FIFA International Cup 2022: Kalidou Koulibaly proved to be the hero for Senegal as Aliou Cisse’s males defeated Ecuador 2-1 of their decisive Staff A recreation. Senegal, cheered on by means of drum-beating fanatics, booked their position within the Spherical of 16 at the side of Netherlands.
UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022 22:49 IST
FIFA International Cup: Senegal finish 20-year look ahead to knockout berth after 2-1 win vs Ecuador (Reuters Picture)
By way of India These days Internet Table: Senegal rode on captain Kalidou Koulibaly’s thunder strike to achieve the knockout degree on the FIFA International Cup Finals for the primary time since 2002. The Chelsea center-back scored the successful function on the Khalifa Stadium as Aliou Cisse’s males defeated Ecuador 2-1 of their last Staff A fit on Tuesday, November 29.
Cheered on by means of drum-beating fanatics who added to the electrifying setting on the stadium, Senegal set the tone from the phrase pass and didn’t let their depth drop until the general whistle used to be blown. Koulibaly and Ismaila Sarr scored for Senegal as Moises Caicedo’s equaliser used to be now not sufficient for Ecuador to move thru.
4 years in the past, Senegal had been left heartbroken as they ignored out at the Spherical of 16 berth in Russia as they misplaced out to Japan at the foundation of honest play issues. Japan and Senegal had been tied on issues, function distinction and function scored however Japan went thru because of fewer yellow playing cards.
On the other hand, Senegal made complete use of the general matchday to move transparent of Ecuador to take the second spot in Staff A at the back of the Netherlands, who defeated Qatar 2-0 on Tuesday.
KOULIBALY EMERGES HERO
Koulibaly may just now not have discovered a greater time to attain his first global function in his 67th look for Senegal as he put the African aspect forward, 2 mins after Ecuador discovered the equaliser thru 21-year-old Caicedo. Koulibaly got here up with a wonderful side-footed volley within the seventieth minute — a striker’s end from the person who instructions the backline for Senegal.
It used to be an emotional function for Koulibaly, who wore a different armband in reminiscence of former Senegal global Papa Bouba Diop, who died two years in the past on at the present time.
In reality, it used to be Diop who had scored the function that helped Senegal surprise France 1-0 within the opening recreation of the 2002 International Cup. Senegal reached the quarter-final two decades in the past, which used to be additionally the final time they’d made it out of the gang degree sooner than Qatar 2022.
It used to be Sarr’s penalty that put Senegal forward within the forty fourth minute as Cisse’s males went into the ruin with a 1-0 lead.
Senegal’s hopes had been dampened when their famous person ahead Sadio Mane used to be dominated out with a knee harm. On the other hand, Aliou Cisse and his males have proved their price, sealing a spot within the knockout with a heroic display in opposition to Ecuador.
Senegal misplaced to the Netherlands of their opening recreation however they fought again to overcome Qatar 3-1 of their 2d fit within the International Cup. In opposition to Ecuador, Cisse’s males had as many as 15 makes an attempt on function, surroundings the tone from the kick-off.
Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador, alternatively, can head house with their heads held top after impressing in Qatar. They defeated Qatar and held Netherlands to a 1-1 draw however captain Enner Valencia, who scored all their 3 targets sooner than Tuesday, used to be now not ready to make a decisive contribution in opposition to Senegal.
Printed On:
Nov 29, 2022