Coly (right) - Senegal will shock more teams (Allsport)
COLY BACKS SENEGAL TO PROSPER
By David Anderson, PA Sport, Suwon
Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for Senegal team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone
Senegal's Ferdinand Coly has warned second-round opponents Sweden the World
Cup giant-killers have "no limits".
Senegal beat World Cup holders France on their way to qualifying for the
second round as runners-up from Group A and Coly claims even the players do not
know the full potential of the team.
The Lens defender insisted the west Africans are undaunted about the prospect
of facing Sweden, who topped England's group, in the last 16 in Oita on Sunday.
"We have beaten France and there are no limits to this Senegal team," he
said.
"Even I don't know what our limits are. We have a chance because in this
World Cup anything is possible.
"In one match over 90 minutes anything is possible and we have already shown
that.
"We will give everything we have to win and we hope to make the Senegalese
people proud whether we win or lose."
Senegal's qualification for the knock-out phase is all the more remarkable
because they are competing in their first World Cup.
They were unbeaten in their three games against France, Denmark and Uruguay
and Coly puts their success down to team spirit.
"We trust each other and we believe in each other's ability," he said.
"We had a dream when we came to the World Cup that we might surprise people
and we've done that. Now we want to try and surprise a few more people before we
go home."
Regardless of what happens on Sunday, Senegal have already surpassed
everyone's expectations - including their own.
Coly readily admits he had thought that by now the team would be packing their
bags ready to fly home rather than catch a flight to Japan.
"I can't believe it," he said. "This is the first time Senegal have gone to
the World Cup.
"I think we are one of the smallest nations at this World Cup. Many people
said before this World Cup that Senegal would not go far. But we have surprised
everyone by beating France and reaching the second round.
"Before this World Cup we were only ranked in the top 60 nations or
something. Now we are one of the top 16."
Coach Bruno Metsu will have to rejig his side to face the Swedes with Khalilou
Fadiga, who scored their opening goal in their 3-3 draw with Uruguay, suspended
after receiving his second yellow card.
Fadiga joins midfielder Salif Diao on the sidelines as Liverpool's new
midfielder serves the second of a two-match ban.
|