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Nigeria beat Hungary, qualifty for round of 16



Flying Eagles line up (All pictures are credited to Getty Images)


Nigeria have qualified for the round of 16 at the Fifa U20 World Cup taking place in New Zealand courtesy a 2-0 win over Hungary

I had to wake up early. unfortunately DSTV didn't get the rights for the game so I had to look for a stream, the star times decoder looks a must now.

Anyways, here is the match report culled from supersport.com (That's my home nah!)
 
African champions Nigeria are through to the round of 16 of the Fifa U20 World Cup after a 2-0 win over Hungary at the Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth.

Nigeria needed to avoid a heavy defeat to guarantee progress to the knockout stages but started tentatively with the Hungarians dominating possession early on.

Manu Garba, the Nigeria coach, opted to start the same set of players that trounced Korea DPR 4-0 on June 4 which meant there was no place from the start for Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa Yahaya and Success Isaac who had scored twice in his last two matches for the Flying Eagles.


Kingsley Sokari, starting his second match for the Flying Eagles in the tournament, almost scored his second goal in as many starts when he let fly from distance in the 14th minute but the Hungarian goalkeeper, György Székely, pulled off a spectacular save.
Székely was in outstanding form again in the 17th minute with an even better save to prevent Awoniyi’s point blank header off a corner from rifling into the top right hand corner.

The West Africans were now in full control, bossing possession and creating goal scoring opportunities at will.

It was only a matter of time before they got the breakthrough and it arrived in the 33rd minute through Awoniyi who found himself at the tip of the spear of an enthralling team move. 

Awoniyi scores his second.

The irrepressible Musa Mohammed, a terror all evening down the right hand channel, fed Savour Godwin with a delightful ball after a Hungarian attack broke down badly.

Saviour charged down the right wing before producing a low pin-point cross which Awoniyi did well to prod home past Székel after charging in between two Hungarian defenders.

Nigeria could have doubled the tally on the stroke of half time but the peerless Székel was in fine fettle again to deny Sokari.

The Hungarians started the second period in impressive fashion and were almost level in the 49th minute when Márió Németh watched as his shot crashed against the woodwork with Joshua Enaholo soundly beaten.






 Video highlights

Nigeria had a goal disallowed for offside in the 51st minute but three minutes later, there was no offside flag to save the Hungarians.

A long throw from his box by Enaholo saw two Hungarian defender tied in knots as Awoniyi picked up the ball and proceeded to leave his marker for dead before rounding Székel and slotting into an unguarded net for Nigeria’s second goal. 

 

Hungary tried spiritedly to claw their way back into the contest but found Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Enaholo in unyielding mood.

Manu then rang the changes with Awoniyi and Godwin substituted in quick succession while Simon Moses and Success Isaac came on with the former making his tournament bow.

Manchester City starlet, Iheanacho got a chance for a late cameo after replacing the injured Sokari in the 82nd minute. 

Flying Eagles celebrate


With qualification already assured, the Flying Eagles took their foot off the gas and closed out the win in professional fashion.

Nigeria thus finished as Group E runners up with six points from three preliminary matches behind Brazil who finished as group winners with nine points.

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