U-20 World Cup: USA Hit Nigeria 2-0

• Ukraine breeze past Qatar 1-0

BY EDMOND ODOK – A double strike by striker Sebastian Soto temporarily derailed Nigeria’s campaign at the on-going FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland as the USA humbled the Flying Eagles 2-0 in rainy Bielsko-Bialo on Monday night.

Against all expectations, the impressive Soto taught the Nigerians a lesson in goal scoring as his efforts powered the Ameriacans to their first victory in the competition having lost their opening tie 1-2 to current Group D leaders, Ukraine.

On a day the Flying Eagles failed to soar, the defeat handed Nigeria its first defeat and saw the losing grip on the Group’s leadership to place second on superior goals difference.

Coach Tab Ramos of USA made just one change to the starting XI from his side’s opening 1-2 defeat to Ukraine, and the gamble paid off hugely as his boys ran rings around the Nigerian defence line, especially in the first 45 minutes where ball possession tilted by 70 to 30 per cent in favour of the Yankees.

The first goal that arrived on the 18th minute saw Soto slipping past his marker to head home Alex Mendez’s corner-kick service at the far post to put the Americans ahead 1-0 at half time.

Soto struck again less than a minute after the restart as he again skipped past the faltering Nigerian defence to double his country’s advantage in the 46th minute of play

It was Chris Gloster who delivered a defence splitting pass for the marauding Soto to beautifully run inside from the left-back. Getting his feet and hips right, the American forward took his time, with the inside of his right foot, effortlessly slipped the ball into the net after the Nigerian goaltender had collapsed to the ground.

However, the Flying Eagles had their fair chances at redeeming the day and they left the Americans battling to contend a flurry of individual brilliance as the game progressed.

The USA keeper, Brady Scott was at his best reacting impressively to save substitute Aniekeme Okon’s fierce volley at the top of the area.

A minute later, the effort at goal was followed by forward Maxell Effiom’s stinger from outside the right corner of the box but the Nigerians were unlucky as the ball could only brush the crossbar.

Despite the flurry of attacks initiated by the Coach Paul Aigbogun’s boys, the Americans held their nerves to resuscitate their chances of progressing from Group D.

The result leaves both Nigeria and the USA on three points after two matches, with one win and one loss each.

Ukraine had earlier in the day defeated Qatar 1-0 to go top of the Group with six points from two matches.

Nigeria are currently placed second place ahead of the Americans on goals difference, while whipping boys, Qatar are in bottom place with no point having conceded five goals in their two outings

The Flying Egales must churn out a positive result in their final group encounter on Thursday, May 30, 2019

GROUP D STANDINGS AFTER MATCH DAY 2 RESULTS

 – With agency report