frican champions Nigeria lost 2-4 to Brazil in a thrilling Group E game at
the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba opted to start Manchester City starlet
Kelechi Iheanacho alongside Success Isaac and Taiwo Awoniyi as he underlined
his intent to go for an outright win against a side Nigeria had never scored
against at this level in four previous attempts.
The South Americans were, however, quicker out of the blocks and took a
deserved lead on four minutes after some enterprising play down the right.
João Pedro’s pace carved open the Nigerian rear guard and his smart cutback
left an unmarked Gabriel Jesus with the straight forward task of smacking home
from close range.
The Flying Eagles responded with a flurry of attacks and were unfortunate
not to equalise in the ninth minute when Iheanacho’s curling effort clattered
against the post with the Brazilian goalkeeper, Jean Paulo Fernandez Filho,
rooted to the spot.
A minute later, Musa Yahaya’s ridiculous bit of skill freed Isaac just
outside the Brazilian box and the Granada man kept his cool, rounded the
goalkeeper before planting emphatically into an unguarded net.
The game continued to ebb and flow and Brazil almost retook the lead in the
18th minute through a superb Andreas Pereira free kick which was punched away
for a corner by the impressive Nigeria goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo.
Brazil almost scored from the ensuing corner but Mustafa Abdullahi cleared
off the line following a stunning header by the impressive Brazil striker,
Judivan, from point blank range.
Judivan continued to cause all sorts of trouble for the defence and he
almost put the South Americans ahead for the second time in the game when he
found space on the right, only to see his fierce low drive deflected away from
goal by the peerless Enaholo.
It was a contest that lived up to the pre-game hype as both sides continued
to trade heavy blows.
Nigeria claimed the next goal in the 28th minute and it was scored in
exhilarating style. Enaholo’s quick delivery ended with the ball in the
Brazilian net after four Nigerian touches in less than six seconds and it was
the impressive Yahaya who applied the finishing touch that saw the African
bench simultaneously leap for joy.
Brazil tried to hit back immediately through Lucão whose wild shot from 30
odd yards was never going to trouble Enaholo.
Taiwo Awoniyi should have made it 3-1 in the 34th minute but he struck the
side netting after rounding the Brazil goalkeeper, .
Brazil scored with their next attack after Gabriel Jesus shielded the ball
impressively before freeing Judivan with an outrageous back heel.
The big Brazil forward was never going to miss from six yards and his
thumping left-footed effort left Enaholo with little chance.
It was a goal scored against the run of play and the wind was predictably
knocked off the Flying Eagles’ sails, albeit temporarily.
The West Africans, to their credit, regrouped and almost retook the lead but
intelligent defending saved the day for the Brazilians.
The Referee brought the first half to a close and the watching spectators
knew they had been treated to something quite special in the opening 45
minutes.
Nigeria created the first clear-cut opening after the break but Awoniyi shot
straight at Jean when he probably should have left the shooting opportunity to
the on-rushing Yahaya who appeared to be in a better position.
Brazil threatened again in the 55th minute but Marlon Santos’ header flew just
wide after Enaholo was caught in no man’s land.
Shortly before the hour mark, Brazil went in front again when Gabriel
Boschilia’s strike from outside the penalty area went in off the post.
The South Americans could smell blood and attacked relentlessly. It should
have been 4-2 to Brazil moments after Boschilia’s goal but Marcos Guilherme
shot woefully with just Enaholo at his mercy following a sweeping counter
attack.
Brazil were peppering the Nigerian goal as the tiring Flying Eagles hung on
desperately for dear life.
The Flying Eagles almost stirred from hibernation in the 72nd minute when
Musa Mohammed stormed down the left and produced a pin point cross which Yahaya
failed to connect with.
Nigeria continued to press for the equaliser and almost got it 10 minutes
from the end through Ifeanyi Matthew whose strike from the edge of the box flew
just wide.
Brazil effectively slammed the final nail into the Nigerian coffin in the
82nd minute, no thanks to a shocking howler from Enaholo.
A surprised Judivan was on hand, in no charitable mood, and planted
gleefully from a yard out to give Brazil a 4-2 cushion.
With Nigeria pouring forward in numbers in search of two goals, spaces were
always going to open up for the South Americans.
Judivan should have completed his hat-trick from one such situation but he
failed to keep his effort on target in the 85th minute.
There was to be no more scoring as the referee brought proceedings to a
close.
So Brazil storm to the top of Group E while Manu will hope for rapid
improvements from his charges ahead of Nigeria’s second group game against
Korea DPR on June 4.
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