22 April 2016 08:13
Morocco became the first team to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 after a 4-1 win over Mozambique in their semi-final clash on Friday at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena, Johannesburg.
Morocco became the first team to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 after a 4-1 win over Mozambique in their semi-final clash on Friday at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena, Johannesburg.
Sofiane El Mesrar scored early in the first half before a brace from captain Adil Habil and one from Saad Knia gave the Moroccans a four-goal lead and the enviable crown of first African team to qualify for the World Cup in Colombia later in the year. Captain Ricardo Mendes scored a consolation for Mozambique but it was not enough to save them from tasting their first defeat at the tournament.
El Mesrar broke the deadlock on 13 minutes in an encounter that the North Africans clearly dominated.
Two minutes after recess, Knia doubled the lead before Habil increased the tally from the spot four minutes later. Habil put the icing on the cake with the fourth goal two minutes from time before Mendes netted the consolation in the closing stages to take his tally to seven in the competition.
“I set myself a target of qualifying for the World Cup, and thanks to God, we achieved it. I had promised to resign if we fail to qualify for a new trainer to takeover. It was not the requirement of the federation though. Now, victory in the final will be the icing on the cake,” said an elated Morocco coach, Hicham Dguig.
Three-time winners Egypt are due to face Zambia in the other semi-final later today with the winner squaring Morocco in the final on Saturday.
El Mesrar broke the deadlock on 13 minutes in an encounter that the North Africans clearly dominated.
Two minutes after recess, Knia doubled the lead before Habil increased the tally from the spot four minutes later. Habil put the icing on the cake with the fourth goal two minutes from time before Mendes netted the consolation in the closing stages to take his tally to seven in the competition.
“I set myself a target of qualifying for the World Cup, and thanks to God, we achieved it. I had promised to resign if we fail to qualify for a new trainer to takeover. It was not the requirement of the federation though. Now, victory in the final will be the icing on the cake,” said an elated Morocco coach, Hicham Dguig.
Three-time winners Egypt are due to face Zambia in the other semi-final later today with the winner squaring Morocco in the final on Saturday.
By: Cafonline.com
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