Diao - rallying call for teammates. (Allsport)
DIAO EYEING SECOND-ROUND CLASH
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Senegal midfielder Salif Diao has called on his
team-mates to play to win against Uruguay in his absence to set up a dream
second round game against England or Argentina.
Diao will miss the game after an eventful performance against Denmark which
saw him score, concede a penalty and receive a red card for another x-rated
tackle.
But the new £6million Liverpool signing called on the Lions to go all out to
secure their last 16 berth.
"You must believe in yourself and play for yourself, not look at what other
teams are going to do," he told BBC Sport Online.
"We remind each other that we could be playing Argentina or England in the
second round.
"I think it's only in football, in sport, that you can experience such
diverse fortunes in such a short space of time.
"Sometimes when we talk amongst ourselves we remind each other that we could
be playing Argentina or England in the second round.
"England and Argentina have a big history in this World Cup, and for us it
would be like a present."
The former Monaco man also apologised to his new fans for the sending off.
"It was also a shame that they saw me get sent off," he said.
"I am very upset about that, I felt the decision was harsh because I was
going for the ball.
"I'd like Liverpool fans to realise that I can do better than in some periods
of this game.
"Before the World Cup I was injured for a month with my club so it has taken
me all this time to get myself fit, and I'm not 100% yet, maybe still only
75%."
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