Japan – Senegal World Cup Tips
In the run-up to the 2018 World Cup, the Group H was considered completely balanced, with Colombia was seen at least in a slight favorite role. However, the cafeteros have made a false start with a 2-1 defeat by Japan. Japan, on the other hand, has a great opportunity to make it to the last 16 for the third time after 2002 and 2010. The team from the Land of the Rising Sun will meet Senegal in the duel of two opening winners on matchday two, who has lost none of their previous encounters with Japan (two wins, one draw).
tip
Of course, it can not be seriously assessed how the opening match of Japan would have been without the early dismissal of Colombia’s Sanchez. The fact that Japan had long problems despite an 87-minute defeat and an early lead, at least suggests that it will not be that far in the World Cup, even if the preliminary round is over. Senegal, on the other hand, made a good impression against Poland and has an individual quality that can make all the difference in tight matches.
Japan has a far from optimal World Cup preparation behind it. A few weeks before the cadre nomination, the association surprisingly separated from coach Vahid Halilhodzic and installed with Akira Nishino a coach who is relatively unknown outside the country’s borders. The reason for the separation from Halilhodzic were on the one hand weak test matches against Brazil (1: 3), Belgium (0: 1), Mali (1: 1) and Ukraine (1: 2), on the other hand also obvious disagreements between coach and Team. Under Nishino, however, they lost 2-0 to Ghana and Switzerland, but at least the dress rehearsal for the 2018 World Cup was a 4-2 draw against Paraguay to boost confidence. After the 2-1 win over Colombia, the strongest on the paper group opponents, the chest should now have become wider again.
Japan coach Akira Nishino is unlikely to change much in terms of personnel compared to the opening game. Only a change in central defense seems possible, in which Tomoaki Makino could replace the shaky gene Shoji.
Possible lineup Japan
Kawashima – H. Sakai, Yoshida, Shoji, Nagatomo – Hasebe, Shibasaki – Haraguchi, Kagawa, Inui – Osako
Senegal
The Senegal had also in the years since the first and long time single World Cup participation in 2002, when only in the quarterfinals was over, good teams, but disappointed regularly. But now the Lion of Teranga has managed to win the World Cup ticket for the second time and the individual quality is with players like Kalidou Koulibaly (SSC Naples), Idrissa Gueye (Everton FC) or Superstar Sadio Mane (Liverpool) just to name a few, as rare as ever. After four very mixed and at the same time winning games against Uzbekistan (1-1), Bosnia-Herzegovina (0-0), Luxembourg (0-0) and Croatia (2-1) Senegal also seems fit to the point. The 2-0 victory at the dress rehearsal against South Korea was followed by a definitely deserved 2-1 victory over Poland at the start of the World Cup.
Coach Aliou Cisse has little reason for change after his strong showing against Poland. A shaky candidate could be the only partially convincing Mame Diouf in the storm. It may be that M’Baye Niang moves forward and the midfield with Cheikhou Kouyate is strengthened.
Possible deployment Senegal
N’Diaye – Wagué, Sané, Koulibaly, Sabaly – Gueye, A. N’Diaye – Sarr, Mané – Niang – Diouf
Prediction Today: Win Senegal
Odds: 2.18
