Match Report: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia Herzegovina
Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal to give Nigeria a victory that
means World Cup debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina will not progress
from Group F.
The Stoke forward struck in the first half to give Nigeria their first win at a
World Cup finals since 1998.
The goal came just seven minutes after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko had a goal
incorrectly disallowed for offside.
Nigeria will reach the knockout stages if they get
a point against Argentina, or if Iran fail to beat
Bosnia.
Odemwingie's decisive strike came just a month
after he returned to the Nigeria squad following
a two-year absence caused by a dispute with
coach Stephen Keshi.
Knowing they needed a win to stay in their first
World Cup finals, Bosnia attacked from the start
but were vulnerable in defence, with
Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi and Michael
Babatunde all squandering early chances for
Nigeria.
Bosnia briefly thought they had taken the lead when Dzeko latched onto a pass
from Miralem Pjanic, but the Manchester City forward was denied by an
offside flag, though replays suggested he had timed his run well.
The Super Eagles made the most of the let-off as Emmanuel Emenike powered
past Emir Spahic on the right before finding Odemwingie, who shot through the
legs of his Stoke team-mate Asmir Begovic to score.
Pjanic stood out with a string of perceptive
passes, but Dzeko in particular could not
capitalise on the Roma midfielder's fine work,
spurning more opportunities before half-time.
Nigeria absorbed Bosnian pressure early in the
second half, but they counter attacked effectively
and came close to going further ahead when
Babatunde and Emenike forced saves from
Begovic in quick succession.
Bosnia continued to press, but substitute Vedad
Ibisevic, who came off the bench to score in the
defeat by Argentina, wasted a chance to equalise when he bundled a cross
wide despite finding space in the area.
And, with seconds of injury time remaining, Dzeko scuffed a shot which
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama deflected onto the post and away to
safety.
Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie: "It's been 16 years with no victory for our
fans. We had to work hard for this - they are a quality team.
"We are happy to bounce back after what people thought was a poor
performance in the first game. It was very important to win.
"From now on we're looking upwards. Hopefully these three points will get us
through to the second round."
Bosnia-Hercegovina coach Safet Susic: "I don't have any recriminations. They
are all depressed, disappointed, silent.
"They surprised us with their speed and movement. They wanted to win
probably that much more than us.
"I was told there was no offside. But this is not the first or last refereeingn
mistake, not just at the World Cup or elsewhere."
means World Cup debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina will not progress
from Group F.
The Stoke forward struck in the first half to give Nigeria their first win at a
World Cup finals since 1998.
The goal came just seven minutes after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko had a goal
incorrectly disallowed for offside.
Nigeria will reach the knockout stages if they get
a point against Argentina, or if Iran fail to beat
Bosnia.
Odemwingie's decisive strike came just a month
after he returned to the Nigeria squad following
a two-year absence caused by a dispute with
coach Stephen Keshi.
Knowing they needed a win to stay in their first
World Cup finals, Bosnia attacked from the start
but were vulnerable in defence, with
Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi and Michael
Babatunde all squandering early chances for
Nigeria.
Bosnia briefly thought they had taken the lead when Dzeko latched onto a pass
from Miralem Pjanic, but the Manchester City forward was denied by an
offside flag, though replays suggested he had timed his run well.
The Super Eagles made the most of the let-off as Emmanuel Emenike powered
past Emir Spahic on the right before finding Odemwingie, who shot through the
legs of his Stoke team-mate Asmir Begovic to score.
Pjanic stood out with a string of perceptive
passes, but Dzeko in particular could not
capitalise on the Roma midfielder's fine work,
spurning more opportunities before half-time.
Nigeria absorbed Bosnian pressure early in the
second half, but they counter attacked effectively
and came close to going further ahead when
Babatunde and Emenike forced saves from
Begovic in quick succession.
Bosnia continued to press, but substitute Vedad
Ibisevic, who came off the bench to score in the
defeat by Argentina, wasted a chance to equalise when he bundled a cross
wide despite finding space in the area.
And, with seconds of injury time remaining, Dzeko scuffed a shot which
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama deflected onto the post and away to
safety.
Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie: "It's been 16 years with no victory for our
fans. We had to work hard for this - they are a quality team.
"We are happy to bounce back after what people thought was a poor
performance in the first game. It was very important to win.
"From now on we're looking upwards. Hopefully these three points will get us
through to the second round."
Bosnia-Hercegovina coach Safet Susic: "I don't have any recriminations. They
are all depressed, disappointed, silent.
"They surprised us with their speed and movement. They wanted to win
probably that much more than us.
"I was told there was no offside. But this is not the first or last refereeingn
mistake, not just at the World Cup or elsewhere."
Comments
Post a Comment