World Cup 2022: Time for a Party in the Khalifa

Croatia vs Morocco

My first memory of a third/fourth place World Cup play-off came at Italia 90.

As a teenage boy I watched hosts Italy edge out the heroic English 2-1 thanks to a late penalty, and then thought how positive it was to see both sides pose for a giant team photo together after the encounter.

If the truth be known, in the intervening 32 years my interest in the fixture has waned.

Whereas then I saw it as a battle to secure the bronze medal, now I think most teams would sooner be back home after the bitter disappointment of falling at the semi-final stage.

This time, however, could take me back to my cause for optimism 32 years ago, a time for celebration in the Khalifa International Stadium – the hors d’oeuvres 24 hours before the final.

A send-off for midfield maestro Luka Modric and a party for the record-breaking Africans of Morocco.

Talking Points

It is certainly an opportunity for the Atlas Lions and their hordes of fans to cap a never to be forgotten journey, one which has produced World Cup highlights galore both for them, players and staff.

After seeing off the world number two ranked nation, Belgium, in the group stage, Morocco went onto defeat Spain and 2016 European champions Portugal before taking on reigning world champions France in the semi-final.

Ultimately, they came up short, but they had already made history by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four of the competition.

For that encounter, Moroccans travelled in their numbers and extra flights were laid on by national carrier Royal Air Maroc.

Some fans were being interviewed by various TV and radio stations from around the world, others sipped on local karak tea.

The waft of flavoured shisha tobacco filled the air as they smoked the afternoon away to settle the nerves.

While that proved to be one match too far, according to boss Walid Regragui, Morocco still caused plenty of problems and pushed Les Bleus all the way. They had more of the ball, as many shots on target and hit the post during a second half in which they missed sufficient opportunities to have seen them through.

All this with key personnel missing. Regragui revealed he had no choice but to withdraw Nayef Aguerd just before kick off because of flu and then take off Romain Saïss only 20 minutes into the game.

Indeed, the semi-final could have been mistaken for a home match in Casablanca, the small pocket of French fans behind the goal vastly outnumbered by their counterparts in red shirts waving their red flags.

Let’s hope they have stayed in Qatar for a few days longer and will help create another wonderful atmosphere and, who knows, perhaps a victory which would seal a totally unexpected third place.

Regardless of the result on Saturday though, Morocco have won hearts worldwide with the passion of their fans and progress on the pitch.

Post-match celebrations have gone viral, whether that be kissing their mums in the stands or dancing with them on the pitch and have lit up the World Cup like no other.

After knocking out Brazil, Croatia were distinctly second best in their semi-final defeat to Argentina but, like their opponents, can also hold their heads up high.

The 2018 finalists have routinely gone to extra time and beyond and showed great character – a country of 3.9 million people regularly defying the odds.

In Dominik Livakovic, they arguably have the tournament’s standout goalkeeper, a shoot-out hero in victories over Japan and Brazil and with a general consistency to match.

Then there’s Modric, who will surely call time on his international career after Saturday.

At the age of 37, and with a Croatia record 160 caps and 23 international goals, he became the oldest outfield player to start six games at one World Cup on Tuesday night.

He also deserves a send-off to remember.

All in all then, Saturday could be something of a mini party and a celebration of much of what is good about the game.

History

These two nations have only met twice.

In 1996 they played out a 2-2 draw in what was known as the Hassan Trophy in Casablanca.

The semi-final was won 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out by Croatia who scored twice in as many minutes through Goran Vlaovic before Salahedine Bassir and Ahmed Bahja drew the hosts level.

The other was just a few weeks ago when they played out a 0-0 draw in Group F.

Betting Tip

As you might expect, the finalists from 2018 have the edge with the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds and they are priced 1X2 @ 2.34 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.35.

Morocco are not too far away though and can be backed 1X2 @ 2.97 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.16.

The draw is on offer @ 3.25, although obviously if the contest is all even after 120 minutes, the match would go to a penalty shoot-out.

I think there will be goals. There is little to gain for either side to be too defensive and that is reflected in odds which include over 2.75 goals @ 2.13, total goal 0-1 @ 3.45, 2-3 @ 1.91 and 4-6 @ 3.40.

A second goalless draw between them in less than a month will pay out @ 10.00 with Correct Score.

I must admit I just feel, despite being down to the bare bones, the hunger of Morocco may see them edge it and my *** prediction is Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.25.

 

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