Exclusive News
BY SAB OSUJI
Nigeria born coach, Adebayo Gbadebo, has told Exclusivenews.com.ng that Saturday’s final group D match between the U20 side, Flying Eagles will not be a tea party.
Gbadebo, a former Stationery Stores of Lagos ace and current founder and Manager Kanjanapat FC, Bangkok, Thailand, spoke exclusively to Exclusivenews.com.ng on Thursday night from his base that both teams have their different advantages to win the game but insisted that he won’t be surprised if it ends in a draw which is equally good for Ladan Bosso’s youngsters.
“I’ve been following the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina and has watched all the group D matches so far played”, Gbadebo began when Exclusivenews.com.ng sounded him off.
“The group (D) is tough, though Nigeria is top on the ladder with six points, looking like they have qualified for the knock out phase”.
Flying Eagles will battle Brazil in La Plata, Argentina while Italy take on Dominican Republic simultaneously in Monza.
Both Italy and Brazil are on three points each but the Europeans look like having s ‘softer’ cake on hand than Flying Eagles who must avoid defeat to cross the Rubicon.
“Flying Eagles have a good team. The players fight for each other. They are physically strong and have speed”, Gbadebo observed.
“These are good attributes going into a big game of this nature against Brazil.
“But my worry is in the area of set pieces, whether corner kick or free-kick, an area the Brazilians are good in.
“Against Dominican Republic, which they won 6-0, they scored three of the goals from set pieces, corner kick.
“Besides, after losing their opening match 3-2 to Italy, and now putting six past Dominican Republic, it means their confidence must be up now going into this game against Flying Eagles.
“This could be a concern. But on the balance of what I’ve seen of the teams so far, a draw may not be ruled out, which, of course, will be good for Flying,Eagles”.
Statistically, group D remains wide open. Though Flying Eagles sit top of the standings with six points and plus two goals, Brazil are second with three points and a massive plus five goals. Italy are third with three points and minus one goal.
So, if Italy wins with, say, two or three zero and Flying Eagles lose by 1-0 or 2-0, FIFA will have to take a look at their head-head rule moreso since the three teams cancelled themselves out in the open play.
