It ended all square between Japan and Senegal in the Central Stadium as the game finished 2-2. Aliou Cissé’s side led twice but were cancelled out by Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda. For the African side, Sadio Mane and Moussa Wague got onto the score sheet.
The first-half had little to separate the sides as both of them opted for different approaches to proceedings. If viewed in the tactical aspect, it was an absorbing half, with Japan doing the talking in possession and Senegal banking on their counter-attacking propensity.
Despite having just 39% of the ball, the Senegalese created 4 chances, one more than Japan in the same period of play. Sadio Mane broke the deadlock with a fortuitous goal before Japan’s star player in Inui restored parity to get his side back in it.
Since then, it was even-steven for the rest of the half. The match resumed in the same way after the break with Japan buying time for themselves in possession and Senegal playing it rough.
The Blue Samurais were clearly the better side in the early parts of the half, winning balls high up the pitch, playing lovely diagonals to spread the attack and creating more chances. Inui struck the frame of the goal after his side had piled enough pressure, and Osako missed an easy chance from point-blank range.
However, against the run of play, Moussa Wague struck home a well-taken goal. Japan’s sloppiness and frailties at the back were clearly exposed here. Just a few minutes later, Keisuke Honda was off the bench and on the score sheet to leave the result hanging in the balance.
#5 Best: Ismaila Sarr
- Ismaila Sarr was in fabulous touch this game.
- He shifted gears quite often and charged down the flank to add more to the attack. His pace coupled with sharpness had a massive impact on the outcomes of their attacks.
- While building up for the first goal, it was his interchange of passes between Wague and Niang that led to the opening. Sarr’s touch and quick decision-making skill gave him an upper hand while he dribbled past opponent defenders.
- He was one of the main catalysts of Senegal’s counter-attacking threat, as he combined well with his teammates and tried to find passes quickly.
- Also to add, the 20-year-old smartly entered the box in order to include a final product, whenever Wague exploited the wider areas and stretched Japan’s defence.
#4 Worst: Khadim N’Diaye
- This definitely seems to be a World Cup full of shockers and silly errors from the glove men and this time, Khadim N’Diaye was the guilty party.
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Now, if looked at it closely, he committed a couple of mistakes in both goals. While Takashi Inui was lining up a shot, he had two Senegalese players close to him, covering N’Diaye’s near post. This only implied that the Japanese winger would go for a far-post attempt.
- Take nothing away from his shot, which was an absolute beauty. But, N’Diaye’s positioning could have been a little more to his left.
- By conceding the second goal, he surely added himself to the infamous list comprising of the likes of David De Gea and Willy Caballero. Now you know what we are talking about.
- He suffered a miscommunication with his defender, came out of his line to punch the ball away but was left with no chance when Honda slotted a goal past him. There was no need of committing to the ball in such a way.
#3 Best: Moussa Wague
- Moussa Wague was on fire. The youngster announced and expressed himself on the big stage like no one else.
- Firstly, hats off to his fearlessness, flair and flamboyance. Considering the fact that he is 19, no one would expect him to go forward as he did.
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He put up an all-round show. The teenager set the tone right from the very beginning, by darting forward into advanced positions, overlapping the wingers continuously and not being afraid of entering the 18-yard box. Due to his positive and tactical presence, Nagatomo was forced to drop deeper and narrower.
- Although the left-back enjoyed some space in the final third, it was only in bits and pieces. His deliveries too, were top notch, as he whipped the crosses in with the right amount of pace and precision.
- Wague defended neatly, using his physicality and chipping in with vital challenges. For the goal too, he outfoxed Nagatomo with a late run and a sublime finish.