Sand Eagles back in contention at Beach World Cup after dramatic win over Mexico News

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Sand Eagles back in contention at Beach World Cup after dramatic win over Mexico

By George Akpayen on April 30, 2017

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles gave themselves a lifeline of progressing to the next round at the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup with a dramatic 5-4 win over Mexico on Saturday.

After conceding 12 against Italy on Thursday, Nigeria head coach Audu Adamu made two changes. Emeka Ogbonna and Ogbonnaya Okemmiri started this time.

The Mexican trainer Ramon Raya opted to stick with the startlist that lost 2-3 to Iran.

Mexico led the first period through Abdiel Villa’s strike with Carlos Rodriquez’s effort brilliantly kept out by Sand Eagles stopper Danjuma Paul.

Nigeria had scant opportunities at goal in the first period. Isiaka Olawale’s free kick was well-saved by Mexico goalkeeper Diego Villasenor while Ogodo’s attempt in the last seconds of the opening period was kept out by Villasenor.

Ogodo’s two early attempts in the second period could not level matters for Nigeria though he was unfortunate to see the second, an overhead kick, graze the crossbar.

Nigeria goalkeeper Paul was magnificent. He stopped Rodriguez’s expertly taken attempt but the Mexican returned moments later to double his team’s lead.

Ogbonna fired Nigeria back into the contest immediately after Mexico’s second goal but Ramon Maldonado restored Mexico’s two-goal lead from the spot.

Abu Azeez then scored with four minutes left in the second period with a controlled shot into the top corner to trim Mexico’s lead to one. Three minutes to wrap up the second period Abu could not get on the end of Ogodo’s pass to tuck the ball into an unguarded net to make the score 3-3.

The third period dragged on for longer spells without goals. Two minutes to the end, Victor Tale smashed in a free kick after Benjamin Mosco handled the ball near his goal. Tale’s goal sent the game into extra time which meant either Mexico or Nigeria would only get two points from the game.

Akwa United’s Godspower Igudia gave Nigeria the lead in the game for the first with a well struck effort in extra time. The Mexicans responded and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu had to throw himself at Maldonado’s attempt to clear off the line.

With 29 seconds left in extra time, Mosco levelled the score at 4-4.

Right at the death – two second left on the clock – Abu toed Ibenegbu’s pass at goal and the ball came off the inside the post and nestled in the net for a dramatic winner.

It was Nigeria’s first win at the FIFA Beach World Cup since September 2011. The Sand Eagles face Iran in their last and decisive game at the National Beach Soccer Arena in Nassau, the Bahamas on Monday. © supersport.com

•Photo shows Super Sand Eagles star Abu Azeez.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 30, 2017