Fifa World Cup - Russia 2018

Japan vs Senegal match build up #WorldCup

TEAM NEWS

Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda suffered a bruised thigh after coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Colombia and will be monitored.

Forward Shinji Okazaki was a doubt prior to the opening match because of a calf problem but played the final five minutes, so should be in contention.

However, Okazaki is unlikely to displace Yuya Osako, who impressed as a lone striker in their last match. Senegal also won their first game and they may be unchanged.

Stoke’s Mame Diouf started against the Poles but didn’t register a single shot, and was withdrawn after an hour. Should Senegal opt for a change up front, Moussa Konate and Moussa Sow are alternative options.

JAPAN LINE UP
1 Eiji Kawashima (Goalkeeper)
19 Hiroki Sakai (Defender)
22 Maya Yoshida (Defender)
3 Gen Shoji (Defender)
5 Yuto Nagatomo (Defender)
7 Gaku Shibasaki (Midfielder)
17 Makoto Hasebe (Defender)
8 Genki Haraguchi (Midfielder)
10 Shinji Kagawa (Midfielder)
14 Takashi Inui (Midfielder)
15 Yuya Osako (Forward)

SENEGAL LINE UP
16 Khadim N’Diaye (Goalkeeper)
12 Youssouf Sabaly (Defender)
6 Salif Sane (Defender)
3 Kalidou Koulibaly (Defender)
22 Moussa Wague (Defender)
5 Idrissa Gueye (Midfielder)
18 Ismaila Sarr (Midfielder)
13 Alfred N’Diaye (Midfielder)
17 Badou Ndiaye (Midfielder)
10 Sadio Mané (Forward)
19 M’Baye Niang (Forward)

OVERVIEW

Japan and Senegal are the pacesetters in Group H with a win apiece after both capitalised against opponents who hit the self-destruct button.

The Japanese had a numerical advantage for 87 minutes in their opener following Carlos Sanchez’s dismissal for Colombia.

Senegal, meanwhile, were gifted their second goal against Poland, with the quick-thinking Mbaye Niang tapping into an empty net after a calamitous back-pass from Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Japan’s win was the first at a World Cup for an Asian team against a South American side. Opponents Senegal have also been flying the flag for their continent, as they were the only African side to avoid defeat in the opening round of games.

Another Senegal victory will leave them on the brink of the last 16 – progress would be confirmed if Colombia fail to beat Poland later in the day. Conversely, Japan will go through if they win and the Poles fail to record a victory.

VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS

Japan captain Makoto Hasebe: “We must keep our feet on the ground… we have to take into account that we played against 10 men for almost 90 minutes. The next game will be a different story.”

Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse: “Senegal won (against Poland) due to discipline. You saw a Senegal team very solid, very compact.”

LAWRO’S PREDICTION

Both of these teams surprised me by winning their opening games, although Japan were obviously helped by Colombia conceding a penalty and going down to to 10 men in the first few minutes of their match.

Senegal looked pretty solid at the back until they conceded late on and it will be interesting to see how both teams approach this game, because whoever wins it is probably through.

Prediction: 1-1