The Netherlands, which advanced as the top team in Group 6 of this year’s World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—scoring in rapid succession and showing that it could live up to its status as one of the favorites—will face off against an enthusiastic Morocco (4:00 a.m.).

The “Oranie” reached the quarterfinals in the Qatar tournament, where they faced Argentina at the time, but this year, too, they’re aiming to go far and surpass their previous performance. Of course, they were finalists in ’74, ’78, and 2010, while they finished in 4th place in ’98 and in 3rd in 2014.

Morocco, with 7 points in three group-stage matches and a draw against Brazil, failed to knock the “Seleção” out of the tournament. However, they have high hopes and a desire to prove that their run to the semifinals in ’22 was simply a sign of a step up in their game.

The Dutch and Moroccans have faced each other three other times in the past, including their “clash” at the ’94 World Cup, in the group stage, where the team from the land of tulips prevailed 2-1.

Bromley and Dumfries will be ready for the match for the Dutch; Van de Ven returns to the defense, while Morocco’s coach is bringing back his regular starters after the changes he made against Haiti.

Possible starting lineups

for the Netherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Fen, Graafsbergen, De Jong, Raiders, Malen, Brobbey, Hakpo

Morocco: Bono, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Ainaoui, Bouadi, Brahim, Ounai, El Kanoous, Saibari

*photo source: AP