Morocco Football Premier League matches marked by low scoring

2009-09-15

The latest round of the GNF1 championship series witnessed only 10 goals over eight matches.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat — 15/09/09

[File] Raja Casablanca (above) and Hassania Agadir played one of several GNF1 Day 2 draws.

Difaa El Jadida defeated hosts OC Khouribga 1-0 on Monday (September 14th) in a Moroccan Football Premier League Day 2 match distinguished by low scores.

The match was notable for its mediocre play. Few scoring attempts were made as both teams adopted a defensive strategy for fear of allowing goals through.

During the second half, both teams upgraded their strategies and there were more scoring attempts. Difaa striker Pape Latir scored the match's only goal in the 73rd minute after a solid pass from attacker El Bezghoudi.

Elsewhere in the league, Wydad Casablanca defeated Jeunesse Sportive El Massira 3-1 on the latter's home pitch.

Wydad imposed the tempo from the start of the match, when midfielder Lys Mouthiys netted the ball with a 28-meter shot in the 10th minute, which got the crowd roaring.

Wydad continued to put pressure on JSM's defensive line and took advantage of their weaknesses, with star midfielder Ait Laarif testing the goaltender with several strong shots in the first half. Despite these attempts, JSM striker Abderrazak Saqim scored the equaliser in the 26th minute, tying the match 1-all.

Wydad regained the lead in the 60th minute when Mouithys drove in a goal with an assist by Laarif. Afterwards, WAC adopted a defensive plan to avoid giving up any goals. Wydad defender Mamadou Tale nearly scored in the 87th minute, and Wydad striker Mohamed Armoumen tapped in Wydad's third and final goal in the 86th minute, with yet another assist from Laarif.

Afterwards, Wydad coach Badou Zaki called the match "difficult" due to the high level of play by JSM players, adding that the most important thing was to win the three points.

In another match, Hassania Agadir met Raja Casablanca on Saturday. The first half saw Raja emerge with a slight edge, but no goals materialised for either side.

RCA coach Carlos Mozer tried to grab a lead by fielding subs in the second half, to no effect. The match ended in a goalless draw.

Ittithad Khémisset also drew 0-0 against their guests FUS Rabat.

IZK had plenty of scoring opportunities, but forward Hicham Fatihi failed to capitalise on his shots at the net. Meanwhile, IZK goalkeeper Aisam Badda managed to block FUS from netting any goals.

The match saw IZK Khemisset challenge the referee, who threw out a goal they scored when the clock had nearly run down. IZK claimed that the ball crossed the goal line, but the referee decided otherwise.

In other play, FAR Rabat drew 0-0 against Moghreb Tetouan. Tetouan players took advantage of weak play by their foes in the first half, but failed to drive in a goal. FAR Rabat improved during the second half, but still passed up many scoring opportunities.

OC Safi lost 0-1 to their guests Kawkab Marrakech, despite having possession of the ball for most of the game. Kawkab midfielder Lansien Kone slotted the ball for a goal in the 42nd minute.

Around the rest of the league, MAS Fes defeated guests AS Salé 1-0, while KAC Kénitra defeated Wydad Fès 2-1.