Morocco makes historical past in 1-0 defeat of South Korea at Women’s World Cup

ADELAIDE, Australia — Morocco made historical past in a number of methods throughout its 1-0 victory over South Korea within the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Defender Nouhaila Benzina grew to become the primary participant to put on a Hijab in a World Cup sport on the senior degree, and her teammate Ibtissam Jraïdi scored the Atlas Lionesses’ first World Cup aim. The Moroccans scored within the sixth minute and had been capable of make it get up for the rest of the match.

After a lopsided 6-0 loss in opposition to Germany, the victory retains No. 72-ranked Morocco in competition to advance to the knockout stage of the match.

Morocco scored its first ever World Cup aim within the sixth minute when Ibtissam Jraïdi met a cross from Hanane Aït El Haj with a glancing header towards the far put up.

South Korea had nearly all of the possession however was unable to translate the benefit into many scoring alternatives. Its finest probability at equalizing got here within the 87th minute when 16-year-old New Jersey resident Casey Phair pushed a shot simply broad of the put up. Phair, the youngest participant to seem at a World Cup, went on as a late substitute.

After dropping its opening match 6-0 to Germany, Morocco’s victory quickly strikes it degree with Germany and Colombia on three factors forward of the matchup later Sunday between these groups in Sydney. Morocco turns into the primary Arab Nation ever to win a sport at a Women’s World Cup and stays in competition to advance to the spherical of 16.

PHOTOS: Morocco makes historical past in 1-0 defeat of South Korea at Women’s World Cup

South Korea is all however eradicated from the match after its second lack of the match.

“We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs – it’s the fruit of our hard work.” – Ibtissam Jraïdi, Morocco ahead.

“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyze. The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.” – Collin Bell, South Korea coach.

Morocco will tackle Colombia on the ultimate day of the group stage Thursday in Perth in a match which will determine which of the 2 groups advances to the spherical of 16. South Korea will play Germany in Brisbane. The two matches will kick off concurrently.

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Luke Winstel contributed to this report from Brisbane, Australia.

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