Flying Eagles fail to fly against Brazil

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria started their 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 loss to Brazil at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

The two sides put on an exciting display of counter-attacking football before Brazil eventually triumphed.

It took Brazil just four minutes to take the lead after defender Joao Pedro pushed forward and found space down the right-hand side of the Flying Eagles before passing the ball to Gabriel Jesus who finished coolly.

Success Isaac drew Nigeria level after the team found space behind the Brazil back four 11 minutes into the game. It was well-deserved, as the team had created a couple of early opportunities with a chance even hitting the post.

Nigeria took a 2-1 lead in the 27th minute through a fine counter-attack started by keeper Joshua Enaholo and ended with Musa Yahaya putting the ball in the back of the net.

Taiwo Awoniyi should have made it 3-1 in the 34th minute, but his effort only found the side netting after beating the goalkeeper.

But the South American side equalised with their next move 10 minutes before the break through Judivan.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Brazil made it 3-2 with a long-range effort from halftime substitute Boschilla.

Nigeria pressed for an equaliser by committing more players forward, but it was Brazil who extended their lead after keeper Enaholo let the ball slip from his grasp, allowing Judivan to grab his second in the 80th minute.

With Nigeria in search of goals, Judivan should have completed his hat-trick from a counter attack but he failed to keep his effort on target five minutes to the end of the game.

Brazil go top of Group E while the Flying Eagles are now condemned to win their next game against Korea DPR on June 4.

Nigeria

Joshua Enaholo, Musa Mohammed (c), Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharadeen Bello, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Musa Yahaya (Godwin Saviour 74th), Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho (Kingsley Sokari 76th), Taiwo Awoniyi

Substitutes not used: Dele Alampasu, Ojo Olorunleke, Izu Omego, Chidiebere Nwakali, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Ezeh, Moses Simon