Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina (25) became the first soccer player in a women’s World Cup to wear a hijab on her head in Sunday’s game against South Korea. A ban by world football’s governing body FIFA on wearing a religious hat at games it directs for “health and safety reasons” was lifted in 2014 after protests by activists, athletes, government and football officials. The player from the eight-time Moroccan champion Sports of Forces Armed Royal was not used in the 6-0 defeat against Germany.
“I have no doubt that more and more women and Muslim girls will look at Benzina and be really inspired – not just the players, but I think decision makers, coaches and other sports,” said Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of Muslim Women in Sports Network. Morocco is the first Arab or North African country to qualify for the Women’s World Cup.
“We feel we have a great responsibility to project a good image and show the achievements that the Moroccan football team have achieved by qualifying for the World Cup,” captain Ghizlane Chebbak said.
Morocco with first World Cup victory
The World Cup newcomers from Morocco kept their chance of reaching the round of 16 alive with a 1-0 win over South Korea. Ibtissam Jraidi (6th) scored the Atlas Lions’ first World Cup goal in Adelaide, Australia. Morocco also provided Germany with a helping hand: with a win against Colombia (11.30 a.m. CEST in the FAZ live ticker for the women’s soccer World Cup and on ARD) in Sydney, the DFB team would have qualified early for the round of 16.
Morocco were courageous from the start, and there was no sign of the weak start against Germany. On the contrary, coach Reynald Pedros’ team dominated the opening stages and quickly took the lead after Jraidi’s header. The four-time top scorer in the Moroccan championship could have gone even higher after that. Far too little came from South Korea with the former Frankfurt coach Colin Bell, as in the 0: 2 against Colombia, the offensive remained pale. Only after the break did the Asians increase the pace.
National coach Inka Grings has meanwhile reached the round of 16 of the World Cup with Switzerland after a thriller. A hard-fought 0-0 draw against New Zealand was enough for the Confederates to reach the knockout stages for the second time since 2015. New Zealand, on the other hand, was eliminated for the fifth time in a row after the preliminary round.
In Dunedin, Norway’s quick lead in the parallel game against the Philippines made it clear to the hosts that one win would be enough. The “Football Ferns” then ran, cheered on by the 25,000 fans, but were unlucky: Jacqui Hand’s shot from a tight angle went wide of the post (24′). Even after the break, the Grings-Elf survived the onslaught.
After beating the Philippines 2-0 and drawing 0-0 against Norway, Switzerland made it through to the round of 16 without conceding a goal, where they will face Spain or former world champions Japan on Saturday. Eight years ago, Switzerland reached the round of 16 for the only time so far, but lost 1-0 to hosts Canada. Norway are also through to the round of 16 thanks to a 6-0 win over the Philippines.
Marc Heinrich, Melbourne Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 4 Tobias buyers, Bogotá Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 5 Published/Updated:
Triple goal scorer Sophie Haug (6th/17th/90th + 5), Caroline Graham Hansen (31st), Guro Riding (53rd, penalty kick according to video evidence) and an own goal by Alicia Barker (48th) never scored endangered success, outsiders Philippines were eliminated at the World Cup premiere with three points as group bottom. Sofia Harrison saw the newcomer red card for gross foul play (67th, after video evidence).
