Flying Eagles celebrating win against Italy, last Wednesday at the U20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina
FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles set to face Brazil in last Group D match
In what is almost a formality match for the Nigerian national youth team, the Flying Eagles are set to face Brazil in the last match of Group D at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup, hosted by Argentina.
The match billed for the Estadio Unico Diego Maradona in La Plata, Argentina, will kick off at 7pm Nigerian 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.
They will tackle Brazil on Saturday in La Plata.
While the Brazilians need 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, and currently sit atop Group D.
On the opening day of the Group D round of matches, last Sunday, the Flying Eagles came from behind to beat the Dominican Republic 2-1, and followed up with an emphatic 2-0 win over then table toppers, Italy, last Wednesday.
Italy which had earlier beaten Brazil by 3-2, but lost to Nigeria 2-1, now need to beat Dominican Republic in the final game of Group D to book a place in the next round, or go home.
Italy’s task is considered a lot easier than Brazil who face Nigeria with nothing much to play for, except the maximum 9 points at stake, as they face whipping boys, Dominican Republic, in the other match of the day.
In their second match of Group D, Brazil had thrashed the Dominican Republic by 6-0, and with a superior goal difference of +5 against the Italians who have -1 and need to score not less than six unreplied goals to stay ahead of the South American giants considering the later lose to Nigeria.
Interestingly, all the Flying Eagles three goals in the competition have been scored by different players, including; Samson Lawal, Salim Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday, with an own goal scored by a Dominican Republic player, De Pena in the 2-1 win over that country, earlier.
Commenting on the Flying Eagles after their encounter, earlier Sunday, coach of the Dominican Republic side, Walter Benitez hailed the Nigerian youth team for being the better side.
”We lost to a better side. They were stronger, faster and wanted it more than we do. I have to praise my players for standing up against one of the best countries at this level.
”We probably could have lost by a heavier margin because they created a lot of chances to score but we did our best to keep at bay. We conceded via an own goal and a sloppy pass, it’s a case of lesson learnt for our remaining group games. The Nigerian team was a very strong test due to their approach. A lot of teams will struggle against them”, he said.
On his part, coach of the Italy youth team, Carmine Nunziata also praised the Flying Eagles for their tactical superiority after the match on Wednesday, which they lost by 2-0.
”We have to win our next game to progress to the round. Losing in this manner is very disappointing to not just the players but the coaches and the country at large. We have to get it right in our final group game by playing to our level.
”Nigeria is a very good side and deserve to win. They made it impossible for us to play how we want to. It was even in the first half but they made it really hard for us in the second half. Losing to a team that is this good is a very good lesson to the boys,” Nunziata said.
