MOROCCAN NATIONAL XI 3 CITY 2
Friendly
12th February 1975
attendance 22,000
scorers
City Tueart(2 inc 1 pen)
Morocco Faras(63), Guezzar(29 & 89)
City Macrae, Pardoe, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Oakes, Summerbee, Horswill, Marsh, Keegan, Tueart – subs used Barnes, Clarke
FROM THE PRESS BOX
BAD NIGHT FOR CITY
REPORT FROM THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 13TH FEBRUARY 1975
At least two of Manchester City’s players must be wishing their friendly game in Morocco last night had never taken place.
For, apart from losing 3-2 to the National XI, Rodney Marsh was sent off in the 75th minute and the limitations of ‘keeper MacRae were again exposed.
The Marsh decision was harsh, he pushed a player in the back, and the 18,000 crowd booed the referee loudly.
But MacRae looked out of touch with two of the goals. In the 63rd minute he let a 30 yard free kick by Moroccan skipper Ahmed Faras slip through his legs. The seconds from the end Mohamed Guezzar scored the winner, shooting the ball straight over MacRae’s head.
The Moroccans looked like the winners in the first half and Guezzar put them ahead in the 29th minute with a great ground shot from 20 yards.
After the interval play became faster and tougher, the Moroccans pitting their lightness and speed against City’s better co-ordination.
Midway through the second half Dennis Tueart scored both City goals.
He got the first with a penalty after Mike Doyle was tripped, then his equaliser came off a pass from Peter Barnes, who had just replaced Mike Summerbee.
In the 81st minute Mike Doyle had an argument with ‘keeper Hazzaz about placing the ball and while the ‘keeper appealed to the referee, Doyle kicked it into the net but the goal was disallowed.