Senegal Lions maul Japan in World Cup warm-up 

LENS, France, Oct 4 (AFP) 
The Senegalese Lions continued their winning form here Thursday overhauling Japan 2-0 in an international friendly warm-up match before the 2002 World Cup Finals. 
The west African nation, who have clinched their first World Cup appearance after decades of failure, gave the 3,000 fans at the Bollaert stadium in north eastern France something to cheer about with the opening goal of the night coming off the boot of Lens striker El Hadji Diouf. 
Diouf, whose eight goals in the qualifiers were a huge part of Senegal's entry to the finals, once again proved crucial with his impressive striking prowess. 
Japan, who qualify for next year's World Cup finals as joint hosts with South Korea, were favourites going into the tie and had looked the stronger side early in the game overrunning the Africans in the opening five minutes. 
But the Asians, clearly missing their injured star playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata, were made to work from thereon in. 
Japan goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki did good work to keep out a shot off a corner from Diouf on 10 minutes and two minutes later was saved again when a El Hadji Papa Sarr strike hit the bar. 
Henry Camara again failed to get past Tsuzuki following an opening offered by Khalilou Fadiga in the 20th minute. 
After the interval Camara, taking advantage of a poor clearance, charged for the goal where Japan's Ryuzo Morioka did well to keep the ball from crossing the line on 64. 
Four minutes later the Africans were on the rampage again. Following a pass from Diouf, substitute Pape Thiaw-- brought on in place of Camara-- missed a chance to take the lead. 
But their constant pressure finally paid off when Diouf blasted past a helpless Tsuzuki into the top left corner of the Japanese goal on 77 minutes. 
Japan missed their best chance of the night in stoppage time from a shot by Takashi Fukunishi, and there was double joy for the Africans when Lausanne's Pape Thiaw secured victory three minutes into extra time. 
Japan coach Philippe Troussier put his side's poor start to their two-match tour to Europe down to the effects of jetlag. 
"The 2-0 result was a true reflection of the level of play today," said the Frenchman, following his side's first loss since their 1-0 defeat to France in the Confederations Cup in Yokohama last June. 
"The time difference went against us particurlarly on a slow pitch. 
"Japan is not at their usual level when they are taken away from the physical freshness and the psychological environment of their country. 
"We're like the French in Korea, it's too hot, it's too cold, the beds are too small... You learn more when you're in such situations." 
But Troussier feels that they can make up lost ground in their second friendly against Nigeria in Southampton on Saturday. 
"Nigeria are a team which will be perhaps slower than Senegal," added Troussier, who was nevertheless pleased with the first international outing of midfielder Nozomi Hiroyama from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno. 
"He (Hiroyama) had a good introduction like Takashi Fukunisi, whose first match it also is." 
Senegal coach Bruno Metsu, who has worked wonders with the Africans in his year as coach, had reason to smile as he left the pitch. 
"We lifted the level. This match is good for confidence building." 
Senegal striker Khalilou Fadiga, who plays for French outfit Auxerre, believes that the Japanese underestimated the Africans. 
"They didn't respect us before the match. We showed them that we're not just an African team, but an international team." 

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