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Eaglets promise Korea hell
FIFA U–17 WORLD CUP
By MARK OGAGAN
Monday, November 9, 2009
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•Photo:
Sun News Publishing |
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Watch out for raw power, skill, pace and plenty of fireworks as
Cup holders– Nigeria–take on Korea Republic in the last
quarterfinal game of this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup in Calabar
tonight.
The encounter is bound to be an intriguing clash of styles and football
cultures when the fast-moving, team-oriented Koreans tackle the
purpose-driven and technically gifted Golden Eaglets of Nigeria.
With a sweeping sense of urgency that has characterized their last
four games at this championship, the Cup holders are clearly the
favourites to win this encounter, and ultimate victory will only
make Nigeria's quest for a record fourth title realistic.
Interestingly, Eaglets have gone 11 games unbeaten at the U-17 World
Finals. Their last defeat dates back to the 2003 edition in Finland,
where the Eaglets side led by John Obi Mikel lost to Fernando Gago's
Argentina in the group stages.
For goals against Korea, Nigeria will count on three-goal sensations
Sani Emmanuel, Edafe Egbedi and star midfielder Stanley to make
hay against a Korean side that has so far proved critics wrong about
their prowess.
The Asians should have their work cut out against the Nigerians
who will be backed by electrifying and vociferous home fans at the
12,000-capacity UJ Esuene Stadium.
Both teams have had mixed fortunes in the competition so far, with
the hosts improving with every game after coming from behind to
pull an astonishing 3-3 draw against Germany on opening day. Subsequent
matches have seen the Nigerians beating all comers, and their latest
5-0 pounding of New Zealand underscores the new found zeal in the
Nigerian camp.
Team coach John Obuh is used to the pressure from home fans, but
remains upbeat that his team has the strength and ability to destroy
the Koreans.
"I've had faith in my team from the start even with the problems
we had at the beginning. If we keep our concentration as a team,
there is no telling how far we can go. We showed in our last game
against New Zealand that we can get the job done and also enjoy
our football at the same time."
The Eaglets storm Calabar riding on a wave of confidence after outgunning
the Oceanians while the Koreans needed the lottery of a penalty
shoot-out to edge Mexico in a pulsating second round game decided
in Bauchi.
Korea's captain Jin Su Kim, Korea Republic knows the enormity of
the game at hand, but expresses hope that his team can pull the
chestnut out of the fire against Nigeria.
"We played Nigeria and we beat them a few months ago in Dubai.
So we know them and we understand their way of playing. But things
have changed since then, and the context is completely different
in a World Cup, and playing against the host country. We'll enter
the pitch with respect for our opponent, but confident in our strength
and our chances to win,” he says.
The winner of this contest will take on whoever emerges victorious
between Spain and Uruguay in a semifinal tie at the Teslim Balogun
Stadium, Lagos on November 12.
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