[gOD]

Since not that many of the forum members know the African teams that are participating in Japan and Korea, I think this forum is the place to change that. Therefore from today 'till Thursday 4 thorough threads will be posted on the 4 African teams that will play in the WC2002. We begin with :star: Senegal :star:.

For Senegal it is the first time Senegal has managed to qualify for the final stage of the WC. This is not a coincidence. Never before the West-African country can show us soo many class players.

Most of them play in France. Fadiga, Diouf, Moussa N'diaye,... they all play in French first division clubs. Faith wants that they play the openings game... against France. For many players it therefore will be an ever more special event than it already was. They will do everything to surprise the current world champion.

The face of the team is El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf. Diouf plays for the this year's runner-up in France, Lens. With his speed, powerful shot and dribbling Diouf, aka Casque d'Or, is bound to be one of the sensations of this tournament.

Still Senegal is more than just Diouf. The wingers N'diaye and Fadiga bring lots of flair and creativity to the team. This is backed up by a decent goalie, a solid defence and a will to fight for each other.

African teams are mostely seen as talented but way to naieve. For Senegal this is not the case. They combine African flair with European realism. This is something for which they receive much critisism with Africa.

Another aspect for which Senegal isn't loved is their arrogance. Especially Diouf isn't the most humble guy and always ready to say something controversial. Still as their French coach Bruno Metsu says it "we're not here to be the most sympathetic team, we're here to be the best team.

Along with Cameroon, Metsu's team are said to be the best in Aftica, but while Mboma's team is a candidate to go through to the second round, that is much less the case for Senegal. Not only the fact that they aren't as eperienced as Cameroon, but also because they are in a much harder group. France is the big favourite in group A whereas Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay are thought equally strong. It will depend on details who will be the second team to go further in the tournament.

Prediction: 3e in their group after France and Uruguay.

Line up:

-------------------------------- Sylva ---------------------------------

Daf ------------------ Cissé --------- Diatta ------------------ Coly

N'Diaye ----------- Sarr ------------ Diao ------------------ Fadiga

---------------------- Camara ------ Diouf ---------------------------

Group stage program:
May 31: Senegal - France
June 6: Senegal - Denmark
June 11: Senegal - Uruguay

 

[Sabry]

Route to the world cup:

They qualified from Group C which included Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Namibia. The major helping factor was that they were not seen as tough challengers. As soon as the draw took place everyone thought this is easily between Egypt and Morocco with Algeria maybe but are unlikely to surprise the rest.

Senegal's first game was against Algeria in Annaba, they managed to surprise by scoring first through Diop but Algeria tied through a correct penalty kick and everone thought Senegal snatched this point by a fluke.. Senegal's second game was against Egypt in Dakar, Egypt scored early in the first half but the goal got cancelled for a non-existing offside (sorry, its the truth) and probably that cancelled goal was enough to give them all the confidence they need to qualify ! The game ended in a 0-0 tie and the Egyptians were dissapointed to go home with 1 point (at the time, Senegal were considered a not so strong team). Then Senegal.

Senegal then travelled for their third game against a third North African team when they played Morocco in Rabat, Senegal almost took the lead when they headed past the Moroccan keeper in front of 80,000 fans but the ball struck the bar and then went into the goal just past the line and then out again (a correct goal) but the referee didnt see it and waved to play on. After this game it was clear this group is can go any of the 4 ways..

Then Senegal went into 4th gear and scored 7 goals (conceding 0) in two home games against Algeria and Namibia.

But just when they were back on track, they were dealt a huge blow by Egypt (the only team that managed to beat them and not lose from them) when Mido rose in the 50th minute in Cairo stadium to head in a perfect cross from Mohammad Emara into the back of the net. Senegal went absolutely crazy after that goal and came close to equalizing several times even Hany Ramzy had to make an acrobatic save off the Egyptian goal line to keep the score at 1-0 (at this point of time, Egypt, Senegal and Morocco all had same number of points)

Egypt then lost to Morocco in Rabat 1-0 and had to beat Namibia to stay in the title race, and they did do so 8-2. But those 2 goals we conceded were enough to put us in danger.

Senegal then beat Morocco at home through an early goal by Diouf in the 17th minute who received a great pass in the box and fired easily past the keeper.

At this moment of time, Morocco had 15 points (very poor goal difference) and Senegal and Egypt had 12 points each (with good goal difference)... So a victory for Egypt/Senegal would mean they would go to the WC. Morocco were definitely out of the WC even though they had 15 points (they had no more games left) and this was between Egypt and Senegal.

Egypt travelled to Algeria and Senegal to Namibia.

Senegal won 5-0..... at the same time Egypt were leading 1-0 in Algeria when the crowed decided to burn the Egyptian flag, stone our players, and terrorize our coaching staff which caused the game to stop for 20 minutes.. Just after the restart Algeria equalized sending Senegal to their first ever WC..

I see Senegal qualified for a simple reason, they made good use of their games against Algeria and Namibia (which are the easiest), while Morocco and Egypt screwed up against them (Egypt tied with Namibia in Namibia 1-1 while Morocco tied 0-0) when it was very easy to win with a wide margin too....

 

[gOD]

I expected you Sabry, welcome again


Interesting to know is that Senegal as runner-up in this year's African Cup of Nations only loosing to Cameroon in the final on penalties

 

[Sabry]

yep.. its amazing considering they played african giants: tunisia, egypt, nigeria and cameroon (losing on pks)..

but i was very happy to see diouf miss the pk.. ha ha ha ha ha..

the key to defeating senegal is simple: never underestimate them (and thats why we beat them 3 times in the past 4 encounters because we know how strong they are)..

senegal also has a bit of everything, they combine talent with fitness and strength.. they may not have the most talented suad but overall they are much better than any other african team with just talent or just fitness..

 

[Carson35]

Diouf Disgusted By Senegal's "Amateurish" Preparations
News Archive

Pissed off...Diouf in action against Ecuador (AP)
05/27/2002. Star Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf has blasted his country's FA for what he considers to be "amateurish" preparations for the team's inaugural World Cup bid.

The bleached-blond Lens goal-getter is livid with the fact that Senegal have only played three friendlies in preparation for the 'big dance', and also expressed his unhappiness with some of the facilities that were afforded the team.

"The federation and the company which was supposed to be finding us friendly matches did not do their work correctly," fumed Diouf in an interview conducted just days before the unfancied Senegalese take on mighty France in the World Cup opener.

"Football is a professional sport and there are too many amateurs around the team. It's impossible to work with these people," he added. "I'm sleeping badly, I'm knackered and it's because of the people in charge of the federation.

"When we arrived here, we had to spent a night in some kind of institution. The coach and the players had to shout to make them change hotels. We're young and ambitious players who want to do something for our country, but football can depend on little details and this could cost us dear. And everything I say, you can publish - I don't care."

soccerage

 

[Sabry]

the whiner has returned..

this is africa goddamit.. what does he expect ? a french/italian/german/etc kind of preparation ?

just kick the ball and stop acting as if u own the team !!!!!

 

[Alter Ego]

the whiner has returned..

this is africa goddamit.. what does he expect ? a french/italian/german/etc kind of preparation ?

just kick the ball and stop acting as if u own the team !!!!!

well said, amigo

 

[Valdano]

France better watch out! The Senegalese threat is real!!

Now, WTF did Fadiga do the other day??

 

[gOD]

It's said that it was a bet. i can understand that. The stay in sucha hotel must be long and boring. beside Khalilou isn't an angel

 

[gOD]

Question no is can Senegal keep a cool head. They have a very big chance progressing to the next round now. Man this is will be a tough group :dazed:

 

[Valdano]

re: gOD

Well, the jokes on him!!

Anyway, the Senegalese are looking good after one game. They need to take each and every one of their two upcoming matches just as seriously as they took the French opener. With such an attitude, there is no reason why the lions can't make it past the first round in Japan/Korea!

Keeping a cool head is certainly the key to Senegal's second round progression.

 

[gOD]

3-3

:dazed:

What a game! And what a referee

The Uruguay penalty certainly was a dive, but on theother sicde did Carini tough Diouf .

That Dutchmen didn't have control over the game at all which resulted in a mass of yellow cards. Fadiga even got one for no reason at all :fero: this costs hiom the 8-final, a massive loss for Senegal. Anybvody know who they will face?

 

[chivu]

Groupwinner of the other group of death (England, Sweden or Argentina).