Eagles unimpressive against Saudis

By Ifeanyi ibeh

Lars Lagerback finally got to test his Eagles in action when he led them out against Saudi Arabia last night in the Austrian town of Watten, but the Swede would have been far from impressed with the performance of his team in the goalless encounter against the Saudis.

With a starting line-up made up mostly of players who had not featured on a regular basis for their clubs like Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Danny Shittu, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Anichebe, it appeared the match was more of a trial for the players rather than a tune-up game for the World Cup.

Nigeria’s Lukman Haruna (R) and Saudi Arabia’s Muhammad Abduradyah fight for the ball during a friendly soccer match in Wattens May 25, 2010 . PHOTO: REUTERS

After 90 minutes, a lot of the players who started the game should by now be having doubts regarding their chances of making the Swede’s final World Cup squad.

The final score line was in reality not a fair reflection of the encounter as the Saudis were by far the more incisive of the two sides and should have hit the back of the net against the Super Eagles but for the poor finishing skills of their forward line, as well as some good goalkeeping from Austin Ejide who is competing with Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba and Akpan Bassey for one of the three slots reserved for goalkeepers in the final 23-man World Cup squad.

The much criticised Israel-based goalkeeper on several occasions came to the rescue of the Nigerian team and has in the process done his chances of appearing in South Africa a world of good.

Suswan impresses

Another player who put up an impressive performance was Terna Suswan. Although the right back has appeared a couple of times for the Super Eagles B team, yesterday’s match against the Saudis was his first for the national team outside Africa. And the defender who plays for Nigerian club side, Lobi Stars, didn’t allow the occasion of his first full cap to overwhelm him as he held sway on the right side of the Super Eagles defence even venturing forward to join the attack whenever the opportunity arose.

The same can however not be said about his partners in the Super Eagles’ defence, although Shittu and Echiejile, who didn’t get to make a single league appearance for their respective clubs - Bolton Wanderers and Rennes - in the just ended season, were slightly more impressive than Yobo.

Kalu Uche also did little to silence his numerous critics likewise Chinedu Obasi, who failed to re-enact his Nations Cup displays. The reverse was however the case for Monaco’s Haruna Lukman as well as Anichebe who proved more than a handful for the Saudis.

Operating from the left side of the attack, Anichebe cut the Saudis open on several occasions and even had a few shots at goal. For his exploitys, he got a standing ovation from the fans upon his substitution.

His replacement, John Utaka, was however a shadow of his former self as he now has only Sunday’s friendly against Colombia to prove to Lagerback that he deserves to be at the World Cup.

The situation was the same for Ikechukwu Uche, Sani Kaita, Obafemi Martins and Peter Utaka who failed to impress after coming in as substitutes.

Source: http://234next.com