Morocco 2 – 0 UAE
By our man in Doha
DOHA, Qatar — The Atlas Lions of Morocco booked their spot in the next round of the FIFA Arab Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates, but the real star of the show was the magnificent theatre of football itself: the iconic Al Thumama Stadium.
The stunning 40,000-seater venue in Doha, famous for its distinctive architecture which mirrors the traditional Arabic woven cap, the gahfiya, proved to be the perfect stage for Morocco’s clinical win. The stadium, a stunning reminder of the 2022 World Cup and a cultural landmark in its own right, provided a truly spectacular backdrop as the North African giants marched on.
The first goal came from Karim El Berkaoui just before the half-hour mark, slotting home a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box. The crowd, a buzzing mix of Moroccan red and UAE white, erupted inside the spectacular bowl-shaped arena.
The Emiratis battled hard to get back into the match at the eye-catching ground, but their lack of cutting edge allowed Morocco to double their lead late on.
Substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah sealed the deal in the 89th minute, finding the back of the net to make it 2-0 and ensuring Morocco progressed in the tournament.
The win was comfortable, but the talking point remains the setting.
Al Thumama, which has seen some classic matches, including Morocco’s famous 2022 World Cup quarter-final win over Portugal, once again delivered the atmosphere to match the occasion.
The stadium, which will see its upper tier removed and donated to developing countries after the tournament, is proving to be a true legacy venue, and the Moroccans will be hoping it continues to bring them good luck as they chase the Arab Cup title
