The 2-0 victory set up another exciting clash between the Golden Eaglets and their Swedish counterparts, in the semi-final, after both sides played out a 3-3 scores in their pulsating Group F second round fixture earlier in the tournament.
Yesterday’s victory did not come easy for the Nigerian lads
who went into the match with the burden stopping Uruguay from inflicting a third straight defeat on Nigeria this year after the South American nation edged Nigeria 2-1 at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in June and followed up with same scores at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey in July.
Although the goals came off the feet of Awoiyi, who has so far successfully filled the void created by injured star striker, Isaac Success, the Nigerian team has inspirational midfielder, Kelechi Iheanacho, to thank for providing the clinical passes that led to the goals.
Uruguay had the first chance of note after only six minutes when Enrique Etcheverry crossed low through the penalty area. The impressive Leandro Otormin got a boot to the ball, but could only direct his effort wide of goal. It was a false dawn for the 2011 runners-up, however, as the Golden Eaglets took the game by the scruff of the neck after 18 minutes.
With 18 goals in their four games heading into the quarter-final round, Awoniyi opened the scoring from a fabulous piece of creative interplay with Iheanacho who has five goals to his credit so far at the tournament.
Stunned into action, the South Americans had a decent spell shortly after. Kevin Mendez and Otormin both tested Dele Alampasu from distance with powerful efforts. But it was Nigeria that the most ball possession and created the more dangerous chances. Captain Musa Muhammed’s cross from the right after 34 minutes was only just missed on the doorstep by the gangling goal-hungry Awoniyi.
The second half started with Awoniyi and Musa Yahaya going close to scoring after creating spaces at the edge of the penalty area. In the 68th minute, Iheanacho turned and fired from the edge of the box only for his shot to come flying off the back of a brave Uruguayan defender. But it was not long before Nigeria’s second goal came, in the 79th minute, almost in same pattern as the first.
Iheanacho picked up a perfect pass at the edge of the area from Chidiebere Nwakali and carried the ball toward goal and shredded the Uruguayan defence with an elegant touch before pulling a pass across the face of goal, where Awoniyi stabbed home inside the far post to send the fans into frenzy.
Nigeria, by yesterday’s victory will be playing in her seventh U-17 World Cup semi-final, where the Golden Eaglets will face another stiff test from the sturdy Swedes and talented Swedes in Dubai.
Culled from Sun News
Yayyy
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