The U17 national team secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the World Cup after a fiercely contested match against the United States, ending in a 4-3 victory on penalties (1-1). Following this match held at the Aspire Zone in Doha, Nabil Baha highlighted the mindset displayed by his players.
The national coach emphasized that his group showed a conquering spirit:
“In this match, we saw a different side of our team in terms of grit, offensive intensity, defensive regrouping, space occupation, and the desire to give their all. Despite conceding a goal, we were confident we could equalize, which the players achieved.”
Baha reminded that his staff expected a tough duel:
“We knew the match would be difficult against the United States and we prepared accordingly. The psychological work of the staff after the defeat against Portugal paid off, the players showed more confidence and a positive mindset.”
Regarding the penalty shootout, the coach praised the decisive role of his goalkeeper:
“We knew we could count on Bellaarouch, who has proven himself in the past. As usual, he did an excellent job and helped us reach the next round.”
He did not forget to thank the Moroccan public, who came in large numbers:
“The crowd was exceptional and helped us a lot by putting pressure on the American players during the penalties.”
Already looking ahead, Baha expects a battle against Mali in the Round of 16:
“We know our next opponent well, against whom we won the U17 Africa Cup of Nations final, but this competition is different and requires a different mindset. The match will be difficult, but we aim for victory to continue our journey.”
