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Morocco 'hungry for more' says coach Regragui

Morocco are not satisfied with a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup and are hungry for more coach Walid Regragui said ahead of their clash with world champions France on Wednesday.

Morocco ‘hungry for more’ says coach Regragui

DOHA: Morocco are not satisfied with a place in the semifinals of the World Cup and are hungry for more coach Walid Regragui said ahead of their clash with world champions France on Wednesday. “If we are happy just to reach semifinal and some see that as enough, I don’t agree,” Regragui told a press conference. “If you get to the semifinals and you are not hungry then there is a problem. “The best team in the tournament, Brazil is already out.

Argentina and Messi in World Cup showdown with Modric’s Croatia

DOHA: Argentina and Lionel Messi face Croatia on Tuesday in a World Cup semifinal that pits South American flair against the guile of Luka Modric and a remarkable fighting spirit. In the second semifinal on Wednesday, reigning champions France take on giant-killing Morocco, the first African team ever to reach the last four of a World Cup. But first all eyes will be on the cavernous Lusail Stadium, where Messi, now 35, will attempt to guide Argentina into the final for the second time in eight years against the beaten finalists in 2018. Messi, who suffered defeat to Germany in the 2014 final, is desperate to crown an extraordinary career by finally winning the World Cup and emulating another Argentinian legend, the late Diego Maradona. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was a pivotal figure in Friday’s stormy quarter-final win over the Netherlands, when a record 18 yellow cards were shown and players from both sides were involved in a melee as the referee fought to regain control. The match ended with Argentina players appearing to taunt their distraught Dutch opponents before sprinting away to celebrate after a penalty shoot-out win. Even the normally mild-mannered Messi was caught up in the bad blood, shouting abuse at Dutch players while he was being interviewed after the game. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni defended his players’ conduct in an eve-of-game news conference on Monday, insisting they had nothing to apologize for. “The game the other day was played in the right way by both teams. That is football,” said the 44-year-old Argentina coach. “I don’t buy this idea that we don’t know how to win. The game was played in the right way.”

Morocco boss Regragui wants to 'change mindset' in Africa

Walid Regragui says Morocco will fight to achieve their "crazy" dream of a place in the World Cup final. Morocco have already made history as the first African team to reach the last four, having stunned Belgium, Spain and Portugal along the way. On Wednesday the Atlas Lions face the ultimate test against reigning world champions France, but coach Regragui insists they are not satisfied with a place in the semi-finals. "The further you get, the more difficult the games are. We are playing the world champions with world-class players and a very good coach, possibly the best in the world," he said. "But we will show great desire and try to pull off an upset. Why not reach the final of the World Cup? "We've come to this competition to change mindsets within our continent. If we say the semi-final is enough, I don't agree. "We aren't satisfied with the semi-final and being the first African team to do that. We want to go further. "Its's a knock-out game and when you have desire, commitment and the support of the crowd, you can win it. "We have beaten some top sides. Before every match people thought we would get knocked out but we are still here. We are getting closer to our dreams and we will fight to get there. "We are one of the four best teams in the world now and we want to reach the final. The best team, Brazil, is already knocked out. "We are hungry. I don't know if it will be enough but we want Africa to be on top of the world. I know we are not favourites but we are confident. "You might think that's crazy, but a bit of craziness is good."