Thiaw: Senegal Not Out Despite Two World Cup Defeats

Senegal down but not out after tight loss to Norway, says Thiaw

After opening losses to France 3-1 and Norway 3-2, Senegal’s last chance comes Friday in Toronto vs Iraq. Coach Thiaw says qualification via best third-placed finishers remains the target.

Senegal’s knockout hopes hang by thread after Norway loss...

Senegal’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after two losses, but head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw says his team isn’t finished yet.

Senegal came into the North America World Cup as one of Africa’s big threats, yet their campaign has stumbled. They opened Group I with a 3-1 defeat to France, then followed it with a 3-2 loss to Norway on Monday.

“I ‌think that it was a difficult game for us against ‌a very strong Norwegian side that put us into very difficult situations as they were very efficient,” said Thiaw.

“We conceded goals at ‌probably the worst time that we could ⁠have, just before half-time and ‌then just after we came out for the second half.

"But we need to congratulate Norway, and I'm encouraging my players not to be despondent because it wasn't easy. We were looking for a positive result and looking to go away with three points, but this just didn't happen ⁠for us this evening.”

France already beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, and with Norway they’re both on six points and have secured a spot in the knockout round.

Senegal’s only route through is as one of the eight best third-placed teams. But first they have to beat Iraq in their final Group I match in Toronto on Friday to keep any chance alive.

“We've got one match to go, and we need to focus on this last game, and try it and get three points and then cross our fingers,” Thiaw said.

“I think it's a little bit too early to say that we failed. We're not dead. We’re not in ‌a good position, and it is true that it’s the first time that Senegal has started a World ‌Cup campaign with two defeats.

“But we've still got a chance to qualify, and we're going to focus on the last game. We want to try and get those three points and hope that we can go through.

“Once ⁠you’re in the next round, ⁠then it's another tournament ‌that starts,” he added.