Wellington, June 20 (IANS) Mali clinched the third spot at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with a 3-1 win over 10-man Senegal at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium.
The Malians enjoyed a better opening with several threatening shots on Saturday. Senegal improved as the half wore on, reports Xinhua.
However, their cause was dealt a major blow in the closing seconds of the first 45 when Moussa Ba earned a second yellow card for a body-check on Souleymane Diarra.
Ibrahima Wadji helped Senegal lead 18 minutes after the second half. But, Malian star Adama Traore scored twice, including a perfect free kick over the Senegal wall. Diadie Samassekou scored for Mali in the injury time.
The Senegal goalkeeper Ibrahima Sy saved a penalty in the second half, but not enough to change the situation.
Joseph Koto, the Senegal coach, describe the encounter with Mali “a painful defeat” after the match.