Morocco struggles to return to a goalless draw against Croatia in their opening match
\n DOHA
\nMorocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the World Cup on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.
\nBacked by Qatar\u2019s large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions followed up north African rivals Tunisia\u2019s strong performance against dark horses Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.
\nCoach Zlatko Dalic had urged Croatia to exercise caution following Saudi Arabia\u2019s shock win over Argentina, a result Morocco captain Romain Saiss said had \u201copened the door\u201d for the tournament\u2019s less-fancied teams.
\nMorocco took the game to a Croatia side featuring four players who started the 2018 final but struggled to create genuine chances against a defence marshalled by the experienced Dejan Lovren.
\nAzzedine Ounahi strangely opted against shooting when well placed inside the area, with Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi heavily involved down the right without exerting undue pressure on Croatia. Ivan Perisic fired just over from distance for Croatia after intercepting a dreadful pass from Selim Amallah, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou blocked well with his legs to deny Nikola Vlasic from close range.
\nModric, the former Ballon d\u2019Or winner appearing at his fourth World Cup at the age of 37, then hammered over from the edge of the box.
\nMorocco 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.
\nSofyan Amrabat poked Lovren\u2019s goal-bound effort away off the line after a scramble at a corner, while Hakimi\u2019s free-kick at the other end was beaten to safety by Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic.
\nOnly 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.
\nCroatia pushed for a late winner but found Morocco\u2019s defence in unforgiving mood as Walid Regragui\u2019s side secured a valuable and deserved point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Morocco struggles to return to a goalless draw against Croatia in their opening match DOHA Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the World Cup on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric. Backed by Qatar\u2019s large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":297095,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-297064","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n