Russia 2018
Group leaders Japan and Senegal share spoils
(FIFA.com)
24 Jun 2018
- A high-intensity Japan twice came from behind to earn draw
- Senegal opened scoring through Sadio Mane and lead with 12 minutes remaining
- RELIVE: As it happened, stats, more - Highlights
Japan twice came from behind to peg back Senegal as the two Group H leaders played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Ekaterinburg Arena. The result keeps the pair at the group summit after each had won their respective opening outings.
Senegal started with real attacking intent and they were rewarded as star forward Sadio Mane took full advantage of some defensive hesitancy to score after 11 minutes. Despite enjoying more possession, Japan remained on the back foot until Takashi Inui netted just past the half-hour, with a smart curling finish from inside the penalty area.
Yuya Osako missed a golden opportunity on the hour mark, and Inui hit the crossbar minutes later as Japan’s attacking outlets found space. Senegal made Japan pay for their profligacy as 19-year-old Moussa Wague lashed home on 71 minutes, but substitute Keisuke Honda equalised seven minutes later, finishing off Inui's cut-back pass from close range.
Team reporter analysis
Hidetoshi Suzuki with Japan [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
This draw was earned on the back of some veterans such as second goal-getter Keisuke Honda, and skipper Makoto Hasebe who controlled at the back confidently. Takashi Inui’s fantastic attacking performance was also a highlight. Without his first goal and assist for Honda this could have been a very different game.
Gallery: Japan 2-2 Senegal
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![Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates]()
Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images )
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates after scoring]()
Japan v Senegal: Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates after scoring
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Takashi Inui of Japan celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan takes on Alfred Ndiaye]()
Japan v Senegal: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan takes on Alfred Ndiaye
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan takes on Alfred Ndiaye of Senegal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Takashi Inui of Japan scores his team's first goal d]()
Japan v Senegal: Takashi Inui of Japan scores his team's first goal d
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Takashi Inui of Japan scores his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan crosses the ball]()
Japan v Senegal: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan crosses the ball
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Yuto Nagatomo of Japan crosses the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal scores]()
Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal scores
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Sadio Mane of Senegal scores his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates]()
Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates with teammates after scoring]()
Japan v Senegal: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates with teammates after scoring
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Akira Nishino, Manager of Japan]()
Japan v Senegal: Akira Nishino, Manager of Japan
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Akira Nishino, Manager of Japan looks on prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Mbaye Niang of Senegal battles for possession with Gen Shoji of Japan]()
Japan v Senegal: Mbaye Niang of Senegal battles for possession with Gen Shoji of Japan
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Mbaye Niang of Senegal battles for possession with Gen Shoji of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal is challenged by Yuya Osako of Japan]()
Japan v Senegal: Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal is challenged by Yuya Osako of Japan
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal is challenged by Yuya Osako of Japan during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Yuya Osako of Japan is tackled by Salif Sane of Senegal]()
Japan v Senegal: Yuya Osako of Japan is tackled by Salif Sane of Senegal
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Yuya Osako of Japan is tackled by Salif Sane of Senegal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Youssouf Sabaly of Senegal runs]()
Japan v Senegal: Youssouf Sabaly of Senegal runs
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Youssouf Sabaly of Senegal runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images )
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: Genki Haraguchi of Japan runs]()
Japan v Senegal: Genki Haraguchi of Japan runs
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Genki Haraguchi of Japan runs with the ball under pressure from Alfred Ndiaye of Senegal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
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![Japan v Senegal: akashi Inui (out of frame) of Japan scores past Khadim Ndiaye]()
Japan v Senegal: akashi Inui (out of frame) of Japan scores past Khadim Ndiaye
24 Jun 2018
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24: Takashi Inui (out of frame) of Japan scores past Khadim Ndiaye of Senegal his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group H match between Japan and Senegal at Ekaterinburg Arena on June 24, 2018 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. (Photo by David Ramos - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
Cynthia Nzetia with Senegal [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
Once again the lack of concentration was one of the negative aspects from this game for Senegal. They created several beautiful attacking sequences but there was some porous defending on the other side. Senegal will be looking to remain focussed throughout the full 90 minutes of their concluding group match. Another negative was the injury to key man Mbaye Niang.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Senegal superstar forward Sadio Mane was named Budweiser Man of the Match for his opening goal and constant attacking threat.
The stat
3 - Keisuke Honda became the first Japanese player to score at three FIFA World Cups™ . The substitute netted the equaliser with 12 minutes remaining for his fourth goal in the past three editions.
What’s next
Senegal v Colombia – Group H, 28 June, Samara
Japan v Poland – Group H, 28 June, Volgograd
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