Croatia’s World Cup campaign got off to a stuttering start with a 0-0 draw against a battling Morocco.
Croatia kicked off their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against a spirited Morocco side.
Chances were few and far between at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday as an even Group F contest produced little action.
This was the third goalless draw in nine games at the tournament held in Qatar so far.
Croatia next face Canada on Sunday, when Morocco will square off against Belgium.
Backed by Qatar’s large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions followed up north African rivals Tunisia’s strong performance against dark horses Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.
It was deja vu all over again as fans were treated to another upset in the World Cup when 4-time Champions Germany succumbed to Japan 1-2 in their Group E encounter on Wednesday.
This is the punishment for a lack of killer instinct – a charge one can never lay at the door of the very best German sides. Hansi Flick’s men should have been out of sight by the halfway point of the second half, but were not ruthless enough. The longer it stayed 1-0, the longer Japan felt they could get something out of the game. Soon after their goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda made multiple saves to keep his team in the game, Japan went to the other end and tested Manuel Neuer.
And the match turned on its head when Takuma Asano latched on to a long ball from his own half, and despite the attention of a close-marking defender, beat Neuer at his near post.
Coach Zlatko Dalic had urged Croatia to exercise caution following Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina, a result Morocco captain Romain Saiss said had “opened the door” for the tournament’s less-fancied teams. Morocco lost Noussair Mazraoui early in the second half after his diving header was saved, the Bayern Munich full-back injuring himself when he tumbled awkwardly to the ground.
Sofyan Amrabat poked Lovren’s goal-bound effort away off the line after a scramble at a corner, while Hakimi’s free-kick at the other end was beaten to safety by Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic.
Only once have Morocco gone beyond the group stage, in 1986, but they will rate their chances of advancing with games to come against an ageing Belgium team and Group F outsiders Canada.
