Today at the World Cup: Mané needs support if Senegal are to keep Africa alive

Sadio Mané may be a world-class player, but he can't win it alone for Senegal against Colombia today. Photo: Max Rossi/Reuters

Sadio Mané may be a world-class player, but he can't win it alone for Senegal against Colombia today. Photo: Max Rossi/Reuters

Published Jun 28, 2018

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With England and Belgium already through to the last-16, all they are doing today is fight for top spot – which neither team may want, considering the possible opponents in the next round and quarter-final.

So the game of the day has to be Senegal v Colombia – will Africa still have a say in the 2018 Fifa World Cup after this?

4pm: Senegal v Colombia

Senegal only need a draw to advance to the last-16, but setting up his team in a defensive formation may be the biggest downfall of coach Aliou Cisse and his team.

Colombia have a lethal attacking force. James Rodriguez, Juan Quintero and Radamel Falcao are top-quality, with Juan Cuadrado in tow, and will need to be shut down if the African outfit wants to reach the knockouts.

But in a similar vein, the South Americans have a top goalkeeper in David Ospina and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina.

Sadio Mané will lead the Senegalese upfront, but will he have enough support from Mbaye Niang and Idrissa Gueye?

Kalidou Koulibaly is the rock in defence, but cannot do it alone…

Prediction: Senegal 2-2 Colombia

They reached the knockout stages of 2002. Can #SEN do it again at Russia 2018?

We caught up with Idrissa Gana Gueye 🦁 pic.twitter.com/h4FjTekBB7

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018

4pm: Japan v Poland

Can you believe that Japan currently top Group H and just need a point to go through to the last-16?

It really has been an incredible campaign, with a victory over Colombia and a last-gasp draw against Senegal.

So one would think that they are the favourites to get past Poland, but it’s not so straightforward.

The Polish outfit are already out, but still boast a strong side, with Robert Lewandowski keen to prove that he is as good on the world stage as he is for Bayern Munich.

Japanese captain Keisuke Honda will spearhead their efforts, with support from Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa.

Poland may be demoralised after their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Colombia, though, so it will be tough for them to get up for what is essentially a meaningless game…

Prediction: Japan 1-0 Poland

#JPN #JPN #JPN @MayaYoshida3 talks Japan scoring goals from different patterns of play ahead of #JPNPOL.

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— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018

8pm: England v Belgium

Should Gareth Southgate field his best team and risk injury? Well, the England boss is not getting ahead of himself, even though his team are already in the last-16.

He wants his team to aim for top spot in the group, although that could mean they face Colombia in the next round, depending on what happens in Group H, where Japan will be favourites against Poland, as well as a quarter-final against Brazil.

But Southgate rightfully says you can’t really work it out beforehand, so he is going all out against Belgium.

Dele Alli is probably going to sit out again, although Marcus Rashford may start.

Marouane Fellaini expects an even contest when Belgium meet England in #ENGBEL

Who do you think will take top spot in Group G? #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ekH576qfhK

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018

Belgium definitely won’t have injured striker Romelu Lukaku available, while Kevin de Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen have bookings and may be rested to avoid a suspension.

Belgium have the better players, but England, up to now, have the better team.

Prediction: England 2-1 Belgium

8pm: Panama v Tunisia

Not much more than pride at stake in this game between two teams already out of the competition, but Tunisia have been better so far and must be favourites.

Prediction: Panama 0-1 Tunisia

@ashfakmohamed

 

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