Cisse boys ride luck to shatter woeful Poland
IN their coach Aliou Cisse, Senegal have a link to the greatest day in their football history.
Cisse, once of Birmingham City and Portsmouth, played in defence the day the African nation beat holders France on the opening day of the 2002 World Cup.
Now 42, Cisse is once more at the heart of something special. Perhaps nothing will ever live up to that day in Seoul but here in the Russian capital Cisse and his players marked their first return to the World Cup stage with a victory that will mean everything to Senegal and, indeed, to Africa.
‘This is not the same thing, not the same taste as back then,’ said Cisse. ‘France and Senegal have a history. France colonised Senegal, so when we faced France in the opening match, that was quite exceptional.
‘Things are different here. But in terms of the football this was just as important as the victory we got against France.’
This was a big day for Senegal, the first African nation to register a win in this tournament.
Poland were dismal and will need to do much better if they are to survive. Yes, both Senegal’s goals were fortunate but that does not mean they did not deserve their victory.
Towards the end of a poor first half that featured not a single shot on target, Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye pulled an effort from 20 yards badly but the ball struck Poland’s Thiago Cionek and ricocheted into the goal.
In the second half, worse was to come. Poland had started the period with purpose and were beginning to threaten when a reckless backpass from West Bromwich Albion midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak caused panic in their defence. The problem was the Senegal forward Mbaye Niang coming back on to the field after treatment.
Southampton defender Jan Bednarek had not noticed his return and when Niang burst past him the Senegalese was able to nudge the ball past advancing keeper Wojciech Szczesny, once of Arsenal, knocking it into an empty net.
Poland coach Adam Nawalka was honest in his summation, saying: ‘The second goal was kind of curious. We were in possession. There was a misunderstanding — the players thought a substitute was coming in. But you need to help to be lucky.’
Krychowiak’s late header gave Poland hope but they deserved nothing. This was Senegal’s day.
POLAND: (4-3-2-1) Szczesny 4; Piszczek 5.5 (Bereszynski 81mins 6), Pazdan 6, Cionek 5, Rybus 5.5; Blaszczykowski 5 (Bednarek 45mins 5), Krychowiak 6, Zielinski 6; Grosicki 6, Milik 6.5 (Kownacki 73mins 6); Lewandowski 6. Scorer: Krychowiak 85. Booked: Krychowiak. Manager: Adam Nawalka 6. SENEGAL: (4-4-2) K N’Diaye 6.5; Sabaly 7, KOULIBALY 8, Sane 7.5, Wague 7; Gueye 7, A N’Diaye 7, Diouf 7 (Ndoye 60, 6.5), Mane 6.5; Sarr 7, Niang 7.5 (Konate 74, 6). Scorers: Cionek (og) 38, Niang 60. Booked: Sane, Gueye. Manager: Aliou Cisee 7. Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain) 7. Attendance: 44,190.