Olympics 2024 – Achraf Hakimi, one of the leaders of the Moroccan Olympic team, expressed his dismay after Morocco’s 2-1 defeat against Ukraine in the Paris 2024 Olympic football tournament.
Following a memorable 2-1 victory against Argentina in the opening match, the Moroccan team hoped to secure an early qualification and approach the final group game against Iraq with more confidence. However, the scenario did not unfold as expected.
Despite equalizing in the 64th minute with a penalty from Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco failed to capitalize on their strong moments, notably missing the chance to score in the extended stoppage time, even with a numerical advantage following the dismissal of a Ukrainian player. This offensive inefficiency allowed Ukraine to pull off a heist by scoring in the 98th minute, leaving the Moroccans disheartened.
In the mixed zone, Hakimi expressed his frustration, emphasizing his team’s lack of efficiency. “We lacked experience and realism. We created numerous chances but failed to convert them. At this level of competition, it is crucial to score when you have the opportunity; otherwise, you get punished, as was the case today,” he stated.
This defeat complicates Morocco’s situation, leaving them third in their group with 3 points, the same as the other teams. They must win their next match against Iraq to hope for a place in the quarterfinals.
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