00:00When Morocco scores, we go crazy.
00:02It's grab all and there it is!
00:07Moroccans are really into it wholeheartedly.
00:11When Morocco plays, New York knows exactly where to go.
00:15On Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens,
00:18home to one of the largest Moroccan communities in New York,
00:21there's one spot fans call home on match day.
00:27For Moroccan fans, this isn't just a cafe.
00:30It's a bridge back home.
00:32The Moroccan guys, they like to come here.
00:34It's like a home. They think they're back to Morocco.
00:37I know that if I come here, I'll feel really welcome.
00:40I feel at home as if I'm back in Morocco in Casablanca.
00:43For Moroccan fans that love soccer, Rotana is the place.
00:47Comoros secured a two-all draw against Morocco.
00:51But this is for Morocco to take the lead.
00:54Raimi strikes, but it's saved!
00:56It feels like we're in the field with them.
00:59Moroccan fans are crazy about soccer.
01:01Morocco has qualified for the World Cup seven times
01:05and hold multiple African nation championship titles.
01:07The famed Atlas Lions in 2022 became the first African-Arab nation
01:13to reach the semifinals, defeating Spain and Portugal.
01:20For Moroccan fans, it always starts with the chant.
01:24Timah, Timah, Timah, Timah, Timah Malib.
01:27Timah Maghreb means let's go Morocco.
01:31We don't service alcohol.
01:32We don't have alcohol.
01:34The vibe is high and the energy is high.
01:36No, no, no, we don't need it.
01:38Tea is mandatory.
01:39Jerseys are non-negotiable.
01:41And the rituals, they start long before kickoff.
01:44Before the game, some of the rituals, we get the tea
01:47and this place is super cool as far as getting sandwiches from outside.
01:51And we come here and we eat it and we watch the game.
01:53And really make it like a party.
01:55When I'm taking like an order, I don't speak English with them.
01:58No, we talk in Arabic.
01:59So that's how he feels.
02:01I came back to Moroccan again.
02:03This is a hookah.
02:04Really good to smoke anytime, even morning.
02:06Honestly, it's good.
02:07Perfect to watch the game.
02:09My brother bring out the Moroccan flag.
02:11My dad is wearing the thing.
02:12I'm wearing the jersey.
02:14I always get jerseys.
02:15I have tons of jerseys.
02:16A bit of an addiction, actually.
02:18We're making sure to have the newest jerseys all the time.
02:22Red and this is like the main color to represent the team.
02:28And the star of Morocco in the middle.
02:31This is the, I came from the oldest one, from 98.
02:34As soon as you wear it, people know that you're Moroccan.
02:37People know that you're supporting the Moroccan team.
02:39It's red, green, the colors of our flag.
02:42It's so important to sit down and watch the games with the Moroccan community
02:45because you really feel at home.
02:46You really feel in touch.
02:47My mom's in Morocco now, so I'm sure she's watching the game.
02:50Fans come from all over the city and even overseas to find this place.
02:55If you're looking for the heartbeat of Moroccan soccer in New York, you found it.
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