Preview of the 2022 World Cup Morocco Vs Croatia: Modric Cs are favored but the presence of Ziyech and Hakimi at Atlas Lions could be a surprise

Croatian national team (Twitter @HNS_CFF)

JAKARTA - Morocco and Croatia will meet in the inaugural match of Group F of the 2022 World Cup. Taking place on Wednesday, November 23 at the Al Bayt Stadium, kick-off starts at 17.00 WIB.

For the two teams, this is the first time they have met at the World Cup. But, on paper, Croatia is superior in this party. Because, if you look at the only meeting between Morocco and Croatia in the Hassan II Trophy last December 1996, Croatia won over Morocco.

In addition, Croatia is also seeded again with its status as runners-up in the previous edition of the World Cup. While in the history of its participation in the World Cup, Morocco has only passed the group stage once, namely in 1986.

However, even though Croatia is superior on paper, Zlatko Dalic as the coach is believed to not think of Morocco as an easy team. By relying on appearances like Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic to Ivan Perisic, Croatia must remain vigilant for surprises that will occur later.

The Atlas Lions should be wary of Croatia because they have top players like Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech. Moreover, Morocco also has a slick record at the 2018 World Cup because at that time they only lost 0-1 to Portugal and balanced out Spain 2-2.

Morocco vs Croatia Forecast

First Matchday of Group F

Al Bayt Stadium, Wednesday, November 23

5:00 p.m

Morocco (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Achraf Hakimi; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat; Hakim Ziyech, Sofiane Boufal, Selim Amallah; Youssef En-Nesyri.

Coach: Walid Regragui.

Croatia (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Josip Sutalo, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Nikola Vlasic, Marko Livaja, Ivan Perisic.

Coach: Zlatko Dalic.