Japan plot to swarm over Senegal dangerman Sadio Mane in World Cup Group H showdown

Senegal forward Sadio Mane will be paid special attention by Japan's defenders when they meet in their pivotal World Cup Group H match on Sunday. Shaun Botterill / Getty Images

Japan have set out their game plan to thwart Group H rivals Senegal when they meet in Yekaterinburg on Sunday - hound Sadio Mane out of the match by putting three men on him if necessary.

The Asian giants face the West Africans in a top-of-the-table clash following last Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Colombia.

Victory over Senegal would virtually seal a place in the last 16 and Japan manager Akiro Nishino, who was drafted in weeks before the start of the tournament following Vahid Halilhodzic's sacking, said his unfancied side will go for the jugular.

But he is wary of the African side's pace and power, devastatingly demonstrated in their own 2-1 victory over top seeds Poland in their opening group match.

In Liverpool forward Mane, the Africans have a player who can win a match on his own.

Japan will have some information on Mane from defender Maya Yoshida, a former teammate of Mane's at Southampton before the forward moved to Anfield in 2016.

Nishino said that all of Japan's players had been briefed about how to stop the 26-year-old dangerman.

"It is not just Yoshida, but all the players we are giving them information about Mane, though I am sure he will be in some duels with Mane," Nishino said on Saturday.

"I am sure we can deal with him but with the contribution that Mane can make, it might be possible to mark him one on one or even three on one.

"It is possible to stop him but the trouble is that he has influence too on other players, and that is what we are concerned about."

_______________

Read more on World Cup 2018:

World Cup 2018: Day 10 updates - Belgium hammer Tunisia 5-2

Comment: Sadio Mane and the rest of Senegal's modern day stars owe class of 2002 a huge debt

World Cup 2018: Ronaldo's hat-trick, Musa magic and the 10 best moments of the tournament so far

World Cup 2018: Messi overreaction, Salah's early exit and 10 worst moments so far

_______________

The Japanese were widely written off when Nishino was rushed in as manager in April following Halilhodzic's departure, leaving him precious little time to prepare for Russia.

Japan stunned 10-man Colombia to take charge of Group H and Nishino revealed that some of his players had wanted to settle for a draw after 45 minutes with the scores locked at 1-1.

"At half time some of the players were saying 'We have done enough, we can settle for a draw.' But I said that we could win and we will win so we went for victory and that is why I gave them attacking tactics and that is why we are top of the group," Nishino said.

"I always say the second match is the deciding match and we have to win, no matter who we play.

"We need to earn maximum points. Even if it is slightly risky we want to attack and try to win."