Uninspiring Senegal draw World Cup warm-up against Uzbeks

CASABLANCA (Reuters) - Moussa Konate's second half strike helped Senegal to a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan in their friendly in Morocco on Friday, as the west Africans failed to impress in the first of their World Cup warm-up matches.

Ligue 1 striker Konate netted shortly after the hour mark, with the Uzbeks leading from a 19th minute penalty kick by Otabek Shukurov.

Diafra Sakho missed a chance to win the game for Senegal when he botched a cross from Stade Rennes club mate Ismailia Sarr right in front of goal with two minutes left on the clock.

Senegal, who now travel to France to play Bosnia-Herzegovina in Le Havre on Tuesday, rested their two leading players, Sadio Mane of Liverpool and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, on the bench. Uzbekistan remain in Casablanca to take on Morocco.

Senegal have been drawn against Poland, Japan and Colombia in the group stage of the World Cup in Russia which begins in June.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)