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(SUARABARU.ID) – Eliminated Canada will face Morocco on Thursday (1/12/2022) at 22:00 WIB at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar in their final World Cup group game.

Canada suffered a second loss to a motivated Croatia to seal their early exit from the tournament. Morocco, on the other hand, are very competitive after overtaking Belgium on Sunday.

With four points from their first two games, Morocco can book a place in the last 16 if they beat Canada. A draw will be enough for the Atlas Lions if Croatia avoid defeat to Belgium in matches played simultaneously on the other side of Doha. A Belgian defeat would see Morocco advance regardless of their competition.

Canadian player Stephen Eustaquio suffered from muscle pain in the days leading up to Canada’s meeting with Croatia. The Porto midfielder was sent off during the break in the 4-1 loss and is a doubt for Thursday’s game.

Without a knockout spot on the line, Herdman could be tempted to rotate his roster, giving minutes to those who have yet to make it to Canada’s first World Cup in 36 years.

Yassine Bounou stood up to hear the Moroccan national anthem but pulled out of the starting XI moments before kick-off against Belgium. His coach Walid Regragrui revealed the keeper ‘took a heavy beating against Croatia’ and was a doubt for the game.

Similar fitness issues loomed over both first-choice full-backs. Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi each tackled hip and hamstring issues to start. Although Hakimi PSG managed with a quarter to go, both should be available for this key clash.

Meanwhile, Alphonso Davies made history by becoming the first Canadian to score at the Men’s World Cup. Exorcised a missed penalty against Belgium, but Herdman’s side could struggle to add to that tally.

Face-to-face :

11/10/16 Morocco 4-0 Canada
01/06/94 Canada 1-1 Morocco
24/10/84 Morocco 3-2 Canada

Canada’s last five games:

27/11/22 Croatia 4-1 Canada
24/11/22 Belgium 1-0 Canada
17/11/22 Japan 1-2 Canada
11/11/22 Bahrain 2-2 Canada
27/09/22 Uruguay 2-0 Canada

Morocco’s last five games:

27/11/22 Belgium 0-2 Morocco
23/11/22 Morocco 0-0 Croatia
17/11/22 Morocco 3-0 Georgia
27/09/22 Paraguay 0-0 Morocco
23/09/22 Morocco 2-0 Chile

Estimated composition:
Canada (4-2-3-1): Milan Borjan; Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Alphonso Davies; Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Estaquio; Junior Hoilett, Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin; Jonathan David. Coach: John Herdman.

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Yahya Attiat-Allah; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat; Selim Amallah, Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech; Youssef En-Nesyri. Coach: Walid Reragui.

Prediction: Morocco win, Handicap: 1/4: 0

Nour Muktiadi