Spain made heavy work of beating ten-man Uruguay in their quarter-final in Kaduna, losing a 3-1 lead and requiring a penalty shoot-out to finally book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009. The Uruguayans showed tremendous spirit fighting back from the deficit, but in the end it was a road too far for the homeward-bound La Celeste. (more…)
Korea Republic’s players looked a little bemused to see throngs of local fans lining the fence at their late-afternoon training session on Saturday. The lively Asians have made many friends with their dynamic play here in Nigeria, but the size of the crowd seemed somehow incongruous. As the team, going through a light stretch, eyed the hundreds-strong mob quizzically, a blaring siren was heard in the distance. (more…)
Nigeria were always in the driving seat in their round-of-16 clash against hopeful New Zealand in Abuja’s National Stadium. Scoring three goals in the first half, the Golden Eaglets won the day 5-0 and fairly well cruised through their first knockout game to book passage to the quarter-finals, where they will lock horns with fast-moving Asian outfit Korea Republic in Calabar. (more…)
