FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Senegal to face Japan in epic battle for knockout spot
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After an uninspiring start to their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, reigning CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations champions, Senegal gave their tournament hopes a much-needed lifeline with a vital win over Colombia on Sunday, 18 February.
The African champions got off to a jittery start with a disappointing 6-4 loss to Belarus in their opening match, but displayed their mettle in their second Group C match when they came from behind to overcome Colombia 5-3 on Sunday.
The confidence boosting victory sees Senegal go second in the group while equally tied on 3 points with Japan, whom they meet in a epic clash that will serve as a decider for the second-place finish and qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
Senegal’s goals came courtesy of the in-form, Mandiane Diagne who scored a brace against Belarus, Papa Ndoye, Raoul Mendy, Ousseynou Faye and Mamour Diagne.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s chances of progressing further in the competition were shattered after they lost their second group match of the competition by 6-2 to Italy.
The north Africans suffered a 2-1 loss to the hosts, United Arab Emirates on the opening day of the tournament and needed at least a point to keep their ambitions alive.
They will be looking at bowing out of the competition in style when they face USA on Monday.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup fixture schedule for African Teams:
