Senegal 3 - 1 Japan 10(8) - Shots - 10(8) 51 - Possession - 49 10 - Tackles - 10 0 - Fouls - 2 No Cards 1 - Offsides - 0 1 - Corners - 2 21' Papiss Demba Cisse K. Mangane 29' Moussa Sow Mame Biram Diouf 37' Keisuke Honda Ryo Miyaichi 86' Mame Biram Diouf Papiss Demba Cisse MOTM: Mame Biram Diouf (Senegal) Senegal got off to a great start in World Cup qualifying following a cancelled game in week 1 with a 3-1 victory over Japan. Papiss Demba Cisse opened the games scoring heading home a phenomenally weighted free kick sent in by center back Kader Mangane from near midfield. They doubled their lead shortly after as Moussa Sow slotted home a ball right in front of goal as a rebound fell straight to his feet from a shot from Mame Biram Diouf from outside. Honda would make the lead only 1 before halftime as he beat Senegal's keeper to a through ball to slide it by him, but the equalizer would not come in the second half thanks to some solid defending and goalkeeping by Senegal. Finally, the counter would prove decisive as a shot from Demba Ba was turned wide for Senegal's first corner of the game, and that corner would lead to Senegal's third goal as Diouf knocked in the loose ball after Cisse's initial header was saved. Japan would nearly get that goal back immediately as Honda hit the post right off the restart, but that would be it as Senegal held on the rest of the way for a 3-1 victory. Good game gutnedawg and good luck in rest of qualifying Cisse opens the scoring 1-0 Sow puts home the rebound 2-0 Diouf gets the late insurance goal 3-1
Australia 0-1 Ivory Coast 3 (2) Shots (SOT) 5 (3) 49% Possession 51% 21 Tackles 14 1 Fouls 0 0 Cards 0 2 Offsides 0 0 Corners 3 Match Events: D. Drogba (78') S. Kalou CS: A. Copa MotM: S. Aurier Ivory Coast put in another solid defensive performance en route to a 1-0 win down under. Only one change was made from the team's 0-0 draw at Japan in the last round, as W. Bony was preferred at striker in this game over the speedy S. Doumbia. The first half was an uneventful one, with the best chance coming from an Australian counter-attack. The resulting shot was saved by A. Copa, and the teams went into halftime on level pegging. The second half started much like the first, with both teams making crucial interceptions to keep the other off the score sheet. It took a bit of magic from the foot of S. Kalou to break the deadlock. His dribbling skill allowed him to break free of his defender, and the resulting cross was met by captain D. Drogba, who headed in the game's only goal. Gervinho could have made it two late in the match, but his shot was toed over the bar by M. Schwarzer to limit the damage. "Another strong defensive performance from the group tonight. We still haven't found our scoring touch despite the weapons available to us, but as long as we defend well, we should get into the World Cup," said manager RedAL after the match. "Copa has been outstanding so far in the qualifiers, and S. Aurier had a massive game at the back tonight." The win puts the Elephants at the top of the Africa/Asia qualification group, but both Ghana and Senegal have a game in hand. Drogba's strong header puts Ivory Coast on top Schwarzer keeps Gervinho off the score sheet with toe save (Hard to tell from the replay, but it was indeed a save)
