Samara (Russia) June 27 (IANS) After throwing away their lead twice in the last game Senegal will now have their task cut out when they take on Colombia in a decisive Group H clash here on Thursday.
The west Africans could have ensured their passage to the round of 16 in Sunday s second group match against Japan but after playing out a 2-2 draw they need now a draw to advance but if Colombia win they will advance at Senegal s expense if Japan avoid defeat against Poland in Volgograd at the same time.
A draw would also do for Colombia but only if Japan lose.
Japan and Senegal lead the group on four points while Colombia are one behind after their resounding 3-0 win over Poland in Kazan on Sunday.
Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez sounded confident on Wednesday.
"Starting with a loss (to Japan 2-1) in a tournament as short as the World Cup could have been difficult to reverse but we did well we won (against Poland 3-0) and we took that victory with great enthusiasm but also with a head full of knowledge that we re still processing " Sanchez was quoted as saying by Efe news agency.
"At the World Cup level nobody is going to give you anything especially at a time when football has evolved so much " the Tottenham defender added.
"However we think of ourselves " he stressed. "Colombia will always be more important than the opponent in front of us."
The defender who was one of the outstanding players in Sunday s win against Poland warned of the danger posed by the Senegalese squad particularly Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
Sanchez asserted that his side will focus on their rival s entire team not just one player although he said Mane "is a great player (who) has had a good season in the Premier League."

--IANS ajb/bg