A clinical Morocco side scored early and often on Saturday, coming out with a 4-0 victory over Jordan in the FIFA Arab Cup to cement their status as Group C leaders. Yahya Jabrane tallied in the opening five minutes before goals from Badr Benoun, Mohamed Chibi and Soufiane Rahimi completed a dominant victory in which the Atlas Lions were ruthless with their chances. Morocco wrap up the group stage with a showdown against fellow favorites to advance Saudi Arabia.
The favorites announced their intentions early and it did not take long before Morocco took the lead. In the 4th minute, left back Mohamed Nahiri received a pass on the flank and cut inside to shoot from distance. The Raja Casablanca player’s effort was parried by Jordanian keeper Yazid Abu Layla right to Jabrane, who made no mistake by sending a first-time shot into the roof of the net.
In the 25th minute, the Atlas Lions struck again from a set piece. A corner kick delivery from Achraf Bencharki deflected off a Jordanian defender and fell to the far post, where forward Walid Azaro lined up to strike a sharp low volley back towards the far post. Al Ahly center back Benoun was lurking in the area and did well to react by stretching out and getting a foot to the rapidly moving shot, which redirected the ball into the net from close range.
The match was all but over after a gorgeous strike in first half stoppage time. Bencharki delivered another corner kick, this time floating his service to beyond the edge of the penalty area to an onrushing Chibi. The ASFAR defender ran up and struck the ball perfectly on the volley, sending a well placed finish past the helpless Abu Layla.
A hand ball committed late in the penalty area led to Morocco’s fourth goal, with Rahimi stepping up to send Abu Layla the wrong way and roll his spot kick home. Highlights of the match are in the link below as the Atlas Lions continue to roll.
