Twitter mourns Senegal's cruel fate, mocks Japan for lack of attack
Japan is moving on to the round of 16, despite losing 1-0 to Poland on Thursday, by virtue of winning the fair play tiebreaker over Senegal.
The Samurai Blue were equal in goal differential and goals scored with the Lions of Terange during the group stage, so yellow cards decided who went home.
It was a cruel fate for Senegal, leaving many Twitter pundits mourning the elimination of the last remaining African team in the World Cup:
First time since the last 16 knock out round was introduced (1986) that an African team has failed to reach that stage as Japan beat Senegal on the final (fair play) tiebreaker.
— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) June 28, 2018
African team close to advancing and......IT'S TIME FOR SUBJECTIVE TIEBREAKERS!!!!!
— MISTER Minúsculo Vandálico Plaga (@Futfanatico) June 28, 2018
A team going out of the World Cup based on a number of yellow cards is the worst rule implemented in the World Cup. Japan and Senegal should at least have a penalty shoot out, or something that's not subjective from a referee.
— FTS Football (@FromTStands) June 28, 2018
Feel so sorry for Senegal. Disastrous World Cup for Africa. No teams in last 16 for first time since 1982. African football’s not progressed as we hoped after its emergence in 1990s. Should be more talent in Africa now than in 90s but there isn’t #SENCOL
— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) June 28, 2018
Feel really sorry for Senegal. If they decide qualifying groups for the Euros in the same way then that will be how Scotland go out....
— Chris Graham (@ChrisGraham76) June 28, 2018
Meanwhile, Japan earned the ire of the Twitterverse for playing to preserve a 1-0 loss, rather than trying to win, to ensure its advancement to the knockout stage:
Supremely strange from Japan as they make six changes and then play out the last 10 mins as a farce despite losing to Poland, eventually sneaking through on fair play.
— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) June 28, 2018
Japan just walking around passing ball occasionally. Poland letting them do it. Bit of a disgrace. Have not seen football like this since Chelsea gave up against Manchester City
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 28, 2018
Japan, going through on fair play, with the most unsportsmanlike play of the whole tournament in the final minutes
— Rik Sharma (@riksharma_) June 28, 2018
Japan absolutely desperate to find an equaliser at the end of that game. pic.twitter.com/eO4sPQCQdA
— Ali Tweedale (@alitweedale) June 28, 2018
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