Nigeria v Czech Republic- Player Ratings 2
Alex Iwobi was Nigeria star of the show as Husbauer, Sourcek and Barak struggled to stifle him and Abdullahi had a day to forget for Nigeria.
Uzoho Francis- Preferred to Daniel Akpeyi, he had a lot to do in the first half of the game, making a lot brilliant save to keep the score even as he denied Patrik Schick from a close range. There was little he could do to prevent the opening goal as he once again showed his brilliant reflexes and pull off a glorious save from Tomas Soucek header but Tomas Kalas was in position to hit home the rebound. 7/10
Troost-Ekong- Marshalled the back three impeccably and made a couple of important blocks and clearance, but a bit shaky when contesting for aerial balls. 6
Leon Balogun- Not best of a display expected from the Mainz defender, he was uneasy, shaky and frequently rushed off his feet; was not comfortable with what was thrown at him but manage to win some duels against Schick. 6/10
John Oguh- Though he was slotted to the left-hand side of the 3man defence which Rohr employed in the first half. Though some clumsy passes from him he was rarely troubled and looked assured when needed; he formed a crucial part of the defence and was a threat in the Czech box. He was unlucky not to have scored from a set piece as he floats his header just over the bar and a call for a penalty as he was hauled down in the box. 6.5/10
Abdullahi Shehu- Never really got into his stride; was always found wanting in his position and also lacks the pace going forward.
Was kept on the back foot until he was replaced by Tryonne. 4/10
Bryan Idowu- Quiet going forward and a little clumsy defensively. Presented with the chance to assist Ighalo for Nigeria's equaliser but he rather took the chance himself and his effort on goal was over the crossbar. 5/10
Wilfred Ndidi: Was asked to stifle and break-up play which he ultimately tried to do. There were some wayward passes from which can be excused for the fact he is returning from injury. he was unlucky not to have gotten the equaliser when his ferocious shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Tomas Vaclik. 6/10
Mikel Obi- Tried to dictate the midfield tempo with some busting run down the middle of the park. He linked up well with Iwobi and later Tyronne but was unfortunate that Idowu couldn't get anything out of his run into the box with the ball. Sometime slow in decision making and holding too much on the ball. 5.5/10
Victor Moses- Showed glimpses of quality and, occasionally, nimble footwork but was sloppy in possession. He tends to do the most simple things in a difficult way. Another frustrating outing for the Nigerian wide man. 4/10
Alex Iwobi- The best player on the pitch. Displayed guile and class, typified by his willingness to collect the ball from the defence to start attacks and also creating space. Was still running when everybody else was walking. 7.5/10
Odion Ighalo- Hard the most difficult job on the pitch to play as a lone striker but he did linked-up well with Iwobi on few occasions and gave Nigeria constant attacking threat. could have scored had Idowu layed a pass to him. 7/10
Substitutes:
Tyronne Ebuehi (Abdullahi 46) Was a constant threat down the flank. Had few chances to push forward with good link-up play with Mikel and Ndidi. 6.5/10
Elderson (for Idowu 69);
Had little to offer in the game and barely went forward. His pace was put into test when a pass meant for him was intercepted. 3/10
Simi Nwankwo (Ighalo 69). Had little to offer as the advantage of his hight was well snuff out by the Czech defenders. 3/10
Ahmed Musa (Moses 79) Had little to offer but his only contribution was when he timed his run too early and was flagged offside by the linesman. NA
Kelechi Iheanacho (Mikel 80) prefered Ighalo over him to start and was ineffective off the bench. NA
Gernot Rohr.
Preferred a 3-4-3/3-5-2 in the first half with little or no effect of his tactical master plan working on the game as his side lacks urgency and quick transition from defence to attack. He quickly changed things up in the 2nd half but was unfortunate not to have gone home with a draw. 5/10
by Guest Writer
Uzoho Francis- Preferred to Daniel Akpeyi, he had a lot to do in the first half of the game, making a lot brilliant save to keep the score even as he denied Patrik Schick from a close range. There was little he could do to prevent the opening goal as he once again showed his brilliant reflexes and pull off a glorious save from Tomas Soucek header but Tomas Kalas was in position to hit home the rebound. 7/10
Troost-Ekong- Marshalled the back three impeccably and made a couple of important blocks and clearance, but a bit shaky when contesting for aerial balls. 6
Leon Balogun- Not best of a display expected from the Mainz defender, he was uneasy, shaky and frequently rushed off his feet; was not comfortable with what was thrown at him but manage to win some duels against Schick. 6/10
John Oguh- Though he was slotted to the left-hand side of the 3man defence which Rohr employed in the first half. Though some clumsy passes from him he was rarely troubled and looked assured when needed; he formed a crucial part of the defence and was a threat in the Czech box. He was unlucky not to have scored from a set piece as he floats his header just over the bar and a call for a penalty as he was hauled down in the box. 6.5/10
Abdullahi Shehu- Never really got into his stride; was always found wanting in his position and also lacks the pace going forward.
Was kept on the back foot until he was replaced by Tryonne. 4/10
Bryan Idowu- Quiet going forward and a little clumsy defensively. Presented with the chance to assist Ighalo for Nigeria's equaliser but he rather took the chance himself and his effort on goal was over the crossbar. 5/10
Wilfred Ndidi: Was asked to stifle and break-up play which he ultimately tried to do. There were some wayward passes from which can be excused for the fact he is returning from injury. he was unlucky not to have gotten the equaliser when his ferocious shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Tomas Vaclik. 6/10
Mikel Obi- Tried to dictate the midfield tempo with some busting run down the middle of the park. He linked up well with Iwobi and later Tyronne but was unfortunate that Idowu couldn't get anything out of his run into the box with the ball. Sometime slow in decision making and holding too much on the ball. 5.5/10
Victor Moses- Showed glimpses of quality and, occasionally, nimble footwork but was sloppy in possession. He tends to do the most simple things in a difficult way. Another frustrating outing for the Nigerian wide man. 4/10
Alex Iwobi- The best player on the pitch. Displayed guile and class, typified by his willingness to collect the ball from the defence to start attacks and also creating space. Was still running when everybody else was walking. 7.5/10
Odion Ighalo- Hard the most difficult job on the pitch to play as a lone striker but he did linked-up well with Iwobi on few occasions and gave Nigeria constant attacking threat. could have scored had Idowu layed a pass to him. 7/10
Substitutes:
Tyronne Ebuehi (Abdullahi 46) Was a constant threat down the flank. Had few chances to push forward with good link-up play with Mikel and Ndidi. 6.5/10
Elderson (for Idowu 69);
Had little to offer in the game and barely went forward. His pace was put into test when a pass meant for him was intercepted. 3/10
Simi Nwankwo (Ighalo 69). Had little to offer as the advantage of his hight was well snuff out by the Czech defenders. 3/10
Ahmed Musa (Moses 79) Had little to offer but his only contribution was when he timed his run too early and was flagged offside by the linesman. NA
Kelechi Iheanacho (Mikel 80) prefered Ighalo over him to start and was ineffective off the bench. NA
Gernot Rohr.
Preferred a 3-4-3/3-5-2 in the first half with little or no effect of his tactical master plan working on the game as his side lacks urgency and quick transition from defence to attack. He quickly changed things up in the 2nd half but was unfortunate not to have gone home with a draw. 5/10
by Guest Writer
Nice Match overview. Nigeria's tactical approach lacks aggressiveness. Your ratings on Iwobi, to me its perfect.
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