Russia 2018: Match of the day – Senegal vs Colombia preview

Group: H
Teams: Senegal vs Colombia
Time: 3:00pm
Venue: Samara Arena

The tussle between Senegal and Colombia will see one of the two sides get eliminated if Japan wins against the group weakling in the other Group H last match that will be played concurrently.

Senegal needs to avoid a defeat while Colombia must get three points to proceed to the next round.

Japan sits atop the group with four as well as Senegal, but positioned second on the group based on goals scored. Colombia is in the third position with three points while Poland has no point.

The Lions of Teranga showed defensive weaknesses in the 2-2 draw with Japan. They will need to fight to replicate the heroes of 2002 who went all the way to the quarter-finals in their first tournament.

With luck on their side, their present Head coach, Aliou Cissé was the captain of the heroes of 2002 and he is best placed to advise them on how to sail through with Colombia their hindrance.

Colombia kicked off their 2018 World cup campaign with a defeat to Japan but did well to trash Poland 3 – 0. The South America could qualify with a draw as long as Japan loses.

However, if Japan avoids defeat then Colombia needs to win to book a slot in round 16.

Carlos Sanchez should return to the starting XI, and the thrilling trio of Cuadrado-Quintero-Rodriguez will appear again to pass the ball to cause problems to Senegal’s back line.

Possible line-ups
Senegal: Khadim Ndiaye; Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Salif Sane, Moussa Wague; Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Alioune Ndiaye, Idrissa Gana Gueye; Sadio Mane, Mbaye Niang, Ismaila Sarr

Colombia: David Ospina; Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, Johan Mojica; Mateus Uribe, Carlos Sanchez, Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quintero, James Rodriguez; Radamel Falcao

Did you know?
Senegal’s only World Cup finals match against a side from CONMEBOL was a 3-3 group stage draw with Uruguay at Korea/Japan 2002. Senegal and Colombia have faced each other just once before, in a friendly in May 2014, with Colombia taking a 2-0 lead into half-time, only to concede two goals in the second half.