Football: Morocco plays decisive world cup qualifier in Algeria

Morocco will play this Friday in Algiers a decisive world cup qualifier against Algeria in a stadium expected to be filled with 80,000 spectators.

Morocco, coached by Portugal's Humbero Cuelho, flew to Algeria with a clear mission: bring back home the three points of victory to stay in the race for the World Cup ticket.

Algeria, which practically lost all hope to be present in the 2002 World Cup to be staged in Japan and South Korea, will line up a team of 11 France-based professionals. Most of them will be making their first international appearance.

Cuelho on Friday said the match will certainly be a difficult one, but the Moroccans, mostly Europe-based veterans, are accustomed to big games and are able to bag the three points of victory.

Morocco's star Mustapha Hajji of England's Coventry club will not play the match. Hajji, who was convoked by Cuelho, apologized for not being able to join the team for psychological strain. In a recent interview with a Moroccan weekly Hajji had expressed his disappointment at the Moroccan football fans who were angry at him for poor performance in Morocco's recent matches against Senegal, Tunisia and Namibia. He even disclosed that his parents were insulted by fans in a Casablanca restaurant. "this is unacceptable," said Hajji, who spoke of a possible decision to quit the Moroccan team.

With nine points from 5 matches, Morocco is currently co-leading Group C with Senegal. Senegal will also have a difficult match Sunday against Egypt, who are still in the race with 6 points. The Pharaohs of the Nile also want to glean the three points of victory to keep their qualification chances intact.