Morocco coach Herve Renard has described his side’s opening match of the World Cup against Iran on Friday as the ‘moment of truth’ for his team.
The Atlas Lions are preparing for their first World Cup finals since 1998, but they have been handed a tough draw in Group B, as not only will they face Iran, but they will also take on Euro 2016 winners Portugal and 2010 world champions Spain for a place in the knockout stages.
Renard is looking to guide the North Africans through to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and he has underlined the importance of their group opener against the Iranians in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
“We are no whipping boys and we will be able to show our best qualities at this World Cup,” Renard said.
“I think we made it to the level we wanted to reach during the training.
I am very satisfied with the training we’ve had. This game with Iran will be the moment of truth for Morocco.”
Morocco impressed in qualifying, as they did not concede a goal during matches against Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mali, while they are unbeaten in their last 18 games, a run that stretches back over a year.
Renard’s men will be hoping to preserve that unbeaten run in Russia and they are priced at 4.00 to qualify for the knockout stages.
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