Futsal Planet

Croatia vs Morocco

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw

Croatia made it three European teams out of three into the quarter finals with an impressive win over the skilful Moroccan side and goals in each half ensured a semi final against neighbours Slovenia. The individual skills of the Moroccan team were not a match for the inventive team play that the Croatians have shown throughout this tournament and in the end it was comfortable for Croatia.

They flew out of the blocks and with a starting five to match anybody of Jukic, Capar, Marinovic, Banic and Novak, it was only a matter of time before they scored and Tihomir Novak was there in the second minute to set Croatia on their way. Dario Marinovic made a really good start and was unlucky not to have scored in the opening exchanges as he had two good strikes turned away by Zaari in the Morocco goal.

A challenge in the centre of the pitch by Banic who then found Grcic on the left wing. He controlled and played it through to Bogdanovic who was arriving at the second post. He scored in an open goal to give Croatia a two goal lead.

Aziz Derrou was Morocco’s stand out player and was most likely to create something for them. He got past Banic on the left before Banic lunged in and received a yellow card for a late tackle. Croatia were by far the better team in the opening 15 minutes, but a period of possession for the Africans enabled them to pull apart the Croatian defence. It was a good move by Morocco to score and captain Baya slotted in.

In the 17th minute Hicham Kayouri, as the last man in the Moroccan defence tried an audacious nutmeg. If it came off it would have looked great, but in the end he was left embarrassed as Marinovic stole the ball and bore down on goal, scoring a toe poke past Zaari.

It was 3-1 at half time and Croatia looked in control of the game for most parts, again keeping possession as they know how to do very well. Morocco frustrated them in most of the second half, limiting their chances to long range efforts, or forcing them back into their own half, waiting for an opportunity to counter attack. With five minutes remaining Aziz Derrou had a fantastic chance to get Morocco back into the game. Some good play by his teammates saw a ball arrive to Derrou at the second post and all he had to do was tap it in. To the delight of Mato Stankovic and his boys, Aziz, Morocco’s standout player, missed the target.

It was a rare scare for Croatia but they went on to see the game off thanks to a goal and an assist from Futsal Planet’s MVP, Dario Marinovic. He had been outstanding throughout the game and he topped his performance off helping Croatia see the game home. First he was free on the left and managed to toe poke into the far corner before setting up teammate Matija Dulvat at the far post who volleyed in.

After the game, we spoke to Dario Marinovic who was happy with the performance and said they were better than Morocco in every area.

“We were the better team all over and we played very well,” he said. Asked about Croatia’s chances as they now take on Slovenia, he confidently said “We can win!” which seems to be echoed in the Croatian camp by his teammates.

They will certainly fancy their chances although Slovenia will be a very tough opponent in the next round. Semi finals are never an easy game though and all teams deserve to be here.

Croatian National Team

Moroccan National Team

Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com