The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Mali-Senegal 1:1, BFA

Feb 2 1300 GMT Senegal - Mali 1:1 (final score)
parallel: Burkina Faso - Kenya 0:3 (final score)
situation: at the moment 1. Mali 2. Senegal
Burkina Faso need to score 7 unanswered plus Mali to retake the lead against Senegal - let's forget this

Before
- Senegal have impressed in their early matches because of the following facts: They have been the most compact team in the tournament: Although not in topform yet, they have not conceded a single goal (alongside Morocco the only team). Although many reviewers do not feel convinced of their strength, against Kenya and Burkina Faso they have had impressive flashes of dangerous attacking, especially through their new striker Mamadou Niang. They only seem to miss the inspiration of absent midfielder Fadiga.
The scenarios:
- Mali are already qualified for the quarter finals. They will win the group with a draw or win against Senegal
- If Senegal beat Mali they will win the group
- If Senegal lose to Mali they will still qualify if Burkina Faso do not beat Kenya in the parallel match
- If Burkina Faso beat Kenya and Senegal lose to Mali by a combined margin of four goals or less, Senegal are still qualified: Example: Burkina Faso win 3:0, Senegal lose 0:1
- If Burkina Faso beat Kenya and Senegal lose to Mali by a combined margin of six goals or more, Burkina Faso are qualified: Example: Burkina Faso win 4:0, Senegal lose 0:2
- If Burkina Faso beat Kenya and Senegal lose to Mali by a combined margin of exactly five goals, the number of goals scored will decide:
(do not read on if you are already feeling dizzy)
-if Senegal score equal or less goals than Burkina Faso concede, Burkina Faso are through. Example: Senegal lose 1:3, Burkina Faso win 4:1 (remember: this is for a combined margin of five goals only)
-if Senegal score two goals more than Burkina Faso concede, Senegal are through. Example: Senegal lose 2:4, Burkina Faso win 3:0 (remember: this is for a combined margin of five goals only)
-if Senegal score one goal more than Burkina Faso concede, it will be drawing lots. Example: Senegal lose 1:2, Burkina Faso win 4:0 (remember: this is for a combined margin of five goals only)
I hope I got it all right...

1st half
- Senegal in white, Mali in green shirts, yellow shorts, and red stockings.
Mali rest Kanoute and Soumaila Coulibaly who are not in the starting line up.
-'1-'10
-a slow, careful beginning of both sides, with several mistakes as well
-it is a similar situation to yesterday: a draw suits both teams. Though: the winner of the group avoids hosts Tunisia
-'2-'20
-the match has not become any better. Senegal a little better, but without real goal scenes
-'21-'25
-the match is merely played in the Malian half, though: defenders have the last word. Senegal get a couple of free kicks, but their crosses are anything but dangerous
-('26) Mali almost benefit from a won challenge by #15 Demba against Senegalese #13 Diatta. The ball rolls past the keeper but Diatta scratches it off the line
-(27) Senegal answer immediately with a half dangerous counter attack
-('35) out of the blue, a long cross from the right finds Dramane Traoré, who, little challenged, makes a header from 14 meters into the net - 0:1
-his defender had been marking quite close, but the cross had found Traoré so exactly that the little gap left was enough to make the powerful and exact header
-'35-'41
-the match is a bit more lively now, both sides
-Mali seem to smell their chance, attack with five, Senegal are back to counter attack attempts for a moment
-('42) Senegal with a dangerous attack, a cross on the second post finds Diouf who has stolen away from his defender and fires a shot, but right on the keeper, who is then hurt a little in the chase for the rebound
-('45) 4 minutes injury time added
-('45 2) Senegal: sharp free kick cross from the right, Beye beats his defender by inches to head the ball from close reange into the net - 1:1
-the free kick had been well executed on the near post and Beye had managed to put his body in front of everybody else

halftime 1:1
Senegal disappointing. But: class teams are capable to score from set pieces when nothing else goes.
parallel match: two huge opportunities on either side, wasted

2nd half
-('49) Mali #17 sees yellow for an intimidating tackle against Diouf
-('50) Senegal try a neat trick play at the insuing free kick but it is defended well
-('50) Diao sees yellow for a very rough challenge against Mali #20
-parallel match ('50) Ake scores for Kenya
-('59) fine attack by Mali, two players play out five Senegalese, but eventually Beye's challenge is sufficient to make Traorés shot going off target
-apart from this scene, defences have the last word
-parallel match ('68) Oliech scores for Kenya
-here attackers do not find a recipe
-until...
-('73) Senegal: El Hadj Diouf with a fine individual effort, dances out his defender and fires from half right against the goalpost of the far corner
-('78) dangerous Senegalese corner - again looking like a designed play
-parallel match: Burkina Faso are down to ten, after Ouedraogo sees the red card
-parallel match ('84) Oliech sets up Baraza by a backheel pass, who scores the third for Kenya
-('90 1) Mali: Soumaila Coulibaly, who has come on ten minutes ago, with a harmless finishing to a promising counter situation

final score 1:1
Both well organised, well defending in one on one, but very disappointing in creativity. Evidence for the theory that those players are great athletes, well educated, disciplined, and organised, but not exciting magicians like Nigeria or Côte d'Ivoire.
parallel match: first win for Kenya at African Cup final tournaments ever. Burkina Faso with a disappointing end to their campaign. Their new basically defensive style did not pay off.
1. Mali (vs Guinea in quarter finals) 2. Senegal (vs Tunisia) 3. Kenya 4. Burkina Faso