Germany edge Flying Eagles to reach World Cup quarters
Blame NFF technical department for Flying Eagles failure – Abimbola
lying Eagles fairly tale in the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand came to an end yesterday, as Germany produced a stunning display of ruthless attacking football to kick the African champions out of the World Cup with a 1-0 win in Christchurch.
Prior to yesterday’s clash, the Germans won all three of their preliminary games and scored 16 goals while letting in just one, while Flying Eagles also produced one of Former Flying Eagles assistant coach, Samuel Abimbola has said the technical department of the Nigerian Football Federation should be blamed for the team’s 0-1 loss to Germany yesterday in the round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Abimbola who the great performances at the tournament, following preliminary stage wins over Korea DPR and Hungary after a calamitous 2-4 defeat to Brazil in their opening game.
It was however the Germans who started the stronger with crisp passing and fluid movement, unsurprisingly mustering the first goal scoring opportunity inside the opening 60 seconds but Julian Weigl shot wildly after he was Julian Brandt.
The Germans were fearfully dominant in the opening stages; employing a high pressing assisted coach John Obuh at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey said often times, the NFF technical department does not assist the coaches with video clips of their opponents.
He also said taking Flying Eagles final preparation to Germany was another blunder on the part of the technical department.
Abimbola said the Germans must have taken time to study everything about the Flying Eagles while they were training game that completely left the Nigerians out of their depth.
The European champions almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute but Wilfred Ndidi was on hand to provide a goal line clearance.
Nigeria had just one chance in the first half and it came via a set piece which Musa Mohammed played straight at Germany’s goalkeeper, Marvin Schwabe.
On 19 minutes, the Germans got their just reward with a stunning goal which was blasted home with frightening force by Levin Oztunali Kingsley Sokari lost the ball in his half. and playing friendly matches in Germany.
“I really want to say that part of the problem is preparation of the team. This time the fault is not from the coaches but the technical department of the NFF.
“Like I said earlier they always leave the team in the hands of the coaches going to the World Cup. The duty of the technical department is to get the clips of our group opponents and the teams we
Germany should have doubled their lead in moments later but Hany Mukhtar was denied in spectacular fashion by Enaholo.
The Nigeria goalkeeper was called to action shortly before action and he came out with flying colours to deny Marc Stendera with a double save; the first, a world class effort, shortly before half time.
Germany continued to create the better chances in the second half and could have easily stretched their lead in the 48th minute but Mukhtar wasted a golden opportunity are likely going to meet later if we progress to the knock out stage. I am not sure this was done.
“It also surprises me that even as we knew that Germany too would be at the World Cup, we still took our final preparation to Germany. I was not comfortable with the idea.
“The Germans are not like us. They would have taken advantage of the situation and studied each and every Nigerian player while they were from close range.
The midfielder came close again in the 61st minute but his effort was cleared for a corner as the Germans looked to put the game to bed.
Niklas Stark headed wide off a corner in the 62nd minute as the Europeans continued to create chances at will.
Nigeria’s second half substitute, Success Isaac blasted a late chance wide but it was one of few half chances the West Africans mustered all evening.
With the win, So Germany will face Mali in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. training and playing friendly matches there. They got all the data about all our players”.
Abimbola therefore begged Nigerians not to crucify the Flying Eagles and their coaches saying they did their best.
“In all they tried their best and should not be crucified. They could not offer more than what they have. Next time we should know how to prepare. There was no wisdom in going to prepare in Germany,” he said.