The Atlas Lionesses scores historic first FIFA Women’s World Cup goal, pip Taegeuk Nangja 1-0
Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina runs after the ball during the Women’s World Cup Group H match against South Korea in Adelaide on Sunday, July 30, 2023
Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina becomes the first player to wear hijab in a World Cup match. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
By Ed Emeanua
Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses blazed a historic trail at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in their lone goal defeat of South Korea’s Taegeuk Nangja at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, on Sunday.
Hanane Ait El Haj scored Morocco’s history making initial world cup in the 6th minute of the pulsating tie in Australia, as well as aiding Lionesses to their first world cup win.
After Hong Hyeji’s giveaway in the 6th minute for a throw-in on the right, Ait El Haj thrusted in a tantalizing cross to the near post for Ibtissam Jraidi to get in front of her marker and glance her excellent header into the far corner for Morocco’s maiden World Cup goal! It was a stunning start for the North Africans.
[𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗫𝗜] 모로코전에 출전하는 🇰🇷여자축구국가대표팀의 선발명단을 공개합니다!
📌Non-playing 류지수
✔2023 FIFA 호주·뉴질랜드 여자월드컵 조별리그 2차전
🇰🇷v🇲🇦#모로코 07.30(일) 13:30 🏟힌드마시스타디움
📺KBS2, MBC, SBS ⏰한국시간 기준#고강도 #높게강하게도전하라 pic.twitter.com/38EdszFN6y— theKFA (@theKFA) July 30, 2023
The goal was totally against the run-of-play in a first half that was totally dominated by the fast paced Korean Women’s national side.
Before the goal, Morocco’s recalled Nouhaila Benzina set an historic occasion for women’s football on the day by becoming the first player ever to appear at the World Cup wearing hijab. The rule to allow the headcovering was made in 2014, and nine years later the Moroccan defender is the first lady to make use of it.
التشكيلة الرسمية لمنتخبنا الوطني النسوي أمام منتخب كوريا الجنوبية 🇰🇷
🚨Here's our starting XI for today's match against South Korea #DimaMaghrib 🇲🇦 #OneGameOneFamily #AtlasLionesses pic.twitter.com/KmUyRX9d3N
— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) July 30, 2023
Following Morocco’s goal, Korea searched in vain for the early direct ball to feed to the powerful Eun-Sun Park, but Atlas Lionesses were more urgent to the second balls, extinguishing any danger on the ground even as they incessantly lost the aerial battle.
As the game wore on in the first half, contrasting styles in which the Moroccans were pinned down in defense of the lone goal in their end of the field, with sporadic bursts of counter attacking posture became evident.
Yet, it was the Moroccans who were creating the clearer opportunities to add to their lead having effectively denied the Taegeuk Nangja with their stoic defensive shape.
In the 20th minute, Korea’s defenders posed a bewildering picture as they appeared as if they did not want the ball anywhere near their end, but a bouncing ball in their direction from midfield forces them into an unscripted concerto to clear their lines. They rather did that so well, eventually, and led to their best move of the match with Sel-Gi Jang and So-Yun Ji linking well. The cross off the combination glances off Eun-Sun Park and drilled back across the face of goal but Hwa-Yeon Son could not divert it on target.
The first eventually screeched to the end with the Moroccan Ladies preserving their lone goal lead. It was a surprise scoreline at the break, but one Atlas Lionesses have earned. Morocco have created the better of the chances, and despite South Korea edging the possession in the latter parts of the half, Taegeuk Nangja have looked out of sorts and lacking in inspiration.
“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyze in detail. I’m not going to let my emotions take over now, and obviously we’re all very disappointed.
“The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.”
