Despite taking the scalps of Belgium, Spain and Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco enters their Semi Final clash with France as massive underdogs.
Morocco’s shock 1-0 defeat over Portugal in the Quarter Final ensured they would become the first African nation in history to make it to the final four of a World Cup.
With the Moroccan defence, led by Yassine Bounou between the posts, only conceding one goal throughout the tournament, SBS’s Richard Bayliss believes they could provide France with a real challenge.
“I think all four teams are a really good shout (to make the final). The other one (game) I think is harder to call, if Morocco have key players fit, that is a question for them,” Bayliss said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“Their coach Walid Regragui, he’s only been in charge for eight games, and they’ve only conceded one goal and that was an own goal, they are unbelievable defensively.
“They (Morocco) have some really good attacking players. France just aren’t what they were, they are missing six or seven great players.
“If it’s a tight one I honestly can see Morocco getting through, which would be the story.
“I’m going to say Argentina-Morocco final because I think in terms of the atmosphere, the celebrations around that final let alone whoever wins will be off the chain.”
Bayliss followed up his comments by not ruling out Croatia but admitted it would be difficult to see Argentina lose.
“I made a couple calls last week, I said, ‘ah Brazil will beat Croatia’ I’m not going to fall for that again,” Bayliss said,
“At what point are we going to say, it’s a nation of four million people they’re in the final four again, at some stage we have to stop calling them an underdog.
“(It’s) hard to write them (Croatia) off, (but) I think Argentina with that weight of the nation and the story will somehow find a way.”
Argentina faces Croatia on Wednesday morning from 6am, with the other Semi Final between France and Morocco taking place on Thursday 6am.
SEN will broadcast every game of this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Tournament. Socceroos legend Archie Thompson will lead the SEN call team with all games live on SEN and the SEN App.
