Nigerian Eaglets fly past Sweden to final

Nigeria was made to work for their 3-0
semi-final win over Sweden in Dubai,
a result that sends them to the final of
the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Taiwo Awoniyi
scored his third goal in two games to help
send the Golden Eaglets through to the final,
where they will meet Mexico in another
Group F rematch.
The game started at a tremendous pace, both
sides carving out half-chances inside the first
60 seconds. After the initial frenzy of attacks
cooled, the pattern of play became clear. The
Nigerians pressed forward in waves, trying
to pin Sweden back and cut off the supply
lines to foraging striker Valmir Berisha.
The Africans were far more dangerous in the
first half and they got the goal their
dominance deserved after just 21 minutes. It
was the same combination that produced
both goals in the quarter-final win over
Uruguay as Kelechi Iheanacho – one of the
best players here in UAE – pushed the ball
up through midfield and chipped in a
looping pass for Awoniyi, who hardly had to
break stride before pummeling past Sixten
Mohlin for his third goal in two games.
Iheanacho continued to be a thorn in the
Swedes’ side, no wonder considering he’s
scored five of Nigeria’s goals and assisted on
seven. The Scandinavians seemed to wilt in
the heavy heat and humidity of their first
game in Dubai.
Only seconds had ticked off the clock in the
second half when Chidera Ezeh headed
against the upright. It was a warning from
the free-attacking Nigerians, who kept
pressing for a second goal.
Coach Roland Larsson threw on big striker
Carlos Strandberg for the last half-hour,
desperately trying to find a way to breach
the Nigerian rearguard. But the Eaglets kept
pushing. Musa Yahaya tried an effort from
the corner of the box in the 66th minute that
skimmed the outside of the post. Awoniyi
had the ball in the net a few seconds after,
only to be denied by an offside call, much to
the chagrin of the partying fans in green.
Sweden would not go quietly, and
Strandberg nearly volleyed home with a
quarter-hour to go, only to be denied by
Alampasu. The resulting corner kick was
headed hard at goal by Linus Wahlqvit, but
his try was saved again by the Nigerian
keeper, who had his gloves on the right way
around at the Rashid Stadium.
In the end, the Nigerians were in no mood to
be charitable. They got their insurance goals
inside the last ten minutes. Samuel Okon cut
in from the left and hammered his shot low
and inside the post to end Sweden’s dream.
It was all over even before Chidera Ezeh
added a third seconds later to make it 3-0
and send Nigeria to the final, where they
will be pressing hard for their fourth title.
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