Japan 2-2 Senegal: Super sub Keisuke Honda comes off the bench to secure a point

It’s eight years since Keisuke Honda emerged as the golden boy of Japanese football at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. There are a few more miles on the clock these days, a little wear and tear.

But twice at these finals, Honda has climbed off the bench with his team in need of a goal, and twice the 32-year-old former AC Milan player has delivered.

Having provided the assist for Yuya Osako to head Japan’s winner against Colombia in their opening game, Honda slotted a late equaliser in Yekaterinburg on Sunday to secure a vital point in a hugely entertaining draw with Senegal that keeps both teams at the top of Group H.

Eiji Kawashima failed to deal with a shot properly and punched the ball on to Sadio Mane’s knee to give Senegal the lead

The Senegal forward just stood his ground and watched as the ball ricochet off of him and into the Japanese goal 

The Senegal forward just stood his ground and watched as the ball ricochet off of him and into the Japanese goal 

Takashi Inui cut back on to his right foot and equalised shortly after the hour mark with a well-placed, curling finish

Takashi Inui cut back on to his right foot and equalised shortly after the hour mark with a well-placed, curling finish

Senegal defender Moussa Wague put them back into the lead with an emphatic finish at the back post

Senegal defender Moussa Wague put them back into the lead with an emphatic finish at the back post

Japan substitute Keisuke Honda rescued a point by scoring from close range to make it 2-2 after some poor goalkeeping

Japan substitute Keisuke Honda rescued a point by scoring from close range to make it 2-2 after some poor goalkeeping

Honda's close-ranged strike secured  a vital point for Japan which leaves Group H of the World Cup wide open

Honda’s close-ranged strike secured a vital point for Japan which leaves Group H of the World Cup wide open

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

JAPAN (4-2-3-1): Kawashima 5; H Sakai 6, Yoshida 6.5, Shoji 5.5, Nagatomo 6.5; Hasebe 6.5, Shibasaki 6; Haraguchi 5.5 (Okazaki 75, 7), Kagawa 7 (Honda 72, 7), Inui 7.5 (Usami 87), Osako 6. Subs: Ueda, Endo, Higashiguchi, Muto, Yamaguchi, Oshima, Makino, G Sakai, Nakamura.

Scorers: Inui 34, Honda 78

Booked: Inui, Hasebe

SENEGAL (4-3-3): K N’Diaye 5; Wague 6.5, Sane 6, Koulibaly 7, Sabaly 7; B Ndiaye 6 (N’Doye 81), A N’Diaye 6 (Kouyate 65, 6), Gueye 7; Sarr 6.5, Niang 7 (Diouf 86), Mane 8. Subs: Diallo, Mbengue, Kara, Sow, Konate, Sakho, Keita, Gassama, Gomis.

Scorers: Mane 11, Wague 71

Booked: Niang, N’Doye, Sabaly

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy) 7

Star man: Sadio Mane

In so doing, he became the first Japanese player to score in three different World Cups, and has given his country a very good chance of making the last 16 in this one.

They could meet England there but Gareth Southgate and his players are unlikely to be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing either of these two. In truth, far greater threats are out there.

Japan found a way to match a physically superior Senegal side but both teams displayed flaws and, in Eiji Kawashima and Khadim N’Diaye, we saw two of the less assured goalkeepers at this World Cup.

Kawashima didn’t cover himself in glory against Colombia and he was at it again when Senegal went ahead in the 11th minute.

Youssouf Sabaly took advantage of a poor headed clearance from Genki Haraguchi to test Kawashima from 15 yards. It looked like a simple enough save, but instead of trying to catch the ball the keeper decided to punch it.

Sadio Mane was standing right in front of Kawashima and it rebounded off the Liverpool striker’s knee and over the line. 

The two teams line up before the start of the match as the sun beams around the stunning Ekaterinburg Arena

The two teams line up before the start of the match as the sun beams around the stunning Ekaterinburg Arena

Senegal put Japan under some early pressure but Gen Shoji rises the highest head the ball away from goal

Senegal put Japan under some early pressure but Gen Shoji rises the highest head the ball away from goal

Senegal defender Salif Sane shows great athleticism as he outjumps Shinji Kagawa to head the ball back up the field

Senegal defender Salif Sane shows great athleticism as he outjumps Shinji Kagawa to head the ball back up the field

Idrissa Gana Gueye times his sliding challenge to perfection to dispossess Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebe

Idrissa Gana Gueye times his sliding challenge to perfection to dispossess Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebe

The impressive Takashi Inui equalised before half-time after a fine diagonal pass picked out Yuto Nagatomo galloping into the Senegal box.

He cut inside and the ball ran for Inui who guided a fine effort around the huge frame of Kalidou Koulibaly and beyond N’Diaye.

Japan were the better team in the second half and had chances to lead, not least when Osako missed the ball in front of goal from Haraguchi’s cross and Inui’s curling right-foot effort clipped the bar following a breakaway.

They were punished by a second Senegal goal in the 71st minute when Sabaly showed a neat piece of skill to turn in the box and slide a cross to the far post.

Moussa Wague arrived to rifle a shot into the roof of the net and, at 19, became the youngest African player to score at a World Cup.

But Japan were worthy of a point and Honda earned it for them six minutes after replacing Shinji Kagawa. 

Senegal forward Ismaila Sarr uses his pace to good effect as he takes on Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo with ease

Senegal forward Ismaila Sarr uses his pace to good effect as he takes on Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo with ease

Senegal pair Alfred N'Diaye and Kalidou Koulibaly double up on Genki Haraguchi to snuff out a Japan breakaway

Senegal pair Alfred N’Diaye and Kalidou Koulibaly double up on Genki Haraguchi to snuff out a Japan breakaway

Gen Shoji gets a vital touch on a Senegal cross to prevent Ismalia Sarr from connecting with his attempted volley

Gen Shoji gets a vital touch on a Senegal cross to prevent Ismalia Sarr from connecting with his attempted volley

M'Baye Niang wastes a good opportunity to score by hitting a half volley straight at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima

M’Baye Niang wastes a good opportunity to score by hitting a half volley straight at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima

This time it was N’Diaye who let his team down, rushing out to meet Osako’s cross and missing it completely under pressure from Shinji Okazaki. The ball ran through to Inui who kept it in play and squared a pass for Honda to score in an unguarded net.

‘Of course we have regrets,’ said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse. ‘We were not very good frankly and Japan were the better team.

‘But we led twice and what’s annoying for me is the two goals we conceded.’

Both teams will qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat in their final group games.

‘It was positive that we were able to equalise twice,’ said Japan coach Akira Nishino. ‘The substitutions also worked well, and I think I did very well with the timing of those.

‘I hope that this result will lead to more success in our next match.’

Badou Ndiaye struggles to keep his shot down and sends a curling effort sailing over the bar from the edge of the penalty box

Badou Ndiaye struggles to keep his shot down and sends a curling effort sailing over the bar from the edge of the penalty box

Senegal goalkeeper Khadim N'Diaye makes a comfortable save by catching Yuya Osako's header from close range

Senegal goalkeeper Khadim N’Diaye makes a comfortable save by catching Yuya Osako’s header from close range

Japan come close to taking the lead but striker Yuyu Osako fails to connect with a dangerous cross inside the box

Japan come close to taking the lead but striker Yuyu Osako fails to connect with a dangerous cross inside the box

The Japan forward shows his frustration after missing a gilt-edged opportunity to put his side in front

The Japan forward shows his frustration after missing a gilt-edged opportunity to put his side in front

Youssouf Sabaly tries to use his body and shepherd the ball out of play as Japan's Gaku Shibasaki tries to latch on to the ball

Youssouf Sabaly tries to use his body and shepherd the ball out of play as Japan’s Gaku Shibasaki tries to latch on to the ball



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