OBUH DEMANDS FLYING EAGLES FIGHT BACK

OBUH DEMANDS FLYING EAGLES FIGHT BACK

Posted: May 30, 2013

Coach John Obuh has charged the Flying Eagles to show more fighting spirit in their next game at the Toulon International Tournament after they lost 2-0 to defending champions Mexico on Wednesday.

“We have to buckle up as individuals and as a team after this loss,” challenged Obuh.

“We should not allow this defeat to weigh us down, rather we should show a better character by our next game.”

On Sunday, the Nigeria U20s will battle Belgium, who Obuh and the team watched leading Brazil 1-0 by half time in the second game of Group B.

“Belgium play a very simple game and we have to be at our best to get a result against them,” he said.

Against Mexico, and with 2013 World Cup rivals South Korea and Portugal in the stands watching, the Flying Eagles were on the back foot very early on.

In the sixth minute, striker Bueno Ontiveros shot wide and two minutes later, Luna Martinez forcedgoalkeeper Okani to scramble his effort for a corner.

Okani produced a big save on 15 minutes after the Flying Eagles defence had been split open.
Mexico continued to attack their opponents and deserved their lead in the 27th minute, when a mistake by Samuel Mathias allowed Morales Zavala to lob beyond Okani.

Soon after Okani produced another save off the lively Luna Martinez, but in first half stoppage time the Flying Eagles would have drawn level after Olanrewaju Kayode delivered a low drive into the Mexico goal area but Edafe Egbedi’s shot was blocked by the giant goalkeeper Sanchez Alcaraz. ------------------------- Complete Sports