Nigeria’s campaign at the ongoing U20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina was effectively over last night when a goal by South Korean’s Choi Seok-Hyun in added time in the 95th minute.
The Flying Eagles braved the Koreans, controlling the better portion of the game played within Stadium Único Madre de Ciudades in the City of Santiago Del Estero in Argentina. However, the Ladan Bosso players lacked the precise finishing that would have prepared them for a second meeting with Italy in the semifinals. But that’s not the case right now.
Nigerians had higher hopes for the team after the outstanding match they played against the hosts, Argentina.
It demonstrated how tight this match was that it required a goal, as it was played between two teams with close-knit defenses.
It was a game between two teams with well-knit defences and it explained how tight this encounter was that it needed a header by Choi Seok-Hyun in extra-time off a corner to end Nigeria’s run in Argentina last night.
Korea will now face Italy on Thursday in La Plata for a place in the final of the tournament.
Nigeria, the last remaining representative of Africa in Argentina, had several opportunities to score, but they were unable to do so.
When it was easier to score, substitute Emmanuel Umeh missed his shot from the top of the box in the 110th minute.
There were also attempts by captain Daniel Bameyi in the 50th minute and the very impressive Tochukwu Nnadi in the 85th minute but none of these efforts hit the back of the net.
It was a cagey start by both teams with the Flying Eagles the more adventurous forcing a number of corners.
The Nigerians applied early pressure, with Victor Eletu making a brilliant solo run and driving at goal in the 29th minute, but the goalkeeper saved his shot for a corner.
Even though the Asians applied some pressure in the final seconds of the first period, the Flying Eagles held 69% of the possession.
