Pape Thiaw insists Senegal must 'turn things around' in decisive clash with Iraq

[p]The Lions of Teranga are facing a tall order to qualify after losing their opening two matches - 3-1 against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] and 3-2 against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/norway/8rP6JO0H/"]Norway[/a]. Against the latter, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] looked frustrated after the game.[/p][p][b]The defeat left the Lions of Teranga without a point after two matches in Group I and in serious danger of an early exit from the tournament.[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/iraq-K8aAGt6r/senegal-hOIsJLJr/?mid=j5IhOwop"]Senegal will now need to beat Iraq[/a] in their final group match in Toronto and hope results elsewhere go their way to keep their World Cup campaign alive.[/p][image alt="As it stands in Group I" id="08cfa5b5-cff1-46cf-81bb-e2f98d6ca1a7" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="9477136c-a4e0-47ef-a1c4-ced76aabc022" original-width="1200" original-height="1200" /][h2]Senegal ready for Iraq[/h2][p][b]"There’s a lot of talk; we have to admit. It’s normal when you’re coming off two defeats in two matches, especially when you were considered one of the favourites,"[/b] Thiaw told reporters ahead of the must-win game while hinting at making changes to his starting XI.[/p][p][b]"Now, we have to turn things around. That means me making tactical decisions, but also the players. We’re ready. We’re working hard. We’ll make the best choices."[/b][/p][p]Thiaw continued: [b]"We’ll try to give everything to secure qualification. The players want to have a great World Cup. We perhaps didn’t expect to be in this situation, but that’s the reality today.[/b][/p][p]"We’re going to do everything we can to beat Iraq and keep hoping for qualification to the next round."[/p][embed guid="6c7de182-3e01-4b7d-9b6c-0dfb44049642" url="https://x.com/GaindeYi/status/2069864371161841818" social-type="twitter" /][p]On facing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a] in the decisive Group I game, he said: "Iraq is a technically and tactically disciplined team that can cause big problems, especially in attack.[/p][p][b]"The defeat against Norway was painful, but it gives us even greater motivation to beat Iraq and qualify for the next round. Friday’s match is a final for both teams.[/b][/p][p]"If we want to stay in this World Cup, we have to win. The team needs its supporters. We need them to push the players and secure this qualification."[/p][h2]Iraq going for all three points[/h2][p]Iraq midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ismaeel-zaid/zm8Vm9iH/"]Zaid Ismaeel[/a] revealed their plan to approach the game against Senegal, insisting they are driven by inspiration to win the game.[/p][image alt="Winning probabilities" id="0976a3ac-b386-4579-950c-cda1d478126a" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="599821b0-d626-494b-b6e8-edee354475de" original-width="1920" original-height="1080" /][p][b]"First, we apologise to the Iraqi fans for the mistakes made in the previous match. God willing, we promise the Iraqi fans that this match will be a victory,"[/b] said Ismaeel.[/p][p][b]"The players are driven by great aspirations, an iron will, and ambition; they have the support of the coaching staff as well as that of the fans who, after following us in the United States, are here in Canada.[/b][/p][p]"God willing, we will achieve a positive result in this match (against Senegal), and the entire Iraqi people will be proud of us."[/p][p]Asked whether Senegal’s having a better goal difference will make it difficult for them, he replied: [b]"No, no, the coach clearly stated that all that matters are the three points.[/b][/p][p]"It's these three points that will allow us to advance to the next round. It doesn't matter who the favourites are, them or us; the pitch will decide."[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][p]Ismaeel added: [b]"On the contrary, we faced some of the best teams in Europe (France, Norway), the favourites for the title.[/b][/p][p][b]"We put in some great performances and, God willing, all of Iraq will be talking about how we competed at the highest level.[/b][/p][p]"It's worth noting that against France, we completed a total of 422 passes (out of 481 total passes), a first in the history of the Iraqi national team. God willing, we will bring joy to our people in this match against Senegal."[/p][p]Senegal will miss the services of injured goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mendy-edouard/8zpLkf6p/"]Edouard Mendy[/a]. The former Chelsea custodian picked up an injury during Senegal’s defeat against Norway.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="65287729-8ecd-45d8-a27c-6a166a0de7ad" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]