The Dream
Team VI lost there final group game 2-0 against Colombia courtesy of goals from
Teofilo Gutierrez in the 4th minute and a penalty kick in the 62nd
minute by Dorlan Pabon after stand-in goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi brought down a Colombia
player in the box in the match.
The U-23 Eagles lost the game as they are
guaranteed a place in the knockout stages with first place in the group
standings confirmed as well, meaning the 2-0 defeat had nothing in effect to the
team as regards to the table standing. Following qualification against Sweden there
were massive deliberations as regards to meeting host Brazil at the
Quarter-Final stages.
After much talks and mind boggling permutations the
Eagles will face Denmark who lost 4-0 to Brazil in the final group game. With
the worry about meeting Brazil over now and with the Denmark meeting confirmed
the Dream Team VI have all to play for as regard to the encounter with the
Scandinavian nation. We offer an insight as regards to Dream Team VI meeting
with Denmark.
On this note we critically evaluate the reason why Nigeria must
beat Denmark at the ongoing Olympics games in RIO, Brazil.
ERASE SOME SORT OF DOUBT
The Dream
Team VI got off the Olympic Games in Rio with an impressive win over Japan
irrespective of the harsh conditions the team was made to deal with.
Japan were
beaten 5-4 in a more of like a basket ball score line and they followed it up
with a 1-0 win over Sweden despite a wide range of possession against Swedish
side (should have scored more) but with the 2-0 defeat in the hands of the
Colombia coupled with the inability of Samson Siasia defence to keep their cool
and poor performance of assistant captain Azubuike Okechukwu and forward Sadiq
Umar of AS Roma doubts have been raised about the ability of the Dream Team to
win the quarter-final clash when both sides meet tomorrow.
The news concerning
the uncertainty of start forward Oghenekaro Etebo who picked up a knock in the
last group games is a cause for concern as the Denmark game looms in every seconds
of the day. The task is left for the Dream Team VI to beat Denmark and silence all doubt to book a place
with Portugal or Germany in the
semi-finals of the Olympics.
COMPENSATE FOR COLOMBIA LOSS
When it
comes to football, Nigeria
loves it so much and do not care whether the team are there or not, what Nigeria fans
(soccer loving Nigerians) wants is victory at all time.
The Dream Team VI obviously
are in control of the group after a massing 6 points in the group to qualify
for the knock out stages and also as group winners and have really nothing in
the last game but the ever loving Nigerian woke up from their sleep to cheer
their team to victory hoping for a perfect record of three straight wins in the
match, but they were disappointed with the Dream Team VI lackluster performance
in the encounter as they showed their anger and annoyance towards the Dream
Team VI who looked a shadow of themselves in the previous first two game.
The
Game against Denmark offers
the team the opportunity to win back the heart of Nigerians with a defeat of
the Denmark
side to march to the next stage of the competition.
MARCH ON TO THE GOLD MATCH
The Dream
Team VI match against Denmark is of severe important to the Dream Team VI
players, the technical crew and Nigerians at large as the quest for a Gold
Medal is still very much in over minds. If the Team must keep our Olympic hope
alive for the Gold Medal then the Danish side but be beaten at least on
regulation time of avoid the penalty kick (which is a no man’s game).
The Dream
Team must realize that at this point any defeat or mistake, the team is heading
home straight away. You can’t just think about the pains of defeat in the hand
of Denmark who just lost 4-0 to Brazil in the last match of the group stages.
With the talent of Aminu Umar, Imoh Ezekiel, Sincere Seth, John Obi Mikel and co
Nigeria have all in their hands to beat their opponents and thus keeping our
Olympic Dreams (Gold) alive to the delight of soccer loving Nigerians who are
doing some sort of night vigil to watch the Dream Team VI in their respective home.
PAY BACK TIME
The Dream
Team will be facing the Danish side who seems to have been Nigeria’s
nemesis over the years. Despite the talent of the Nigerians the Danish side of
inferior quality with all due respect have always have the last laugh against
the Nigerians sides.
This is surely a time for change and ball lies in the
hands of the Dream Team VI to make amends by defeating Denmark and breaking the
course just like the one keeping Benfica FC from winning a major trophy no
matter how favourite they are against their opponent. In 1998 the Super Eagles
boosting of talent like Mutiu Adepoju (Headmaster) Amokachi, Ikpeba and Kanu
could not help as Nigeria lost 4-1 Denmark inspired by Michael Laudrup (former
Swansea Coach) as Tijani Babangida got a consolation for Nigeria to make it 4-1
on the night.
The Dream Team then lost 6-2 as well to the Danish side again in
the Suwon tournament few months ago but as experience is the best teacher,
Siasia and his boys cannot afford to make such a mistake game as victory is
widely expected of the Dream Team VI against Denmark by the ever loving Nigerian
(die hard) supporters who are really hoping for their own pound of flesh
against the illustrious Danish side come tomorrow.