Action from the international friendly between Canada (white jersey) and host Morocco on October 11, 2016, in Marrakech. (Photo courtesy of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football)
MARRAKECH, Morocco – Morocco scored three goals in the second half, including a pair from the penalty spot, to earn a 4-0 win over visiting Canada in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The Canadians, who saw their winning streak snapped at two games, were shutout for the first time in six outings.
Mehdi Carcela gave Morocco a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, when he collected a left-sided cross initially intended for Youssef En-Nsery and beat goalkeeper Milan Borjan with a half volley. The goal came when Canada was down a man while Marcus Haber was receiving treatment for a cut on his face from an earlier collision.
The lead was doubled in the 65th as Hakin Ziyech converted a penalty kick after David Edgar was ruled to have committed a foul in the box.
An injured Borjan was replaced in the 72nd minute by Simon Thomas, who made a tremendous on a breakaway attempt by Aziz Bouhaddouz.
Thomas, however, could not prevent the score from being extended 3-0 in the 81st minute. Once again, Ziyech struck from the penalty spot, following a Manjrekar James infraction.
With three minutes left in normal time, Rachid Alioui closed Morocco’s goal account, firing an attempt that deflected off Edgar and sailed beyond Thomas’ reach.
Canada did have two opportunities to get on the scoreboard, but Jonathan Osorio chip was saved and Marco Bustos had attempt tipped over the crossbar in the 74th and 78th minutes, respectively.
The CONCACAF side returns to action on November 11 with a visit to Korea Republic.
International Friendly
October 11, 2016: Grande Stade de Marrakech – Marrakech, Morocco (Att: 8,000)
Morocco-Canada 4-0 (1-0)
Mehdi Carcela 12’; Hakin Ziyech 65’ pen; 81’ pen; Rachid Alioui 87’
Morocco: Yassine Bounou; Fouad Chafik (Achraf Hakimi 67’), Marouan Da Costa (Yunis Abdelhamid 84’), Youssef Ait Bennasser, Hamza Mendyl, Karim El Hamadi, Fayçal Fajr, Mehdi Carcela (Rachid Alioui 67’), Hakim Ziyech (Khalid Boutaib 84’), Ismail El Haddad (Ismail H'Midat 74’), Youssef En-Nsery (Aziz Bouhaddouz 67’). Head Coach: Herve Renard
Canada: Milan Borjan (Simon Thomas 72’); Fraser Aird, Manjrekar James, David Edgar, Marcel De Jong, Samuel Piette (Marco Bustos 65’), Adam Straith, Johnathan Osorio, Tosaint Ricketts, Simeon Jackson (Maxim Tissot 65’), Marcus Haber (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 61’). Head Coach: Michael Findlay
