Manager Ouahbi confident Morocco can surpass 2022 run after 1-1 draw with Brazil

Ouahbi had stated before the match that Morocco were ready to drop their underdog image, four years after they defeated Spain and Portugal to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.

Although their supporters were outnumbered at the packed New York-New Jersey stadium, Morocco gave them plenty to celebrate with a strong showing against the five time champions.

Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead in the first half against the disjointed Brazil side on Saturday, before Vinicius Jr equalised in the 32nd minute.

Second half substitutions brought "freshness" to the team as errors started to mount in the intense match, Ouahbi said.

"I don't know if 20 per cent of the crowd were Moroccans, but we could hear them very loudly. If it was only 20 per cent, they tricked me into thinking there were many more of them there," said Ouahbi. "I hope they had great fun watching a good match tonight, and I hope this will continue."

"For the future of Moroccan football, we are confident. We drew; we're happy. I'm not sad. We would have wanted to win, obviously, but I'm not sad," said Ouahbi. "What I'm really proud of is that we are bold enough to play and ask for the ball under pressure. This is a great quality that we have."

The draw means the two teams each earn one point, as Scotland top the group after match day one with a 1-0 win over Haiti at the Boston Stadium.

"I want to go beyond the semi-finals but it was a good match," Ouahbi told reporters. "One is good enough and we will improve."