FIFA U-17 World Cup: Eaglets book q-final date with Uruguay

The Golden Eaglets continued to wax stronger at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup here when they spanked Iran 4-1 in their round of 16 match held at the Khalifa Bin Zayes Stadium, Al Ain City.

After plundering 14 goals in the group stage, the Nigerians showed their  sheer class and beauty with a convincing first display that saw them net three goals to the delight of the traveling Nigerian fans, who made the almost twohours trip by road from Dubai, where the Nigerian community have a strong voice and representation.

VICTORIOUS – Bello and Musa Yahaya of Nigeria celebrate their teams win at the end of the round of 16 match between Nigeria and Iran at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium yesterday. Nigeria won 4 -1.Photo FIFA

For the fans, yesterday was a day of delight as their  Eaglets, who are  strong contenders for the title, repaid their support with three beautiful goals, all coming within the space of 2o minutes, to silence the Iranian fans, shouting Iran.

Coach Manu Garba switched tactics for the game as he fielded. Abdullahi Alfa on the left flank, allowing Musa Yahaya to attack from the centre. In the past matches, Yahaya played from the left side of the wing. With injured Success Isaac not dressed for the game, the Eaglets had problems settling down as the Iranians tried to shut them out from making their neat passing games.

The Iranian plot appeared to be working until the 23rd minute when left-full back Samuel Okon scored the opener for the Eaglets. He profited from  Yahaya and Alfa combination, before threading a

right-foot shot pass onrushing Iranian goalkeeper Mahdi Amini, who  should have done better with the ball.

Just as the celebrations  were dying down, star-boy Kelechi Iheanacho, put Nigeria 2-0 up with a clever left-foot finish. Taiwo Awoniyi, playing in the absence of Isaac, was the creator of the goal in the 25th minute. He brilliantly rounded up two Iranian defenders, allowing Iheanacho to come into range before passing for the Imo native to score his fifth of the tournament.

But Iheanacho’s joy was short-lived moments later when he got injured and was substituted by Chidera Ezeh. His exit did not reduce Eaglets’s firepower as they scored their third of the night in the 42 minute

through captain Musa Mohammed, who sliced the ball into the net and immediately raced to the substitutes bench to celebrate the goal with his teammates.

The party got merrier for the Eaglets in the second half when Musa Yahaya put the Nigerians 4-0 up. Iranian goalie Amini was dejected and inconsolable. He only conceded two goals in the   group stage and here he was shipping in four goals in a single match. Yahaya’s goal, which came in the 76th minute,, was his fourth of the tournament as he joins the list of players battling for the highest goal scorer award.

With Nigerian dancing away into the quarterfinal, Ali Gholizadeh scored Iran’s only goal in the 84th minute. No other goal was scored as Eaglets ran out 4-1 winners to secure a heavyweight quarterfinal clash with Uruguay at Sharjar on Saturday.