Before this tournament many felt Senegal would be lucky to get a point. Now a draw against Uruguay is all they need to reach the second round. As the Liverpool-bound midfielder Salif Diao talked of his country's ambitions he recalled the day when, as a 13-year-old, he sat transfixed by a World Cup match.

Beamed live to the region of Senegal where Diao grew up was Cameroon's quarter-final against England at Italia 90. The Indomitable Lions lost 3-2 and since then no African team has reached the last eight. For Diao and his team-mates the idea of emulating, even outstripping, Cameroon's success is a source of inspiration.

"I watched that game on television and we think about it all the time," Diao said. "We have it in our mind to try to do what they did and maybe go further. But it's better to go slowly. For the moment the most important thing is to reach the second round." Diao will not face Uruguay on Tuesday because his eventful performance here, in which he gave away a penalty and scored the equaliser, ended with a red card for his reckless challenge on Rene Henriksen. midway through the second half. But the 25-year-old still believes Senegal have the discipline to take African football to new heights.

The failure of the continent's teams to pick up the baton dropped by Cameroon in 1990 has been attributed to problems of focus rather than talent. Nigerian players admit they were thinking ahead to a possible quarter-final against Brazil when they met Denmark in the second round of the last World Cup. They lost 4-1.

"The problem has been that although we can play well, we do not have the discipline of European players," Diao said. "They do what the coach tells them, whereas African players have played to enjoy themselves. Now the Senegalese and many other African players are with European clubs and have that mentality that only victory counts."

Senegal have shown against France and Denmark that they have the tactical discipline required. Their first-half display here was disappointing but the introduction at the interval of a more attacking line-up turned the game so much that they should have won.

Whereas containment and counter-attack provided the best approach against the world champions, Senegal demonstrated after the interval yesterday that they possess the speed and skill to carry the game to opponents. It is easy to imagine the half-time words of Bruno Metsu when his team trailed 1-0 to a Jon Dahl Tomasson penalty.

Diao will bring an immense physical presence to Liverpool when he joins for £4 million from Sedan. The way he finished a sweeping Senegal move starting in the right-back area demonstrated he can be more than a holding player. He must now serve a one-game ban.

If Senegal progress, they could face England in the second round. Denmark, too, need a point against France to be sure of a place in the last 16.

Guardian Service

SUBSTITUTES Denmark - Jorgensen for Gronkjaer (50 mins), Poulsen for Gravesen (62 mins), Lovenkrands for Rommedahl (89 mins). Senegal - H Camara for Sarr (45 mins), S Camara for N'Diaye (45 mins), Baye for S Camara (83 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Denmark - Sand, Tomasson, Helveg, Poulsen. Senegal - Fadiga, Diao. RED CARDS: Senegal - Diao.