Two days after picking their ticket
to 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Super Eagles of Nigeria played 2-2 draw at
Craven Cottage yesterday night (Monday).
Skysports reports of the international
friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Italy.
Italy were held to a 2-2 draw by Nigeria in Monday night's
international friendly at Craven Cottage.
Giuseppe Rossi put Italy ahead early on but Nigeria hit back
with two goals in five minutes before half-time, Bright Dike levelling before
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi put the African Nations Cup champions ahead.
However, Sunderland forward Emanuele Giaccherini equalised
for Italy in the 47th minute as the clash finished 2-2.
Both teams had their share of chances to win the game but
were denied by great goalkeeping.
Substitute Alessandro Diamanti came closest to snatching a
decider for Italy but saw his free-kick hit the crossbar five minutes from
time.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli had demanded a strong
performance from his players in what was his 50th game in charge of the
Azzurri.
Despite the result - Italy's fourth consecutive draw - his
players delivered in front of a crowd of 15,000.
Nigeria went into the contest fresh from qualifying for
their fifth World Cup finals and proved worthy opponents.
As expected, Prandelli fielded an experimental defence with
goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu taking Gianluigi Buffon's place.
Rossi, who missed last week's friendly draw against Germany
with a fever, partnered Mario Balotelli in attack.
Only four players that started in Saturday's World Cup
play-off victory over Ethiopia were included in Stephen Keshi's starting
line-up.
The African champions had the first chance of the game in
the third minute when Victor Moses' 30-yard free-kick went wide, but it was
Italy who took the lead through Rossi's 11th-minute strike.
Balotelli set up Rossi in the box and the former Manchester
United striker's left-footed strike beat Nigeria goalkeeper Austine Ejide.
Nigeria almost equalised in the 13th minute when Sirigu was
forced at full stretch to turn away Ogenyi Onazi's bullet strike from outside
the area.
Italy should have doubled their lead midway through the
first half but Riccardo Montolivo fired wide from a good position.
Balotelli then missed a golden chance before the half-hour
mark when he failed to beat Ejide on a one-on-one.
It proved costly as Nigeria equalised in the 35th minute
when Dike headed Ameobi's cross past a helpless Sirigu.
The African side went in front five minutes later.
A fast break from Nigeria surprised Italy's defence and saw
Ameobi get on the end of Francis Benjamin's cross from the left and strike the
ball past Sirigu to silence the Italian supporters.
Before half-time, Balotelli played a one-two with Rossi and
his right-footed strike was kept out by Ejide.
Italy drew level early in the second half when Antonio
Candreva spotted an unmarked Giaccherini in the left side of the box and his
left-footed shot beat Ejide.
Before the hour mark, Ejide made a vital save to deny
substitute Andrea Pirlo's curled free-kick before the Nigeria goalkeeper was
forced out of the action soon after through injury, with Vincent Enyeama taking
his place.
Italy continued to press forward and Balotelli's right-footed
shot went just wide.
Sirigu was then forced to palm over the bar a goal-bound
strike from substitute John Ogu as Nigeria sought to go back in front.
With 12 minutes remaining, Christian Maggio's dangerous
cross towards the far post found an unmarked Balotelli, but the forward struck
the ball poorly in what proved to be a frustrating evening for the former
Manchester City man.
Diamanti then almost snatched the winner but Nigeria, who
like Italy went through World Cup qualifying unbeaten, held on for the draw.
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