Against a Ronaldo-led Portugal, Morocco’s solid defense will have to stop one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time

Morocco need to keep out Ronaldo and co. in Russia. (Reuters)

MOSCOW: Morocco negotiated World Cup qualifying without conceding a single goal, but if they intend to maintain their defensive record they will have to stop one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Morocco were drawn in Group B, alongside reigning European champions Portugal, 2010 World Cup winners Spain and Iran. Mustapha Hadji, who played for the Atlas Lions the last time they featured at a World Cup in 1998 and is now the team’s assistant coach, called it a “deadly group.”
The side’s French coach Herve Renard agreed, although he insisted his team are going to knockout Russia with the goal of progressing to the knock-out stages for the first time since 1986. 
“After a 20-year absence, Morocco find themselves in a very difficult group, but we know that the World Cup is the very highest level and we have to be at our best,” the Frenchman said.
“It looks difficult on paper, but nothing is impossible in football. We are not going just to take part. Morocco beat Portugal in 1986 so why not see that like an omen?
“What we need to do is go with a lot of determination and give our very best in every game. And we need to do it with a lot of self-confidence. Our first match against Iran will be decisive.”
Portugal coach Fernando Santos, however, is not only focusing on Spain, saying he expects Morocco to play with “a lot of pride” and “be very difficult opponents.”
Meanwhile North African neighbors Tunisia were drawn in Group G with Belgium, England and Panama. Coach Nabil Maâloul is under no illusions who the group favorites are and believes his side can progress to the last-16 ahead of England.
“Without contest Belgium are the favorites in this group,” he said. “Their coach has an embarrassment of riches. They are clearly favorites from what we have seen in recent years, with the coach they have. Second place, I honestly think will be between England and us. It is the key game for us, and I think if we can get a positive result there we have every chance of qualifying.”
Unlike Saudi Arabia, who will play in the World Cup curtain-raiser on Jun. 14, Tunisia will not start their campaign until the fifth day of competition. It was a fact not lost on Maâloul.
”That is the most important thing for us,” he said.
“I asked God to avoid putting us in the first group because Ramadan finishes on Jun. 14-15 and you know how important it is for us as Muslims.”