U-20 FOOTBALL

Argentina 2023: Ambassador Ikurusi charges Flying Eagles to go for glory

Published

1 year ago

May 11, 2023

Ambassador Ikurusi (in suit) with the Flying Eagles in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, His Excellency Mr. Philip Ikurusi has charged the Flying Eagles to not only evoke the spirit of their 1989 and 2005 predecessors, but to also go a step further by winning for Nigeria for the very first time the FIFA U20 World Cup trophy in Argentina this summer.

Mr. Ikurusi made the call when he visited the team’s camp at Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina on Tuesday evening.

The diplomat also advised the players to be focused and play as a unit, as success in football can only be achieved through team work.

“I am here to officially welcome you to Argentina, the host nation of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

“It is heartwarming that our dear nation will be among the 24 nations that will take part in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup. It is also on record that we have played the final of this tournament on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005 and I believe this present set can surpass the record of your predecessors by lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.”

The Flying Eagles, who finished third at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in the year, will tackle Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in Group D of the three-week global fiesta commencing next week Saturday.

“I believe with hard work, commitment and dedication, you can do it by overpowering all opposition before you and getting your hands on the trophy.”

Ambassador Ikurusi further called on the players to be of good conduct and behaviour during their stay in the South American nation.

Responding, Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, Isah Ladan Bosso expressed appreciation to the Ambassador for the visit while promising the team is ready to make the nation proud.

Two-time runners-up Nigeria will get their campaign off the ground on Monday, 21 May when they go up against the Dominican Republic in Mendoza. Their other matches in the group phase are against Italy (also in Mendoza) on 24 May and against Brazil (in La Plata) on 27 May.

U-20 FOOTBALL

New champions to emerge as Uruguay, Italy contest U20 World Cup final

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2023

Kunle Solaja

Uruguay and Italy will play the final match of the U20 World Cup holding in Argentina. Uruguay beat Israel 1-0 while Italy defeated Korea Republic 2-1 in their respective semi-final matches played on Thursday night.

It is the first time that both countries will be playing the final match. Twelve countries have won the cup in the past.

Argentina with six titles and Brazil with five are the most winners followed by Portugal and Serbia with two victories.

The other eight have a title each. They are Ghana, Russia, Spain, Germany and England. The remaining are France, England and Ukraine.

In Thursday’s semi-finals, goals from Cesare Casadei and Simone Pafundi secured Italy the 2-1 win over Korea Republic.

In the earlier semi-finals, a predator’s goal from Anderson Duarte grabbed Uruguay victory over Israel.

The final match will be played on Sunday night.

U-20 FOOTBALL

Ladan Bosso: Twice beaten in U20 World Cup quarter finals after extra time

Published

1 year ago

June 4, 2023

Kunle Solaja

What a cruel fate for Flying Eagles’ coach, Ladan Bosso at the quarter finals stage of the U20 World Cup in the Americas.

Sunday night after-extra-time loss to Korea Republic was not the first time he experienced the cruel fate.

Flashback to 16 years ago in Canada. His Flying Eagles held on gamely in their quarter-final duel with Chile at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Scores at regulation time was 0-0. Then the match moved to extra time. Thereafter things fell apart and the centre could not hold.

A team that held the Chileans to 0-0 for 90 minutes suddenly fell like the Biblical Wall of Jericho.

At the extra time, Bosso’s team crumbled miserably to a 4-0 defeat.

Again, his team has had to suffer another extra time defeat at the quarter-finals.

U-20 FOOTBALL

How debutants, Israel sealed historic win over five-time winners, Brazil

Published

1 year ago

June 3, 2023

Kunle Solaja

Debutants, Israel will face either USA or Uruguay in the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup after they eliminated five-time champions, Brazil.

Israel have become the first debutants to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA U-20 World Cup since Senegal in 2015.

An exquisite solo goal scored by Dor Turgeman saw debutants Israel come from behind to defeat Brazil 3-2 in an instant FIFA U-20 World Cup classic.

Israel will now play the USA-Uruguay winners in La Plata, while A Seleção will have to pack their bags for the journey home. Israel had the better of the first half, but Brazil had its best chance.

Following fine play from Savio down the right, Marquinhos’s effort from the back post, yards out, was kept out by the leg of Tomer Zarfati.

Marcos Leonardo’s excellent strike with his weaker left foot put Brazil ahead at the start of the second, but Anan Khalaili equalised with the header of this tournament.

Kaique then pulled off a superb save to deny Turgeman and send the game to extra time. Extra time held more drama and goals than your average 90-minute match.

Andrey Santos’s exquisite flick set up Matheus Nascimento to restore Brazil’s lead, but Hamza Shibli turned a cross in at the back post immediately to level things up again.

The decisive moment came at the end of the first half of extra time when Turgeman dribbled through Brazil’s defense before unleashing an unstoppable curler past Kaique.

An incredible second period of extra time saw Israel fail to score from the penalty spot twice, but Ofir Haim’s side were able to hold on and complete an historic victory.