Sweden vs. Senegal

*--* Tonight, 11:30, at Oita, Japan TV: ESPN, Ch. 34. Delayed: Ch. 46, noon, Sunday How they got here: Sweden finished first in Group F with a 1-0-2 record. Senegal took second in Group A at 1-0-2 Sidelined: Senegal’s Salif Diao (suspended) and Khalilou Fadiga (suspended) Sweden update: Sweden was a surprising first-place finisher in the toughest group in the tournament. The Swedes, bronze medalists in 1994, have the ingredients--goalkeeping, defense and Henrik Larsson--and the draw to make a similar run to the semifinals. Should they defeat Senegal, the Swedes would play either Japan or Turkey in the quarterfinals. Goalie Magnus Hedman pulled a back muscle against Argentina, concerning team doctors, but Hedman says, “It will take a hell of a lot to keep me out of a World Cup last-16 game. I count on being able to play.” Senegal update: Cameroon and Nigeria are out, leaving lesser heralded Senegal to carry the African banner into the knockout phase. It did not, however, advance wholly intact. Starting midfielders Diao and Fadiga are suspended for this match and right back Ferdinand Coly is questionable because of a knee injury Outlook: Senegal’s first sprint into the World Cup was a first-round highlight, but once the tournament grows longer, the harsh realities--injuries, attrition--have a way of weeding out newcomers. Sweden knows the drill, and attacking winger Fredrik Ljungberg is expected to return from the hip injury that kept him out of the Argentina match. Sweden advances

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