According to Morocco coach Walid Regragui, a goalless draw against Croatia in their first match at the World Cup will give them confidence.
The North Africans, who also face Belgium and Canada in Group F in Qatar, suffered a group exit in Russia four years ago after losing their first two games.
Their opener against 2018 runners-up Croatia was a largely uneventful encounter with few meaningful chances.
“When you start losing, your dream is over,” said Regragui, who was appointed Morocco coach at the end of August.
“This game gives us more confidence. I think it’s a very good point for us.”
The Atlas Lions, who have not won a World Cup match since beating Scotland 3-0 in 1998, forced Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic into second-half saves with efforts from defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi.
“We couldn’t win this match, but it was a great result,” added Regragui, 47 years old.
“We did our best and I’m proud of the boys. This game was of a very high standard.”
But Regragui admitted that his team will have to improve to reach the last 16 of the competition.
“Like the European teams, we played with balance, we wanted to pose a threat to Croatia and get a good result, but the main goal was not to lose. We need to improve and develop a winning mentality,” he said.
Morocco’s draw means that African teams are yet to win a match in this year’s finals.
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