Fifa U20 World Cup: Five takeaways from Flying Eagles 2-0 loss to the boys from Brazil

The Nigeria U-20 national team on Saturday evening lost 2-0 to Brazil in their last Group D game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.  

The Flying Eagles finished below Italy on goal difference after the European side brushed aside Dominican Republic 3-0 same evening. 

All Nigeria Soccer here presents the five takeaways from the match. 

1. Excellent press game by the Flying Eagles 

The Flying Eagles began the game on a promising note with a pressing game that denied the Brazilians lots of spaces. 

Although when the South Americans do break and cause tension in the Nigerian goal, it looked as though a goal was coming. 

Overall, the Nigerian boys gave Brazil a good game in the first half. 

2. Brazil counter attacks 

The Brazilians resorted to counter attacks as they were denied the passing lanes by the Flying Eagles with the Eagles chasing an equaliser. 

That seemed to work to teeth as they scored two goals towards the end of the first half. 

3. Effective Nigerian subs but no Muhammad 

Coach Ladan Bosso made a triple change in the second half and brought some urgency in the Flying Eagles game with Haliru Sarki, Tochukwu Nnadi and Kehinde Ibrahim giving the Brazilians all sorts of problems with their pace, passes and trickery. 

Sarki, from the flanks, was the most impressive albeit his brilliant performance could not conjure the needed goals. 

The closest he came to scoring  was a shot that came off the fingertip of Mycael in goal for Brazil which resulted in a corner kick. 

4. Lack of support for Umeh

The changes made by Ladan Bosso saw Bulgaria-based Umeh Emmanuel occupy the central striker position with the substitution of Salim Fago Lawal. 

There was not much support for Umeh who took up the central striker position. 

The forward was isolated at times and rarely threatened the Brazilians until the late into the game. 

5. Eagles discipline 

The Flying Eagles trio of Abel Ogwuche, Daniel Bameyi and Samson Lawal were booked in the game as they fought hard to help their team place tops of the group. 

The players rank among the most important for the team and must be disciplined in the round of 16 fixture to avoid a situation that the team are decimated potentially in the quarterfinals stage. 

Izuchukwu Michael
    
 

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