International Friendly: Morocco, Senegal Fail To Win Ukraine, Luxembourg

By Admin Morocco and Senegal were held to 0-0 draws by Ukraine and Luxembourg respectively on Thursday as two of Africa's World Cup-bound sides continue their underwhelming tournament preparations. Senegal failed to impress during the March international window, and followed up low-key draws with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Uzbekistan with a similarly frustrating stalemate with a Luxembourg side ranked 83rd in the FIFA World Rankings. Coach Aliou Cisse picked a strong starting XI that included the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate, Kalidou Koulibaly and Keita Balde, but the Lions of Teranga weren't able to trouble their hosts at the Stade Josy Barthel. The West Africans made four half-time substitutions that disrupted the contest having enjoyed the majority of the possession before the break. Their performance did little to assuage concerns that Cisse doesn't know how to make the most of his wealth of attacking options. Senegal, for whom Sadio Mane didn't feature, begin their World Cup Group H campaign against Poland in Moscow on June 19. They then face Japan in Yekaterinburg five days later, before meeting Colombia in Samara on June 28. In Geneva, Morocco were similarly frustrated by a physical Ukraine side during a testy contest with one notable first-half flashpoint between Romain Saiss and Andriy Yarmolenko. Herve Renard reverted back to a three-man defence, and the Atlas Lions were again committed and resolute, preventing the Eastern Europeans from asserting themselves in the contest. However, there will be concerns after a team which included Hakim Ziyech, Younes Belhanda and Mbark Boussoufa was unable to break down a Ukraine side who failed to qualify for the summer showpiece in neighbouring Russia. Morocco, who have been pooled alongside Iran, Spain and Portugal at the World Cup, continue their preparations with a friendly against Slovakia on June 4. They then meet Estonia five days later before kicking off their Group B campaign against the Iranians in Saint Petersburg on June 15. Credit: espn.com