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Soccer, WC 2018: Japan vs. Senegal official in-game thread.
After opening their 2018 World Cup (WC) Group H campaigns with victories, Japan and Senegal will look to secure qualification for the knockout stages when they clash on Sunday in Ekaterinburg.
Japan stunned ten-man Colombia 2-1 with goals by Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako. Playing in a new style and formation (4-2-3-1) compared to the 2014 WC, the ‘Blue Samurai’ banked on endurance to kick-start with a win, after having lost three in five pre-WC friendlies (W1, D1, L3).
Japan haven’t had a great time against African teams in recent friendlies (D1, L1), but they have won two of three (W2, L1) in previous WC finals. For Senegal, this will be their first-ever WC finals encounter against an Asian opponent.
Senegal enjoyed the rub of the green against Poland, as an own goal from Thiago Cionek and a controversial second from M’Baye Niang gave them a 2-1 win. With a disciplined and compact performance, Senegal made a mockery of their pre-tournament form that saw them win just once in five friendlies (W1, D3, L1).
This is a huge game for both teams as a win would all but seal their progression, outshining the group favourites.
Players to watch: Osako will once again lead the attack for Japan, while the much-travelled Niang will do the running for Senegal.
Stat attack: Japan have won only one of their last five matches in WC finals (W1, D1, L3).
Japan have scored more than one goal in just two of their last 12 matches in WC finals.
Only once in their history of 19 matches in WC finals have Japan won two matches in a row.
Senegal have scored at least two goals in seven of their last ten competitive matches.
Senegal have lost only one of their six matches at WC finals (W3, D2, L1), four of which have seen both sides score.
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Originally Posted by Thrilla
