Three-time
champion Nigeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World
Cup in UAE with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in Sharjah. Taiwo Awoniyi – deputising
for the injured Success Isaac – scored both goals in a game that was a true
test of the Golden Eaglets’ title aspirations. The African favourites will now
meet Sweden in the semi-final round, in a replay of their 3-3 Group F draw.
Uruguay
had the first chance of note after only six minutes when Enrique Etcheverry
crossed low through the penalty area. The impressive Leandro Otormin got a boot
to the ball, but could only direct his effort wide of goal. It was a false dawn
for the 2011 runners-up, however, as the Golden Eaglets took the game by the
scruff of the neck after 18 minutes.
The
Nigerians, who scored 18 goals in their four games heading into the
quarter-final round, opened the scoring from a fabulous piece of creative
interplay. Kelechi Iheanacho, scorer of five goals at these finals, laid a
wonderful through ball, perfectly weighted, from deep in midfield that was
latched onto by Taiwo Awoniyi. The striker made no mistake, hitting home to the
back post for his second goal of the tournament.
Stunned
into action, the South Americans had a decent spell shortly after. Kevin Mendez
and Otormin both tested Dele Alampasu from distance with powerful efforts. But
it was Nigeria who controlled most of the possession and created the more
dangerous chances. Captain Musa Muhammed’s cross from the right after 34
minutes was only just missed on the doorstep by the tall and rangy Awoniyi.
The
second half started with a flurry of chances for Nigeria, Awoniyi and Musa
Yahaya both going close to scoring after creating space for themselves at the
edge of the penalty area. Uruguay were hanging on, absorbing wave after wave of
Nigerian attacks. In the 68th minute, Iheanacho turned and fired from the edge
of the box only for his shot to come flying off the back of a brave Uruguayan
defender.
The
knockout blow finally came in the 79th minute, and it followed the same pattern
as the first Nigerian goal. Iheanacho picked up a perfect pass at the edge of
the area from Chidiebere Nwakali and carried the ball toward goal with an
elegant touch. The Uruguayan defence collapsed on the No10, but he had the
presence of mind to pull the ball across the face of goal, where Awoniyi
stabbed home inside the far post to send the fans into hysterics.
Manu
Garba’s Nigeria now move on to their seventh U-17 World Cup semi-final, where
they will face another thorough examination in the form of the organised and
talented Swedes in Dubai. (FIFA)
Vanguard.
No comments:
Post a Comment