Nine-man Flying Eagles rounded off their pre-Fifa Under-20 World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Mexico at the Copa de la Republica tournament in Panama City on Friday night.
Nigeria head coach, John Obuh, waxed philosophical again after the heavy defeat to Mexico.Obuh said: “It will be a disaster if we dwell on this match with the World Cup just around the corner.”
The Nigerian U20s got off to a strong start inside 22 minutes through VVV-Venlo man, Ahmed Musa.
The speedster opened scoring courtesy of a low drive from top of the box after a fine build-up.
It was the Flying Eagles first goal in three matches.
Obuh threw new arrivals Ramon Azeez and Olanrewaju Kayode into the deep end from kick-off, and it was the hustling style of Asec striker, Kayode that seem to trouble the Mexican defence from the outset.
Mexico equalised on 33 minutes when Diego De Buen finally powered home a free kick from the edge of the Nigerian box after Kenneth Omeruo had fouled a goal-bound Mexican forward.
Kayode then came close twice before Mexico made it 2-1 after Alan Pulido skinned Omeruo before delightfully chipping past goalkeeper Danjuma Paul.
The restart was delayed for over 10 minutes after Nigeria refused to go back to the pitch in protest over the failure of the referee Roberto Moreno to protect them on the pitch.
After the Flying Eagles were pacified, they continued to press for a leveller with Musa and Terna Suswam involved in a superb interchange of passes only for the ball to overrun Musa inside the box.
Ulises Davila then increased the lead by Mexico after 58 minutes and soon after the Flying Eagles were dealt a big blow when Omeruo was sent off for his second booking after what looked like an innocuous challenge.
On 71 minutes, Ogungbe cleared off the goalline with Paul well beaten.
Moments later Mexican dangerman, Alan Pulido put the game beyond the reach of the Flying Eagles with a fourth goal.
Nigeria’s bad day in the office was complete in the 79th minute when Abduljaleel Ajagun saw red. He was first booked for a late tackle and then sent off for dissent.
In the other game of the night, hosts Panama beat Portugal 2-0 to allow Mexico emerge winners of the invitational tournament.
Squads:
Nigeria: Danjuma Paul (skipper) – Terna Suswan, Felix Odoh, Kenneth Omeruo, Emmanuel Anyanwu (Ganiu Ogungbe 46) – Ramon Azeez (Philemon Daniel 46), Abduljaleel Ajagun, Sani Tahir, Ahmed Musa, Egbedi Edafe (Bright Ejike 46) (Chimezie Mbah 76)– Olanrewaju Kayode (Uche Nwofor 46)
Coach: John Sam Obuh
Mexico: Carlos Lopez – Kristian Alvarez, Nestor Araujo (Skipper), Diego De Buen, Jorge Garcia (Marvin Pinon 69), Cesar Ibanez, Jorge Valencia, Saul Villalobos (Carlos Orrantia 56), Taufic Guarch (David Ramirez 61), Ulises Davila (Edson Rivera 74), Alan Pulido (Erick Torres 77)
Coach: Juan Carlos Chavez
Nigeria head coach, John Obuh, waxed philosophical again after the heavy defeat to Mexico.Obuh said: “It will be a disaster if we dwell on this match with the World Cup just around the corner.”
The Nigerian U20s got off to a strong start inside 22 minutes through VVV-Venlo man, Ahmed Musa.
The speedster opened scoring courtesy of a low drive from top of the box after a fine build-up.
It was the Flying Eagles first goal in three matches.
Obuh threw new arrivals Ramon Azeez and Olanrewaju Kayode into the deep end from kick-off, and it was the hustling style of Asec striker, Kayode that seem to trouble the Mexican defence from the outset.
Mexico equalised on 33 minutes when Diego De Buen finally powered home a free kick from the edge of the Nigerian box after Kenneth Omeruo had fouled a goal-bound Mexican forward.
Kayode then came close twice before Mexico made it 2-1 after Alan Pulido skinned Omeruo before delightfully chipping past goalkeeper Danjuma Paul.
The restart was delayed for over 10 minutes after Nigeria refused to go back to the pitch in protest over the failure of the referee Roberto Moreno to protect them on the pitch.
After the Flying Eagles were pacified, they continued to press for a leveller with Musa and Terna Suswam involved in a superb interchange of passes only for the ball to overrun Musa inside the box.
Ulises Davila then increased the lead by Mexico after 58 minutes and soon after the Flying Eagles were dealt a big blow when Omeruo was sent off for his second booking after what looked like an innocuous challenge.
On 71 minutes, Ogungbe cleared off the goalline with Paul well beaten.
Moments later Mexican dangerman, Alan Pulido put the game beyond the reach of the Flying Eagles with a fourth goal.
Nigeria’s bad day in the office was complete in the 79th minute when Abduljaleel Ajagun saw red. He was first booked for a late tackle and then sent off for dissent.
In the other game of the night, hosts Panama beat Portugal 2-0 to allow Mexico emerge winners of the invitational tournament.
Squads:
Nigeria: Danjuma Paul (skipper) – Terna Suswan, Felix Odoh, Kenneth Omeruo, Emmanuel Anyanwu (Ganiu Ogungbe 46) – Ramon Azeez (Philemon Daniel 46), Abduljaleel Ajagun, Sani Tahir, Ahmed Musa, Egbedi Edafe (Bright Ejike 46) (Chimezie Mbah 76)– Olanrewaju Kayode (Uche Nwofor 46)
Coach: John Sam Obuh
Mexico: Carlos Lopez – Kristian Alvarez, Nestor Araujo (Skipper), Diego De Buen, Jorge Garcia (Marvin Pinon 69), Cesar Ibanez, Jorge Valencia, Saul Villalobos (Carlos Orrantia 56), Taufic Guarch (David Ramirez 61), Ulises Davila (Edson Rivera 74), Alan Pulido (Erick Torres 77)
Coach: Juan Carlos Chavez
This is a shame. I don't understand what Obuh meant by we not judging the tournament by that match... Isn't such a match a sign of things to come?
ReplyDeleteDidn't see it though..
- LDP