Nigeria’s U20 side, the Flying Eagles, bounced back from an opening day loss to beat Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their second group F game at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in the early hours of Friday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nasiru Salihu put Nigeria ahead, before the Saudis got back on level terms through Amar Al Yuhaybi midway through the first half. Amos Ochoche’s beautiful strike restored Nigeria’s lead, but they were pegged back once again throughTalal Haji before Daniel Bameyi struck home a stoppage-time penalty winner in Talca, Chile.
Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubair, made just one change to the team that lost to Norway in the tournament opener, with Sani Suleiman replacing Orseer Achihi in the starting XI.
Sani Suleiman’s delightful cross was headed home by former Elkanemi forward Nasiru Salihu for the game’s opening goal in the 10th minute. Moments later, Kparobo Arierhi should have doubled Nigeria’s lead, but goalkeeper Youssef Hamed brilliantly stopped his effort.
Just before the 20th-minute mark, Saudi Arabia struck the woodwork through Rakan Al Ghamdi after a defensive slip from Ahmed Akinyele. However, the Saudis would eventually get back on level terms midway through the half. Forward Amar Al Yuhaybi got the last touch on a long ball missed by the Nigerian defence for the equalizer. The Flying Eagles remained shaky at the back, but their opponents could not profit as the game continued to be open.
With minutes before the half-time break, Nigeria went ahead to regain the lead after Amos Ochoche’s goal from a set-piece routine that took the Saudis off guard. Nigeria took the lead into the break, as they looked to secure their first win in the tournament.
After the restart, substitute Talal Haji headed a long cross over goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt in the net in the 50th to drag the Saudis back on level terms once again. Saudi Arabia also came close moments later when they struck the bottom of the post, as the Flying Eagles continued to struggle with the long balls over the top.
Zubair introduced the likes of Charles Agada and Emmanuel Ekele in a bid to alter the scoreline, and it was the former’s headed effort that got Nigeria a penalty in stoppage time. Skipper Daniel Dameyi stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to restore Nigeria’s lead and ultimately secure the win.
Nigeria will now face Colombia, who drew goalless with Norway earlier, in their final group game in the early hours of next Monday, while eliminated Saudi Arabia will trade tackles with Norway in the race for qualification.
