Senegal swap Stoke City stars for Japan clash
A Senegal fan is seen outside the stadium ahead of their 2018 World Cup Group H match against Japan at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg on June 24, 2018. PHOTO | HECTOR RETAMAL |
What you need to know:
- Japan coach Akira Nishino keeps the same XI who started their surprise opening 2-1 win over Colombia.
- Victory for either side on Sunday in Yekaterinburg would virtually seal a place in the last 16 in Russia.
YEKATERINBURG
Senegal dropped Stoke City's Mame Diouf in favour of clubmate Papa Alioune Ndiaye for Sunday's crucial World Cup Group H match against Japan, who are unchanged.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane will again captain the Senegal side and he will be partnered by Ismaila Sarr and Mbaye Niang in a three-pronged attack.
Ndiaye, better known as Badou, comes in into the midfield in Senegal's only change following their 2-1 victory over Poland.
Japan coach Akira Nishino keeps the same XI who started their surprise opening 2-1 win over Colombia.
Victory for either side on Sunday in Yekaterinburg would virtually seal a place in the last 16 in Russia.
Japan
Eiji Kawashima, Gen Shoji, Yuto Nagatomo, Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Gaku Shibasaki, Genki Haraguchi, Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Makoto Hasebe (capt), Yuya Osako
Coach: Akira Nishino (JPN)
Senegal
Khadim Ndiaye, Moussa Wague, Kalidou Koulibaly, Salif Sane, Youssouf Sabaly, Alfred Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye, Sadio Mane (capt), Ismaila Sarr, Pape Ndiaye, Mbaye Niang
Coach: Aliou Cisse (SEN)
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
