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France vs Morocco Semi-Final Preview: FIFA World Cup 2022
France’s reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar was much anticipated. But no one ever thought that Morocco would emerge as their opponent in the semi. Moroccans are said to be a dark horse in this tournament. Will the African team, which has produced one surprise after another, be able to stun the football world once more? We will get the answer tonight. The French will enter the field as favorites as they are ahead in apparent numbers, strength, and experience. Let’s get to know more from this France vs Morocco semi-final preview.
When and Where France vs Morocco Semi-final Match Will Be Held?
France and Morocco will meet at Al Bayt Stadium on December 15 at 1 AM Bangladesh time.
France vs Morocco: Head-to-Head Records So Far
Hakim Ziyech’s team became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. This time the biggest obstacle in front of them is the current world champion France. Let’s take a look at the statistics of these two teams before the semi-final battle.
The first question that will come to everyone’s mind is who is ahead in the fight between these two teams in the World Cup. The answer is that this is the first time these two teams are facing each other in the World Cup. Although the Moroccan national team started in 1955, these two teams have not met in the World Cup until now. And now we are seeing them in a time where they can make history if they win.
Although they have not met in the World Cup, these two teams have met 11 times in international football, where France is quite ahead. In their eleven meetings, France won 7 matches, Moroccans won one, and three matches were drawn. However, Morocco won its first appearance in 1963.
Meanwhile, France and Morocco have faced each other in various minor tournaments. France has won every time there. The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2007. However, it was a 2-2 draw. But this time the stage is different. And in this World Cup, Morocco’s strength is also very evident.
Read More: Argentina erupts in joy after team reaches World Cup final
Performance of France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup So Far
France was one of the 13 teams that played in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. With this, France has appeared in the 16 World Cup and won the cup two times. Except for the loss to Tunisia in the group stage, France’s Qatar World Cup journey was very smooth.
After beating Poland in the round of 16, they faced a strong team, England, in the quarter-final. However, that match was moderately easy, too; they won by a 2-1 goal. Both teams fought hard in the heavyweight match of the quarter-finals. However, the entire responsibility for England’s loss to France should be on the captain Harry Kane. In the 84th minute of the match, England trailed by 2-1 goals. And just at that moment, England got a penalty. Earlier, Kane equalized England by scoring from the spot kick. However, Kane missed the second penalty, and they had to leave the World Cup.
But the French team is at an excellent pace. France’s attacking trio is in rhythm. Kylian Mbappe with 5 goals tops the list of highest goal scorers. Expert striker Olivier Giroud scored 4 goals, including the quarter-final winning goal against England. Forward Antoine Griezmann is playing great despite not seeing a goal so far. He assisted two goals in a 2-1 win against the English.
France has no injury update, and no player is missing the game. So, they will start the match with the main squad.
France’s players to watch
Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Read More: Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
Morocco's Performance in the FIFA 2022 World Cup So Far
Meanwhile, in addition to being undefeated in the World Cup, Morocco has conceded only one goal. That, too, was an own goal against Canada. As a result, there is no opportunity to question Morocco’s defense. They went to the last sixteen as the group’s best and sent off the 2010 World Cup champion Spain in a penalty shootout. After that, they beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s team Portugal by 1-0 at the scheduled time and booked their ticket to the semis.
But Morocco may fall behind in the field from one side. And that is the experience of not playing in the semi-finals on such a world stage. Where France is playing in the semi-final for the seventh time in the World Cup. However, the ‘Giant Destroyer’ Moroccans have already proved that they have the ability to send off another strong team. Their excellent defensive performance has contributed greatly to Morocco’s unprecedented success.
Morocco’s main strength is their defensive understanding, above all, the mental acuity to use their plans on the field. Rather than defense, however, Morocco will look to Sofyan Amrabat to keep France’s midfield inactive. Essentially Amravati will need to flare up one more to stop Griezmann. Along with that, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s great form will keep them ahead mentally.
Romain Saiss’s injury could be a concern for Morocco. If he doesn’t return, there won’t be much chance to stop Giroud. Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui may be able to handle Mbappe and Dembele in the pace game in two wings. However, if Giroud can commit a few passes in the match to either of them, then danger will appear in Morocco’s defense.
Morocco’s players to watch
Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, and Yassine Bounou.
Read More: Modrić's dream of winning World Cup ends
Squads of France & Morocco in the Semi-final of FIFA World Cup 2022
Probable Starting Squad of France Against Morocco
Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Probable Starting Squad of Morocco Against France
Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
France vs Morocco Semi-final Match Result Prediction
France is clearly ahead of Morocco in terms of experience and pace. So, according to experts, France will easily win this game. They may score at least 2 goals without conceding any goal.
Final Words
France vs Morocco semi-final of FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 will be an exciting match, with both teams will surely fight hard for the win. Both teams possess the skill and talent to make a thrilling match, and the winner could be decided by a moment of brilliance or a mistake. France is the favorite to win this match, but Morocco has the ability to surprise and put up a good fight.
Bangladesh bowl first vs India, Zakir Hasan gets Test cap
Bangladesh lost the toss and were asked to bowl first in Chattogram in the first Test of a two-match series against India.
Looking to continue their success demonstrated in the ODI series, Bangladesh now face India in a series of Tests.
In this Test, Zakir Hasan, the accomplished left-handed wicketkeeper batter, was awarded the Test cap. He has shown great form in the longer version of cricket in recent years at the domestic circuit.
Also read: Four Bangladeshi Cricketers to Compete in IPL 2023 Auction
Bangladesh made the bold decision to drop Mominul Haque, as the talented left-hander has been enduring a prolonged slump in performance. This was the first time he was excluded from a Test match in Chattogram since his debut in 2013.
The hosts fielded three genuine bowlers — Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed and Taijul Islam — along with allrounders Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
India are missing their captain Rohit Sharma who sustained a finger injury in the ODI series. In his absence, Lokesh Rahul is leading them in this Test.
Also read; Shakib could miss first Test against India
Bangladesh (Playing XI):
Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan (w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain
India (Playing XI):
Shubman Gill, Lokesh Rahul(c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (w), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
Modrić's dream of winning World Cup ends
Luka Modric pulled his shirt up over his face as he trudged over to the sideline.
Croatia’s red-and-white-clad fans recognized the sorrowful significance of the moment and rose up to applaud the diminutive midfielder who is probably their nation’s greatest ever player.
Argentina’s boisterous supporters soon followed suit at Lusail Stadium, honoring an opponent who is likely appearing at his last World Cup.
Substituted in the 81st minute on Tuesday, with his team trailing by three goals, it effectively marked the end of Modric’s World Cup era. Croatia ended up losing to Argentina 3-0 in the semifinals, four years after the team lost to France in the final.
Read: Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
Modric was somber as he was replaced by Lovro Majer before calmly taking his seat in the dugout. There was no grand gesture to the crowd or outpouring of emotion for a man whose understated brilliance can still be overlooked despite everything he has achieved.
“We just wanted to be again in the final,” Modric said, “but unfortunately we are not.”
The second most famous 37-year-old at the World Cup is going home, a few days after the other one.
Modric is the same age as former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, but as both men approach the twilight of their trophy-laden careers, the contrast is stark. That was particularly evident leading up to and during the World Cup.
While Ronaldo hogged the limelight with his explosive eve-of-the-tournament interview with Piers Morgan, Modric expressed himself on the field.
After leading Croatia to the final in Russia, he was again the inspiration as a nation with a population of about 4 million made it to semifinals for the second straight World Cup.
Read: Argentina erupts in joy after team reaches World Cup final
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, amid the distraction of his exit from Manchester United and possible transfer to a club in Saudi Arabia, ended up benched and in tears as Portugal’s hopes were ended by Morocco in the quarterfinals.
In Croatia’s quarterfinal match, Modric played his part in eliminating Brazil — and Neymar. But he couldn’t do anything to stop Lionel Messi on his personal mission to finally win soccer’s biggest trophy. Messi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot on Tuesday, and then produced a piece of magic to set up the second of Julian Alvarez’s two goals.
But Messi wasn’t the only iconic figure on display at Lusail Stadium.
Surely regarded by many as Croatia’s finest, Modric also ranks alongside the best midfielders to ever play the game. A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, he also won soccer’s ultimate individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, in 2018.
And his performances in Qatar show he still has more to give. He may yet play again for his national team at the 2024 European Championship with one final bow for his country. And who would rule out more trophies with Real Madrid?
“Well, perhaps this is the end for the generation at the World Cup. A couple of them are at an age where it will be hard to play at the World Cup in 2026. We will wait and see,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said. “I think a lot of players will finish off at Euro 2024.”
Wherever Modric’s story goes from here, his status as a World Cup great is secure.
Argentina erupts in joy after team reaches World Cup final
The streets of Argentina turned into a party Tuesday as the national team beat Croatia by a comfortable 3-0 and earned this soccer-crazed South American country a spot in the World Cup final.
Fans poured onto the streets of the capital of Buenos Aires as soon as the match ended, with people waving Argentina flags out of their cars while others jumped and sang in joy amid a sea of wearing the national team’s jersey.
Earlier, Buenos Aires had come to a standstill on what was a scorching summer afternoon as fans packed cafes, restaurants and public plazas, where giant screens followed the exploits of the Lionel Messi-led team.
“I’m in complete ecstasy,” said Emiliano Adam, 31, who works at an advertising agency and was celebrating in the streets of Buenos Aires while wearing the country’s flag as a cape. “This is the first match that didn’t make me suffer, the first time I could enjoy a match from beginning to end.”
Read: Modrić's dream of winning World Cup ends
Argentina will now play the last match of the World Cup against either France or Morocco, who are facing off Wednesday.
Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
Lionel Messi bent over, clutched his left hamstring and appeared to grimace, immediately spreading panic through the soccer world but especially among all Argentines.
Was their superstar — their idol — injured? Was he going to have to come off early in the World Cup semifinals?
No such luck for Croatia.
Before long, Messi was producing perhaps the best performance of his record-tying 25 appearances at the World Cup, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday that set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday’s final.
Messi is back in soccer’s biggest match on his mission to win the game’s greatest prize for the first time. At 35, he could hardly be playing any better.
Messi converted a penalty and played a part in the other two goals by Julián Álvarez — one with an outrageous piece of skill that brought roars of approval from Argentina’s huge following — to turn an initially tense occasion into a procession.
“A lot is going through my head — it’s very emotional seeing all of this,” Messi said in a post-match interview on the field as he looked up at Argentina’s celebrating, scarf-waving supporters. “To see the fans — ‘the family’ — during the whole tournament was so incredible. We’re going to the final, which is what we wanted.”
It will be Messi’s second World Cup final — Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 — in what might be his last appearance at the tournament.
The stage is set for a player widely regarded as one of the game’s best, if not the absolute best, to go out on the ultimate high.
He is thrilling his legion of fans along the way.
His swivel and driving run to set up the third goal for Álvarez in the 69th minute left Josko Gvardiol — one of the best defenders at the World Cup — grasping at thin air and epitomized Messi’s confidence and swagger.
He is embracing the responsibility of leading Argentina to its third World Cup title, scoring in five of his six games in Qatar.
He even had a penalty saved in the one game in which he didn’t score.
“I am honored to train him and see him play,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who was in tears in the post-match celebrations. “Every time you see him play, it’s a huge source of motivation for his teammates, fans and the whole world.”
Croatia failed in its bid to reach a second straight World Cup final after conceding two goals in a five-minute span from the 34th, just when the team was looking comfortable at Lusail Stadium and Messi was raising concerns by rubbing his hamstring.
Maybe it was a ruse. Messi was soon toying with his opponents in a way only he can and put Argentina ahead by lifting his penalty into the top corner after Álvarez was taken out by Dominik Livakovic after clipping the ball past the Croatia goalkeeper.
Álvarez scored himself in the 39th after a surging run from halfway, which started after he collected Messi’s short pass. Then came the crowning moment, Álvarez’s second goal, after Messi took Gvardiol for a ride in the right corner.
It was one game too far for Croatia, which had beaten Japan and Brazil on penalties in the knockout stage, and star midfielder Luka Modric, who — at 37 — has likely played his final World Cup match.
Summing up a frustrating game for the little midfield magician, he was substituted in the 81st minute and had a bright red nose after the ball slammed into his face moments earlier.
“The first goal took the match in a different direction,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said. “It’s the true Messi we all expected to see.”
Argentina maintained its record of never having lost in the World Cup semifinals and has reached the final for the sixth time.
Those dark days after losing to Saudi Arabia in its opening group match seem so long ago now for Argentina, which will be hard to stop in the final with Messi playing this well.
“Even though we lost our first match, we were confident that this group was going to push forward,” Messi said. “We know what we are, and we called on the fans to believe in us.”
MESSI RECORDS
Messi became Argentina’s record scorer at World Cups with his third penalty of the tournament taking him to 11 goals in total — one more than Gabriel Batistuta. He also tied the record for most appearances at the World Cup by playing for the 25th time, the same number as Lothar Matthäus of Germany.
ALVAREZ
The 22-year-old Álvarez didn’t start the tournament as Argentina’s striker. He only took the place of Lautaro Martinez in the third group game and now has four goals, one behind Messi and Mbappé. He is the youngest player to score twice in a World Cup semifinal match since a 17-year-old Pele scored a hat trick in 1958.
Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings maintain winning run
Bashundhara Kings and Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College Sporting Club maintained their all-win run in the Bashundhara Group Women's Football League 2021-22 outplaying their rivals at the Bir Shreshta Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Tuesday.
Bashundhara Kings, which earned a huge 10-1 goals victory over Suddopuskorini JSC in the last match, today (Tuesday) piled up another massive 11-0 goals victory over Nasrin Sports Academy in the afternoon.
Read more: Women's Football: Bashundhara Kings, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College earn massive win
National forward cum captain Sabina Akhter, Anuching Moguni and Sumaiya made hat tricks for the Kings in the day's match scoring four, three and three goals respectively while Sanjida netted the remaining goal.
This was 2nd consecutive hattrick for Anuching Mogini in the league after making hattrick with four goals in the previous match against Suddopuskorini JSC.
Read more: Women's football: Uttara FC thrash Farashganj SC 4-0
In the day's other match, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College Sporting Club crushed Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadash by 9-0 goals at the same venue.
Forward Aklima Khatun, who made double hattrick against Nasrin Sports Academy in their 14-0 goals victory in the last match, today (Tuesday) also made double hattrick against Jamalpur KA scoring six goals while Shohagi Kisku and Afeida Khondakar netted two other goals for the winners.
Bangabandhu 47th National Chess Championship begins on Thursday
The Bangabandhu 47th National Chess Championship 2022, organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation under the financial support of Abul Khair Group, begins on Thursday (December 15) from 3 pm at the Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room here.
The number drawing ceremony and technical meeting of the meet will be held on Wednesday.
A total 14 players are taking part in this year's Bangabandhu 47th National Chess Championship-2022 on round robin league system.
Four of them ---reigning national chess champion GM Enamul Hossain Razib, runner-up GM Ziaur Rahman, GM Niaz Murshed and GM Reefat Bin Sattar are directly playing in the meet.
Read more: Sheikh Kamal National 'B' Chess begins Thursday
Ten other players, who qualified from Sheikh Kamal National 'B' Chess Championship 2022, are: FM Subrota Biswas, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, CM Manon Reja Neer, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag, FM Khandaker Aminul Islam, Anata Choudhury, Hrishin Talukder, IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin and CM Md Shawket Bin Osman Shaon.
V Day Handball: Ansar & VDP, BGB maintain all win run
Bangladesh Ansar & VDP and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) maintained their all-win run in the Victory Day Handball (Men's and Women's) Tournament' 2022 beating their rivals on the 2nd day of the meet at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Tuesday.BGB, which made a good start outplaying Team Handball, Dhaka by 38-11 goals in the men's inaugural match on Monday. today (Tuesday) beat Bangladesh Police Handball Club by 33-25 goals after dominating the first half 17-11 this morning at the same venue.In the day's other men's group match, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP team also registered their 2nd consecutive victory outplaying Team Handball, Dhaka by 35-16 goals after leading the first half by 23-11 goals Tuesday afternoon.Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP men's team made a good start beating Bangladesh Police Handball Club by 38-30 goals after leading the first half 15-13 goals at the same venue.In the day's women's group match, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP also earned 2nd successive victory defeating Bangladesh Police Handball Club by 28-16 goals after dominating the first half by 12-9 goals Tuesday afternoon.
Read more: Victory Day Handball begins on MondayEarlier on Monday, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP women's team defeated Badolgachi Handball Association by 23-15 goals after dominating the first session by 16-8 goals at the same venue.In Tuesday's other women's group match, Badolgachi Handball Association managed a 31-23 goals victory over Jamalpur Sports Academy after leading the first half by 15-11 goals.Four more matches will be held on Wednesday.
Four Bangladeshi Cricketers to Compete in IPL 2023 Auction
Four Bangladeshi cricketers are listed for the IPL 2023 Auction that will take place on December 23 in Kochi, India.
The cricketing world is eagerly anticipating the outcome of the auction, and all eyes of Bangladeshi fans will be on these four players as they compete for a place in the most popular T20 league in the world.
The first name is Shakib Al Hasan, who previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is one of the most experienced allrounders in IPL.
In the 71 matches he played, Shakib scored 793 runs with two fifties and scalped 63 wickets with the best bowling of taking three wickets, conceding 17 runs.
Also read; Bangladesh wrap up India under 200 as Shakib picks up five
Along with him, right-handed wicketkeeper and batter Liton Das, right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed, and left-handed batter Afif Hossain have also been listed for auction.
Apart from Shakib, none of them has experience playing in IPL.
The IPL 2023 Auction is set to take place in Kochi with a total of 405 cricketers up for grabs. Teams have shortlisted 369 players from the original list of 991, and an additional 36 players have been requested. All 405 players will be presented at the auction, marking a momentous occasion for cricket.
Shakib could miss first Test against India
Bangladesh Test Captain Shakib Al Hasan is at risk of missing the first Test against India on Wednesday in Chattogram due to an injury sustained during the ODI series. His potential absence could be a major setback for Bangladesh, and they will be hoping he can make a speedy recovery to lead them into the crucial clash.
Shakib received a painful blow to his hand while facing the bowling of Indian fast bowler Umran Malik in the ODI series, and he is still struggling to recover from the injury. His absence would be a huge blow to Bangladesh as they prepared to face India.
Read more: Bangladesh Coach warns cricketers against staying up late to watch FIFA World Cup
Despite the injury, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo is hopeful that Shakib will be able to participate in the upcoming Test match. The team will be crossing their fingers in the hope that he can overcome the injury and lead them in the crucial fixture.
“He is still struggling with his ribs and shoulder,” Domingo said on Tuesday while interacting with the media. “We are still assessing him.”
Read more: Taskin uncertain for Bangladesh vs India 1st Test
Shakib was instrumental to Bangladesh's success in the first ODI match of the series, taking five wickets which allowed the team to have a strong start. He is also an integral part of the Test team; losing him for the Test series would pose a tough challenge for the Tigers.
In six Tests against India, Shakib has enjoyed moderate success. He has scored 260 runs at an average of 26, taking 15 wickets with a five-for.
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