Sweden 3 – 3 Nigeria Berisha 11’, 19’ Halvadzic 65’ Isaac 22’ Yahaya 48’ Awoniyi 81’
The Golden Eaglets continued their quest for a fourth Fifa U17 Championship trophy in blistering form as they came from two goals down to draw Roland Larsson’s boys.
Nigeria impressive run at the ongoing Fifa U17 World Cup was brought to a halt by Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Tuesday evening.
A second half rally by the Garba Manu led side ensure the Eaglets came from two goals down to avoid defeat in the hands of the Larsson coached team.
The much talked about top of the table clash between the Group F sides kicked off on a very competitive note with both teams seeking for an early goal.
Sweden dominated the early stages of the game and could have shot to the lead in the 5th minutes when Elias Anderson raced into the Nigerian defence but captain Musa Muhammed was up to the task by clearing the goal-bound move.
Golden Eaglets first chance of the came two minutes later but Chidera Ezeh could not connect to a sublime pass from Yahaya from the left side of the Swedes’ defence. Sweden however got rewarded for their dominating play in the 10th minute when Valmir Berisha tapped in the first goal for his side after a rather jittery Dele Alampasu who was in goal for the Eaglets rushed out unwisely in a bid to save Erdal Rakip’s header.
Eight minutes later, Berisha got his second after heading in a cross from Anton Saletros that caught the Nigerian defence unawares. The Garba Manu led team then woke up from their slumber and got their first goal in the 21st minute off the boot of Isaac Success who skillfully slamed the ball into the net off Kelechi Iheanacho’s cross.
All efforts for the Eaglets to get the much needed equalizer proved futile as the strong and physically fit Swedes muscled out the Nigerian attackers. Nigeria’s enthusiasm of getting the equalizer died down after Success was replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi following an hamstring injury.
In the closing stages of the first half, Nigeria’s chances of drawing level were thwarted by Sweden’s goalkeeper Mohlin who made crucial saves to deny the Africans.
On resumption of the second half Nigeria invaded the Swedish players defence and were rewarded for their enterprising play in the 48th minutes as the Musa Yahaya’s long range effort sailed into the opponent’s goal post with goalkeeper Sixten Mohlin clearly beaten.
This goal propelled the Eaglets in search of the winner but their efforts were trauncated by their opponent who now relied of counter-attack after packing a bus in their defence. Sweden shot into the lead again in the 65th minutes through substitute Mirza Halvadzic.
The Malmo FF midfielder punished the Nigrerians for their poor defending by slotting the ball into an empty net after the Nigerian defence was fooled by Gustav Engvall’s cross inside the Eaglets penalty area.
Taiwo Awoniyi made it 3-3 with a terrific header in the 81st minute after a well taken cross from Kelechi Iheanacho from the left side of Sweden’s defence.
Nigeria needs a draw in their last group game on October 25 at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai to book a place in the knock out stages.
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