Nwakaeme’s Lone Strike Fails to Save Hapoel, Gunners Crush BATE
Super Eagles invitee, Anthony Nwakaeme’s lone strike was not enough to save his Israeli club, Hapoel Beer Sheva from a 3-1 away defeat to Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic in the UEFA Europa last night.
The 28 year-old Nigerian who came on as a 62nd minute substitute for Ben Sahar scored seven minutes after his introduction to equalise the 29th minute advantage Plzen gained with Milan Petrzele opener. Two other second half goals sealed victory for the Czech club.
Nwakaeme’s Super Eagles teammate, John Ogu, was on duty for Hapoel for all of the 90 minutes duration of the game.
Both Nigerian internationals are expected in Uyo on Monday as Eagles regroup for next weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia at the Nest of Champions.
Elsewhere, injured Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi was conspicuously absent as his English Premiership club, Arsenal crushed Bate Borisov 4-2 in Group H clash of the Europa showdown in Belarus. Iwobi’s compatriot, Chuba Akpom was an unused sub for Arsenal.
Theo Walcott scored twice as a much-changed Arsenal beat Bate Borisov to make it two wins from two in Group H.
Jack Wilshere was excellent and set up a Walcott chance which hit the post before assisting the forward’s closerange opener.
Bate keeper Denis Scherbitski then inexplicably passed the ball straight to Walcott to slot home a second.
Rob Holding scored his first Arsenal goal, turning home Per Mertesacker’s flick-on from Walcott’s corner to seemingly put the game past Bate after 25 minutes.
But Mirko Ivanic pulled one back for the Belarusians after one of their few real attacks in the first half with an excellent 10-yard header from Aleksey Rios’ cross.
Arsenal restored their threegoal advantage after the break as Olivier Giroud scored his 100th Arsenal goal from the spot after a soft penalty award against Vitali Gayduchik, who did not appear to make much contact with Shkodran Mustafi.
Bate did pull another back when Mikhail Gordeychuk slammed home from close range after David Ospina parried Ivanic’s header.
And Arsenal - who had looked comfortable up to that point - were hanging on at times in the end. Aleksandr Volodko could have set up an anxious finale but he fired a shot wide from inside the box.
The Gunners are top of Group H on six points with Red Star Belgrade second on four points after they beat Cologne, who have lost both matches, 1-0 thanks to Richmond Boakye’s goal.