Doha
Morocco came back from a goal down twice but could not deny Algeria from entering the semi-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup yesterday.
The two North African rivals put on a breathtaking attacking display of football at the Al Thumama Stadium, with a penalty shootout required to decide the quarter-final contest after it had ended 2-2 after extra-time.
In the penalties, Algeria’s veteran goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi dived to his right to save Karim El Berkaoui’s spot kick. Then the 21-year-old Mohamed Tougai showed the calmness of a veteran to bury the ball into the centre of the post to send Algeria into the semis with a 5-3 scoreline in the shootout.
The Desert Warriors, who extended their unbeaten run to 37 games, will take on hosts Qatar in the semi-finals at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
Defending champions Morocco were attempting to extend their own unbeaten streak of 32 but fell short in a thrilling tie.
Algeria had opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with Yacine Brahimi converting a penalty, after Youcef Belaili had won a penalty for being fouled by Mohamed Chibi. The Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio did not give it a foul at first but changed his decision after VAR review.
Algeria’s lead stood only for a minute as Mohamed Nahiri equalised for Morocco after heading the ball in the net from an Abdelilah Hafidi cross.
With the match going into extra time, it needed something special for Algeria to go into the lead again and the impressive Belaili provided one in the 102nd minute. The Qatar SC striker unleashed a stunning right-footed shot from more than 35 yards with Morocco goalkeeper Anas Zniti scrambling back in vain to stop the ball.
But Morocco were not going down without a fight with captain Badr Bannoun equalising in the 111th minute. The defender scored his third goal of the tournament after connecting a header off a cross from Mohamed Chibi. Both teams’ players tired towards the end with the inevitability of penalties the only way to decide the winner.
Algeria missed prolific scorer Baghdad Bounedjah yesterday, with the Al Sadd striker recovering from a concussion suffered against Egypt in the last group game. Madjid Bougherra’s side were anxious to avoid a repeat of their last outing against Morocco, when they lost by four goals, and yesterday’s nerve-wracking win should make them top contenders for the Arab Cup title.
