Senegal march on

DAEGU, South Korea (AP):

Senegal's Ferdinand Coly (left) struggles with Denmark's Martin Jorgensen during their World Cup Finals match in Taegu yesterday. Denmark and Senegal played to a 1-1 draw. - Reuters

SENEGAL'S ENCORE to their shocking upset of defending champion France on World Cup debut was a 1-1 tie with Denmark yesterday.

In another dramatic encounter against a more fancied European rival, Senegal rallied on Salif Diao's second-half equaliser and then held on in the closing minutes with 10 men as the Liverpool-bound midfielder was red carded for a sliding challenge on Denmark defender Rene Henriksen in the 80th minute.

Senegal missed the direction of injured skipper Aliou Cisse in the first half, but improved after Henri Camara went on in midfield in the second half and had more scoring chances.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen said his team was lucky to come off with a draw.

"Senegal was the better team in the second half," he said. "They are very, very dangerous on dead balls and corners."

The temperature reached 33 degrees Celsius (92 Fahrenheit) in this southeastern city, more suitable for the African team.

Senegal coach Bruno Metsu said his squad would treat the tie as if it were a win.

"In the second half the players showed all their talent and really gave pleasure to African football," Mestu said. "With a bit more time we could have won the match.

"If we get one point from the last match we are practically qualified for the next round, which is a great achievement for our first appearance in the World Cup finals."

Senegal and Denmark share top spot in Group A with a win and a draw apiece.

New AC Milan signing Jon Dahl Tomasson got Denmark off to a flying start, converting a penalty kick in the 16th minute to lift his tally to three goals in this tournament.

Tomasson, who scored a goal in each half of Denmark's opening 2-1 win over Uruguay, said the Danes were in control until the heat took its toll.

"I'm very happy to get three goals in two matches," he said. "Hopefully we can get a great result in the next match against France and get through to the next round -- we deserve it."

Metsu expects to be without Diao when Senegal take on Uruguay next week, but said his team will cope.

Diao, who is expected to join Liverpool next season in England's Premier League, will miss at least one match and possibly two.

The 25-year-old midfielder received a yellow card in the 62nd minute and was then sent off. Senegal officials are hoping Diao expulsion was for a second caution and not a direct red card, which would rule him out for two matches. A FIFA disciplinary panel should make a ruling at its next meeting today.

"The expulsion was very severe," Diao said. "I didn't have any bad intentions during the match.

"I played the ball. During the game, the Danish players made more bad faults than me."

Senegal's attack was way off target in the first 45 minutes but the introduction of Henri Camara changed the direction of the match.

Henri Camara created a chance for striker El Hadji Diouf a minute after the halftime break and then stole possession deep inside his own half in the 52nd to spark the attacking raid which resulted in Diao's goal.

Diao received the last pass from Khalilou Fadiga, slid between two defenders and skewed a right-foot kick just left of Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to complete the movement.

Fadiga's right-foot blast in the 59th minute was well saved by Sorensen, while Souleymane Camara hit the outside netting with a shot from close range and Lamine Diatta headed just wide in the 73rd minute.

One more goal would have virtually assured the Sengalese a spot in the second round.

The 43,500-strong crowd got behind Senegal, despite there only being a few dozen Africans among them draped in the red, yellow and green national colours and constantly pounding drums