Senegal target Round of 16 spot win over Japan

Senegal's players celebrate their lead goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group H preliminary round soccer match between Poland and Senegal in Moscow, Russia, 19 June 2018.

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Jun 23, 2018. 12:00

Japan will square off with Senegal in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H match at the Yekaterinburg Arena in Russia on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 17h00 CAT.

The Blue Samurai registered a 2-1 win over Colombia in their first game which was played in Saransk on Tuesday.

As a result, Japan are sitting at the top of Group H standings with three points from one game.

Shinji Okazaki, who has scored 50 goals for Japan, is the dangerman for the Blue Samurai and the striker will be keen to help his side win against Senegal.

Japan head coach Akira Nishino says they will adopt an attacking approach on Sunday.

“We need to be able to play to our full, rather than be reactive to the opposition strengths," Nishino said.

"If we are always defensive, the chance of victory is going to recede and we want to pursue victory.”

Meanwhile, Senegal edged out Poland 2-1 in their maiden group match which was played in Moscow on Tuesday.

The win took the Lions of Teranga to second place on the Group H standings with three points with two games left.

Senegal midfielder Alfred N'Diaye believes that the Lions of Teranga can do well in their last two group games advance to the Round of 16.

“We respect [Robert] Lewandowski. He’s a great player, like [Radamel] Falcao, James Rodriguez and Shinji Kagawa of Japan," N'Diaye said.

But we’ve got some good players too. And every time we go back out on the pitch, there won’t be any respect for our opponents, no matter who they are: we’ll be going out to win.”

In head-to-head stats according to FIFA.com, Japan and Senegal have met three times.

Senegal have secured three wins compares to Japan's two victories.

Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi will be in charge of Sunday's game between Japan and Senegal.