Liverpool fans go home happy as Firmino, Mane played key roles in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Senegal
SINGAPORE — There were large swathes of red-shirted football fans in attendance at Thursday’s (10 October) international friendly at the National Stadium between Brazil and Senegal, two teams traditionally clad in yellow and green jerseys. And these fans arguably went home the most satisfied among the modest 20,621 crowd.
For they are fans of reigning European Cup champions Liverpool, out in droves to see three of their beloved first-team players in action – Brazil’s Roberto Firmino and Fabinho, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.
And while Fabinho did not feature in the match, the Reds fans were suitably thrilled as Firmino and Mane proved instrumental in both goals as the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in a strangely subdued atmosphere at the cavernous stadium.
Crowd rarely got going despite star-studded line-up
Perhaps it was the inconsequential nature of the game, but the crowd rarely got going despite the star-studded line-up, except late on when they attempted a few rounds of the Mexican Wave.
The Liverpool fans, however, got their wish of witnessing the prowess of two-thirds of their team’s formidable attacking trio. The third striker, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, also made an appearance – albeit in the guise of a lookalike fan who caused a commotion with his striking resemblance.
And the Liverpool forward duo were performing the same roles Reds fans have come to be familiar with – Firmino with his intelligent link-up play, Mane with his stunning bursts of speed down the flanks.
Familiar roles for Liverpool duo
On the pitch, Brazil took advantage of a slow start by Senegal to score early, but when the African side finally got going on the half-hour mark, the five-time World Cup winners had to dig deep to restrict their speedy rivals to just a goal from the penalty spot.
The last time they played a match in Singapore, it was in front of a packed National Stadium in 2014, with more than 51,000 fans cheering noisily as the Selecao ran out 4-0 winners over Japan, with all goals scored by a peak-form Neymar.
The Paris Saint-German star was the only player from that 2014 starting line-up who is still donning Brazil’s national colours, as he earned his 100th cap on Thursday – the youngest Brazilian to reach that milestone.
Yet, while the 27-year-old huffed and puffed in search of a goal to mark his century of national-team appearances, all he found were half chances which were capably dealt with by the Senegal defence.
Well-worked Brazil goal
The match should have sparked into life with the ninth-minute Brazil goal, which is a beauty in the simplicity of its execution. Philippe Coutinho – incidentally a former Liverpool favourite – swept a long pass from the centre of midfield to the right flank where Gabriel Jesus lurked.
The Manchester City forward took a few tentative steps forward, then suddenly cut inside, drawing his defender before flicking the ball deftly into space behind the Senegal back line for Firmino to rush into.
Even though he was closed down quickly in a tight angle by goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, the 28-year-old simply lifted the ball over the diving custodian into goal, to the delight of the predominantly Brazil-supporting fans.
It should have been the cue for more goals for the Selecao, who were running rings around the stunned Senegal defenders for much of the first 20 minutes. Yet, the African Lions dug in, and eventually began to impose their athleticism on the Brazilians.
“We were not in the game for the first 10 minutes, but then we did very well after that,” said Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse after the match. “We decided to close down the Brazilian players quicker, and we are pleased that there was improvement in our performance.”
Mane earns penalty kick for Senegal
Mane, out on the left flank, was battling a formidable defender in Brazil captain Dani Alves, but already showed signs of springing into life. And he succeeded in stunning fashion right before half time.
After a Brazil attack broke down, he latched onto a teammate’s pass from the halfway line, and turned on the afterburners to speed past Alves. When Marquinhos came over to help cover his captain, Mane simply barged his way past him into the penalty box – and was bundled to the ground by the Paris Saint-Germain defender to earn a penalty kick.
Although fans were clamouring for Mane to take the spot kick, he left it to forward Famara Diedhiou, who made no mistake with a hard, low shot to the bottom left corner.
The second half was a far more subdued affair, with both sides shoring up their defensive lines and committing a constant stream of niggling fouls.
Mane came closest to scoring a winner, his 85th-minute screamer from outside the box hitting the post to the loud groans from the fans.
Not surprisingly, Brazil were unsatisfied with the draw. Coach Tite said after the match: “The overall performance was not what I was looking for. We have more to do.”
In the end, the muted nature of the friendly game matched the modest crowd turnout at the National Stadium. But try telling that to the legions of Liverpool fans, who went home happy after witnessing their Champions League-winning heroes Firmino and Mane in fine fettle.
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