Morocco U17 Futsal Team Falls to Portugal 7-3 at Youth Olympic Games

The Moroccan U17 national futsal team suffered a heavy 7-3 defeat against their Portuguese counterparts in a match played yesterday, Thursday. This encounter was part of the first round of the Youth Olympic Games, currently taking place in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

The "Atlas Cubs" started the game strongly, with Ibrahima Houdan scoring two early goals to give Morocco the advantage. However, the Portuguese team quickly rallied, equalizing and asserting their dominance for the remainder of the match.

The first half concluded with a 2-2 draw. In the second half, the Portuguese asserted complete control, capitalizing on defensive errors and a decline in physical fitness from the Moroccan side to score five consecutive goals.

Adam El Ghazi scored Morocco's third goal, while the European opponents maintained their pressure until the final whistle.

Despite the loss, some Moroccan players displayed promising individual performances. However, collective cohesion and defensive readiness were identified as key weaknesses that contributed to the heavy scoreline.

The Moroccan team is coached by Zakaria Kouiri, who had previously emphasized the importance of such tournaments for developing a generation capable of representing Morocco in continental and international arenas, despite the challenge of facing advanced European futsal academies.

This tournament is part of the "Dakar 2026" Youth Olympic Games, featuring teams from Senegal, Portugal, Brazil, and Morocco. Its primary objective is to enhance the experience and competitiveness of young players.