The Golden Eaglets’ head coach,
Emmanuel Amuneke says he expects a tough match when Nigeria face
Australia in the round of 16 clash at the ongoing FIFA U-17 world cup.
Australia progressed to the round of 16 of the tournament as best losers from a group of death that included Mexico, Argentina and Germany.
The Eaglets face the Aussies on Wednesday, October 28 at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina Del Mar.
Amuneke told the NFF’s official website: “We have been looking forward to the team we are going to play and today (Sunday), we realized it would be Australia. At this stage, everybody that has qualified must be respected.”
“Australia are a very good side because we saw their match against Argentina; they are a very good side and we have to respect them.”
Nigeria have not lost a second round match in the championship’s history, while Australia were beaten 4-0 by Uzbekistan in their last Round of 16 appearance at Mexico 2011.
Amuneke added: “We have to keep working hard and prepare our
players physically and psychologically for the match (against
Australia) especially after losing our last group match to Croatia. We
have to let the players realize that the stage we are in now is crucial
and it needs high level of concentration from them.
“It is a welcome development (Eaglets versus Australia) and before Wednesday, we would evaluate our players and see their state of mind but hopefully, all of them would be ready to play on Wednesday.”
The Eaglets came into this championship as the defending champions and progressed to this stage with six points from group A. They will need to be in top form against the Aussies having lost their third group game 2 – 1 to Croatia.
Croatia, the second placed finishers in Group A behind Nigeria, will play Group C’s second placed team, Germany on Thursday October 29.
Australia progressed to the round of 16 of the tournament as best losers from a group of death that included Mexico, Argentina and Germany.
Victor Oshiemen lays the ball past the US goalkeeper.
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“Australia are a very good side because we saw their match against Argentina; they are a very good side and we have to respect them.”
Nigeria have not lost a second round match in the championship’s history, while Australia were beaten 4-0 by Uzbekistan in their last Round of 16 appearance at Mexico 2011.
Eaglets say Croatians will lose in the rematch
“It is a welcome development (Eaglets versus Australia) and before Wednesday, we would evaluate our players and see their state of mind but hopefully, all of them would be ready to play on Wednesday.”
The Eaglets came into this championship as the defending champions and progressed to this stage with six points from group A. They will need to be in top form against the Aussies having lost their third group game 2 – 1 to Croatia.
Croatia, the second placed finishers in Group A behind Nigeria, will play Group C’s second placed team, Germany on Thursday October 29.
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