Our football match prediction:
Morocco
Match Time & Date:
15/06/2018
16:00 GMT
Prediction: 1-0
Iran
Morocco have been in a thrilling form in 2018 and they will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Iran in the opening match of their World Cup campaign. French tactician Herve Renard is doing a great job with the African side and it has to be noted that his men defeated Slovakia in their penultimate warm-up game. A man to watch in Herve Renard’s team will be Ajax star Ziyech, who could prove a handful for the opposition defenders. Iran, on the other hand, were impressive at the back in the qualifiers and they are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in Friday’s football match. A low-scoring affair is on the cards, but given Morocco’s thrilling form, we are tempted to put our money on the Atlas Lions. The two teams meet for the first time ever at the showpiece tournament.
Highlighted Player (Karim El Ahmadi):
Karim El Ahmadi’s parents are of Moroccan descent, but he was born and raised in Enschede Netherlands. El Ahmadi started his senior career in his hometown club Twente, but in 2008 he moved to Feyenoord. In 2011 he signed a loan deal with Al Ahli, but the midfielder played ten league games for the club. Karim El Ahmadi then moved to Premier League and it has to be noted that he played for Aston Villa from 2012 to 2014. The Morocco international scored three goals in 51 league appearances for the Villa Park outfit. In 2014 he returned to Feyenoord and he has been playing for the Dutch outfit ever since. Speaking of his international career, Karim El Ahmadi made his Morocco debut on 11 February, 2009 in a goalless draw with Czech Republic. He came as a substitute in the second half of the match, replacing fellow midfielder Youssef Safri. His main position is central midfielder, but he plays as a defensive midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Iran):
Iranian Football Federation was founded back in 1920. The Team Melli played their first match not before August, 1941, when they faced British India in Kabul. The Iranians emerged triumphant in the game (1-0) and two days later they played their first FIFA international match against Afghanistan. In 1968 the Iranians won their first trophy, with the team lifting the Asian Cup title. The Iranians repeated the success four years later and, to make things even better, they won the 1976 Asian Cup trophy as well. Speaking of their participation at the FIFA World Cup finals, Iran booked their place at the showpiece tournament for the first time in 1978. The Team Melli then missed the next four major tournaments before qualifying for the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France. The Iranians participated at the 2006 and the 2014 tournaments as well and they did well to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Iran footballers wear white shirts and white shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kits is red.
