Morocco misses chance for victory against favored Norway
Morocco, Sports, 6/11/1998

The Moroccan World Cup soccer team missed a victory Wednesday and had to settle for a 2-2 tie against Norway, after leading twice and conceding two goals on defense mistakes.

The Norwegians tried to take the lead for the first 15 minutes of the game through a continuing pressure, but the Moroccans held up against the pressure and controlled the midfield, Map reported.

Soon, the Moroccan team started to come out with sporadic attacks by Salah-eddine Bassir, Abdeljalil Hadda (Camacho) and Said Chiba. The three had clear scoring opportunities.

Mustapha Hadji opened the scoring for the Moroccans at the 38th minute after breaking away from the right wing, benefiting from a brilliant pass by an excellent midfielder Tahar Lakhlej.

Braving pain of a broken toe, Hadji latched on to cut inside Norway's keeper and drove a powerful shot into the net.

Norway tied the match in the first half injury time when Youssef Chippo headed the ball into his own net.

In the second half, the Moroccans shrugged off their disappointment and poured forward in quest for a new lead.

Camacho sent an early warning when he shot a diving header at the 57th minute.

Tahar Lakhlej, who dominated the midfield, sent a telling long ball that was shot to Noway's net by Camacho.

The lead lasted just three minutes. The Moroccan defense was at fault again. It failed to hold the athletic Norwegian strikers. The ball fell, inviting Eggen to stoop and head it home.

In the last 20 minutes of the game, the Moroccans started to show signs of tiredness, and Norway increased once again pressure to snatch victory. But experienced sweeper Noureddine Naybet organized his colleagues and led them to safe shores.

Faithful to his reputation of clean sweeper, Naybet brilliantly gagged Norway's striker Tore Andre Flo, who was a constant threat.

"The way the game panned out I can't have anything but regrets," said Morocco's French coach Henri Michel. "We scored two great attacking goals then immediately gave it away with stupid mistakes."

Before taking Brazil next week, Michel has to work on improving his defense line which once again failed to match the sharpness of the North Africans' attack.

Norway's coach Egil Olsen heaved a deep sigh of relief for avoiding defeat against Morocco. "I think we have to be happy with that result. They (Morocco) are a good team and can take some points from Scotland and Brazil."

World Cup holders Brazil earlier beat Scotland 2-1 in Paris in the first match of the tournament.

World paramount football star Pele was highly impressed by the Moroccans and warned his fellow "wizards" that they will have a serious match against Morocco.

"Morocco plays far better than Scotland... the second match will be more difficult for Brazil", Pele said.

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