Sidy Sarr of Senegal, second left, lifts his arms as the final whistle goes to end their U20 soccer World Cup quarterfinal game against Uzbekistan. Photo / AP.
Sidy Sarr of Senegal, second left, lifts his arms as the final whistle goes to end their U20 soccer World Cup quarterfinal game against Uzbekistan. Photo / AP.
Senegal's first trip to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup has been a memorable one and it's not over yet.
Their surprising run at the tournament continued today when they edged Uzbekistan 1-0 in their quarter-final in Wellington as they set up a semifinal showdown with Brazil in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan, who finished second in Group F despite only winning one match and losing two, toppled Austria 2-0 in the round of 16, which brought them to the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Senegal came through pool play as one of the four best third-placed teams before they edged Ukraine in a penalty shoot-out in the round of 16.
There was little action in the first spell and even less pressure on the goalkeepers as the second half progressed but Mamadou Thiam got on the end of a nice pass from Remi Nassalan in the 77th minute, which decided the contest.
Senegal's form in New Zealand is remarkable considering they had to score two goals in the final three minutes of their last pool game at the African Under-20 Championship in March to beat Congo to even qualify for the Under-20 World Cup.
The prospect of an all-African final remains given Mali are in the semifinals on the other side of the draw.
