• Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli looks downcast after France celebrate their second goal in the 2-0 World Cup semi-final win at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on December 14, 2022. EPA
    Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli looks downcast after France celebrate their second goal in the 2-0 World Cup semi-final win at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on December 14, 2022. EPA
  • Morocco's Romain Saiss consoles Achraf Hakimi at the end of the match. AP
    Morocco's Romain Saiss consoles Achraf Hakimi at the end of the match. AP
  • Morocco players kneel on the pitch at the end of the match. AP
    Morocco players kneel on the pitch at the end of the match. AP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe hugs Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. AP
    France's Kylian Mbappe hugs Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. AP
  • Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledges the fans after the match. Reuters
    Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledges the fans after the match. Reuters
  • France forward Randal Kolo Muani celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal. AFP
    France forward Randal Kolo Muani celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal. AFP
  • France substitute Randal Kolo Muani celebrates after scoring the second goal against Morocco. Getty
    France substitute Randal Kolo Muani celebrates after scoring the second goal against Morocco. Getty
  • Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring. AP
    Randal Kolo Muani celebrates scoring. AP
  • Randal Kolo Muani scores the second goal for France. Getty
    Randal Kolo Muani scores the second goal for France. Getty
  • France's Theo Hernandez (R) celebrates scoring the first goal with Olivier Giroud. EPA
    France's Theo Hernandez (R) celebrates scoring the first goal with Olivier Giroud. EPA
  • Theo Hernandez scores the opening goal past Yassine Bounou of Morocco. Getty
    Theo Hernandez scores the opening goal past Yassine Bounou of Morocco. Getty
  • Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal for France. Getty
    Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring the first goal for France. Getty
  • Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring. Getty
    Theo Hernandez celebrates after scoring. Getty
  • Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq goes close with an overhead kick. AFP
    Morocco's Jawad El Yamiq goes close with an overhead kick. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappe is frustrated. Getty
    Kylian Mbappe is frustrated. Getty
  • Kylian Mbappe after a missed chance. Getty
    Kylian Mbappe after a missed chance. Getty
  • Morocco's Romain Saiss is substituted by Selim Amallah during the first half. AP
    Morocco's Romain Saiss is substituted by Selim Amallah during the first half. AP
  • Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Yassine Bounou and Achraf Dari. Getty
    Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Yassine Bounou and Achraf Dari. Getty
  • France's Olivier Giroud in action. AP
    France's Olivier Giroud in action. AP
  • Aurelien Tchouameni of France reacts after a challenge with Sofyan Amrabat. Getty
    Aurelien Tchouameni of France reacts after a challenge with Sofyan Amrabat. Getty
  • Antoine Griezmann during the semi-final. Getty
    Antoine Griezmann during the semi-final. Getty
  • Ibrahima Konateof France in action against Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. EPA
    Ibrahima Konateof France in action against Achraf Hakimi of Morocco. EPA
  • France's Ousmane Dembele and Morocco's Yahia Attiyat Allah challenge for the ball. AP
    France's Ousmane Dembele and Morocco's Yahia Attiyat Allah challenge for the ball. AP

Walid Regragui proud Morocco 'fought until the last minute' against France


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Morocco manager Walid Regragui paid tribute to his players despite the World Cup semi-final defeat to France, saying they had “shown to the world that Moroccan football exists”.

The North Africans, the first Arab country to contest a World Cup quarter-final and then the only African nation to reach the last four, were beaten 2-0 by holders France at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday night.

However, even in defeat, Morocco won plenty of admirers. They went a goal down on five minutes to Theo Hernandez’s volley, but pinned back France for much of the match before substitute Randal Kolo Muani's 79th-minute goal sealed a second successive final for the the reigning champions.

Speaking afterwards, Regragui said: "We gave our all, that's the most important thing. The boys fought until the last minute. We had some injuries, we lost [centre-back Nayef] Aguerd in the warm-up, [on 20 minutes, captain Romain] Saiss, [at half-time, left-back Noussair] Mazraoui... but there are no excuses.

"We paid for the slightest mistake. We didn't get into the game well; we had too much technical waste in the first half, and the second goal kills us, but that doesn't take away everything we did before.

"We wanted to win the game, but we came up against a strong team that knows what it is doing and waits for you to make a mistake, which we made at the beginning of the game.”

Nevertheless, Morocco have become one of the stories of the Qatar tournament. They qualified for the knockout stages for the first in 36 years by finishing top of their group, and then made history by advancing to the quarter-finals and the semi-finals.

Along the way, they defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

"We could have scored, but unfortunately a goal didn't come,” Regragui said on Wednesday. “May the Moroccans forgive us. We wanted to go to the final but... next time, God willing.

"We gave the maximum, that's the most important thing. The most important thing is to have given a good image, to have shown the world that Moroccan football exists and that we have beautiful supporters.

"To reach the very, very highest level, to win a World Cup, we still have to work. But we are not very far away.”

Morocco, never before to this point, will have to dust themselves off to prepare for Saturday’s third-place play-off against Croatia.

"It will be difficult on the mental level," Regragui said. "I will give opportunities to those who did not participate, and we will try to clinch the third place.

"The important thing is that we presented a good look to our team, and that football in Morocco is not far from the top levels."

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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Diaa%20Jubaili%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20180%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Deep%20Vellum%20Publishing%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

Copa del Rey

Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

 

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt

Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure

Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Bookshops: A Reader's History by Jorge Carrión (translated from the Spanish by Peter Bush),
Biblioasis

Updated: December 15, 2022, 11:18 AM