kannymoore:



I entered "ghostmode" today for a reason. Ive been bedridden for the better part of the day. However, it still didn't stop me from crawling out of the bed to watch the match.

The match was an absolute borefest with almost nothing to play for since both countries had already qualified for the next round.

That said, I will not hesitate to commend awoniyi for his brilliantly taken two goals. Dunno which to rate higher though a standing ovation must be given for what should be termed "the assist of the tournament" in the long throw by enaholo which resulted in the 2nd goal. That throw should be the longest throw I've ever seen in my over twenty-someting years of football viewing, that has resulted in a goal!

That said, I didn't enjoy the match at all (neither have I enjoyed the previous two matches either, save for the first half performance against Brazil) and if the flying eagles do not step up their gameplay a couple of notches higher than they've been showing since the beginning of this tournament, they MIGHT NOT beat Germany!

I'm not really picking bones with the players themselves but with the coaching staff. Why have we started with this new taactic of spraying 4-5 inconsequential passes among the backline and midfield pivots and the hoof the ball in the air towards the striker?!

I noticed this a lot during the African Championship but I thought its could be maybe due to lack of adequate camping time and that by the time the worldcup started, all the kinks would have been ironed out.

But to my chagrin, its still there.

I hope..*hmmm!!*...I just hope that this "new" playing pattern is just a sham so as to decieve our opponents in the later stages of the tourney of our tactical vulnerability until we show them our real hand thereby tearing their match-strategies into shreds.

Anyway.. until the next game against germany!... lemme still have hope and belief in our boys!

Fly Nigeria!!

kannymoore:



I entered "ghostmode" today for a reason. Ive been bedridden for the better part of the day. However, it still didn't stop me from crawling out of the bed to watch the match.

The match was an absolute borefest with almost nothing to play for since both countries had already qualified for the next round.

That said, I will not hesitate to commend awoniyi for his brilliantly taken two goals. Dunno which to rate higher though a standing ovation must be given for what should be termed "the assist of the tournament" in the long throw by enaholo which resulted in the 2nd goal. That throw should be the longest throw I've ever seen in my over twenty-someting years of football viewing, that has resulted in a goal!

That said, I didn't enjoy the match at all (neither have I enjoyed the previous two matches either, save for the first half performance against Brazil) and if the flying eagles do not step up their gameplay a couple of notches higher than they've been showing since the beginning of this tournament, they MIGHT NOT beat Germany!

I'm not really picking bones with the players themselves but with the coaching staff. Why have we started with this new taactic of spraying 4-5 inconsequential passes among the backline and midfield pivots and the hoof the ball in the air towards the striker?!

I noticed this a lot during the African Championship but I thought its could be maybe due to lack of adequate camping time and that by the time the worldcup started, all the kinks would have been ironed out.

But to my chagrin, its still there.

I hope..*hmmm!!*...I just hope that this "new" playing pattern is just a sham so as to decieve our opponents in the later stages of the tourney of our tactical vulnerability until we show them our real hand thereby tearing their match-strategies into shreds.

Anyway.. until the next game against germany!... lemme still have hope and belief in our boys!

Fly Nigeria!!

samueld0:
Who is leading the goal chart for now?

ajf:


You see, I'm tired of this. You think matches are won by bravery? Because you think winning Germany is the only possible outcome for these boys on thursday doesn't mean you are a better fan. Why? It's because that is wrong. The better your opponent, the higher the probability of you losing no matter how good you are. Unless you are naive, you'll have to agree with me that that probability of this team beating Serbia is higher than them beating Germany. So, as a great fan of this team who wants them to win the cup and not just play bravely and crash out, I believe playing Germany in the semi-final or final is better than playing them in the round of 16. Everybody remembers the team that finishes 1st, 2nd or third, nobody remembers the team they beat to get there.
I know this team is very good. I believe they can beat Germany but I also know there is a possibility of them losing even if it's a small one. I love this team so much I don't want them to face such possibility this early in the knock-out stage. Heck! I may even love this team more than you do!

kannymoore:



I entered "ghostmode" today for a reason. Ive been bedridden for the better part of the day. However, it still didn't stop me from crawling out of the bed to watch the match.

The match was an absolute borefest with almost nothing to play for since both countries had already qualified for the next round.

That said, I will not hesitate to commend awoniyi for his brilliantly taken two goals. Dunno which to rate higher though a standing ovation must be given for what should be termed "the assist of the tournament" in the long throw by enaholo which resulted in the 2nd goal. That throw should be the longest throw I've ever seen in my over twenty-someting years of football viewing, that has resulted in a goal!

That said, I didn't enjoy the match at all (neither have I enjoyed the previous two matches either, save for the first half performance against Brazil) and if the flying eagles do not step up their gameplay a couple of notches higher than they've been showing since the beginning of this tournament, they MIGHT NOT beat Germany!

I'm not really picking bones with the players themselves but with the coaching staff. Why have we started with this new taactic of spraying 4-5 inconsequential passes among the backline and midfield pivots and the hoof the ball in the air towards the striker?!

I noticed this a lot during the African Championship but I thought its could be maybe due to lack of adequate camping time and that by the time the worldcup started, all the kinks would have been ironed out.

But to my chagrin, its still there.

I hope..*hmmm!!*...I just hope that this "new" playing pattern is just a sham so as to decieve our opponents in the later stages of the tourney of our tactical vulnerability until we show them our real hand thereby tearing their match-strategies into shreds.

Anyway.. until the next game against germany!... lemme still have hope and belief in our boys!

Fly Nigeria!!

safarigirl:
@first point. I'm really sorry, hope it's nothing serious. I missed you when I was shakiti bobo-ing to Awoniyi's goals ....get well soon.

2. Thanks for the commendation, we appreciate . We promise to do more as the tournament progresses. Hopefully, we'll get that chance

3. Yes, that assist was something. Had to download the highlights and I re-watched the goal and the assist repeatedly, both were brilliant. I much prefer the build-up to the second goal. I think that's the first goalie assist i've seen. Enaholo should have more throws like that, then we won't have to worry about a fairly incompetent midfield

Concerning the rest of your write-up, I can't particularly contribute because I have been unable to watch their matches from the AYC till now, save for the AYC finals. I do agree that I did not enjoy that style of play at the finals and if it's the same now, then they really do need to buckle up.

I saw a glimpse of Moses Simon in the highlights where he gave a particularly lovely dribble and I do hope Manu will start him against Germany, he seems an absolute delight to watch.


Idowu should remain as he seems to be the anchor of the midfield for now. We have failed to concede in any game he has played and that's encouraging. Nwobodo is the missing player here and that injury he got in the finale is currently dealing with the team.

A 4-3-3 formation of Enaholo...............Musa...Ndidi...Bello...Mustapha...........Idowu...Ifeanyi...Nwakali(yes, Nwakali)......Moses...Success...Iheanacho

Should be used against Germany IMO, Awoniyi should rest his sore feet for the first half and most of the second. We wouldn't want my baby to break down

robosky02:






Awoniyi should rest his sore feet for the first half and most of the second. We wouldn't want my baby to break down
abeg that is the game of the tuonament he must be all out to play no dolling if naija must go forward

zoboizee:
Hmmm...break down. He is a work horse. he has good engine.

safarigirl:
abeg, no be only am waka come.

Afterall, my senior colleagues here have constantly rated Success higher, so let Success start this time. There should be a combo of those who started against Brazil and those who started in the last 2 games for proper attacking and defending balance

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]Flying Eagles find the direct route in victory against Hungary[/size]



Perhaps it was to do with the knowledge that, whatever the result, they would progress beyond the group stage. Then again, perhaps it was simply a function of an unchanged lineup growing into an understanding. In any case, the Flying Eagles produced their best performance of the tournament in victory over Hungary.

The result sets up a date with European champions Germany on the 11th. A draw could have gotten them a potentially more negotiable tie against Serbia, but in a tournament Nigeria started tentatively, a win was of the essence. If for no other reason, as a psychological fillip – beating Serbia may be strategically more cunning, but would leave doubts in the minds of the players as to their capability against the top teams.

Goals either side of half-time from Taiwo Awoniyi did for the Hungarians, and both came from attacking quickly into a channel. For the first, Saviour Godwin was released down the right, and his low cross was turned in at the near-post by the burly no. 18 - his first of the tournament, and no less than he has deserved for his endeavour.

The second was the result of an almighty throw-out by goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo into the left-channel, and perhaps gives an idea why he has kept the more commanding Dele Alampasu out of the side. Never mind his greater agility, the accuracy of his throws are becoming quite the offensive weapon: he launched one to set the team on its way to the second goal in the group opener against Brazil.

Besides providing one more attacking avenue, Enaholo has grown in confidence since the opening game. His decision to juggle a cross in the second period may have drawn gasps from the viewership, but not from the bench - they are well aware of what he is about. He is of the Fabien Barthez school: somewhat undersized for the position, unorthodox and exultant in his otherness, a risk-taker, uber-confident. The yield is high – Barthez won a World Cup and got to another final – but along the way, there will be inevitable gaffes.

In any case, he was never subjected to the same level of exposure as in that opener six days ago. It is a comfort to see the understanding of Zaharadeen Bello and Wilfred Ndidi blossom game-on-game, here they were solid and commanding, keeping runaway tournament topscorer Bence Mervo utterly quiet.

In front of the defence, Akinjide Idowu was splendid, receiving the ball and turning away from pressure in one fluid movement; and dropping between the centre-backs to encourage the full-backs up the pitch. His passing was simple: changing the angle of the attack and, importantly, helping Ndidi get time on the ball to advance the play.

When this happened, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi would move slightly right-of-centre, with Sokari dropping deep left-ish, creating a 3-2 shape. This emptied the no. 10 space for one of the wingers to come in off the line and receive the ball on the turn – ostensibly, this was Bernard Bulbwa’s responsibility. However, he failed to fulfil the role (one which Kelechi Iheanacho understands and flourishes in), forcing Ndidi to try to find Awoniyi over the top.

It did not help also that Ifeanyi is essentially a passenger in build-up, more a decoy than an actual passing option. The team struggled with this in the loss to Brazil. His inability to use the ball intelligently prevented the team from finding Iheanacho between the lines, as the Manchester City man opted to remain high up the pitch.

There remains that underlying sense that Iheanacho is being made to pay for his (relative) success at club level. Having arrived unavoidably late to camp, he can have no complaints: the furniture has moved, and his place at the head of the table has been usurped. What is baffling though is the fact that Manu Garba saw fit to take him to the tournament on the back of little preparation with the team, but has no intention of building the team around him, or of even giving him a run-out where he fits best.

The same can be said for Success Isaac and Moses Simon – all three are potential game-changers, and are on a different technical level to the rest of the team’s attacking options. All three have also been peripheral in New Zealand. Indeed, Simon saw his first minutes as a second half-substitute in Taranaki, Success started the opener in an unfamiliar left-wing role, while Iheanacho got an hour playing a position that does not utilize his strengths.

There will be sterner tests to come, starting with free-scoring Germany on Thursday. On this form and performance, the midfield and defence pick themselves, as do Awoniyi upfront and the hardworking Saviour Godwin. That leaves one spot, most vital to the team’s transition from defence to attack.

Bulbwa is full of running and has twinkle-toes, but his game lacks the required intelligence, much as his feet lack a decisive final ball. Perhaps it is time to unleash the Magician from Manchester and let his left wand beguile rather than bludgeon.

GOAL.COM[/b]

robosky02:



you protect him more why?

and by the way what do you make of the clash

nigeria vs Germany

would you have preferd we avoid them now

EagleScribes:



Hehehehehe! There are some unrepentant pessimists too. just watch out for them when the next match approaches

tbaba1234:


Mali beat them at the AYC

safarigirl:
lol @ "we will hook you two up" ...by fire by force abi?

So Ghana and Mali, any predictions?

Daninya11:
In the game against Germany, Manu Garba must seek to address the problem of the team.
He must sort out the problem of lack of balance in the team after the loss to Brazil..
He needs to set his priority right or else he gets bitten down. This is a case of putting the cart before the horse..

I miss this great family of football loving Nigerians.

Daninya11:
In the game against Germany, Manu Garba must seek to address the problem of the team.
He must sort out the problem of lack of balance in the team after the loss to Brazil..
He needs to set his priority right or else he gets bitten down. This is a case of putting the cart before the horse..

I miss this great family of football loving Nigerians.

peterd53:
m so disappointed wit so..me fans claiming we should have loss ds match. u re talking nonsense
did u knw DAT during Asian youth cup, Uzbekistan were beaten 5-0 by Korea. wat make u tink Germany wu only manage 2 win uzbekistan by 3goal to nil can beat Nigeria DAT trash Korea by 4goal to nil

u can quote me if u wish. ds a prove
Strengths and style
On the surface, coach An Ye Gun's charges are a
typical Korea DPR side, playing with trademark
fighting spirit and soaking up pressure before
hitting teams on the break. They employed a
conservative game plan in the lead-up to the
semi-finals, struggling to live up to their potential
before sealing qualification with a penalty-shootout
victory against Japan. But with the qualifying
mission complete and with the players physically
recovered from their travel fatigue, they emerged a
different side against Uzbekistan, dominating the
semi-final from start to finish as they ran out 5-0
winners.

Daninya11:
In the game against Germany, Manu Garba must seek to address the problem of the team.
He must sort out the problem of lack of balance in the team after the loss to Brazil..
He needs to set his priority right or else he gets bitten down. This is a case of putting the cart before the horse..

I miss this great family of football loving Nigerians.

joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]Moses Simon: Time to shine with Flying Eagles coming[/size]



Belgian league champion with KAA Gent this past season, left-sided forward Moses Simon said he is confident he will get his chance with the Flying Eagles at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

His late arrival in training camp has meant he has yet to feature in the group games against Brazil and North Korea.

The full interview –

QUESTION: How have you settled down in New Zealand with the Flying Eagles?

Moses Simon: It has been great. I have settled down and trying to adapt to the team, their pace and their style of football. I’m getting there.

Many fans are asking why you are yet to play your first match at the U20 World Cup. Why has it been so?

The fans will always have their opinions and no player wishes to sit on the bench.

So, are you disturbed you have been on the bench?

No, I am not.

So, you are waiting for your time to come.

As long as the team are winning, I will be okay.

This is your second U20 World Cup as you also featured at the 2013 edition in Turkey. How do the two teams compare?

The 2013 team in Turkey were a more matured team. For the present team, there are so many young players.

How far can this present Flying Eagles go in New Zealand?

First of all, we have to win against Hungary. The Hungarians have good tactics but if we could dominate the midfield and keep possession, we will get a good result.

Probably this would be the game you will take your bow at some point.

The coach will be the one to decide that. I am ready because I’m not here to sit on the bench. When I am played, I am ready to play.

You have watched the Flying Eagles first two games against Brazil and North Korea. What are your impressions so far?

We gave away too many balls in the first game even when Brazil were not defending. But in the second game (vs Korea), we possessed the ball, we did not lose many balls, and that was why we dominated the Koreans.

Of this young, but talented team, is there any particular player who has caught your eye?

Godwin Saviour. I heard a little about him before I met him. But in training, he showed he is a good player, but because of his age, I thought maybe the coach will only keep him on the bench. He was on the bench for most of the first game, but in the second half against Korea, he proved many wrong. I am very happy for him.

He is an aggressive forward. He is a kind of player who will succeed in Europe because he is hungry and he scores goals.

For this World Cup, which team have most impressed you?

Ghana have been impressive, it is like they have been together for a long time. They keep possession of the ball very well, they are matured and they play as a team. They can go very far in this tournament. [/b]

enomakos:
it is partial,the last time i used hearing aids was 11years ago i find them so much uncomfortable,all i was hearing where noise no sound,i listen by reading lips

are u a doctor?how do u know so much?