Teams drew group fixture at Russia 2018
DEC 6: Morocco had one of the best group stage campaigns at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, starting with a 0-0 draw against Russia 2018 runners-up Croatia before an excellent 2-0 win over Belgium. A 2-1 success against Canada secured the African team's spot at the Group F summit.
Coach Walid Regragui's team struck an effective balance between attack and defence, with key men Sofyan Amrabat, Youssef En-Nesyri, Nayef Aguerd, and Achraf Hakimi in outstanding form.
Spain opened their campaign with a 7-0 hammering of Costa Rica and that goalfest would prove unexpectedly crucial to Round-of-16 qualification. Luis Enrique's team were pegged back to draw 1-1 with Germany, before Japan overcame a one-goal deficit to shock the European side. Spain ultimately progressed as runners-up behind tournament-surprise-package Japan.
The 2010 World Cup winners were exceptional against Costa Rica and controlled large parts of the meeting with Germany. Indeed, Spain were unquestionably in charge during the opening half against Japan before a salutary reminder over the perils of switching off, even for 45 minutes. Pedri and Gavi, the young midfielder pair from Barcelona, were among the standout Spanish group-stage performers, while forward Dani Olmo was in similarly good touch. Alvaro Morata scored three goals in three games and entered the second phase leading the Golden Boot race.
Date and time
Tuesday 6 December, 18:00 local time
Venue
Education City Stadium
Team news
Morocco’s medical team are working overtime to prepare Achraf Hakimi for the knockout clash after the classy Paris Saint-Germain right-back played through injury against Canada. Selim Amallah is reportedly fit to feature after the midfielder was limited to 25 minutes off the bench in that meeting with the Canadians on Thursday.
Luis Enrique will recall a host of key figures rested for the Japan clash. There are doubts over defender Cesar Azpilicueta’s fitness, with Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid poised for a second start in Qatar.
Possible starting XIs
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.
Spain: Unai Simon, Jordi Alba, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Cesar Azpilicueta or Dani Carvajal, Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo.
Head-to-head
The sides have played each other on three occasions, including once at a World Cup
They first met in qualification for the 1962 World Cup, when Spain won a first-leg tie 1-0 in Morocco and edged the return 3-2 to reach the tournament in Chile.
Their most recent meeting was drawn 2-2 in the group stage of Russia 2018.
Key match stats
-The last time Spain progressed beyond the Round of 16 was at South Africa 2010 when they went on to win the tournament
-This is Morocco’s second time in the Round of 16, their first coming in 1986 when they lost to eventual finalists West Germany 1-0
-This will be Spain’s first match against African opposition in the knockout stages of a World Cup
-Spain have played five matches against African sides at World Cups, winning three and drawing one. Current coach Luis Enrique was in the starting XI when they lost 3-2 against Nigeria at France 1998.
-Morocco are undefeated in their past four World Cup matches (W2 D2)
-Cameroon are the only African side to have recorded a five-match unbeaten World Cup run, a feat they achieved between 1982 and 1990
Quotes
Coach Luis Enrique, whose Spain team relinquished a one-goal lead to lose their final group game. against Japan: "If against Morocco we have the fortune to go in front, Morocco, will risk it all at full pelt again. We have to show more strength in the moments when the opposition is pressing us."
Morocco forward Zakaria Aboukhlal, who scored off the bench to seal a memorable group victory over Belgium: “I am very happy to have reached the last 16. We do not want to stop here. We want to go further and, God willing, we will keep going. We are very happy for Moroccan fans. We see many people who came here from Morocco. I would like to thank them.
'I am very happy with the way Arabs here are helping one another. We were happy when Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina. We also felt when we defeated Belgium and Canada that other Arab countries were happy for us.”
-France were the first team to progress, while Qatar and Canada are out
-Brazil and Portugal have both qualified after their second fixtures
-These calculations will be updated after every match
Who needs what to make it through to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™? And who could soon be on their way home?
With Matchday 2 now complete, FIFA+ has analysed all the key scenarios going forward.
Group A
Ecuador-Senegal (29 November, 18:00 local time) Netherlands-Qatar (29 November, 18:00 local time)
Netherlands need to win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose, provided Ecuador beat Senegal.
Ecuador need to win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to qualify if they lose and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Senegal need to win to qualify but remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat Netherlands.
Qatar are eliminated.
Group B
Wales-England (29 November, 22:00 local time) IR Iran-USA (29 November, 22:00 local time)
England will qualify with a win or draw. Depending on goal difference, the Three Lions could also make it through in defeat.
Wales must win to have any chance of progressing.
IR Iran are guaranteed to progress if they beat USA.
A draw will also take the Iranians through provided Wales do not beat England (in which case goal difference will come into play).
For USA, it's simple: win and they are through. Lose or draw and they will be heading home.
Group C
Saudi Arabia v Mexico (30 November, 22:00 local time) Poland v Argentina (30 November, 22:00 local time)
Poland will be through with a win or a draw, but would be knocked out by a defeat coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory. If Poland lose and Saudi Arabia draw, the two teams will have to be separated by goal difference. If Poland lose and Mexico win, their fate will also be decided on goal difference.
Argentina must win to be sure of progressing, while a draw would be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also draw. However, a draw coupled with a Saudi Arabia victory would see La Albiceleste knocked out, and a draw coupled with a Mexico win takes the group to goal difference. Argentina are out if they lose.
Saudi Arabia will reach the Round of 16 if they win. A draw would be enough if Poland defeat Argentina, but if both matches are tied, they will go out. Should Argentina defeat Poland and Saudi Arabia draw, progress will be decided on goal difference between the European and Middle East sides. Defeat would see them knocked out.
Mexico must win to have any chance of staying in the competition. They will be sure to go through if Poland win. If they win and Argentina and Poland draw, it will come down to goal difference with Argentina. Should Argentina win, goal difference will be required to separate Mexico and Poland.
Group D
Tunisia-France (30 November, 18:00 local time) Australia-Denmark (30 November, 18:00 local time)
France are already qualified and will top the group unless they lose to Tunisia and Australia beat Denmark, which would leave them tied on six points with the Socceroos.
Victory will see Australia qualify, while a draw would be enough unless Tunisia beat France, which would see the North African side go through on goal difference.
Denmark must win against Australia and, if they do so, will be certain to qualify unless Tunisia beat France, which would leave them tied on four points with the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia must beat France and hope Denmark avoid defeat by Australia to be in contention to qualify.
Group E
Costa Rica-Germany (1 December, 22:00 local time) Japan-Spain (1 December, 22:00 local time)
Spain will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win or a draw. Defeat to Japan will leave them relying on their currently superior goal difference to progress, unless Costa Rica beat Germany, in which case Luis Enrique’s side will be out.
Japan can go through with victory against Spain, while a draw, coupled with deadlock in the Costa Rica v Germany clash, will ensure they progress. They will go out if they are beaten by Spain, or if the match ends in a draw and Costa Rica triumph against Germany. Goal difference will be required to decide their fate if they draw and Germany are victorious.
Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by defeating Germany. A draw for Luis Fernando Suarez’s side would also guarantee a spot in the next phase if Spain overcome Japan, but if the current group leaders are beaten then goal difference comes into play. A draw in both games or a defeat for Costa Rica puts them out.
Germany must pick up three points to stay in contention. Victory over Costa Rica coupled with a win for Spain against Japan will see them qualify. A draw between Luis Enrique’s side and the Samurai Blue, or a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference. All other results would see Hansi Flick’s men out of the competition.
Group F
Canada-Morocco (1 December, 18:00 local time) Croatia-Belgium (1 December, 18:00 local time)
Croatia are through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing eliminated Canada to overcome Morocco, in which case goal difference would be required to separate Zlatko Dalic's side from the Atlas Lions.
Morocco are through if they win or draw. Defeat would leave them needing Belgium to overcome Croatia, in which case goal difference would be required to determine if they or the 2018 runners-up progress to the last 16.
Belgium will qualify for the Round of 16 with victory over Croatia. Defeat will see them knocked out. A draw will only be enough if Morocco are beaten by Canada, with goal difference then set to determine where Roberto Martinez’s side and Walid Regragui’s outfit finish in Group F.
Canada are already eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures.
Group G
Serbia-Switzerland (2 December, 22:00 local time) Cameroon-Brazil (2 December, 22:00 local time)
Brazil are already through and will finish top of the group if they draw or win. If Brazil lose and Switzerland win, top spot will be decided by goal difference.
Switzerland will be out if they are beaten by Serbia, but through with a win. Should they take all three points, goal difference would decide top spot of the group if Brazil lose against Cameroon. If Switzerland draw they would be through if Brazil win or draw. But if Cameroon beat Brazil and the Swiss take a point, then second place will be decided by goal difference.
Serbia and Cameroon both need to win to still have a chance to progress. If both win then second place between the two would be decided by goal difference.
Group H
Ghana-Uruguay (2 December, 18:00 local time) Korea Republic-Portugal (2 December, 18:00 local time)
Portugal are already through and can secure top spot with a draw or a win against Korea Republic.
Ghana can progress with a win against Uruguay. If they draw they would go through if Korea Republic do not beat Portugal. If the Asian side win then second place would be decided by goal difference between them and Ghana.
Uruguay and Korea Republic will be out if they lose or draw. Uruguay can still go through with a win if Korea Republic don't beat Portugal. If both teams triumph, then second spot will be decided between them by goal difference.
Tiebreaker information
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the completion of the group stage, the following criteria, in the order below, shall be applied to determine the ranking:
• Step 1:
(a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
(b) superior goal difference in all group matches; (c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
• Step 2:
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows:
(d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
(e) superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
(f) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
(g) highest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained;
(h) drawing of lots by FIFA.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, as well as delegates from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada walked out of Saturday’s session of the APEC meeting
TOKYO, September 17: A message in a bottle released 37 years ago by Japanese high school students has been found -- around 6,000 kilometres (3,700 miles) away in Hawaii.
Members of a natural science club at Choshi High School in Chiba, east of Tokyo, released 750 bottles into the sea between 1984 and 1985 to investigate ocean currents.
The bottles -- which contained messages in English, Japanese and Portuguese asking the finder to contact the sender -- have washed up in places as far-flung as the Philippines, Canada and Alaska.
But none had been found since the 50th bottle was discovered in 2002 in Japan's southwestern Kagoshima Prefecture.
The 51st bottle was discovered by a nine-year-old girl on a beach in Hawaii in June, the school announced, with the postcard-sized messages still largely legible.
"I was really surprised," school vice principal Jun Hayashi told AFP on Friday.
"The 50th bottle was found 19 years ago, so I thought it was finished. I didn't think any more would be found -- I thought they had all sunk.
"It's really exciting that the 51st has been found."
Hayashi is "hoping someone will find the 52nd now".
The club that released the bottles ended wound up in 2007.
But the school said two student representatives plan to send a letter and a miniature flag to the finder, who was named by the Hawaii Tribune Herald newspaper as Abbie Graham.
Mayumi Kondo, a member of the natural science club in 1984, said the discovery had "revived nostalgic memories" of her schooldays.
"Thirty seven years is a long time for human beings, but on the other hand, it really drives home just how big and mysterious the Earth and nature really are," she said.
Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Oman, Israel, South Africa, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, France, Czech Republic and Spain
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