By: Peter Katsiris
Greece's preparations for this summer's World Cup in South Africa got off on the wrong foot on Wednesday as visiting Senegal defeated the Greeks 2-0 at the Panthessaliko Stadium in Volos. After a scoreless first half, goals from Mahmadou Niang and Nguirane Ndaw gave Senegal the shock win as Greece went down in a friendly scheduled to give Otto Rehhagel's a taste of African opposition of the final tournament.
With Pantelis Kapetanos making his debut for the Ethniki as the U-21 side's match against England forcing manager Otto Rehhagel to improvise with his call-ups, the Steaua Buceresti forward was unable to impress in his first match wearing the blue-and-white.
It was Kapetanos, though, who created Greece's best chance of the first half as he played a centering pass for Giorgos Samaras. The Celtic striker slid to tap home the diagonal ball, but just missed out on giving Greece the lead just before the interval.
The hosts were made to pay for their mistakes in the second frame as Senegal exposed the Greek defense using their speed and sharp passing.
Niang, who looked dangerous all afternoon, slipped past Nikos Spiropoulos and Sotiris Kyrgiakos before slotting home a finish past Kostas Chalkias on seventy-two minutes.
Chalkias wasn't to blame when Senegal stretched their lead six minutes from time through a tomahawk free-kick from Ndaw. A sharp shot from the Senegalese playmaker easily beat Chalkias to the near post to give Senegal a comfortable win in their first match under new manager Amara Traore.
Greece 0-2 Senegal
Niang 72', Ndaw 84'
Greece (Otto Rehhagel): Tzorvas (45' Chalkias), Spiropoulos, Moras (69' Makos), Vyntra, Kyrgiakos, Tziolis, Katsouranis, Karagounis (45' A. Papadopoulos), Samaras (66' Christodoulopoulos), Charisteas (45' Salpingidis), Kapetanos (45' Gekas).
Senegal (Amara Traore): Sylva, Diawara, Faty, Drame, Gomis (56' Doe), S. Kamara (57' Diouf), Dia (69' Ba), Mangan (77' Diakhate), Tavares (83'Tioune), D. Kamara (45' Sow), Niang.
Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)
Venue: Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos, Greece.
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