Surabaya –
Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals 2023 U-17 World Cup after beating Iran. Playing to a 1-1 draw during normal time, the Atlas Lions finally won 4-1 on penalties.
Playing at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Tuesday (21/11), both teams failed to score a goal in the first half even though they had a number of opportunities. Score 0-0 closed the first half.
Iran managed to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute. Esmaeil Gholizadeh completed Nima Andarz’s cross with a header into the left corner of the Moroccan goal without goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil being able to block it.
However, Morocco managed to equalize the score in injury time. Starting from an aerial duel between Hassan Ali and Zakaria Ouazane in the Iranian penalty box, the ball then headed to Nassim Azaouzi who was in front of the goal. Calmly, he broke through Arsha Shakouri’s goal.
The 1-1 score lasted until the end, meaning the match had to be resolved via penalty shootout, as is the rule that applies to the knockout phase of the U-17 World Cup.
Ouazane, who stepped up as Morocco’s first kicker, successfully beat Shakouri with a shot into the right corner. However, Erfan Darvishaali took the same direction and successfully beat Benrhozil, changing the score to 1-1.
Azaouzi, who stepped up as Morocco’s second executor, also managed to score a goal after his low shot beat Shakouri. Iran failed to score after Hesam Nafari Nogourani’s panenka kick bounced over the goal. The score remains 2-1.
Morocco pulled away with a score of 3-1 after Imran Nazih’s shot went into the bottom right corner of the goal. Kasra Taheri’s shot was caught by Benrhozil, but VAR decided the penalty was replayed because Benrhozil moved first.
The dramatic moment came when Taheri’s second attempt was also saved by Benrhozil, making the score remain 3-1. Morocco’s fourth kicker, Fouad Zahouani, successfully broke through Shakouri’s goal and ensured that Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals with a score of 4-1.
(adp/then)
2023-11-21 14:33:24
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