World Cup (Review)
By Emmanuel Okara
Lagos, June 23, 2018 (NAN) The Super Eagles finally showed up for the party at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, with an emphatic 2-0 victory over the Strakkamir Okkar of Iceland at the Volgograd Arena.
The keenly contested Group D match saw the Super Eagles clawing their way from the bottom of the standings to the second position behind Croatia with three points, ahead of Iceland and Argentina who have one point each.
Coach Gernot Rohr took the bold step of restructuring the architecture of the team by adopting the 3-5-2 formation to counter the deep defensive play of the Northern European team whose specialty is to catch their opponents with lightening counter attacks.
The restructuring of the team saw the introduction of Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho to the lineup, while Abdullahi Shehu, Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo dropped to the bench.
Interestingly, Obi Mikel reverted to the holding midfield role alongside hard tackling Wilfred Ndidi and combative Oghenekaro Etebo… while Victor Moses was made to play from the wing-back position.
Kenneth Omeruo, Troost Ekong and Leon Balogun manned the defence line, with Brian Idowu playing down the left wing-back position to join the attack when the team attack.
Although the Eagles had teething problems in the first half of the match, through the uncompromising approach to the game by the Strakkamir Okkar, but the team gradually hit it’s stride in the second half.
The nation’s teeming football fans and some critical football stakeholders were mightily pleased with the team’s Modus Operandi, which actually reflected their yearnings against the backdrop of the 2-0 loss to Croatia.
The radical tactical switch by Rohr was described by Chris Ngwodo a public affairs commentator as impressive.
“The Eagles improved from their lethargic showing against Croatia on June 16.
“Gernot Rohr changed tactics switching from a back four to a back three, and a forward partnership of Musa and Iheanacho. Moses switched to his club position of wing-back.
“Even so, they played poorly in the first half, but improved massively in the second half with two great goals from Musa,” Ngwodo said.
In terms of statistical data, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles scored 84 per cent in passing accuracy with 473 passes as against 75 per cent for Strakkamir Okkar with 291 passes.
Nigeria had 16 goal attempts with four on target, while Iceland made 10 attempts with 3 on target. The Eagles had six corner kicks and their opponents had five.
Nigeria committed nine fouls, while Iceland committed 10 fouls. Brian Idowu, who was replaced in the second half by Tyrone Ebuehi bagged the only yellow card of the match.
Super Eagles won six tackles in one-on-one duels, while their highly physical opponents won 10 tackles.
Now that Nigeria has gained a foothold to the last 16, the Super Eagles must quickly put behind them any form of celebration from their hard earned victory against Iceland and focus on the Albiceleste of Argentina, who equally fancy their chances of using the Super Eagles as a stepping stone to the round of 16.
“Against Argentina, the Eagles should maintain the 3-5-2 formation. I think that Iwobi remains our most creative player and the coach should be able to deploy him accordingly,” says Ngwodo.
Ahead of the June 26 showdown against Argentina at St Petersburg, we expect to see a more improved and purposeful Super Eagles — emphasis should be on tactical play and fitness — qualification for the round of 16 is not yet a done deal; the players must battle hard to get a positive result from the final group match.
Nigerians and other admirers of the Super Eagles in the Confederation of African Football family and elsewhere are banking on the team to make them proud, the ball is now in their court to get the job done. (NAN)
ERO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)