Senegal returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over South Korea in Austria on Monday, to round off groundwork for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Teranga Lions’ preparations for the Mundial had drawn criticisms from pundits and officials back home following a lackluster showing against Luxembourg (0-0) and an avoidable 2-1 loss to Croatia.
However, Monday’s performance appears to be more reassuring ahead of the team’s baptism of fire against Poland in Group H of the World Cup on June 19.
The friendly against South Korea took place in an empty stadium in Grodig with few journalists.
Senegal went underway with high pace putting the Taegeuk Warriors on the defensive, which yielded result in the 54th minute when Pape Alioune Ndiaye’s pull out was deflected into own goal by a Korean defender.
Moussa Konaté of French side Amiens sealed the West Africans’ final two-goal victory with an 85th minute effort from the spot kick.
Senegal are returning to the World Cup 16 years after their inspiring debut in 2002 when they reached the quarterfinals.
They will also face in Group H, Colombia and Japan.
