Bounou back as Morocco eye World Cup last 16

DOHA: Morocco coach Walid Regragui made two changes to his starting line-up as his team bid to clinch their place in the World Cup last 16 against already-eliminated Canada on Thursday. Regragui brings back goalkeeper Yassine Bounou following his absence from Sunday’s win over Belgium in Group F.

He has also made an attacking change in midfield, with Abdelhamid Sabiri coming in for Selim Amallah. Canada coach John Herdman has made four changes for his team’s final game of the tournament following defeats to Belgium and Croatia.

Mark-Anthony Kaye comes into midfield for his first start of the tournament while Sam Adekugbe, Junior Hoilett and Jonathan Osorio have also been named in the starting line-up. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has been pushed into a more advanced role as Canada aim to thwart Morocco’s qualification bid at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Morocco, who are second in Group F with four points, need only a draw to be assured of a place in the knockout rounds. Teams: Canada (3-4-3) Milan Borjan; Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria; Sam Adekugbe, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett; Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan Coach: John Herdman (ENG) Morocco (4-3-3) Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss (capt), Noussair Mazraoui; Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri; Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech Coach: Walid Regragui (MAR) Referee: Raphael Claus (BRA)