FIFA Arab Cup - Q-final: Morocco end Syria's run

Al Rayyan: Syria’s FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 campaign came to an end after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in their quarter-final tie at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.

After a listless opening half, Morocco scored the winner in the 79th minute through substitute Azaro Oualid to send the African side into a semi-final showdown with either defending champions Algeria or United Arab Emirates.

Morocco were missing Abderrazak Hamdallah with Tarik Tissoudali taking his place in the starting line-up, while Syria’s top scorer and captain Omar Khribin started on the bench as the West Asian side got off to a positive start with Ahmad Faqa threatening.

However, it was Morocco who went close in the 10th minute with Soufiane Bouftini nodding the ball down for Marwane Saadane, who forced Elias Hadaya into a low save before the Syrian keeper foiled Mohamed Boulacsout’s cross meant for Tissoudali.

Syria thought they had earned a penalty for Morocco’s Marwane Saadane’s foul on Mahmoud Al Aswad but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock with Morocco’s Karim El Berkaoui pulling his volleyed attempt wide, while Al Aswad saw his long-range effort fail to trouble Morocco keeper El Mehdi Benabid.

Syria were let off the hook in the 53rd minute when Morocco’s pressure led to Amin Zahzouh forcing Hadaya into a save before foiling substitute Azaro Oualid from close range.

Morocco’s high press meant Hadaya was kept busy, as he repelled Oussama Tannane twice in the 72nd minute and El Moussaoui Hamza’s minute header moments later.

But the Syrian shotstopper was finally beaten in the 79th minute when Mounir Chouiar’s shot from distance was parried into the path of Oualid by Hadaya, with the Ajman Club forward coolly sending the rebound into the back of the net to put Morocco in front.

Morocco were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time after Mohamed Moufid received his marching orders for a foul on Anas Dahhan but it did little damage to the African side’s momentum as they held on to secure the win.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images

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