Morocco's under-20 national football team head coach, Mohammed Ouahbi, said on Sunday that the team's primary goal is now to reach the final and win the U20 World Cup. Speaking to the press after Morocco's 3-1 victory over the United States in the quarter-finals, Ouahbi stated that his players are determined to give everything it takes to lift the trophy, regardless of who they face in the next round. Ouahbi expressed his deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI, noting that the monarch's ambitious development project launched several years ago, covering multiple areas, including football, has begun to bear fruit. «The results of this national project are now clearly reflected in the performances of our national teams», he said. Reflecting on the match, the coach admitted that his side did not fully follow the agreed game plan in the first half. «I asked the players to stay calm in the second half and not rush their play», he explained. «That helped us take control offensively and stay solid in defense when needed». Looking ahead to Wednesday's semi-final in Valparaíso, Ouahbi said the team will prepare as they did for previous matches, adding that the key to victory is «to stick to what we know best, without overwhelming the players with too many ideas». He concluded by highlighting the team's mindset as their greatest strength: «What drives these players is their fight to honor their country. That determination makes all the difference on the pitch».
