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| Coach Paul Aigbogun |
Football
Head Coach Paul Aigbogun stated on Monday that his Nigeria U20
boys learnt some vital lessons in their 1-2 defeat by their Saudi Arabia
counterparts in a friendly in Vienna, Austria on Sunday.
“We were unlucky to have lost against the Saudis. We created a lot
of chances but failed to put them away. Our focus will shift to conversion of
opportunities because we want to make an impact at the FIFA World Cup.
“There are a few other areas that myself and my assistants noticed
and we will work hard at these when we get back to our training camp in
Germany.”
A second string side put out by Aigbogun lost 1-2 to the equally
World Cup –bound Saudis in a game of few clear –cut chances.
After a goalless first half, Saudi Arabia midfielder Khalid
Al-Ghannam put the Asians ahead in the 56th minute beating goalkeeper Detan
Ogundare with a low shot.
After some sustained pressure, Henry Offia got the Flying Eagles
back on level terms in the 65th minute. Despite creating a couple of chances
and looking likely to score, the Flying Eagles did not, and the Saudi Arabians
were the ones who eventually did.
Hamed Al-Ghamdi found space in the Nigeria box to slot home with
12 minutes left on the clock and condemn the Flying Eagles to defeat.
The seven –time African champions and two –time FIFA World Cup
runners –up have headed back to their base in Bad Goegging Munich, Germany to
continue preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup that starts on 23rd May in
Poland.
The team will have further test games against German clubs TSG
Hoffenheim and Red Bull Leipzig, as well as Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg,
before heading to the Polish city of Tychy where they play Qatar in their
opening match of the competition on 24th May.
Nigeria will contest Group D of the biennial tournament alongside
Qatar, Ukraine and the United States.
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