Tariq Sektioui, the coach of the Moroccan national team, confirmed the readiness of the "Atlas Lions" for the highly anticipated football match against the UAE national team in the semi-finals of the Arab Cup Qatar 2025. Sektioui's statements came during the pre-match press conference, where he stressed that the team's ultimate goal is to reach the final and win the title to bring joy to the vast Moroccan fan base.
Sky-high ambition and a responsibility towards 40 million Moroccans
Sektioui began by highlighting the immense responsibility placed on the players and coaching staff, saying, "We aspire to reach the final of the Arab Cup and fulfill the hopes of 40 million Moroccans who are waiting for us to bring them joy." The coach pointed out that the road ahead would not be easy, adding, "Despite the difficulties we face and some significant absences that have plagued our ranks since the start of the tournament, we are striving to deal with our opponents with high tactical intelligence and overcome all obstacles.".
The return of striker Hamdallah... a winning card at the perfect time
Speaking about the team's strengths, Sektioui expressed his delight at the return of star player Abderrazak Hamdallah to the national team, describing him as a player with "great patriotism and a high fighting spirit" in defending the national jersey. Sektioui explained that the decision regarding Hamdallah's participation as a starter or substitute has not yet been finalized, but his mere presence provides a tremendous morale boost to his teammates and disrupts the opponent's plans, given his extensive experience and goal-scoring prowess honed in Gulf and international leagues.
Respect for the opponent and the special relationship with the UAE
The Moroccan coach also praised the strength of the Emirati national team, emphasizing, "The UAE team possesses exceptional players and plays a sophisticated style of football, but what matters to us is our preparation and focus on ourselves in tomorrow's match." He also reminisced about his previous professional stint in the UAE, saying, "I had the honor of playing and coaching in the sisterly United Arab Emirates, and I am well aware of the Emirati player's mentality and the development of the league there.".
The context of the tournament and the importance of the match
This match holds immense strategic importance for Moroccan football, as Morocco seeks to reaffirm its Arab and continental leadership, especially after the remarkable progress Moroccan football has made in recent years and the national team's qualification for the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. The Arab Cup is considered an ideal opportunity to discover local talent and players based in Arab leagues, and to prepare alternatives for the national team.
The Moroccan sports community hopes that Sektioui will be able to take advantage of the high morale and field experience of his players to overcome the obstacle of the Emirati “White” team, in a match expected to witness a large public attendance due to the large Moroccan community residing in Qatar and the Gulf, which has always been the 12th player in such major events.
