Senegal secured their place in the knockout stages of the London 2012 football competition after a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates.
Senegal 1 v UAE 1 Result
In an entertaining first half Senegal started more brightly of the two teams and they were inches away from taking the lead in the 17th minute when a superb ball in behind the defence from the left, by Lille defender Pape Soure, was missed by Moussa Konate sliding in at the back post.
One minute later, the African nation - and notably Konate - passed up another glorious chance to take the lead as Souare’s free-kick from the left was flicked on by the head of Papa Gueye before Konate headed wide at the far post.
UAE were not in forgiving mood, and three minutes later it was they who were celebrating after one of the most skilful assists likely to be seen in this competition was finished off by UAE skipper Matar Ismaeil.
Rashed Eisa picked up the ball for UAE on the halfway line, beating his marker with a lovely turn, before making his way into the box with a clever shimmy and tricking the final defender with a deceptive glance to the right, as he passed the ball to the left, setting up Ismaeil to finish with a side-footed effort from 10 yards.
Senegal had an opportunity to get back on level terms as Stephane Badji hit a swerving effort from 30 yards out in the 42nd minute, but keeper Eisa Khalid was able to parry the ball into the air before collecting at the second attempt.
After the interval it was third time lucky for Konate in the 49th minute when he finished off another superb ball in from the left by Soure with a perfectly placed diving header at the far post.
Senegal were invigorated by the goal and went in search of more in the 52nd minute when substitute Ibrahima Balde played in Kanote once again, but he drilled his near post effort straight at the keeper from close range. UAE were unable to clear their lines and the ball spilled out to Badji who hit a low shot from the top of the penalty area, only to see it turned out for a corner by Khalid at his left-hand post.
It should have been 2-1 to Senegal in the 60th minute when a cross from the right by Kanote presented Balde with a free header in the middle of the area, but he failed to hit the target, sending the ball wide and to the right of the goal.
Norwegian referee Svein Moen almost played an unwanted starring role in the 68th minute when Badji’s attempted clearance deflected off the official into the path of UAE’s Ismaeil at the top of the penalty area, but he blasted the ball over the bar.
Two minutes later Senegal once again came close when Zargo Toure broke down the right before his dangerous low cross just evaded the sliding Sadio Mane six yards out.
Another chance – but, again, no goal - came for Senegal 10 minutes from time when Souare’s corner was met by the head of Kara Mbodji at the far post, only for him to see his effort rebound off the woodwork.
Senegal’s final chance came in the 87th minute as a Kanote played the ball through to Balde with a slide-rule pass, but the striker failed to make contact.
