El Haddani After Heavy Defeat to Portugal: "Honestly, I Don't Know What to Say... The Result Was Heavy, We Will Fight in the Last Match"

Following the Moroccan U17 national team's crushing six-goal defeat to Portugal on Thursday in the second round of the U17 World Cup group stage, player Nahil El Haddani stated that the team was not "on their day." He affirmed that the players felt immense disappointment after the result.

El Haddani explained in a post-match statement: "We didn't enter the match with the required focus, nor did we display the spirit we are accustomed to. Honestly, I don't know what to say; we are all frustrated and did not anticipate this result. We now have zero points, and the task has become very difficult, especially as we are vying for a spot among the best eight third-placed teams."

He added: "We will try to hold onto hope in the last match and give everything we have. Today's result is very heavy and difficult for all of us, but we will fight until the end and see what happens."

The national team player concluded: "The group is cohesive, and the atmosphere within the team is good, but today we lacked the required spirit. I cannot find the words to describe what happened; it is simply a mental issue."