Morocco enter the Women’s World Cup as the second lowest ranked side behind African rivals Zambia. But that does not necessarily reflect the improvement in the team in the last few years.
GROUP H FIXTURES (times are SAST)
24 July Germany vs Morocco 10:30
25 July Colombia vs South Korea 04:00
29 July South Korea vs Morocco 06:30
29 July Germany vs Colombia 11:30
3 August South Korea vs Germany 12:00
3 August Morocco vs Colombia 12:00
FIFA WOMEN’S RANKINGS
2 – Germany
17 – South Korea
25 – Colombia
72 – Morocco
GROUP SUMMARY
Morocco will do well to get out of a difficult Group H but haver an experienced coach and a group of players growing in ability and experience.
That being said, they do have one major Achilles heel that could prove a great challenge for them – scoring goals.
There is no doubt they keep things tight at the back and are tough to break down, but goals win games and Morocco are devoid of them. They have not scored any in their last five internationals, though that run includes very credible 0-0 draws with Italy and Switzerland.
In coach Reynald Pedros they have a tactician who enjoyed Uefa Women’s Champions League success twice with Lyon and knows how to put together winning teams. But Morocco cannot switch on their scoring exploits overnight.
“We’ve just kept it simple. We’ve looked at the quality of the team and come up with tactics that suit our players.” Pedro told Fifa. “And we were sure what we had come up with, what we were offering, was the best for the group.”
World No 2 Germany are the big guns in the pool, though their recent friendly loss to Zambia shows they are fallible.
They are expected to be among the favourites for the whole tournament, and are the team Morocco open their campaign against on Monday.
Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has named a strong selection, though they are without Bayern Munich star Carolin Simon due to a cruciate ligament injury.
“The news about Carolin Simon hits us all. She had an excellent development, showed great performances and more than earned her place at the World Cup. We now have to accept the situation,” Voss-Tecklenburg said.
South Korea and Colombia will be difficult opponents, but do present opportunities for Morocco if they can get their tactics and execution right.
The KMoreans are appearing in a fourth World Cup but have won just one out of 10 matches at the finals tournament which was, quite surprisingly, against Spain in 2015. They met Nigeria in 2019 and lost 2-0, their only clash against African opponents.
To be fair to the Koreans, in their three previous tournaments they have met France three times, and Brazil and Norway twice, all big teams.
Colombia qualified in 2011 and 2015 and also have a single win from seven matches. Again, it was unexpected as they beat France in 2015. They have never met African opponents before on the biggest global stage.
THE SQUADS
GERMANY
Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea), Merle Frohms (Wolfsburg), Stina Johannes (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Marina Hegering (Wolfsburg), Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg), Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sjoeke Nusken (Eintracht Frankfurt, joining Chelsea in July), Felicitas Rauch (Wolfsburg)
Midfielders: Sara Dabritz (Lyon), Chantal Hagal (Hoffenheim), Svenja Huth (Wolfsburg), Lena Lattwein (Wolfsburg), Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich)
MOROCCO
Goalkeepers: Ines Arouaissa (Cannes), Khadija Er-Rmichi (ASFAR), Assia Zouhair (SCCM)
Defenders: Hanane Ait El Haj (ASFAR), Nouhaila Benzina (ASFAR), Siham Boukhami (ASFAR), Ghizlane Chiiri (ASFAR), Nesryne El Chad (Lille), Rkia Mazrouai (Charleroi), Yasmin Mrabet (Levante), Zineb Redouani (ASFAR), Sabah Seghir (Sampdoria)
Midfielders: Ghizlane Chebbak (ASFAR), Najat Badri (ASFAR), Anissa Lahmari (Guingamp), Sarah Kassi (Fleury), Elodie Nakkach (Servette)
Forwards: Salma Amani (Metz), Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur), Anissa Belkasmi (Orleans), Sofia Bouftini (RS Berkane), Kenza Chapelle (Nantes), Fatima Gharbi (CE Europa), Samya Hassani (Telstar), Ibtissam Jraidi (Al-Ahli), Sakina Ouzraoui Diki (Bruges), Imane Saoud (Servette), Fatima Tagnaout (ASFAR)
COLOMBIA
Goalkeepers: Catalina Perez (SE Kindermann-Avaí), Natalia Giraldo (América de Cali), Sandra Sepulveda (Independiente Medellín)
Defenders: Ana Maria Guzman (Deportivo Pereira), Angela Baron (Atlético Nacional), Carolina Arias (Junior FC), Daniela Arias (América de Cali), Daniela Caracas (RCD Espanyol), Jorelyn Carabalí (Atlético Mineiro), Mónica Ramos (Gremio)
Midfielders: Daniela Montoya (Atlético Nacional), Diana Ospina (América de Cali), Lorena Bedoya (Real Brasilia), Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad), Marcela Restrepo (Dux Logroño), María Camila Reyes (Independiente Santa Fe)
Forwards: Catalina Usme (América de Cali), Elexa Bahr (América de Cali), Ivonne Chacon (Valencia Féminas C.F.), Lady Andrade (Real Brasilia), Leicy Santos (Atlético de Madrid), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), Mayra Ramirez (Levante UD)
SOUTH KOREA
Goalkeepers: Kim Jung-Mi (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Ji-Soo Ryu (Seoul WFC), Yoon Young-Guel (BK Häcken)
Defenders: Kim Hyeri (Hyundai Steel Red Angels), Shim Seo-yeon (Suwon FC), Lee Youngju (Madrid CFF), Lim Seonjoo (Hyundai Steel Red Angels), Jang Selfi (Hyundai Steel Red Angels), Choo Hyojoo (Suwon FC), Hong Hyeji (Hyundai Steel Red Angels)
Midfielders: Kim Yun-Ji (Suwon UDC), Bae Ye-Bin (Uiduk University), Lee Geummin (Brighton), Jeoun Eun-Ha (Suwon UDC), Cho Sohyun (Tottenham), Ji Soyun (Suwon UDC), Chun Ga-Ram (Hwacheon KSPO)
Forwards: Kang Chaerim (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Moon Mira (Suwon UDC), Park Eun-Sun (Seoul WFC), Son Hwayeon (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Choe Yu-Ri (Incheon Hyundai SRA), Phair Casey Yu-Jin (Players Development Academy)