Match Review: Senegal v. Japan

Senegal v Japan
Score: 2-2
Goals: Mane 11', Inui 34', Wague 71', Honda 78'
Possession: 47-53
Shots: 13-7
Man of the match: Inui (G,A)

In a hard fought and entertaining game in Ekaterinburg, Senegal and Japan split points. The match started off with both teams showing no fear and playing free-flowing attacking football. The first goal fell to Senegal and to their captain Sadio Mane. A poor headed clearance from a Wague cross fell to fullback Sabaly whose strike was saved, but unfortunately, the rebound fell to Mane who pounced and gave Senegal a 1-0 lead. The first half continued, and Japan started taking more control of the match as they looked for an equalizer. They were playing beautiful pass and move football and were able to equalize about 30 minutes after the MAne opener. A brilliant over the top ball found Nagatomo who took a heavy touch into the box. Star attacking midfielder who bossed the match took the ball off him and hit a beautiful curler into the far corner. This had the game level as it was headed into half time. But Senegal had one more chance in them before the break when M'Baye Niang was played through 1v1 but his strike was well saved by a charging Kawashima. Japan came out in the second half playing beautiful football and looked really dominant. The first chance for the Japanese in the second half fell to Koln strike Yuya Osako. A low cross from the right was driven in, and it seemed all Osako had to do was make contact, and it would've been a sure-fire 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for him he completely fluffed his lines and missed the ball as it went out for a goal kick. They continued to attack and created a golden opportunity through their star Inui. A ball was played into the feet of Osako on the counter-attack. Just when he received the ball, Inui made a brilliant overlapping run and Osako played a creative backheel to find Inui. Inui now had an open opportunity at goal, but his curling effort clanged off the bar and out for a goal kick. The next chance fell to the Africans and to be honest it was completely against the run of play. Fullback Sabaly who was enormously influential throughout the match was able to get down towards the byline and sent in a low cross which took a cute flick by Niang and fell to young full-back Moussa Wague who made no mistake and banged it into the roof of the net. This did not demoralize Japan as they immediately answered back. A cross was floated into the box and Senegal keeper Khadim N'Diaye missed his punch, and the ball fell to Inui. Inui picked it up and squared it to Substitute and Japanese footballing hero Keisuke Honda who calmly finished it into the back of the net. This basically ended the match with both teams splitting points leaving the last day of this group all up for grabs.