Online Reporter
SENEGAL goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said his side had paid for taking their eye off the ball at critical moments in the 3-1 defeat by France in their opening FIFA World Cup match on Tuesday night.
The Senegalese regretted not taking their chances in the first-half as France found their rhythm and a double by Kylian Mbappe and a goal by Bradley Barcola saw them comfortably home in the Group I clash in East Rutherford.
Ibrahim Mbaye was on the mark for Senegal. Mendy said that even though they may have had the better of the first-half, the Lions of Teranga had failed to execute their game plan.
“We were a bit sluggish in the first-half,” the 34-year-old told beIn Sports.
“We knew that in the second we had to raise our level, be more cutting edge in attack.
“We were at times, although against teams like these, you have to be totally on your game defensively and offensively.
“You cannot take your eye off the ball because you are up against pure talent.”
Mendy, a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, said he did not believe there was a gaping chasm between the two teams.
“We know what our qualities are and that we are capable of playing better,” he said.
“We were especially lax when it came to retaining possession, we should have been more consistent in keeping it. “But then again we did have a very good team as the opposition today.”
Mendy, an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2021, said there was still all to play for in terms of reaching the second round.
The 2002 quarter-finalists have Norway next Monday, followed by Iraq four days later.
“As I said even if we won this match, the group would still be open,” said Mendy, who plays his club football for Saudi Arabian side AlAhli.
“Today we lost but just as in 2022 (when they lost their opening group game but recovered to reach the knock-out stages) we must rest and focus on Norway.”
Partey misled Canadian officials
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey missed Ghana’s FIFA World Cup opener against Panama after wrongly telling officials in Canada he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.
Partey, 33, was denied entry to Canada before yesterday’s match in Toronto because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.
The Ghanaian government sought permission for him to enter the country briefly to take part in the game but that appeal was rejected at a federal court in Ottawa.
The appeal ruling said there was “no serious issue in the underlying refusal” of the visa and “the applicant failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK”. Former Arsenal midfielder Partey pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022 and is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Immigratin, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told the BBC: “Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws.
“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.’’
IRCC officials had written to Partey to express concerns about whether his application had met the requirement to “answer truthfully” and referenced legislation covering misrepresentation which could impact a visa.
The court also noted that under immigration rules “having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient” and a conviction is not required “to find the applicant inadmissible”.
In a statement, US customs and border protection (CBP) said: “The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey. However, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection. CBP defers to Canada for questions on his denial of entry.” Asked about the issue again on Tuesday, he said: “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. “We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready.” Ghana play England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
They could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L. — AFP Sport.
