Midfield Masterclass: Morocco’s Reserve Side Opens Arab Cup with a 3-1 Win Over Comoros

Match Report

Morocco's young squad asserted its dominance over Comoros with a straightforward win in the opening Group B match, finishing 3-1, and sealing the matter early in the first half.

The Moroccan side began the game perfectly, striking early to reach the opponent's goal, specifically in the 5th minute after a corner cleared by Osama Tinan found Sofian Bouften, who leapt high with a header to give Morocco the lead, igniting the crowd at Al Bayt Stadium.

Moments later, Morocco doubled the lead through Tarik Tsioudali in the 12th minute, from another Tinan corner, his gliding shot beating the Comoros keeper.

Not long after, the Moroccan side added a third in the 46th minute when Karim Berkaoui seized a cross from Hamza Al-Mousawi on the left to seal the victory.

Comoros’ improved performance in the second half produced their first goal, an own goal when Mohammed Boulexout deflected the ball into his own net in the 57th minute, giving the Comorian players confidence as they repeatedly threatened the Moroccan net, only for Salah Eddine Shihab to shine and spare them a second.

Coach Sektoui, by bringing on three players in one go—Abd al-Razzaq Hamdallah, Saber Bokrin, and Marwan Saadan—helped Morocco regain its balance and steady the course.

And the Japanese referee Malinga refused to award a penalty to Morocco after a VAR check in the 82nd minute.

The match ended with a Moroccan victory, a win that reaffirmed Sektoui’s dominance in opening games he has attended with Moroccan squads at the Olympics and the Africa Cup, up to this Arab Cup, placing him on track for a favorable lead.

Punchlines:

If football were a dessert, Morocco just served a 3-1 slice to Comoros—crisp, decisive, and with a cherry on top.

My fantasy team learned a hard lesson today: sometimes a 3-0 lead is a mirage, but this Morocco show was real.