Scotland-Morocco: for a ticket to the last sixteen

20.06.98 18h28 CET

 SCOTLAND: breaking the spell.

 

SCOTLAND regularly attends major international meetings. Since 1974, SCOTLAND has been present at all the World Cups except for the last one in the USA. After a practically faultless participation in the qualifying rounds (7 victories, 2 draws and only 1 defeat), the Scots are going to make the most of FRANCE 98 to stride ahead. Unfortunately and in line with tradition, even though SCOTLAND performs well in the qualifying rounds, it has never yet got beyond the first round of the World Cup. This small football loving country with its tiny national league from a European standpoint, is often an outsider. Nonetheless, SCOTLAND always causes it's opponent's forwards numerous problems with it's unbeatable defence and well organised game. The weak point haunting the team since the beginning of time is attack as it has never had any great strikers. Perhaps Kevin GALLACHER (7) is the answer who shines out in the British league with the Blackburn Rovers.

After having conceded a victory to Brazil and drawing against NORWAY the Scots will have to give all they've got against MOROCCO to change their long standing destiny of never making it to the first round.

 

MOROCCO: in the name of the king.

MOROCCO, participating for the fourth time in the World Cup, will try to prove that it is one of the strongest African football nations. Even though it hasn't won many cups (only one victory in the African Nation Championship in 1976), MAROCCO in the first African team to win a ticket to the World Cup (second round finalists in the 1986 World Cup in MEXICO). Game player MOUSTAFA HADJI-EL (7) leads the spectacular attack of this national team.

During its first match, MOROCCO held NORWAY back (2/2) before tumbling against BRAZIL (0/3) in its last match. Thus, the "Lions de l'Atlas" will brandish their motivation during the match against SCOTLAND Tuesday 23 June, at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in SAINT-ETIENNE as a victory should allow them to get through to the second round.