The South Koreans showed the Nigerian Flying Eagles the exit door from the 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign courtesy to a goal from Choi Seok-Hyeon
South Korean star Lee Seung-won lauded Nigeria's Flying Eagles for their remarkable strength and quickness during their quarterfinal match on Sunday evening, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ladan Bosso's lads were eliminated from the competition after a 1-nil defeat in extra time in the much-anticipated match between the Asians and the Nigerian Flying Eagles.
Seung-won, who gave Kim Eun-Jung's team the win with a corner assist to Choi Seok-Hyeon and a Semi-final position against Italy, claimed after the game that Bosso's team was strong and quick, which humiliated them in the opening minutes.
Assisting Seok-Hyeon with a corner cross that was headed into the right corner of Charles Aniogboso's goal by his teammate, Seung-won leads the chart of the top assists in the tournament.
However, after the loss, he lauded the tough Nigerian team's qualities, praising their physicality in the game.
“Nigeria players were so powerful and speedy that we were embarrassed in the beginning,” he said as quoted by Chosun.
Speaking about the Koreans' lone goal, he disclosed how it was achieved and praised Seok-hyeon for making effective use of the ball.
“In the corner kick situation, I told the players in advance, ‘I'll raise it short, so cut it from the front.'” I thought he would solve it, but (Choi) Seok-hyeon did a good job this time.” he added.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria last moved beyond the quarterfinals in 2005, and their bid to break the record in the 2023 World Cup was thwarted, but their effort this time was significantly felt, as they defeated Argentina and Italy at the tournament.
