Nigeria, who won their first
game in UAE 6-1 over Mexico, showed some defensive frailties in their 3-3 draw
with Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
The Scandinavians, playing in
their first FIFA U-17 World Cup, stuck to their game-plan and were thoroughly
deserving of their share of the spoils against the Group F favourites as both
sides now look good bets to reach the knockout rounds.
The Swedes only needed 11
minutes to shock the much-feared Golden Eaglets, and the goal came from a
hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area from deep in midfield. Nigerian
keeper Dele Alampsu thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced out of
his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of
goal. Valmir Berisha was on the spot to guide the ball home on the volley.
It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians
eight minutes later when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank
and crossed deep into the penalty area. Berisha showed he had his shooting
boots on as he expertly headed home his second goal of the contest.
The Nigerians, traditionally
slow starters, hit back in spectacular fashion with one of the goals of the
tournament. Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer from the first game against
Mexico, floated in a ball from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who
swiveled and slammed into the far corner without the ball ever hitting the
grass, all in one motion, in the 20th minute.
The Africans then went close to
drawing twice in the last five minutes of the half. Samuel Okon tried an
audacious lob from 40 yards that had Sixten Mohlin in the Swedish goal
back-peddling desperately, before tipping over the bar. Shortly after,
substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s snap-shot was saved again by Mohlin, the effort not
able to match the outstanding approach work up the right side.
Mohlin went from hero to villain
for the Swedes early in the second half. He failed to get his body behind the
ball when Musa Yahaya tried a speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled
between the keeper’s legs and bobbled, almost apologetically, over the line as
the tried desperately to recover.
The Nigerians were in the
driving seat, and the Swedes were increasingly camped in their own half. But a
fast-break up the left side in the 65th minute saw the Swedes back into the
lead. Saletros chested the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu could only
parry away. Unfortunately for the keeper, substitute Mirza Halvadzic was
lurking on the doorstep and slid home to make it 3-2.
But the talented and
irrepressible Africans still had something left in the tank. Awoniyi’s powerful
header with ten minutes to go was too much for Mohlin to keep out and the game
ended honours even. Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they will take on Iraq
in their last match of the section on 25 October, the same day that Sweden meet
Mexico in Al Ain.(Vanguard)
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