Morocco's Dream Run in Qatar
It was in 1325 that the most famous Moroccan ever, Ibn Battuta left his homeland to travel across the world. Travelling on foot, in rickety steamers, avoiding looters and death many times, Battuta penned one of the most enlightening notes in known human history. One made possible by the sheer love for travel and a urge to go beyond.
Almost 700 years later a bunch of his countrymen, this time footballers have added their own story to the timelines of Moroccan achievements by their efforts in Qatar,
They flew in , probably staying in plush hotels, and have far more luxuries and safety than their revered icon. But their feat is not by any means lesser. It will inspire a few generations and that is more than you can ask from a bunch of sportsmen.
The African continent, left impoverished by wars, human greed, and despicable politics has found solace in sports and this is one such moment. In the larger scheme of things this might just be another blip, but make no mistake, it is a blip like never before. On the evidence of the football played by the unfancied in the deserts this time, it holds the fragrant hope of a vibrant future for the game.
Any visitor to the cities like Tangiers or Casablanca would tell you that football is life here. Beaches, alleyways, or narrow streets, you will find football everywhere. This has of course shown up in their performances. Morocco has always had a good footballing tradition and is not new to breaking new ground,
Morocco and the World Cup
If you know your football history, you will know that they were the first African team to have got into knockouts in 1986 in Mexico. They did that from a group including England and Portugal. and Poland. One of their wins was a 3-1 win over Portugal as they topped the group.
You can watch those Moroccan goals ...
In the knockouts they played Germany, who with Voller, Rummenigge, and Lothar Matheus in their lineup were the favorites. The Moroccans, played their heart out, harried the Germans, and threw themselves at everything. With 2 minutes on the clock, all players tired, and with extra time looming, Matheus fired in a curling wicked free kick from far out, around the Moroccan wall, to end their dreams on that humid afternoon in Monterrey. They had lost but had broken through and made history.
A few decades later, they have done it again. A team with mostly unheralded players, did what a team is supposed to do, stayed together, understood their strengths, and stuck to them. Resolute in defense, persistent in the midfield, and furious on the break they have kept it simple, consistent, and repeatable and it shows. This time in 2022 they have done better, as they become the first African nation to reach the semifinals in World Cup. History has an uncanny ability to repeat itself as it was Portugal again at the losing end.
They had already beaten Spain, Belgium, and Canada and drew with Croatia. They have just conceded one goal and that has been an own goal.
Morocco in the Semi-finals
Morocco join Argentina, France, and Croatia in the semifinals. No mean task that. This is as varied as it gets, Two nations with glorious footballing history and other two making up for the lack of it, with sheer effort and sometimes dour matter-of-fact football. It almost mirrors life, which is often a story of the well-heeled against the hardy, resolute wannabes.
Every soul in Morocco and Croatia would be hoping for the ultimate miracle of getting the Cup home. It might be a bit early, but then a nation can dream and hope. Can't it....... that is what keeps the world moving.
Sudhir Bhattathiripad
Be A Sport