Former Dutch player and coach, Hans Kraay Jr., expressed his concern about the possibility of his country’s national team facing Morocco in the early knockout rounds of the World Cup.
Kraay, in statements to “ESPN” today, explained that he hopes both teams succeed in the tournament, but he prefers they do not meet before the quarter-finals, noting that an early confrontation could end one of their campaigns.
Kraay Jr. added that progressing past the group stage is considered a success, and luck will play a significant role thereafter.
He affirmed that facing Morocco in the second round “would spoil the Dutch-Moroccan celebration” for him, preferring them to meet in more advanced stages.
The sports analyst pointed out that both teams possess strong squads, making any early encounter difficult for both sides.
Kraay predicted that if the Netherlands tops its group, it will face the runner-up of Group C, which includes Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, thus opening the door to a potential early confrontation if this scenario materializes. He concluded by emphasizing the strength of the Moroccan national team and its ability to advance further in the tournament.
