“Planning beyond”- Bosso responds to the Flying Eagles’ defeat to Brazil in the U-20 World Cup group stage

The Junior Selecao beat the Flying Eagles by a score of two goals to nothing, snapping their winning streak

The head coach of the Flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso, addressed his team’s defeat to Brazil in their last Group D match, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 55-year-old stated that his side was not treating the encounter against Brazil as a crucial one to prepare for, as they were thinking beyond the contest against Ramon Menezes’ forces.

The Junior Selecao defeated Bosso’s team by a score of 2-nil in the La Plata stadium after Bosso’s team had already defeated Italy and the Dominican Republic.

A goal from Jean, and Arsenal youngster, Marquinhos in the first half of the game made separated the two sides, and handed the Brazilians a ticket to the next round.

Speaking to the media after the game, the former coach of Adamawa United acknowledged being satisfied with the outcome and stated his club was getting ready for a far tougher assignment in the competition.

“The match has come and gone. Before this match, we were planning this match, we’d go back and prepare for the real game.” he remarked.

In 2005, the Nigeria U-20 squad last competed in the international youth tournament final. Despite losing to one of the tournament favourites, Bosso is confident that his side can still win the trophy.

“We have to fight for the trophy. I think it is still open. Everybody can be there, and I believe we have the capacity to be there [The Final]” he continued.

Nigeria, who placed third in Group D, will probably play either the tournament’s host, Argentina, or the United States. Before their next game, Bosso said his team would review their strategy.

“We are into the knockout stage, and in the knockout stage, there is an approach, we can employ for it, and we hope we’d have our plans executed accordingly,”  he said.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles tied Brazil and Italy for first place in the group stage with six points each.