By Daily Sports on August 6, 2016

Nigeria U23 team’s head coach Samson Siasia says his side 5-4 win against Japan in the opening game of the football event of the Rio Olympics in Manaus, Brazil was nothing short of miraculous.

The Nigerians engaged their Asian counterparts in the crucial match at the Amazonia Stadium barely five hours after arriving in Manaus.

Siasia said the performance of his wards was a miracle.

“I just can’t describe what happened today (Friday). My boys defied science to win this game.

What gave us this game was the mental toughness of the boys. For a team not to train for two days and put up this type of performance is a miracle.

“You know that when players are tired they tend to lose focus. That is why we conceded four goals.

“For now all I can say is I just want to go and savour this victory with my players,” said the former Super Eagles coach to thenff.com.

Siasia said his wards will remain focused for their next match against Sweden on Sunday.

“We just won a game, we can’t and won’t allow this victory to go to our heads. Our target here is to win the gold and this is just the first step of us achieving that aim.

“No two games are the same; for me this hurdle is over but when I wake up tomorrow I will then think of my next game,” said Siasia.

Siasia said the Japanese side played well.

“The team we defeated is a good side; I respect them for pushing my boys to the limit,” said Siasia.

Siasia refused to speak on the issues that caused him and the team to arrive in Manaus hours before the game, saying the team has put that behind them and are grateful to Delta Airlines for coming to the rescue of the team when they did.

The Dream Team VI will face the Scandinavians on Sunday in Manaus.

Sweden shared the spoils with Colombia on two-goals apiece to maintain the second and third places respectively behind Nigeria. © supersport.com

•Photo shows Coach Siasia.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 6, 2016

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