U17 world Cup:Nigeria and Sweden Shares 6 goals

Nigeria, who won their first game in UAE 6-1 over
Mexico, showed some defensive frailties in their 3-3
draw with Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium
in Al Ain. The Scandinavians, playing in their first FIFA U-17
World Cup, stuck to their game-plan and were
thoroughly deserving of their share of the spoils
against the Group F favourites as both sides now
look good bets to reach the knockout rounds. The Swedes only needed 11 minutes to shock the
much-feared Golden Eaglets, and the goal came
from a hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area from
deep in midfield. Nigerian keeper Dele Alampsu
thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced
out of his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of goal.
Valmir Berisha
was on the spot to guide the ball home on the
volley. AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 22:
Nigeria’s players during the FIFA U17 group F
match between Sweden and Nigeria at Khalifa Bin
Zayed Stadium on October 22, 2013 in Al Ain,
United Arab Emirates. (Photo FIFA/) It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians eight minutes later
when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the
left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area.
Berisha showed he had his shooting boots on as
he expertly headed home his second goal of the
contest. The Nigerians, traditionally slow starters, hit back in
spectacular fashion with one of the goals of the
tournament. Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer
from the first game against Mexico, floated in a ball
from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who
swiveled and slammed into the far corner without the ball ever hitting the grass, all in one motion, in
the 20th minute. The Africans then went close to drawing twice in
the last five minutes of the half. Samuel Okon tried
an audacious lob from 40 yards that had Sixten
Mohlin in the Swedish goal back-peddling
desperately, before tipping over the bar. Shortly
after, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s snap-shot was saved again by Mohlin, the effort not able to match
the outstanding approach work up the right side. Mohlin went from hero to villain for the Swedes
early in the second half. He failed to get his body
behind the ball when Musa Yahaya tried a
speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled
between the keeper’s legs and bobbled, almost
apologetically, over the line as the tried desperately to recover. The Nigerians were in the driving seat, and the
Swedes were increasingly camped in their own half.
But a fast-break up the left side in the 65th minute
saw the Swedes back into the lead. Saletros chested
the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu
could only parry away. Unfortunately for the keeper, substitute Mirza Halvadzic was lurking on
the doorstep and slid home to make it 3-2. But the talented and irrepressible Africans still had
something left in the tank. Awoniyi’s powerful
header with ten minutes to go was too much for
Mohlin to keep out and the game ended honours
even. Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they
will take on Iraq in their last match of the section on 25 October, the same day that Sweden meet Mexico
in Al Ain.

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