Morocco and Algeria One Step Away from an Explosive Derby in the Semi-Finals

The final bracket of the Arab Cup draws an ideal scenario for fans of suspense. If Tarik Sektioui’s men overcome the Syrian obstacle and Algeria dominate the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the two neighbors will face off on Monday, December 15 for a place in the final. This prospect places the quarter-finals under particular pressure, with each nation wanting to secure this prestigious meeting.

The Fennecs have held their rank to get there. The 2-0 victory against Iraq allowed Madjid Bougherra’s team to lock down the first place in Group D. This result avoids them facing Jordan, who had a flawless record, and sends Egypt home after an unexpected rout. Algeria will therefore challenge the UAE, who defeated Kuwait, with the label of favorite.

Morocco’s journey has caused a stir in the opposing camp. The 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia on the last day made Hervé Renard lose his temper. The French coach of the Green Falcons, annoyed to cede the group leadership, criticized the behavior of his players, believing they did not "respect football" before cutting short his interview.

Saudi Arabia will have to redeem themselves against Palestine, the surprising group leader ahead of Syria. This Palestinian qualification follows a 0-0 draw that has caused a lot of ink to flow, the two teams having apparently managed a convenient result for everyone. Jordan and Iraq complete this quarter-final bracket, which will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, with the potential fratricidal derby in the last four in sight.