Nigeria Flying Eagles Set To End Brazil Dominance Over Them In Their Final Group Stage Game At Ongoing U-20 FIFA World Cup In Argentina.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, are set to take on Brazil in their final FIFA Under-20 World Cup Group D game at the Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata, on Saturday evening.
Having failed to record a win in their previous six meetings, the Flying Eagles will look to end Brazil dominance, as they aim to record their first win over the five-time champions.
The two teams will now meet for the seventh time, as Brazil won four of the games, while the other two ended in draws.
Their most recent meeting was in the 2015 edition where Brazil emerged victorious in a captivating six-goal thriller, winning 4-2, and topping their group.
Going into the encounter in the on-going 2023 U-20 World Cup in Argentina, Nigeria who arrived Buenos Aires on Thursday afternoon for the matchday three encounter have been in a sensational form, winning their two group games, 2-1 against Dominican Republic and 2-0 victory against Italy respectively.
While Brazil’s bid for a sixth U-20 World Cup, got off to a shaky start with a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Italy before bouncing back with an impressive and statement 6-0 win over the Dominican Republic with with goals from Savio, Marcos Leonardo, Jean Pedroso, Giovane, Marlon Gomes and Matheus Martins last Wednesday.
Italy are third in group with three points as they also face weeping boys Dominican Rep. in the last game same time on Saturday.
With maximum six points from two games, the Flying Eagles are top of Group D, and are already through to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Brazil, in contrast, are behind them in second place with three points and favourable goal difference, but can still finish as Group D leaders with a vital win over Nigeria, and book a place in the last 16.
The Flying Eagles just need to avoid defeat, as a win or draw against the Young Selecao will see them secure the top spot in the group and potentially face a favourable opponent in the last-16.
Nigeria have advanced from the group stage in 10 of their past 12 appearances in the U-20 World Cup.
Head coach, Ladan Bosso acknowledged the Brazilians superiority in past encounters against the Flying Eagles, but insisted that the seven-time African Champions are ready to make a statement win.
“Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this level.
“We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time,” Bosso told a press conference.
“We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate them, we certainly do not fear them.
“We have been able to fulfil our first objective for this championship: getting to the knockout stages. We will take it one match at a time from now onwards. We don’t want to take it easy and lose against Brazil; that will not be good for our winning mentality.”
As of Friday night, at least two countries Guatamala and Fiji have already been eliminated from the tournament after finishing with zero points from their three group stage matches.
Fiji crashed out after losing 9-0 against Ecuador in their final Group B stage fixture on Friday.
Guatemala, on the other hand, lost 2-0 against Uzbekistan in their final Group A stage game.
Following the outcome of Friday’s group stage matches, Ecuador qualified for the knock-out stage with six points from three matches, while Uzbekistan advanced with 4 points from the same matches.
They joined the likes of Argentina, England, Nigeria, Colombia, USA and Gambia in the Round of 16 stages.
In other matches played on Friday, the host nation, Argentina, thrashed New Zealand 5-0 and the USA defeated Slovakia 2-0.
Apart from Nigeria Vs Brazil, and Dominican Republic vs Italy, other last group stage games today, will see Japan tackle Israel, and Colombia will take on Senegal in Group C, both games at 10pm.
Colombia tops the group with six points, Japan three points, Israel and Senegal in third and fourth with one point each.
MatchDay Details:
Tournament: FIFA U20 World Cup
Game: Nigeria vs. Brazil, Group D decider
Date: May 27, 2023
Venue: Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona, La Plata
Kickoff time: 7 pm (Nigerian time)
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