FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Henri Michel believes Morocco’s World Cup destiny lies in beating Norway in their opening game at Montpellier on Wednesday.

“It’s a key match for both sides,” the Morocco coach said Monday. “If we can win we go into our match with Brazil in another frame of mind altogether. Frankly, a defeat to Norway means we will have to at least hold Brazil and then beat Scotland to qualify for the second round. ” Training has gone well and the injured players have responded to treatment.” 

Henri, capped 58 times by France, whom he coached to the 1984 Olympic gold medal and to third place in the 1986 World Cup, shrugged off stinging criticism in the Moroccan press.

“We’re all up there to be shot down. As long as they don’t insult you personally I can take criticism. Everybody believes he can pick a football side,” said the 50-year-old Frenchman who had to put up with some incredible language from Eric Cantona when he was France coach. He thought he had detected big improvements in Morocco’s last three warm-up games.

They lost 1-0 to a Michael Owen breakaway goal after outplaying England, drew 2-2 with France and 1-1 with Chile. “We have always made openings but we’re now starting to take our chances. That can make all the difference in the World Cup,” he said. Deportivo La Coruna’s Mustapha Hadji and Noureddine Naybet had both passed fitness tests.

“They’re not 100 per cent but we can count on them,” Michel said. Hadji, the playmaker, had cracked a bone in one of his toes, and Naybet, the sweeper and captain, was recovering from a sprained ankle. Michel said his biggest worry was that they sometimes lost concentration in defence.

“But I think our lads know now they must never relax.” A last-minute goal from Lazio-bound Marcelo Salas gave Chile a 1-1 draw last week.

“We had got a little tired and were waiting for the whistle. We won’t make the same mistake against Norway,” he said. Michel said he was not worried by Norway’s big strikers or direct football.

“I know they tend to play the ball quickly up to their big strikers but I think my defenders can handle those long balls,” he said. “And our quick-passing game could open up their defence.” Whatever happens he says he will take any credit or blame. “I’ve been in charge of this side since 1996 and it’s my team. Win or lose I stand by them,” he said.