui, Anissa Lahmari and Ibtissam Jraidi.
Subs: Sarah Kassi, Salma Amani, Najat Badri, Assia Zouhair, Sabah Seghir, Rkia Mazrouai, Fatima Zohra Gharbi Berrima, Kenza Chapelle, Sofia Bouftini, Yasmin Mrabet, Ines Arouaissa, and Rosella Ayane.
France XI: Pauline Peyraud Magnin, Wendie Renard, Eve Perisset, Elisa De Almeida, Sakina Karchaoui, Kenza Dali, Grace Geyoro, Sandie Toletti, Selma Bacha, Kadidiatou Diani and E. L Sommer.
Subs: Solene Durand, Maelle Lakrar, Laurina Fazer, Amel Majri, Clara Mateo, Aissatou Tounkara, Lea Le Garrec, Viviane Asseyi, Naomie Feller, Estelle Cascarino, Constance Picaud and Vicki Becho.