Visiting Teams Praise Nigerian Hospitality at Under-17 World Cup
Not everything at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria has gone according to plan. However, visiting players and coaches unanimously agree that Nigerians have received them with open arms. The Nigerian accommodations and facilities are generally not of the level that FIFA executives, journalists and traveling international soccer teams from around the world expect. READ MORE
Nigeria Smash Five Past New Zealand To Qualify For Last Eight Of U-17 World Cup
Nigeria recorded the biggest win of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over New Zealand to book their place in the quarter-final of the tournament. Nigeria will now face Korea, who defeated Mexico 5-3 on penalties after the teams were deadlocked at 1-1 after extra-time. Spain are also through to the last eight after a 4-1 spanking of Burkina Faso, while Uruguay booked their place in the next round with a 2-1 victory over Iran. Spain and Uruguay will now clash in one of the quarter-finals. READ MORE
Enugu bids fond farewell
Visitors to Enugu taking in a match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 quickly came to appreciate that the south-eastern city is a football hotbed. The stands were constantly awash with colour and noise regardless of the teams playing or the status of the match. Local fans in Enugu were treated to a broad view of the global football picture with five of FIFA's six confederations represented, in what was a metaphor for football's inclusiveness and reach. Group D contained Turkey, Costa Rica, New Zealand and nearby African nation Burkina Faso, with the final day of group action also featuring Iran against the Netherlands. Enugu's final match was a round-of-16 encounter with group winners Turkey meeting, and eventually defeating, Asian representatives United Arab Emirates. READ MORE
And then there were eight
THE DAY REPLAYED - The Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 came to an exciting conclusion on Thursday with a brace of big wins, the first penalty shootout of the competition and a dramatic extra-time conclusion in one of the evening games. When the dust settled, Spain, Nigeria, Korea Republic and Uruguay had all advanced to join Colombia, Turkey, Switzerland and Italy in the last eight. Home favourites Nigeria made short work of New Zealand, racking up the second-biggest win the history of the competition to continue their impressive run. Spain kept pace with the Golden Eaglets when they brushed off the challenge of Burkina Faso thanks to a majestic Sergi Roberto hat-trick. READ MORE
FIFA Technical Study Group Rates Nigeria 2009 High
FIFA technical group has rated Nigeria high in the ongoing U-17 World Cup declaring that they will go far in the competition. Jean-Marie Conz, a member of FIFA Technical study group yesterday said Nigeria which did not start out impressively had gone ahead to draw with Germany despite being two zero down at half time but added that there were no weak teams in the tournament. "On the tournament, what we can say statistically, in terms of goals, we have 2.61 goals per game, which is a little less than the last tournament. This is because all the teams are better organized and it means the level of football has increased. READ MORE
FC Dallas' Bryan Leyva Starts For Mexico In U-17 World Cup Loss To Korea Republic
FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009) - FC Dallas midfielder Bryan Leyva started and played 86 minutes for the Mexican U-17 team in today's FIFA U-17 World Cup loss to Korea Republic at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Nigeria.
The El Tri were eliminated from the tournament after drawing Korea Republic 1-1 in regular time and falling 3-5 on penalties. Leyva is expected to return to Dallas next week. READ MORE
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