Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Arab Cup title showdown between Morocco and Jordan

The FIFA Arab Cup title has been narrowed down to Morocco and Jordan after Morocco defeated the United Arab Emirates 3–0 and Jordan edged Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the semifinals of the tournament, which will conclude with the final on Thursday in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Morocco’s attacking brilliance

In the first semifinal, the “Atlas Lions” booked their place in the final for the first time with a comprehensive 3–0 victory, earning a deserved win over a UAE side that had hoped to compensate for their World Cup qualifying disappointment by reaching the final.

Morocco opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Karim El Berkaoui, who powered home a superb header after a precise cross from the left by Hamza Moussaoui, who was later named Man of the Match.

Despite sustained Emirati pressure in search of an equalizer and a series of substitutions by the “Whites,” substitute Achraf El Mehdioui doubled Morocco’s lead with a strike from inside the penalty area, capitalizing on a pass from fellow substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 83rd minute.

Hamdallah then completed the scoring in stoppage time, finishing from close range after a pass from Mohammed Bolkassout to spark wild celebrations among the Moroccan fans.

World Cup-bound Jordan shine

Jordan, who have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, overcame Saudi Arabia after withstanding early pressure from the “Green Falcons,” whose players appealed for a penalty in the 39th minute.

Jordan increased their attacking threat at the start of the second half in search of a breakthrough and found it in the 60th minute, when captain Mahmoud Mardi delivered an inch-perfect cross that was met by a fine header from Nizar Al Rashdan.

Saudi Arabia responded with a shot from Firas Al-Buraikan in the 70th minute following a cross from Salem Al-Dawsari, but Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila produced an excellent save.

A golden chance fell to Saleh Al-Shehri in the 87th minute when he was played through on goal by Musab Al-Juwayr, but he failed to convert from close range, sending the ball wide and sealing Jordan’s place in the final.