Japan 2-2 Senegal live: World Cup 2018 Group H match report

Japan twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Senegal in their World Cup Group H encounter on Sunday.

Inui, Honda goals cancel out Mané, Wagué strikes for Senegal

Goals from Senegal captain Sadio Mané and Moussa Wagué were matched by strikes from Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda for the Samurai Blue.

Senegal took the lead in the 11th minute when Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima punched a cross into Mané's leg and the ball bounced back over the line and in, before Inui's curled finish on 34 minutes meant the sides went in level at the break.

Wagué's powerful shot into the roof of the net on 64 minutes looked to have secured the points for Senegal, but Japan substitute Honda turned in a brilliant Inui pull-back with 12 minutes remaining to give the Asian side a share of the points.

Both on four points going into final Group H matches

The draw means both nations go into the final round of matches on four points at the top of the group.

Japan 2-2 Senegal: as it happened

After an impressive opener against Poland, Senegal return to World Cup action to play Japan, who were no less impressive against Colombia. Kick-off from Ekaterinburg Arena is at 17:00 CEST.

"Grow 5cm and put on 5kg"

The Japanese were fortunate enough to see Colombia reduced to 10 men in that game early in the first half when Carlos Sanchez received his marching orders but they used the ball well and made their opponents work hard out of possession. Their manager was asked how he would deal with the task of beating Senegal and he replied, "In the last few days I told my players to grow 5cm and put on 5kg. They couldn’t do it. Instead we'll have to try to win by using the ball well." So we can expect a possession-based approach from the Asian side. They have no injury concerns after that first game against a physical Colombia side. Yuya Osako and Shinji Kagawa proved to be their most important players on that occasion and they will need a similarly composed performance from them again if they are to prevail in their second game.

Senegal, on the other hand, were excellent against a rather poor Poland side. They were active in attack and secure at the back even if the Poles never really troubled them. Their ability to negate Robert Lewandowski, who was starved of possession was quite the feat. Sadio Mane played a more complementary role in that game and it was M'Baye Niang who caused Poland the most problems with his long limbs and energy. He pounced on a poor Krychowiak pass to score and was a general nuisance for defenders in that opener. They have no injuries either after that first encounter.