Futsal: Morocco Takes on Argentina, Denmark in September

Morocco’s national futsal team was eliminated in the quarter finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after losing to Brazil (1-3) on Sunday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

Brazil’s three goals came from Marcel (12’), Leandro Lino (18’) and Dyego (29’) before Otmane Boumezou managed to nick a consolation goal for the Moroccan team in the 35th minute.

Morocco had finished the group phase in second place behind Portugal, having won twice and lost once to the reigning world champions. The Atlas Lions went on to defeat Iran (4-3) in the Round of 16.

 Morocco’s futsal team advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after a hard-fought 4-3 win against Iran on Thursday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

   Iran took an early lead through Mohammadhossein Derakhshani in the 4th minute, but Morocco responded swiftly, with Khalid Bouzid equalizing in the 7th minute. An own goal by Iran’s Alireza Rafieipour in the 11th minute handed Morocco the advantage, followed by goals from Soufiane El Mesrar (17th minute) and Idriss Raiss El Fenni (20th minute), pushing the score to 4-1 by halftime.

   In the second half, Iran rallied with quick goals from Hossein Taybi (21st minute) and Moslem Oladghobad (22nd minute), narrowing the deficit to 4-3. However, Morocco’s defense held firm, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

   Morocco will face Brazil on Sunday in Bukhara, to secure their spot in the semis for the first time in their history.

Morocco’s futsal team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday in their final Group E match of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan. Despite the loss, Morocco finished second in the group and advanced to the round of 16.

Portugal took an early lead with Erick scoring in the 2nd minute, followed by a double from Bruno Coelho, who netted a penalty in the 18th minute and added another just after halftime in the 21st minute. Zicky sealed the victory with a goal in the 38th minute.

Morocco’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute when Soufiane El Mesrar found the net, narrowing the deficit.

Hicham Dguig’s squad secured their place in the knockout stage after winning their first two matches against Tajikistan (4-2) and Panama (6-3).

Morocco’s futsal squad on Thursday secured a 6-3 victory over Panama in their second Group E game of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan.

   Soufiane El Mesrar gave Morocco an early lead in the 2nd minute, followed by two goals from Soufiane Charraoui in the 7th and 17th minutes. Panama briefly responded with a goal from Ortie Abdiel in the 16th minute to cut the deficit.

   In the second half, Idriss Raiss added two more goals for Morocco in the 23rd and 37th minutes. Campos Aquiles (28th) and Maquesni Alfonso (33rd) scored for Panama, but El Mesrar sealed Morocco’s win with a sixth goal, just two minutes before the final whistle.

   Later on Thursday, Portugal, who crushed Panama 10-1 on Matchday 1, will face Tajikistan, who lost to Morocco 4-2 in their opening match, to decide a place in the round of 16.

The Moroccan national futsal team beat Tajikistan 4-2 on Monday in Tashkent, as part of Group E Day 1 of the Futsal World Cup 2024, held from September 14 to October 6 in Uzbekistan.

Morocco’s goals were scored by Otmane Boumezou, who netted twice (1′, 29′), Soufian Charraoui (37′) and Idriss Raiss El Fenni (38′), while Tajikistan’s two goals came from Samandar Rizomor (34′) and Fayzali Sardorov (39′). In the other group match, Portugal beat Panama 10-1.

Morocco’s Hicham Dguig, head coach of the futsal team, announced the final roster of fourteen players selected for the upcoming Futsal World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 14 to October 6 in Uzbekistan.

The Moroccan squad, which made a strong showing by reaching the quarter-finals in the previous World Cup held in Lithuania, will compete in Group E. They will face off against Portugal, the defending champions, as well as Tajikistan and Panama in the group stage.

A total of twenty-four teams will participate in the World Cup, organized into six groups.

The finalized list of players representing Morocco includes:

 Abdekrim Anbia, Mohammed Cheridou, Youssef Bensellam, Anas Dahani, Anas El Ayyane, Othmane El Idrissi, Soufiane Bourite, Ismail Amazal, Soufiane Charraoui, Othmane Boumezou, Soufiane El Mesrar, Khalid Bouzid, Idriss Raiss El Fenni, Mohammed Kamal.