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Key occasions
Japan’s defeat on penalties to Croatia on Monday was arduous for the gamers to take on the time, however right now the Samurai Blue have put out a message thanking followers for his or her help. They’ve stated to their followers:
The connection and unity of all of the individuals who love Japanese soccer has reached every member of the workforce enjoying in Qatar and has turn into an excellent energy.
The workforce went on to thank everybody concerned in grassroots soccer in Japan, and stated that “The Samurai Blue was in a position to compete in opposition to the world’s prime powerhouses on the massive stage of the Fifa World Cup due to the gamers, coaches, and workers who’ve devoted their lives to soccer.”
The message concludes:
Though we weren’t in a position to obtain our purpose of creating it to the quarter-finals this time, we will certainly use this match as a supply of energy for our dream of successful the Fifa World Cup. We are going to stroll along with all those that love soccer.
AP had reporters out on the streets in Rabat chatting with Morocco followers yesterday as they celebrated their win.
“We’re so happy with our Lions, who fought arduous to get us into the quarter-finals,” stated Niama Meddoun, a Rabat resident. “We’re delighted to be Moroccans right now, since we’re the primary Arab nation that has reached the quarter-finals.”
The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, praised the nationwide workforce and despatched his “heartfelt congratulations” to the gamers, the technical workforce and administrative personnel, “who gave their all and blazed a path all through this nice sporting occasion,” in accordance with a press release from the royal palace.
The king stated the gamers represented “hopes and desires of Moroccans in Morocco, Qatar, and all around the world.”
There have been additionally celebrations in Barcelona. Youssef Lotfi, a 39-year-old development employee who was born in Casablanca however moved to Spain as a baby and stated he feels love for each nations, was brimming with delight.
“Right now is a day of pleasure for Moroccans and all of the Arab world,” Lotfi stated. “It was a heart-attack end that might have gone both approach.”
He known as the victory “as soon as in a lifetime” expertise. “Morocco is representing all of the Arab world, all of the African continent, that’s past description, it’s the most superb half,” he stated.
Listed here are your remaining World Cup fixtures by the best way …
Friday 9 December
QF1: Croatia v Brazil (3pm GMT, Schooling Metropolis Stadium)
QF2: Netherlands v Argentina (7pm GMT, Lusail Iconic Stadium)
Saturday 10 December
QF3: Morocco v Portugal (3pm GMT, Al Thumama Stadium)
QF4: England v France (7pm GMT, Al Bayt Stadium)
Tuesday 13 December
SF1: Netherlands or Argentina v Croatia or Brazil (7pm GMT, Lusail Iconic Stadium)
Wednesday 14 December
SF2: England or France v Morocco or Portugal (7pm GMT, Al Bayt Stadium)
Saturday 17 December
Third place play-off: Dropping semi-finalist second XIs (3pm GMT, Khalifa Worldwide Stadium)
Sunday 18 December
Ultimate: Successful semi-finalists (3pm GMT, Lusail Iconic Stadium)
Statistics followers – your second has arrived. This week’s the Data has dropped, and it’s a World Cup trivia particular that leads with the query: which participant has scored essentially the most objectives in World Cup knockout video games?
There have been some fairly punchy quotes from Portugal coach Fernando Santos about CR7 after the sport final night time. PA carry them, with Santos saying that the function of Cristiano Ronaldo for the rest of the World Cup is one thing that has but to be “outlined”. He stated:
I’ve a really shut relationship with him – I at all times have, I’ve identified him since he was 19 years previous. This relationship solely develops, Ronaldo and I by no means interpret the human facet of that of supervisor and participant (in relation to) what we’ve got to do throughout the match. I’ll at all times contemplate in my function that he’s an essential participant to have within the workforce.
Requested immediately if Ronaldo would play in opposition to Morocco on Saturday, Santos stated: “Ronaldo will certainly (be concerned), all of the gamers on the bench can be utilized, if they aren’t within the beginning lineup they will play later.
“It is very important have a look at the instance of this participant’s historical past, he is without doubt one of the greatest gamers on this planet at enjoying professionally, being captain – all we’ve got to do is consider this workforce collectively.”
There are some fantastic footage this morning on the information wires of the contrasting scenes between Spain and Morocco supporters around the globe, which I really feel I have to begin the day by sharing.
Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Fadugba, and John Brewin have been up working late final night time within the pod to debate the concluding video games of the World Cup spherical of 16 after Portugal thrashed Switzerland and Morocco shocked Spain. You will get that immediately into your ears right here …
Preamble
First the unhealthy information. It’s the first day the place there isn’t any precise soccer on the World Cup since 20 November, and like me, I’m positive you will miss settling down for the motion come 3pm GMT.
However the excellent news? Wow, what a day we had yesterday, and what lots we nonetheless should sit up for.
You possibly can’t inform me that even in his wildest desires, Portugal coach Fernando Santos awoke on Tuesday morning considering that the implications of dropping Cristiano Ronaldo as captain and out of the primary XI could be that he may casually deliver him on in its place within the 73rd minute as a gesture of “no arduous emotions” when his aspect have been already 5-1 up in opposition to Switzerland.
Then there was Morocco reaching the quarter-finals for the primary time of their World Cup historical past. You possibly can argue whether or not penalties are a lottery or the execution of a precision talent below strain – don’t fear, it’s undoubtedly the latter – however the Atlas Lions have now saved clear sheets in opposition to Croatia, Belgium and Spain, and go into the quarter-finals unbeaten. That’s one thing that may’t be stated of Brazil, Argentina, France or Portugal.
I will likely be bringing you all of the fallout from that, the remainder of the World Cup information because it occur, and searching ahead to the quarter-finals getting below approach on Friday. Do drop me a line at martin.belam@theguardian.com
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