Nigeria U20 seek win against Saudi Arabia after Norway defeat

Nigeria's U20 team, the Flying Eagles, will meet Saudi Arabia on Thursday in their second Group F match at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Talca, Chile, after slipping to a 1-0 defeat by Norway in their opening game on Monday. The loss left Nigeria needing a victory to keep realistic hopes of reaching the knockout stage, while Saudi Arabia also enter the match under pressure after a 1-0 opening defeat to Colombia.

Norway took the lead when Rasmus Haaland Jr. converted a ninth minute penalty. Nigeria dominated possession for extended periods thereafter and created several clear scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half, but failed to convert. Match accounts record a series of near chances: Kparobo Arierhi narrowly missed with a left footed strike in the 47th minute, Tahir Maigana struck the base of the post in the 63rd, and Nasiru Salihu hit the crossbar with a rising shot in the 71st. Two penalty appeals by Nigeria in the second half were also turned down.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubair said the team has moved on from the opening defeat and is focused on the next match. Our focus has shifted to Saudi Arabia, the coach said, adding that the players understand what is at stake....