Dream Team breaks Danish
hearts
— 14th August 2016
.Beats Denmark 2-0
.Zooms into semi-finals
NIGERIA’S ‘Dream Team’ defied the odds Saturday night
to see off Denmark in a straightfor-ward 2-0 quarter-
final victory at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil.
Captain, John Obi Mikel and Aminu Umar got the goals,
either side of half-time, to send Nigeria to Sao Paulo for a
meeting with Germany on Wednesday.
After both sides were defeated in their respective final
group games, each had a point to prove heading into the
last eight clash. Nigeria were by far the most forward-
thinking and took the initiative in the opening half, swiftly
moving the ball to either flank to try and get in behind
sturdy Danish defense.
Imoh Ezekiel shone brightest for the Super Eagles, a
constant thorn in the side of the Danes. Indeed the No9
almost produced
a goal in the opening minutes, his blocked shot falling to
Sadiq Umar, who could only find Denmark’s goal- keeper
Jeppe Hojbjerg.
The Danes responded, with Casper Nielsen bringing the
ball down superbly on his chest, before hitting an effort at
goal which touched the crossbar on its way over.
At the end of the opening period, the Nigerians made their
pace tell. Ezekiel burst down the left-hand side and
into the Danish penalty area, before squaring across to
Mikel, who had the simplest of tasks to side foot home.
Into the second half, Ezekiel once again proved himself a
nuisance to Niels Frederiksen’s side, twisting and turning
his way past several Denmark
challenges on the left-hand side of the Danish penalty area
before opening his body and firing a shot over the
crossbar.
Samson Siasia’s team would have their second goal though,
after Mikel turned provider. The Chelsea midfielder curled
a devilish corner into the penalty area from the Nigeria
left, and Aminu Umar rose to expertly guide the ball past
Hojbjerg.
Despite a late chance for substitute Oluwafemi Ajayi,
Nigeria failed to add to their lead, but progressed serenely
through to the semi-finals. The Danes head home without
a medal, unable to match or better the 1960 side that
claimed silver in Italy.
The Nigerians will face Germany in Sao Paulo on
Wednesday, which will be the first time the pair will met
in an Olympic football tournament.