Morocco stun South Korea to claim first ever World Cup victory
eynald Pedros, Head Coach of Morocco and player Salma Amani speak during a press conference at Hindmarsh Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. Credit: Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Morocco have stunned Korea Republic and sent Colin Bell’s side to the verge of elimination in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 1-0 victory this morning.
Ibtissam Jraidi scored in the sixth minute to give the side their first ever World Cup goal and victory – the win also gives them a fighting chance of qualification for the last 16 of the competition when they face Colombia next week.
It was Salma Amani who provided the cross for the only goal of the game with Jraidi pulling off a diving header to send the ball beyond Kim Jungmi early in the game.
Both teams proceeded to have chances in the first half with Korea dominating possession throughout the fixture.
Colin Bell’s side went close in the second half when Casey Phair had the ball near the penalty spot but the teenager fired the ball just wide of the goal.
"We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs, it's the fruit of our hard work,” Morocco’s goalscorer Jraidi said, speaking after the game.
Former Republic of Ireland manager Colin Bell was given a bit of a reprieve when Germany were beaten by Colombia although his side will require a big win over the Germans on Matchday three and for Colombia to beat Morocco.
“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyse in detail. I’m not going to let my emotions take over now, and obviously we’re all very disappointed,” Korea Republic’s head coach said after the game.
“The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.”
Group H concludes on Thursday with both games kicking off at 11am.
South Korea Women: Kim Jungmi; Hyeji Hong (Casey Phair 84), Kim Hye-ri, Shim Seoyeon; Hyojoo Choo (Moon Mi-ra 46), Lee Geummin (Garam Chun 88), Jang Sel-gi, Cho So-hyun, Ji So-yun; Son Hwa-yeon (Yuri Choe 46), Eunsun Park (Eunha Jeon 69).
Subs not used: Yoon Younggeul, Jisu Ryu, Lim Seonjoo, Yunji Kim, Yiben Bae, Young-Ju Lee, Kang Chae-rim.
Booked: None.
Morocco Women: Khadija Er-Rmichi; Nouhaila Benzina, Nesryne El Chad, Hanane Ait El Haj (Soa Bouftini 80), Zineb Redouani; Ghizlane Chebbak, Elodie Nakkach (Najat Badri 80), Sakina Ouzraoui, Fatima Tagnaout; Salma Amani (Sarah Kassi 69), Ibtissam Jraidi (Rosella Ayane 74).
Subs not used: Ines Arouaissa, Assia Zouhair, Sabah Seghir, Rkia Mazrouai, Yasmin Mrabet, Anissa Lahmari, Kenza Chapelle, Fatima Gharbi.
Booked: Nouhaila Benzina (81).
Referee: Edina Alves Batista.
Attendance: 12,886
