Morocco women’s national team manager Reynald Pedros says his side are dreaming of a place in the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they prepare to take on Colombia in their final Group H match at Peth Rectangular Stadium on Thursday.
The Atlas Lionesses sealed a historic first tournament win by defeating South Korea 1-0 in Adelaide on Sunday. They will now have the chance of making it through to the knockout phase in their maiden World Cup outing should they defeat the Colombians and two-time champions Germany fail to defeat the Koreans in Brisbane.
Pedros however acknowledges his team needs to play at a high level against a Colombia side, that defeated two-time world champions Germany 2-1 last time out, if they are to stand a chance of making their dream come alive.
“I think for the last three years with our national team,” Pedros said ahead of the game. “We are really progressing fast because for the first time we were able to qualify for this World Cup. We’re here for the first time. We managed to win one of the group matches.
“So, we are progressing. But of course, when you see the match between Colombia and Germany, we expect it to be an aggressive match, a match full of duels. So, we need to play at a very high level, at an international level. So, we need to be as best as we can. Thinking of (Performance against, South) Korea, for example. But even if Colombia won against Germany.
“It’s still a football game and it’s up to us to do everything that’s necessary so that we can make things a little bit difficult for the Colombian team. And create maybe an element of surprise. And hopefully, we can get our three points and maybe dream of qualification and dream of the round of 16.”
???? المنتخب الوطني النسوي يواصل تحضيراته لمباراة كولومبيا
A training session filled with smiles, cheers, and determination as our Women's National Team prepared to face Colombia#DimaMaghrib ???????? #OneGameOneFamily #AtlasLionesses pic.twitter.com/N6017jIe1P
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 31, 2023
Should Morocco make it to the round of 16, they would be the only one of eight debutants in Australia and New Zealand to do so with the remaining seven’s (Philippines, Zambia, Ireland, Portugal, Haiti, Panama and Vietnam) elimination already confirmed.
