Diop was at the World Cup finals
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A sixth-minute goal from midfielder Pape Bouba Diop gave Senegal a 1-0 win over Japan on Wednesday.
The Lions got the goal with their first meaningful attack, in which Diop nodded an unstoppable header past Japan goalkeeper Hitoshi
Sogahata.
Diop had risen above the Japanese defence to meet the right-wing corner taken by Henri Camara.
Substitute Souleymane Camara also came close and Henri
Camara struck a fierce shot that hit the crossbar in the 78th
minute.
English-based players Salif Daio and Amdy Faye took control of the midfield for Senegal, who kept possession for long periods and were never seriously tested by their disappointing hosts.
Japan's attack produced little until the 59th minute, when striker Atsushi Yanagisawa completely missed his kick from close range with no defender in sight.
Midfielder Junichi Inamoto also forced a sharp
save from Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva in the 90th minute but was unable to hit the target from the resulting corner.
In their previous meeting in October 2001, Senegal beat Japan 2-0.
Teams
Senegal: Tony Sylva, Pape Malick Diop (captain), Lamine
Diatta (Baye Ali Ibra Kebe, 62nd), Omer Daf, Souleymane
Diawara, Salif Diao, Amdy Faye (Sylvain Ndiaye, 53rd), Pape
Bouba Diop, Henri Camara (Mamadou Lamine Diabang, 86th),
Mamadou Niang (Souleymane Camara, 62nd), Diomarsy Kamara
(Ousmane Ndoye, 77th).
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MMIX
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