A video of Louis van Gaal supporting Morocco emerged on social media, creating a buzz. The video dates back to 2018, when the Netherlands was not part of the FIFA World Cup. However, many fans believed the video was recent and the dutch coach rooted for Morocco.
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The Atlas Lions has made it to the semi-finals in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to do so. They will take on current champions France for a place in the finals. Morocco has already beaten Belgium, Spain, and Portugal en route to the semi-final. It will take a mighty effort to stop the Mbappe-led attack from the team.
Louis van Gaal supported Morocco in the 2018 FIFA World Cup
The Netherlands team didn’t qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was an enormous setback for the team. Dutch were part of UEFA Group A for World Cup Qualifiers, which consisted of France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Luxembourg. France made it to the World Cup with direct qualification. The Netherlands finished third behind Sweden on goal difference, ending their hopes of qualification through the play-offs.
MOROCCO VS. FRANCE IN THE WORLD CUP SEMIFINALS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/A6mNPUz0cr
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
Morocco got many dutch fans supporting them during the 2018 edition as the team had five players born in the Netherlands on the squad. The most notable names were Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, and Karim El Ahmadi. Although, Hakim Ziyech, who was starring at the Dutch club Ajax, was the big reason for the Dutch support of Morocco.
Van Gaal was also the one who released a video on YouTube to support the Atlas Lions for the 2018 campaign. “I’m wearing a green polo shirt. I’m pretty sure you all know why. Green is in the shirt of Morocco,” Van Gaal said.
Meanwhile, the 2018 campaign for the Morocco team was one to forget. The Herve Renard-managed side finished last in the group stage. Morocco was in Group B with Spain, Portugal, and Iran. They lost their games against Spain and Portugal while drawing the game against Iran.
Will the Netherlands support Morocco again in the semi-finals?
The Netherlands team went out of the Qatar World Cup after losing to Argentina in the chaotic quarter-finals. Brawls between the players and the flurry of the yellow cards shown to the players marred the game. Argentina won the game on penalties after a comeback from the Netherlands to draw the game.
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🇲🇦 History makers!🇲🇦
Morocco have made history!
The Atlas 🦁 are the first African and Arab country to reach the World Cup semi-finals!
They’ve beaten Portugal 1-0.
Yalla Morocco!!#MoroccoVsPortugal #MARPOR#PORMAR#Qatar2022#WorldCup2022#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/cUf6CeKOUs— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) December 10, 2022
On the other hand, Morocco beat Portugal in regulation time as the first-half goal from Youssef En-Nesyri proved enough. They became the first African team by doing so to qualify for the semi-finals of a World Cup.
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Compared to the 2018 squad, the current squad boasts four Netherlands-born players. One of those players, Sofyan Amrabat, is flying high in the current campaign and is already on the radar of the big clubs. Now that the Netherlands is out, will Dutch fans again turn to support Morocco in the semi-final against France?