Sadio Mane must stand tall for Senegal and other talking points for Japan clash

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  • Group G’s surprise pacesetters, Japan and Senegal, meet on Sunday with an alluring prize of all but securing passage to World Cup 2018’s knockouts rounds reward for the victor.

    Poland and Colombia were expected to run away with the pool. But surprise 2-1 defeats were inflicted last week on the former by The Lions of Teranga, and the 10-man latter by Samurai Blue.

    Another three points for either at Ekaterinburg Arena should provide a critical advantage heading into next Thursday’s final matches.

    Here are the talking points:

    TIME TO SHOW WHO’S THE MANE MAN

    The Lions of Teranga did not have to roar their way past whimpering Poland.

    Gifts were presented to Aliou Cisse’s men – and they were gratefully received.

    Such good fortune is unlikely to be repeated in Ekaterinburg. Emphasis will now turn to what Senegal can do to force the issue, rather than wait for their opponents to comprehensively crack.

    Central to this drive will be Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane.

    The 2017/18 Champions League’s joint-second top scorer failed to exert a requisite influence against the Poles.

    Mane had the third-most touches for his nation, with 52. But from the left wing of a 4-4-2 formation, this only translated into: two key passes, two shots of which one was on target, one dribble, one inaccurate cross and two dispossessions.

    The best service supplied to Torino striker M’Baye Niang all night came via Poland defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak’s perplexing lobbed back pass that came up well short for the eventual clinching goal.

    Mane and fellow wide man Ismaila Sarr need to correct this state of affairs against Samurai Blue if hopes of repeating 2002’s debut charge to the quarter-finals are to remain.

    FBL-WC-2018-SEN-TRAINING

    SAMURAI BLUE SHOW CHANGE CAN BE A FORCE FOR GOOD

    Eyebrows were raised in April when Japan decided to dispense with Vahid Halilhodzic, the man who’d taken them to a sixth-successive World Cup.

    A win percentage of 54.3 from 35 matches cannot be knocked, neither the Bosnian’s largely comfortable – at least on the pitch – path through Asian qualifying after the shock of their opening home defeat to the UAE during the final round.

    But would a spiky 66-year-old who engendered open disharmony within his squad, and the Japanese Football Association at large, been able to conjure the win against Colombia?

    Even though Japan played against 10 men for nearly the whole 90 minutes, this match was still a test of character. Especially after Juan Fernando Quintero’s daisy cutter of a free-kick to level the scores before half-time, following Shinji Kagawa’s opener from the penalty spot after Carlos Sanchez’s third-minute red card for handball.

    That Werder Bremen-bound forward Yuya Osako was able to head in the decider – in the process gaining Asia’s first-ever triumph against a South American nation at any World Cup –  spoke volumes about the belief now found within the roster.

    Replacement Akira Nishino’s greatest successes as head coach at Gamba Osaka came a decade ago.

    Yet he appears to have reinvigorated Borussia Dortmund playmaker Kagawa after he was cast towards the scrap heap under the previous regime – among others.

    The aggressive tactics that brought Gamba to success also drained the life out of the numerically disadvantaged Colombians. Halilhodzic’s dour containment might have seen precious points drain away.

    Nishino’s reluctance to place constraints on his players will be utilised again versus Senegal and goals should follow. Especially if Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki is fit enough to start after calf troubles.

    2014’s miserable early exit will then be banished – and in some style.

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH16-COL-JPN

    CARRYING HOPES OF THEIR CONTINENT

    Asia’s journey at World Cup 2018 is in danger of being a short one.

    Japan’s 2-1 triumph against Colombia was only the continent’s second win. Both have required significant fortune – Japan’s through Sanchez’s instant dismissal, Iran thanks to Morocco substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz’s 95th-minute own goal.

    South Korea have been eliminated from Group F. Saudi Arabia are long gone from Group A, with the wounds of the 5-0 opening night humiliation to hosts Russia still raw.

    For Iran in Group B and Australia in Group C, valiant displays do not appear likely to translate into advancement.

    No Asian countries made it to the knockout stages four years ago, or even won a game. Progression, however minute, has been made from this low point.

    Samurai Blue have only made the round of 16 twice from five previous entries – on home soil in 2002 and during 2010’s event in South Africa.

    For statements about the ‘world’s game’ not to ring hollow, success this time needs to be felt beyond Europe and South America.

    Japan now find themselves flagbearer for this mission.

    Hidetoshi Nakata of Japan and Ergun Penbe of Turkey

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