Thursday 29 October 2015

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Golden Eaglets crush Australia to advance to quarterfinal



Reigning U-17 World Cup holders, Nigeria, smashed a tired looking Australia side 6-0 in the Round of 16 at Estadio Sausalito in Chile on Thursday morning.

A hat-trick from Victor Osimhen - his seventh of the tournament - a penalty goal from Nigeria skipper, Chidiebere Nwakali and late goals from Edidiong Essien and Samuel Chukwueze ended the Junior Socceroos run in emphatic fashion.

The Golden Eaglets out-muscled the Australians in midfield and proved devastating on the counter putting four past the Joeys in the second-half.

Tony Vidmar's men started brightly but were hit in the 22nd minute when Osimhen capitalised on a lost ball and made a surging run towards goal.

The Golden Boot candidate then rounded the opposing defender and shot across the goalkeeper to bring up Nigeria's first.

The Joeys had a great chance to equalize but Lucas Derrick's shot on target was palmed away by the Nigerian keeper and Cameron Joice couldn't put away the follow-up.

Nigeria then raced up the other end and earned a penalty which Nwakali coverted to double their lead with three minutes before the half hour mark.

Derrick spurned a chance to go for goal just after the hour and Panos Armenakas put in a decent freekick.

And despite dominating possession for portions of the second half, it was Nigeria with all the goal-mouth action.

Osimhen scored his second in the 73rd minute before bringing up his third in controversial circumstances.

The attacker clearly fouling Rowles before firing a sumblime shot into the far top corner on 79'.

A goal to substitute Essien on 86' and Chukeueze on 89' completed the rout for the Eaglets.

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