22nd October, 2013
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria Tuesday evening forced their Swedish counterparts to a 3-3 draw at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup holding in the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
The Nigerian team had to come back on three occasions.
Valmir Berisha opened scoring for the Europeans in the 11th minute of the encounter after a wrong decision making by the Eaglets goalie,Dele Alampsu.
The Eaglets tried to equalize but their efforts were thwarted by their opponents, who increased the tally.
The Scandinavians eight minutes later through Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area.
With defeat staring them in the face the Eaglets intensified their search to reduce the tally and they were rewarded exactly on the 20 minute mark.
Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer from the first game against Mexico, floated in a ball from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who swiveled and slammed into the far corner without the ball ever hitting the grass, all in one motion.
Both teams went into the locker room with scores remaining 2-1 in favour of the Scandinavians.
On the resumption of the second stanza, the Eaglets would have their opponents’ goalkeeper, Sixten Mohlin to thank as he gifted them the equalizer.
Mohlin, who had made some vital saves later commited a howler when he failed to stop Musa Yahaya’s not-too-powerful shot from distance.
The West Africans appeared too casual in their approach to the match and they had themselves to blame as the Europeans took the lead again
And it was in the 65th minute through Mirza Halvadiz.
Halvadiz scored after he was set up with a left wing attack.
With time ticking away, the Nigerians piled up pressure on their opponents creating goal scoring chances but failed to convert them.
However, on the 81st minute , Taiwo Awoniyi headed home a cross by Iheanacho to restore parity for the Eaglets.
Few minutes later the match came to an end, with the Nigerians maintaining Group F lead with a superior goal difference over Sweden.