Game 3: Japan 2-2 Senegal
Kevin Kilbane was the co-commontator for this game and he is generally less likely to say something completely stupid, but does tend to end sentences with “yes!”
Senegal made a really fast start, straight away putting Japan on the backfoot, and it only took them 11 minutes to score. Sadio Mané was stood in the six yard box when the Japanese keeper Kawashima inexplicably punched a low shot straight at him. The ball hit him on the knee and flew back past him into the net.
In a rare move forward Japan got a corner, the ball was half cleared to captain Hasebe who hit a ferocious shot from outside the area but hit his own player and was cleared.
Senegal continued to attack with pace, it didn’t always lead to a chance, but it showed their desire to attack and make things happen.
Japan passed the ball along the floor in a more considered way, but their final ball into the box was generally poor.
Both sets of fans looked to be having a good time and there was an abundance of face (and body) paint on show. Are fans allowed in the stadiums at the World Cup without wearing either a replica shirt and face paint?
Senegal continued to be the more purposeful team, but after just over half an hour Nagatomo did well to get to a long ball, and although his control wasn’t the best he was able to toe the ball to Takashi Inui who curled a lovely shot into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Then there were the dreaded words “VAR is taking a look at this to see if there’s an offside.” Of course there wasn’t, the assistant referee hadn’t flagged and, surprise surprise, he was right.
Japan’s confidence visibly rose, and it seemed like they suddenly believed they could get something from the game.
The First half ended 1-1
Just as they had in the first half, Senegal started the second on the front foot, but it was Japan who had the first clear cut attempt, but Yuya Osako’s header was tame and keeper N'Diaye collected it comfortably.
Senegal then went straight back on the attack and M'Baye Niang’s sent a shot sailing over the bar. A minute later Badou Ndiaye did the same thing, blasting a shot even higher over the bar.
NIang was booked for a flailing arm that smashed into Gen Shoji’s face. It looked painful and came a couple of minutes after Hasebe had to have the flow of blood steamed after Niang also caught him in the face with his arm.
Japan were slowly beginning to take control of the game, and had the best chance to go ahead, but Yuya Osako just failed to get on the end of Gaku Shibasaki’s low cross.
Inui then almost scored again; he picked up a back heal from Osako and his shot from inside the area looked like it was heading for the top corner, but instead hit the bar with the keeper beaten.
It was a real end to end game with Senegal attacking at pace which caused Inui to bring down Ismaila Sarr. Senegal tried a clever free kick, something I’d much rather see than an aimless punt into the box, but unfortunately they got it completely wrong and it went straight to a Japan player to clear.
However, Senegal kept the pressure up and they took the lead after good work deep in the area from left back Sabaly saw his low cross missed by Niang in the middle but thundered home by the teenage right back Moussa Wague who came sprinting into the area at the far post, leaving Takashi Inui flat footed. It was an excellent finish.
Japan hadn’t given up though, and soon after they appealed for a penalty for handball as they went straight back on the attack, it would would have been harsh, and their appeals were rightly ignored by the ref.
Not long after though it was 2-2. Substitute Honda fired in at the far post after a keeper blunder from Khadim N'Diaye, who came off his line to punch the ball but missed it completely, allowing Takashi Inui, who seemed to be involved in everything at either end of the pitch, to pull the ball back across goal.
Sadio Mané’s influence seemed to fade as the game went on, and although Japan probably shaded the second half, both teams were going for the win, making it a very watchable game.
It finished 2-2 in one of the most enjoyable games of the World Cups so far.
Senegal made a really fast start, straight away putting Japan on the backfoot, and it only took them 11 minutes to score. Sadio Mané was stood in the six yard box when the Japanese keeper Kawashima inexplicably punched a low shot straight at him. The ball hit him on the knee and flew back past him into the net.
In a rare move forward Japan got a corner, the ball was half cleared to captain Hasebe who hit a ferocious shot from outside the area but hit his own player and was cleared.
Senegal continued to attack with pace, it didn’t always lead to a chance, but it showed their desire to attack and make things happen.
Japan passed the ball along the floor in a more considered way, but their final ball into the box was generally poor.
Both sets of fans looked to be having a good time and there was an abundance of face (and body) paint on show. Are fans allowed in the stadiums at the World Cup without wearing either a replica shirt and face paint?
Senegal continued to be the more purposeful team, but after just over half an hour Nagatomo did well to get to a long ball, and although his control wasn’t the best he was able to toe the ball to Takashi Inui who curled a lovely shot into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Then there were the dreaded words “VAR is taking a look at this to see if there’s an offside.” Of course there wasn’t, the assistant referee hadn’t flagged and, surprise surprise, he was right.
Japan’s confidence visibly rose, and it seemed like they suddenly believed they could get something from the game.
The First half ended 1-1
Just as they had in the first half, Senegal started the second on the front foot, but it was Japan who had the first clear cut attempt, but Yuya Osako’s header was tame and keeper N'Diaye collected it comfortably.
Senegal then went straight back on the attack and M'Baye Niang’s sent a shot sailing over the bar. A minute later Badou Ndiaye did the same thing, blasting a shot even higher over the bar.
NIang was booked for a flailing arm that smashed into Gen Shoji’s face. It looked painful and came a couple of minutes after Hasebe had to have the flow of blood steamed after Niang also caught him in the face with his arm.
Japan were slowly beginning to take control of the game, and had the best chance to go ahead, but Yuya Osako just failed to get on the end of Gaku Shibasaki’s low cross.
Inui then almost scored again; he picked up a back heal from Osako and his shot from inside the area looked like it was heading for the top corner, but instead hit the bar with the keeper beaten.
It was a real end to end game with Senegal attacking at pace which caused Inui to bring down Ismaila Sarr. Senegal tried a clever free kick, something I’d much rather see than an aimless punt into the box, but unfortunately they got it completely wrong and it went straight to a Japan player to clear.
However, Senegal kept the pressure up and they took the lead after good work deep in the area from left back Sabaly saw his low cross missed by Niang in the middle but thundered home by the teenage right back Moussa Wague who came sprinting into the area at the far post, leaving Takashi Inui flat footed. It was an excellent finish.
Japan hadn’t given up though, and soon after they appealed for a penalty for handball as they went straight back on the attack, it would would have been harsh, and their appeals were rightly ignored by the ref.
Not long after though it was 2-2. Substitute Honda fired in at the far post after a keeper blunder from Khadim N'Diaye, who came off his line to punch the ball but missed it completely, allowing Takashi Inui, who seemed to be involved in everything at either end of the pitch, to pull the ball back across goal.
Sadio Mané’s influence seemed to fade as the game went on, and although Japan probably shaded the second half, both teams were going for the win, making it a very watchable game.
It finished 2-2 in one of the most enjoyable games of the World Cups so far.
