Analysing the remaining 16 World Cup contenders
It has been a tournament of shocks so far, with one of the favourites Germany the latest to bow out. But 16 have made it past the first step, and I take a look at their varying chances of success...
What a World Cup it’s been so far. We’ve lost six top 20 ranked sides, including European finalists Germany and Copa America winners Brazil, while the likes of Morocco, Jamaica and South Africa have caused upsets to reach the second round.
Most people’s pre-tournament brackets are in the bin, but we’ve learned some key lessons from this World Cup so far. While we’ve seen some excellent attacking play and some great goals, defending has been key. Defences win tournaments, after all.
Three nations have gone through without a goal conceded and many of the so-called surprises have turned up well drilled, with solid defences, set ideas and plans well executed by their coaches, while some of the perceived bigger nations have turned up looking like they expected the new expanded 32-format to be a doddle for them.
To say the defending of some of those bigger nations has been good has been an overstatement. Many have tried square pegs in round holes to force certain players on the pitch, but perhaps have been taken by surprise when it comes to the qualities of others. We haven’t seen the double figure scorelines many predicted, instead have seen set tactical plans, even by the smallest nations involved who have out-smarted some of the best there is.
With 16 going home and 16 staying down under, I run the rule over who has impressed, why they’ve impressed and what they might still have to work on to walk away with a trophy which does seem anybody’s to win or lose.
Take advantage of WFC’s special World Cup discount offer! 25% off annual subscriptions, now available for just £45, with the offer available until the day of the World Cup final!
Switzerland
Inka Grings and her Swiss side have just gone about their business quietly so far, and you can’t knock them for that. They won Group A and relatively stayed out of the drama Norway, New Zealand and Philippines got drawn into.
Grings has settled on a pretty standard system, with only really Seraina Piubel’s role changing between the three games. Eseosa Aigbogun, Nadine Riesen, Julia Stierli and Noelle Maritz have held down the fort at the back, while Lia Wälti, Coumba Sow and Geraldine Reuteler have been a solid base in front, leading Switzerland to be one of just three teams to reach the second round without conceding.
They did draw a blank in two of their games though, despite having quality such as Ana-Maria Crnogorčević and Ramona Bachmann up front, but they look well placed to be the kind of side who could frustrate opponents Spain when they meet on Saturday.
Switzerland are clearly a well drilled side. They rank 5th for build-up attacks of 10 or more passes, with nine, although none of them have led to a goal, and they’re 4th for general sequences of 10 plus passes completed with 38 across their three games and have shown they are comfortable in possession and the players are all aware of each other’s roles.
Players on a booking: Noelle Maritz, Ramona Bachmann
Spain
For two games, everything looked rosy for Spain and Jorge Vilda, back-to-back 3-0 and 5-0 wins firmly putting the focus on what La Roja can do on the field as opposed to what has been going on off it for the past 12 months.
Losing 4-0 to Japan undid a lot of that as Spain fell into many of the same traps they have always done, pushing their midfielders and full-backs too high up the pitch, not adapting their game to a stronger opponent who were well set up to exploit their weaknesses.
Spain though have enjoyed plenty of positives. With 97 high press sequences, they rank 1st in the tournament so far and have completed 60 high turnovers in the final third to take the ball back off opponents in the final third.
Teresa Abelleira has completed 304 passes, one of the highest in the tournament and has generally done a good job at dictating play in the absence of Patri Guijarro. Spain will hope against Switzerland to be more clinical in front of goal though, with Esther González managing 10 shots in just 71 minutes of action, but only putting three on target. Jenni Hermoso, who moved into a forward role in their last two games, has had 15 shots, the joint highest in the tournament.
Vilda has generally kept the same back four and midfield across the past few games bar captain Ivana Andrés missing the Japan game through injury, but the attack hasn’t truly clicked since the first game. Injury to Athenea del Castillo has seen Salma Paralluelo swap sides where she’s been less effective, and the return of those key players could be vital to their chances moving forward.
Eva Navarro could provide another option having got two assists in cameo appearances off the bench.
Players on a booking: Oihane Hernández, Olga Carmona
Japan
If I was writing a power rankings for the group stage, Japan would be top. There’s been so much to like about Futoshi Ikeda’s side, but it goes way beyond just looking at their three impressive victories.
Ikeda has used both the quality and depth of his squad across all three games to punish their opponents. While Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami have remained a constant in their back three, Ikeda has used a different right-sided centre-back in all three games.
Risa Shimizu has nailed down the right wing-back spot, but the midfield is where Japan enjoys the most depth. Yui Hasegawa has played the holding role brilliantly and has made 38 recoveries, the second most in the tournament so far.
Fuka Nagano, Hinata Miyazawa, Hikaru Naomoto and Honoka Hayashi have all been used alongside her in various roles, while Jun Endo and Hina Sugita have both excelled rotating games down the left-hand side, Endo in particular with her wicked left-footed crosses.
Up front, Aoba Fujino and Mina Tanaka have played intriguing roles, neither really playing as conventional strikers, dropping deep to get on the ball and allowing the midfield to run off them, which has led to Miyazawa leading the Golden Boot race with four goals. Tanaka, generally the main striker, has been the creative influence. She’s created seven big chances, the joint most in the tournament, and her three assists see her top of that list too, while Endo has two.
Against Spain, Ikeda played a 3-4-3 rather than 3-5-2, pushing Miyazawa and Naomoto just behind Riko Ueki, safe in the knowledge both would drop back into the midfield to stop Spain playing through them, and it worked to devastating effect.
Japan haven’t messed about in attack, their two goals from five direct attacks (10 passes or less) the most in the tournament, and that effectiveness was most on show against Spain. They’ve remained solid though, not conceding a single goal and only three shots on target against them.
They are, right now, the favourites based on what we’ve seen so far.
Players on a booking:
Monthly subcriptions are still available for £10, with a 7-day free trial. Annual subscriptions are also available for just £30 if you subscribe with a group of friends or colleagues!
Norway
It really looked like there was a chance Norway wasn’t going to be here. Facing Japan will be a tough ask, buti it’s at least a step further than they managed 12 months ago.
It’s been the usual tournament for Norway. Off-field tensions, key players speaking out, plenty of shuffling the pack and some square pegs in round holes from Hege Riise.
While the main concerns about Norway coming into the tournament was at the back, it’s actually the final third they’ve struggled, until the Philippines game that was. Riise has settled on a back four consistently across the three games, while Vilde Bøe Risa has been preferred as the defensive midfielder after a disappointing opening game for Ingrid Engen.
Guro Reiten, despite starring on the left for Chelsea, has remained central as she has for most of Riise’s brief tenure, but there’s been little consistency in attack. Julie Blakstad started the first game, as did Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg, but a game later it was Amalie Eikeland, Sophie Haug and Emilie Haavi.
Hegerberg’s injury facilitated Haug’s entrance, and her hat-trick in the final game will give Riise a tough decision to make if Hegerberg is passed fit. Haug’s had 12 shots, with seven on target in just 163 minutes, the second most after Alex Popp.
With Norway still looking unsure when it comes to balance, there’s been calls to play Engen and Bøe Risa together, but Aurora Mikalsen in goal has only had to face four shots on target in three games and they’ve conceded just once. Frida Maanum has continued her good form, creating seven chances for her teammates, the joint most in the tournament so far.
It hasn’t really clicked yet for Norway, but they’ve ticked one box and on their day we all know their attackers will be capable of causing any team problems, and the game against Japan should be an intriguing watch.
Players on a booking: Vilde Bøe Risa, Emilie Haavi
Netherlands
No one has really spoken seriously about the Netherlands just yet, but they’ve been impressive and effective, finishing top of a group which included double world champions USA.
Andries Jonker has made the one move which has generally been unpopular among the Dutch over the years in playing a 3-5-2 and while some of the personnel has looked unconventional, it’s worked well so far. Victoria Pelova and Esmee Brugts haven’t been wing-backs at club level, but both have been impressive this tournament, Brugts in particular.
The youngster has defended well, her eight interceptions up there with the highest in the tournament, but she’s combined with that with creating five chances and scoring two goals herself. Sherida Spitse has slotted into a back three and while there were concerns a lack of pace would see their back three exposed against the USA, they marshalled the world champions nicely.
They have pressed well, their 69 high turnovers is the most in the tournament so far and 15 of them have ended in a shot, three in a goal, both also the most in the tournament. Their dominant win and 42 shots against Vietnam has somewhat skewed things, but Jill Roord’s 15 shots is the joint highest of anyone and the midfielder has bagged three goals, with Lieke Martens not far behind on 14 shots.
Jackie Groenen has done a good job holding down the fort with Roord and Daniëlle van de Donk, the PSG midfielder making 33 recoveries sitting in the midfield three. The one concern is will Martens and Katja Snoeijs bring enough goals in the latter stages, but the Dutch have slipped under the radar so far ahead of facing South Africa.
Players on a booking: Daniëlle van de Donk
South Africa
It really looked like it was going to slip away for Banyana Banyana. Even if they’d left their thrilling clash with Italy with nothing, they could have taken a lot from this tournament and have been well drilled at both ends by head coach Desiree Ellis.
To have taken the lead against all of Sweden, Argentina and Italy is no mean feat for South Africa, but they also threw away opportunities to be more comfortable than having to rely on a dramatic late winner vs Italy.
But they have a high intensity way of playing and despite having to make changes, everyone’s done their jobs. Lebogang Ramalepe and Bambanani Mbane have been solid on the right side of defence, while Bongeka Gamede has been superb at centre-back before having to shuffle into midfield against Italy due to Refiloe Jane’s injury.
Gamede has made 10 tackles this tournament, the joint most of the tournament, and her eight interceptions is the third most, while Ramalepe also has eight. Further up the field, the front four of Jermaine Seoposenwe, Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia has caused endless issues for every opponent, and each has tweaked their position across the games so far.
Seoposenwe, who plays her football in Mexico, has created six changes and her xA of 1.16 is the highest in the tournament. Kgatlana has been the standout, having 12 shots, four on target and scoring twice in the last two games. As a team, their six direct attacks (10 passes or less) is only second behind Italy and they’re not afraid to attack at pace when they get the chance.
Impressive so far, and you get the feeling Banyana Banyana will give the Netherlands issues with little expectation on them against the 2019 runners-up.
Players on a booking: Refiloe Jane, Tiisetso Makhubela
Sweden
Sweden have been an odd one so far. They always go far in tournaments and are one of just three teams to get through the group stage with nine points from nine, but something hasn’t quite clicked.
That’s backed up by none of their players ranking high in any individual list so far, and it looks like they are still looking for the right formula, one they’ll have to find quickly in an intriguing second round tie against old rivals USA.
One player high in an area you might not have expected is Amanda Ilestedt’s xG of 2.48, the centre-back has been lethal from Sweden’s corners so far, with Jonna Andersson’s delivery particularly accurate. That success had a huge play in an exaggerated 5-0 win over Italy, but also helped them get away with a sub-par opening game performance against South Africa.
Gerhardsson has stuck with a solid line-up apart from rotating most of his key players against Argentina. Nathalie Björn, Ilestedt, Magdalena Eriksson and Andersson have been solid, but looked under threat against South Africa’s quick attacks, which could prove interesting if USA decide to play on transition in the second round.
Filippa Angeldahl and Elin Rubensson have held down the midfield while the attack of Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd, Kosovare Asllani, Fridolina Rolfö and Stina Blackstenius have shown glimpses of things clicking, but it hasn’t quite just yet.
Players on a booking: Olivia Schough
USA
The double world champions were the width of a post away from a shock group stage elimination, such has been their struggle to click in front of goal. Vlatko Andonovski has come in for plenty of criticism for tepid performances and a lack of substitutions at key times, yet it still feels like things will fall into place, but that’s perhaps out of hope rather than expectation.
They do have a good base to build from though. They’ve conceded an impressive one shot on target in their three games, which unfortunately for the US ended up in the back of the net, but generally they’ve looked a solid unit with Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn in front of Naeher.
In front of that, Andi Sullivan’s 10 interceptions is the most in the tournament, with Dunn not far behind on nine and Lindsey Horan on eight.
That pressing mentality tallies with the fact USA’s 61 high turnovers is the second most in the tournament, as is their 89 pressed sequences, but they’ve been wasteful with it and their 3-0 win against Vietnam came back to bite them when Netherlands put seven past the same opposition.
Alex Morgan’s 15 shots from open play has resulted in just two on target, while Sophia Smith has created six chances but her xA is just 0.58. Trinity Rodman endured a tough game against the Netherlands and was replaced by Lynn Williams against Portugal, but USA still drew a blank.
Rose Lavelle’s suspension is another blow, with Savannah DeMelo likely to return vs Sweden. Something isn’t working for the USA, but they are defending well, pressing well and just need to find the final touch. If they’re smart and play in transition against Sweden, ther'e’s still an expectation the likes of Smith and Rodman could cause chaos on the break.
Suspended: Rose Lavelle
Players on a booking: Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith, Lindsey Horan
You can also check out WFC’s dedicated World Cup section for all daily analysis, plus features and interviews.
England
The European champions is yet another side who has endured a puzzling tournament so far. But in the context of how this tournament has gone, nine points from nine can’t be sniffed at.
Unconvincing 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark where England looked vulnerable to transitions caused the one head coach you might least have expected to rip up her system mid-tournament, to rip up her system pre-tournament.
England’s tried and tested 4-2-3-1 has already started to stagnate in the build-up to the World Cup and did so again in their first two games, with Mary Earps and the woodwork to thank they got six points from six rather than a meager two.
Wiegman went with a 3-5-2 which worked to great effect against China, albeit against a side who did little to try and neutralise England’s threats or the changes they made. The stats back-up England’s want to have the ball and dictate play, but to do little with it. Their 13 build-up attacks of 10 passes or more is the most in the tournament, but the moves have led to zero goals. In general play, their 62 10 plus passes sequences is also the most in the tourament, 11 more than next best Spain.
Alex Greenwood (338) and Millie Bright (334) have made the most passes in the tournament, but at times that possession has yielded little for England, who have looked open on the counter, which may be avoided if Wiegman sticks with her 3-5-2 against Nigeria. Georgia Stanway has done well in the midfield, both offensively and defensively, creating six chances but also making 31 recoveries, some of the highest stats at both ends of the pitch in the tournament.
Alessia Russo has been a threat up front, particularly with a strike partner and has managed six shots on target, but Lauren James has been the main influence with her three goals and three assists so far. Whether Wiegman sticks with her changes remains to be seen, but Nigeria is a team well-placed to expose weaknesses England does have.
Players on a booking: Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp
Nigeria
Nigeria went through the ringer pre-tournament with various disputes, largely surrounding the NFF’s comments about head coach Randy Waldrum, who has comprehensively answered them by qualifying from a group including the co-hosts and the Olympic champions.
Like Sweden, none of Nigeria’s players rank high in any individual lists, such has been the all-round team effort. Waldrum’s preferred back four of Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre has been rock solid, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been one of the star shot-stoppers of the tournament so far.
Waldrum set his stall out with defensive duo Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun shielding the back four, but that plan fell apart when the latter was sent off in the opening game and will miss the England game as she is still to serve the final match of her three-game ban.
But Halimatu Ayinde has slotted in seamlessly and while that back six has provided a solid base, it’s allowed Waldrum to be unpredictable with those in front, such is the attacking talent available to him.
Toni Payne has been the one constant in the middle and has been really impressive, but the likes of Ifeoma Onumonu, Uchenna Kanu, Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala have all split game time and often too switched roles to counter threats of opponents. Oshoala started on the bench against Australia but came on to spark chaos in the co-hosts’ defence.
If the Super Falcons can remain solid, they are a team well capable of having enough quality on counters to expose England, especially with their full-backs so keen to get forward.
Suspended: Deborah Abiodun
Players on a booking: Asisat Oshoala, Olawatusin Demehin, Michelle Alozie
Australia
For the sake of the tournament, it would have been a real shame to see both co-hosts go out in the group stage, especially given Australia in particular came into the tournament with genuine hype around them given their form under Tony Gustavsson over the past 12 months.
They did what they had to vs Republic of Ireland, but their shock defeat to Nigeria meant they had to beat Canada, where they put in their biggest statement yet with a commanding 4-0 win. In the opening two games, Gustavsson went with Foord as his main forward to compensate for the loss of Sam Kerr, but it didn’t really work out. Mary Fowler’s knock was then another loss, but Emily van Egmond coming in allowed her to play as both a second striker and midfielder.
His best move though was to move Foord out wide against Canada and Fowler up front, because the Arsenal forward caused havoc for Jayde Riviere and Allysha Chapman, while Fowler was buzzing around up front. It did mean taking out Cortnee Vine, but that might be the way to go for Gustavsson, especially if Kerr does return because it was certainly Foord’s best performance of the tournament. She hasn’t exactly had her shooting boots on either, with just one shot on target from 12 attempts.
The rest of the team has been solid. Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley has been the consistent back four across all three games, with Hayley Raso on the right of midfield and Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the middle.
Intriguingly, the two central players have switched positions at times to counter various threats, and Gorry’s performances in particular have gone under the radar. Her 40 defensive recoveries is the highest in the tournament.
Australia really showed what they can do against Canada and they should have enough to get past Denmark. If they do, they’ll start to dream.
Players on a booking: Mackenzie Arnold, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond
Denmark
Speaking of Denmark, Lars Søndergaard’s side have gone about the tournament so far with very little fanfair. A last-gasp goal against China in their opening game got them out of jail, while after a poor start they were actually unlucky not to get something out of the England game.
Søndergaard tweaked things a little against Haiti, but with three goals across three games, it still feels as though they’re not quite utilising their attacking talents. Signe Bruun has been on the bench in every game, while Amalie Vangsgaard only started against Haiti, meaning Pernille Harder has generally been left isolated in attack, which is not really what you want for your best player.
When she was dropped deeper to play off Vangsgaard against Haiti, things looked a lot better for Denmark and that might be the way for them to go, although Sondegaard may feel more compelled to revert to a more defensive mindset against the co-hosts.
Rikke Sevecke, Stine Ballisager Pedersen, Simone Boye and Katrine Veje have generally been solid, with Karen Holmgaard in front of them, while Janni Thomsen has been the most creative outlet, with six changes put on for her teammates, despite being shifted further back against Haiti to accommodate changes further forward.
So far, an unspectacular tournament, but they might just like it that way.
Players on a booking: Rikke Sevecke, Karen Holmgaard
Colombia
There’s been so much to like about Colombia, even if they came unstuck against Morocco in their final game. It’s a similar structure to Nigeria in they’ve deployed a consistent and solid back four with two all-energy, defensive midfielders in front and allowed their exciting front four to do their thing.
Manuela Vanegas being suspended for the second round will be a big blow, her eight tackles and 31 recoveries are some of the best stats in the tournament. Jorelyn Carabali may not rank highly, but I’ve been massively impressed with the centre-back who has stood out. In that midfield role, Lorena Bedoya has made 35 defensive recoveries in protecting her defence.
Perhaps they’ve rode their luck. Goalkeeper Catalina Perez’s xGC is 2.8, but they’ve conceded just one goal from open play, plus a late penalty against Germany. The highlight though has been their attack, with plenty of quality options. A lot of the attention has gone rightly on Linda Caicedo for her superb goals against both Korea Republic and more memorably Germany, but they’ve all played their part.
I talked Levante’s Mayra Ramirez up pre-tournament and she’s been excellent up front. Bullish, strong, constantly charging around and holding the ball up. Lady Andrade and Catalina Usme have also brought plenty of quality, and Morocco was a good test for them in facing a team in a solid defensive block, and there will be plenty of things to learn before facing Jamaica next, who haven’t conceded a single goal so far.
Suspended: Manuela Vanegas
Players on a booking: Catalina Perez, Diana Ospina, Lorena Bedoya, Carolina Arias
Jamaica
Speaking of Jamaica, it’s hard to know whether a record of one sole goal and none conceded across a three game group is impressive or not!
But very few people gave Jamaica a chance in a group which included both France and Brazil, yet a nation which had to launch a pre-tournament GoFundMe earned 0-0 draws against both. Their sole goal, a header from a corner from rock-solid Allyson Swaby against Panama was enough to progress.
They did ride their luck. Nine times out of 10, Brazil probably win the decisive game, but for a superb Becky Spencer display in goal. Spencer’s xGC was 2.4 for the group stage, yet she conceded zero. That’s not to say the defence hasn’t been good, with the Swaby sisters forming a great partnership and Deneisha Blackwood was equally excellent at left-back despite it not being her natural role.
In the middle, England-based duo Atlanta Primus and Drew Spence were tenacious defensively and good at getting Jamaica up the pitch, while Khadija Shaw’s hold-up play and quality breaking and holding off her marker was valuable in Jamaica’s defend from the front approach.
They will feel they can equally frustrate against a Colombia side who struggled to break down Morocco, but whatever happens this tournament is already a huge success for the Reggae Girlz.
Players on a booking: Deneisha Blackwood, Atlanta Primus, Cheyna Matthews
France
Like so many, it’s been a real up and down tournament for France. It started disappointingly with that 0-0 vs Jamaica, before they bounced back to record a pivotal win against Brazil, before ending it with a topsy turvy 6-3 win over Panama.
Hervé Renard has favoured a more old-fashioned 4-4-2, and it didn’t really have the desired effect in the first game, with Kadidiatou Diani shoved out wide and Jamaica able to avert the threat of Clara Mateo and Eugénie Le Sommer.
Against Brazil though, Diani was up top and linked up brilliantly with Le Sommer, with Selma Bacha providing a threat down the left, while defensively they looked more solid with Maëlle Lakrar pushed inside and Eve Périsset offering more natural width at right-back.
Teams have struggled with France’s intense press, a staple of many of Renard’s side. Their 57 high turnovers is the fourth best in the tournament and 11 of them have ended in a shot on goal. They’re quick in their want to get forward too, with their five direct attacks the same as Japan. Against Brazil, the triangles of full-back, winger and forward were evident on both sides of the pitch and it caused Pia Sundhage’s side all kinds of problems. One nice bonus too has been teenager Vicki Becho, who has created six chances in her short spells on the pitch and scored late on against Panama
They’ll be disappointed to concede three vs Panama, but given one was a stunning free-kick and Renard made several changes to avoid picking up knocks or suspensions, they go into the second round looking actually pretty good so far, with a potential quarter-final against the co-hosts lingering in the air.
Players on a booking: Sandie Toletti, Sakina Karchaoui, Clara Mateo, Kenza Dali
Morocco
Not many teams will have qualified from a World Cup group with a goal difference of -4, and in retrospect Reynald Pedros would be the first to admit he probably got the set up for the first game against Germany wrong.
In their 6-0 defeat, Morocco looked all at sea at the back, leading to a huge reshuffle for the critical second game against Korea Republic. Sakina Ouzraoui, who had started right-back, pushed forward, while Hanane Aït El Haj - who had a torrid time centrally against Germany - returned to a more natural right-back role role and has impressed, her eight interceptions among the best in the tournament.
The swift changes allowed for a different and more effective centre-back partnership of Nesryne El Chad and Nouhaila Benzina in the final two games and both of whom kept back-to-back clean sheets, with Zineb Redouani the one constant presence on the left, and her nine tackles is the joint second most in the tournament so far.
In front of them, their captain Ghizlane Chebbak has been excellent. She’s created six clear chances going forward but her 34 recoveries is also one of the highest in the whole tournament. Similarly, winger Fatima Tagnaout has also created six changes, while the attack in front of them has often changed. After Germany, Pedros took out both Rosella Ayane and Anissa Lahmari and played Salma Amani and Ibtissam Jraïdi, before Jraïdi and Lahmari were paired together against Colombia.
There should also be a note for goalkeeper Er-Rmichi who was superb against Colombia and without her they wouldn’t have become the third African side to qualify for the second round. France will be tough, but this tournament has shown anything is possible.
Players on a booking: Ghizlane Chebbak, Nouhaila Benzina
Like the use of the stats and interesting that they don't show England in a great light. At least 1 top 5 ranked nation will be going home while most of the lower earned nations have achieved something, whether scoring their first goal of taking their first point. Looking forward to what comes next.
Rich, which of the underdogs do you think is most likely to cause an upset?
I'm throwing my hat into the Morocco ring...