Morocco U17 Suffer a Heartbreaker Start as Japan Seizes Early World Cup Momentum

The Morocco U17 team opened their World Cup campaign in Qatar with a 0-2 defeat to Japan, a match that swung on a fine line between cautious advantage and missed opportunities. Morocco pressed well in the first half, benefiting from a strong home crowd, but the finishing touch and clinical edge were not on their side.

Despite that early edge, Morocco failed to capitalize on several clear chances, allowing the Japanese to grow into the game and gain confidence as the second half unfolded. The Asian side’s compact defense and quick transitions gradually tilted the balance in their favor.

Walid Regraki Attends and Sets the Moral Tone

Walid Regraki, the Morocco senior national team coach, attended the match with his assistant Rashid Benmhamoud, watching from the Aspire Stadium stands. Their presence offered moral support and motivation to the young squad and to coach Nabil Bahaa, who faced a tough balancing act with several key players unavailable due to injuries and club refusals.

Bahaa still opted for more than half of the lineup that recently lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, including Abdul… Abdullah Wazan (the standout in the tournament and CAF’s best young player nominee), Ziad Bahaa, the coach’s son and top scorer, and Boularous, named best goalkeeper of the continental event. The Moroccan players knew Japan would come out fighting, and the challenge was clear: break through a well-organized Japan side.

Second Half Sparks and a Late Finish that Stings

The second half saw Japan wake up with renewed urgency. In the opening minutes, Masa… Makazi threatened the Moroccan goal, and Boularous had to make a sharp save to keep the scoreboard level.

Morocco continued to press, with Ismail Aloud’s late run from midfield testing Japan’s defense. A contentious moment came in the 55th minute after a contact between Aït Cheikh and Fuchi, but the referee decided to continue play following a video review.

As humidity rose, both sides tired, shifting the approach to rapid counterattacks rather than sustained build‑ups. In the 57th minute, a turnover in midfield allowed Segotchi to spearhead a swift counter and fire a precise finish into the far corner, putting Japan ahead.

The goal unsettled Morocco, and a near-miss from a free kick after a defensive lapse nearly doubled Japan’s lead. A late review spared Morocco a red card for a last‑man challenge, but the momentum had shifted decisively in favor of the Japanese.

Bahaa reacted with changes to reinforce the midfield and support the front line, but the team could not convert the chances that followed. In stoppage time, Japan extended their lead with Guchi capitalizing on a defensive miscue to make it 0-2, effectively ending Morocco’s hopes of an equalizer.

With this loss, Morocco’s campaign in the group stage becomes more challenging. They now face New Caledonia and Portugal in the remaining fixtures, needing positive results to stay in the race for qualification, while Japan’s discipline and organizational strength continued to shine throughout the match. It’s a reminder that in youth football—like life—the first chapter often sets the tone, but the rest is unwritten until the final whistle.

Morocco’s youth team had recently claimed a world title by defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final, a moment of triumph that fans hope will echo through the tournament as the youngsters rebound in the coming games.

Punchline time: If scoring was a sniper’s sport, Morocco’s strikers would be taking lessons on how to aim—budget-friendly practice, always hitting the air. Another line: Japan woke up in the second half and Morocco woke up too—just a half a season too late to save the day.