Flying Eagles
FIFA 2023 World Cup: Brazil shock Flying Eagles to top Group D
Despite comfortable heading into Saturday’s last match of the Group D round of games needing only a draw to top the Group D table, the Flying Eagles made it’s a hard work for themselves as they ended up emerging as third best qualifiers.
The Nigerian youth team eventually lost to Brazil by 2-0 at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina, in the match played, Saturday, at the Estadio Unico Diego Maradona in La Plata, at 7pm local time.
The Flying Eagles had arrived Bueno Aires, last Thursday afternoon, from Mendoza where they played their first two group games against Dominican Republic and Italy at the Estadio Malvinas Argetinas.
While the Brazilians needed to win outrightly to confirm a place in the knockout stages of the tournament, the Flying Eagles play for pride, after having secured six points from the two earlier games against the Dominican Republic and Italy, which they won by 2-1 and 2-0, respectively.
However, it was not to be as the South American giants scored two quick-fire goals at the closing stages of the first half to hold on to a precious six points which ensured that they top Group D with a superior goals difference after six points.
Three teams ended the groups matches with six points, leaving whipping boys Dominican Republic with no points from all three matches.
Group D produced three qualifiers with six points each, a situation which saw the Flying Eagles squeeze into the knockout stages of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina.
The Flying Eagles now get to face any of the winners from the other group, a situation which could have been avoided by the Ladan Bosso coached boys if just a draw against Brazil was secured.
Goals in the 42nd and 45th minutes from Jean Pedroso and Arsenal FC of London’s Marquinhos, all in the first half by the Brazil guaranteed them a safe passage into the knockout stage.
In another match played in Group D, Italy beat Dominican Republic 3-0, a victory which also ensured the European giants finished second behind Brazil in the final Group D standings.
Flying Eagles finish third best in Group D, as three teams end preliminary round on six points each, with the Dominican Republic exiting the competition with no points, one goal scored, 11 goals conceded.
They scored one against Nigeria and another own also against Nigeria.
The Flying Eagles also finished with a +1 goal difference as against Brazil which eventually topped the group with 10 goals scored and three conceded, a +7 goal difference.
