Argentina 2023: Samba Boys clip Flying Eagles' wings

Posted : 27 May 2023

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday at the Estadio Ciudad de la Plata in Argentina failed to fly when it mattered most by losing to the Samba Boys of Brazil 0-2 as the team conceded the two goals within three minutes.

It was a devastating first defeat of the Nigerians who will now rely on moving to the next round of 16 as a lucky loser.

It was in the process that Carneiro Pedroso scored with a textbook header that beat Goalkeeper Chijioke in the 43rd minute.

Pedroso had scored Brazil’s 3rd goal against Dominic Republic in the 57th in the record 6-0 drubbing.

A cheeky goal from a clearance as Nigeria pressed for an equalizer that found Marquinhos in 45+2nd minute went through the legs of Chijioke for Brazil’s second goal and the first for Marquinhos.

Brazil was so unlucky not to rain goals into the Nigerian net as the African players continue to fritter away their chances.

In the other group match, Italy expectedly rose to donate goals to Dominic Republic beating the team 3-0. Italian star player Cesare Casadel scored a brace (two goals) in the 19th and 84th minute while G Ambrosino scored in the 50th minute to put the Flying Eagles in a tight corner.

Casadel now has four goals to his credit having scored two goals against Dominic Republic.

The group table had Brazil on top with 6 points, 10 goals for, 3 against and +7 goals difference. Italy came second with 6 points also scoring 6 goals and conceding 4 having +2 goals difference. Nigeria is 3rd with 6 points also scoring 4 goals and conceding 3 having +1 goal difference.

Sport Dominic Republic is automatically out of the tournament having no point, scoring only a goal against Nigeria and conceding 11 goals with -10 goals difference.

Nigeria in their opening group game had beaten Dominic Republic 2-1 on 21st May when Brazil fell 2-3 to Italy same day but in the second group matches, Nigeria mauled the Italians 2-0 and Brazil devoured Dominic Republic 6-0.

The last time both teams met was at Singapore when both teams played 1-1 with Joe Aribo scoring 35th minute and Casemiro equalizing at 48th minute. On 1st June 2015, Brazil knocked Nigeria in a group E world cup match 4-2, and in a Toulou tournament on 4th June 2013, Nigeria and Brazil played 1-1 again, but in a Group F game of the 2005, played 12th June, both teams played goalless.

Nigeria in their 13th Appearance has a long story being Runners-up at the World level twice in 1989 when Nigeria beat USA 2-1 in the Semis with Head Master, Mutiu Adepoju scoring the two goals in the 47th and 93rd minutes and Snow scored for America via penalty in the 52nd minute.

Nigeria lost 0-2 to Portugal in the final. The second time Nigeria emerged Runners-up was in 2005 when the Flying Eagles trashed Morocco 3-0 in the semis. The finals were more memorable with Nigeria bowing to Argentina as football wizard, Leo Messi messed Nigeria up scoring two penalties 40th and 75th minute, while Ogbuke scored for Nigeria in the 53rd minute. Messi, Mikel Obi and Taye Taiwo dominated the awards at the tournament.

Brazil is reckoned to be the second most successful team at U20 in the world having won the title 5 times in 1983 at Mexico when she defeated Argentina by a lone goal to win 1st title; in 1985 at Soviet Union when she beat Spain 1-0 after beating Nigeria 2-0 in the semi; 1993 in Australia after beating Ghana 2-1; 2003 at UAE when Brazil spank rivals Spain again 1-0 and 2011 in Columbia when Portugal was humbled 3-2.

Brazil was Runners-up 4 times also in 1991 at Portugal where she lost to Hosts Portugal 4-2 on penalties after goalless full time; in 1995 in Qatar where she lost 0-2 to Argentina and 2005 in Netherlands where she beat Morocco 2-1 in Losers’ final after losing to Argentina 1-2 in the semis. She won Bronze twice in 1979 and Saudi 1989 beating USA 3-2.

Brazil appearing for the 19th time in the competition had her biggest win at this level on the 25th of June 1997 drilling Belgium 10-0 at Kuchang in Malaysia but had her biggest loss to Columbia 0-3 at Uruguay on 7th February 2015.

Brazil will meet the lucky loser from groups B/E/F on 31st May at La Plata. Italy will meet winner of Group E on 31st May at La Pata. Nigeria may meet either USA or Argentina next because the team is top loser at the group stages. Ecuador will meet the Runners Up of Group F at Santiago on 1st June. Other Round of 16 qualifiers will emerge as the group games are concluded. The Round of 16 matches start on Tuesday 30th May and ends on 1st June.

Later tonight Japan will meet Israel in group C decider at Malvinas Argentinas Mendoza at 2200 hours while African Champions will struggle against early exit against top class Columbia at La Plata at the same time.

Nigeria may meet USA or Argentina in Round of 16 as lucky loser.

Argentina 2023: Samba Boys clip Flying Eagles' wings

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