Ziyech's Stellar Performance Secures Wydad's Win
In a thrilling encounter held at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Wydad Athletic Club emerged victorious against KAC (Kénitra Athletic Club) with a decisive score of 2-0. The match, part of the professional league's nineteenth round, showcased a remarkable performance by Hakim Ziyech, who played a pivotal role in securing the win for his team. From the onset, Wydad displayed a dominant attitude, pressing forward in search of an early goal, while KAC opted for a more defensive strategy, relying on counter-attacks to threaten their opponents.
The match took an unfortunate turn for Wydad in the ninth minute when Brazilian player Ferreira sustained an injury, prompting coach to substitute him with Aymen Wafi. This early change seemed to disrupt the team's rhythm slightly. However, Wydad's persistent pressure paid off when, in the 22nd minute, Ziyech executed a powerful free-kick from outside the penalty area that found the back of the net, putting Wydad ahead.
KAC attempted to respond throughout the remainder of the first half, coming close to leveling the score with a header from Mohamed Zinaf that narrowly missed the target. Zahir Al-Dib also threatened the Wydad goal with a strong shot that sailed just above the crossbar. In stoppage time, the referee awarded a penalty to Wydad after Hamza El-Hanouri was fouled by KAC's goalkeeper, Ayman Majid. This decision sparked significant protests from the KAC players. Nonetheless, Ziyech confidently converted the penalty, doubling Wydad's lead before halftime and solidifying their dominance in the match.
As the second half commenced, both teams made several substitutions aiming to inject new energy into their gameplay. KAC emerged with a renewed vigor, looking to reduce the deficit while enjoying a more significant share of possession. In contrast, Wydad opted to fall back defensively, relying on counter-attacks to exploit any gaps left by KAC. Despite KAC's resurgence, Wydad’s sturdy defense and the impressive performance of goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid thwarted all attempts to score, allowing Wydad to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
With this victory, Wydad climbed to fourth place in the league standings with 34 points, while KAC found themselves in seventh place with 27 points, marking a temporary ranking as the remaining matches of the nineteenth round are yet to be played. This match not only highlighted Wydad's resilience but also showcased Ziyech's exceptional talent, further cementing his status as a key player in the league.
As reported by hespress.com.
