S’Korea Halt Gallant Flying Eagles Campaign in Argentina

U20 WORLD CUP

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

An added time 95th minute goal by South Korea’s Choi Seok-Hyun effectively ended Nigeria’s campaign at the ongoing U20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina last night.

The Flying Eagles braved the Koreans, controlling the better part of the game played inside Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in the City of Santiago Del Estero in Argentina. The Ladan Bosso lads however lacked that cutting-edge finishing that would have set them up for another encounter against Italy in the semi final. That however is not to be now.

After the great game they played against host Argentina, Nigerians had raised their expectations from the team. 

It was a game between two teams with well-knit defences and it explained how tight this encounter was that it needed a header by Choi Seok-Hyun in extra-time off a corner  to end Nigeria’s run in Argentina last night.

Korea will now face Italy on Thursday in La Plata for a place in the final of the tournament.

Nigeria, Africa’s remaining flag bearers in Argentina, carved out several chances, but they could not put them away.

In the 110th minute, substitute Emmanuel Umeh fired over the bar from the top of the box when it was easier to score.

There were also attempts by captain Daniel Bameyi in the 50th minute and the very impressive Tochukwu Nnadi in the 85th minute but none of these efforts hit the back of the net.

It was a cagey start by both teams with the Flying Eagles the more adventurous forcing a number of corners.

Early pressure was by the Nigerians with Victor Eletu driving at goal in the 29th minute in a brilliant solo run, but the goalkeeper kept out his shot for a corner.

The Flying Eagles enjoyed 69% of the possession even though the Asians exerted some pressure in the closing moments of the first period.