Morocco's Gritty Route to the Arab Cup Semi-Finals: A Hard-Won Win Over Syria

Match moments

Morocco coach commends players after reaching the Arab Cup semi-finals tonight.

Tariq Sektoui, Morocco's head coach, said the Syria quarterfinal in the 2025 Arab Cup was extremely tough, stressing that the 1-0 victory came only after immense effort and with considerable difficulty.

Morocco reached the semi-finals thanks to Walid Azaro's goal in the 79th minute of the match, played Thursday evening at the Khalifa International Stadium in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Coach's statements

He told reporters after the match: 'Syria showed fighting spirit and tactical discipline, a strong rival throughout. The key to victory was retaining the ball, staying calm, and avoiding rushed attacks today.'

He noted the performance improved in the second half, created several chances before the decisive goal, and he praised the players who defended national colors with love and loyalty despite physical fatigue from a packed schedule.

Regarding the upcoming semi-final, Sektoui said: 'Beating Syria was valuable, and the tournament is very demanding, so we face a tough test in the semis. Whether Algeria or the UAE, we are ready to meet them.'

Punchlines: If football were a joke, Morocco's defense would be the punchline—perfect timing. And if patience had a goal, tonight it scored twice.