World Cup preview: Senegal
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Senegal will be appearing at the World Cup for only the second time in Russia this summer, but if their previous campaign is anything to go by then they are certainly one to watch.
The African nation produced an unforgettable run to the quarter-finals in 2002, which all started with victory over the reigning world and European champions France in the very first game of the tournament.
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Now it is the turn of Sadio Mane, Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gueye to follow in the footsteps of the likes of El Hadji Diouf, Papa Bouba Diop and Alou Cisse – the latter of whom now coaches the team.
Here, Sports Mole assesses Senegal’s chances of once again making an abiding impact on this summer’s tournament in Russia.
GROUP
Senegal are not a nation that will be daunted by a tough group after finishing above France and Uruguay in 2002, but the draw was kinder to them than it might have been in Group H.
Robert Lewandowski‘s Poland and a Colombia team boasting the likes of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao will be the favourites for the top two spots, but the Poles are appearing in their first World Cup since 2006 and Colombia very nearly missed out on qualification.
Japan are the lowest-ranked team in the group, which means that Senegal’s match against them on June 24 could be crucial, but the Lions of Teranga will go into the tournament no doubt believing that they can pull off some more shocks.
SENEGAL FIXTURES
June 19: Poland vs. Senegal (4pm, Otkritie Arena, Moscow)
June 24: Japan vs. Senegal (4pm, Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg)
June 28: Senegal vs. Colombia (3pm, Cosmos Arena, Samara)
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Senegal passed through their qualifying campaign unbeaten – but not without controversy – to reach Russia 2018, beginning in November 2015 with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Madagascar.
Cisse’s side were subsequently drawn against Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands and South Africa in the second phase, and just one win from their opening three games left them level with Burkina Faso at the halfway stage of the group.
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Senegal went on to win each of their three remaining games to eventually finish five points clear, although the match which sealed their place in Russia was a rearranged one against South Africa.
The initial fixture had ended 2-1 to South Africa, but remarkably FIFA cancelled the game due to a poor refereeing decision and ordered them to replay it in November 2017, when Senegal’s wins home and away against the 2010 hosts ensured their progress.
RECENT FORM
For a nation previously labelled as being ‘chokers’, Senegal have garnered a new reputation for being able to win matches the ugly way en route to their second finals appearance.
That was not quite the case in their five friendlies ahead of Russia 2018, however, as they drew three and lost one prior to a 2-0 triumph against South Korea.
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The victory over the Koreans behind closed doors was much-needed, but they still required an own goal and penalty kick to pick up the win. Despite the talents in their forward ranks, breaking down opposition sides from open play has proved to be difficult.
Yet at the opposite end of the field, three clean sheets in four matches – aided by Kouyate and Gueye protecting the back four – provides hope that they can continue grinding out points.
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