Super Eagles Fly High as Spain’s Penalty Hell continues…

Two contrasting styles faced each other in Seoul with a powerful Nigeria full of enthusiasm, up against the more technical and patient Spanish style; the result? An open attacking game, with plenty of chances but in the end, Spain lost in a shoot-out, which followed history, with most Spanish national teams being knocked out in the latter stages of a competition, perhaps due to an unseen mental block.

Nigeria’s adventurous style created a number of chances, with a plethora of dribbles, past a number of Spanish players, shooting as soon as the opportunity rose. Naturally, this eccentric style resulted in a number of efforts unsuccessfully off target. Spain too, missing the striker’s instinct and cutting edge provided by Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic, who was suspended, and so adopted this method of shooting on site, with the link up play with the strikers erased by the disciplined Nigerian defence, whose quick release of possession allowed the Super Eagles to embark on quick counter attacks, to unsettle the Spaniards.

Quick passing and strength allowed Yemi Tella’s side to keep the ball well and the dangerous Rafeal amongst others provided a predatory threat to De Gea’s goal, with long shots, to mazy dribbles and good positioning making him a constant threat. But don’t forget luck. When a cross evaded all and reached the far post (30’), he cut inside his marker to create space, and having done the hard part, the shot rifled the net from five yards (the side netting that is).

What followed was constant Nigerian pressure, with the Spaniards unable to cope with the speed and strength, which was clearly evident, of the African side. When Spain attempted to break up the run of play, they were unsuccessful, with Fran Merida and co. being pressed into making errors. In one occasion, Spain did nearly score (35’) but at the far post from a corner, the Spanish player side-footed against the post, in what was one of the game’s best chances.

The end to end action petered out, as the tempo slowed and both sides over-hit simple passes or tried the unnecessarily complex pass. Any attempts to break the deadlock were becoming more desperate, with the best chances coming from set pieces. In a jagged second period Spain, had few opportunities, but decision making was poor, even by the normally reliable Merida, who opted to shoot (high and wide), when a pass was better option.

Nigeria discovered a late sense of urgency and attacked in numbers with substitute Isa forced a great save from the Spanish keeper after he controlled a pass over the top of the Spanish defence, cut inside his marker and fired towards the opposite corner, with De Gea tipping the ball over at full stretch (90+2’). The game could have been over earlier if Nigeria used their counter attacks to good effect, with a number of their players guilty of perhaps overplaying and losing the opportunity to create a scoring chance.

Extra time beckoned and both sides hit the woodwork, with Iago Falque, who has interested Chelsea cutting in from the right wing, firing in a powerful drive (116’). The look on his face presumed defeat, as the penalty shoot-out loomed. Both sides received bookings as the flow broke up, and both Merida and Abdulkarim being booked for unnecessary challenges.

Ajiboye was to be Nigeria’s hero saving two spot kicks and seeing another wide, with his large presence. The final penalty was slightly delayed due the ball being in the wrong position and with the added pressure of the necessity to score; Iago Falque struck a poor penalty straight at Ajiboye and sealed the Super Eaglets’ win in Seoul.

No doubt the number of scouts would have been impressed by the talent displayed in South Korea, with eyes pointing towards, Toni Kroos, the German playmaker, Chrisantus, the top-scoring Nigerian, and naturally Bojan Krkic, who is set to break into Barcelona’s first team, while his team mate Dani Aquino has already been interesting Real Madrid. It is natural to expect that in a few years time, these same names will be showing their talents on a much greater stage.