Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have qualified for the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland as one of the four best placed teams following their 1-1 draw with Ukraine in their last Group D match on Thursday, reports Completesports.com
The regulations for the organisation of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup states that:,”The two teams finishing first and second in each group and the four best teams among those ranked third will qualify for the round of 16.”
The four best third-place teams from the six groups will advance to the knockout stages of the competition along with the six group winners and six runners up.
Paul Aigbogun’s men finished third in group D with four points from three games.
Nigeria may face either Senegal or Italy in the round of 16.
Paul Aigbogun’s men finished third in group D with four points from three games.
Ukraine finished as group winners with seven points while Qatar finished fourth with no point following their 1-0 loss to second place USA.
Danylo Sikan gave the Ukrainian U-20 side the lead after 30 minutes in the cagey encounter at the at the Bielsko-Biala Stadium.
Mohammed Tijani had a chance to restore parity on the stroke of half-time from the spot but his penalty kick was saved by Andriy Lunin.
At the start of the second half, Nigeria levelled scores in the 51st minute from the spot through Tijani.
The lanky forward sent Lunin the wrong way after his goal bound shot was handled in the box by Popov.
Despite immense pressure from the Flying Eagles side to find the winner, they failed to break down a resolute Ukrainian defence.
By Johnny Edward
7 Comments
I thought CS were true journalist? How do they not know that Nigeria HAS qualified not MAY have qualified for the knockout stage as one of the 4 3rd place teams!! So they cannot see that Nigeria has a better record in 3rd place than Norway 3pts & Ecuador 4pts but 0 goals difference, where we have 4 pts and +2 goals difference. As we are ahead of 2 out of the 6 3rd place teams does it not indicate to CS that we are part of the 4 best place 3rd place teams? I tire for these so called journalist who won’t bother to research before posting stories. Disappointing.
Fifa even said Nigeria qualified on their website..lol
Adisboy, let me clarify it.The 4 best placed team will qualify. Poland and Nigeria automatically qualified with 4pts each, with Poland ahead of Nigeria on goal difference .
Group A = Poland 4pts and +3
Group D = Nigeria 4pts and +2
Group B =Ecuador 4pts and 0( will never be above Poland or Nigeria because of goal difference)
Group C = Norway 3pts and +8 ( will never advance before Poland, Nigeria and Ecuador,).
The remaining 2 teams will emerge after tomorrow from Group E and F. So Ecuador from group B and Norway from group c cannot advance ahead of Poland and Nigeria. The remaining 2 best placed third team will come from Group B, C, E, and F. So Poland and Nigeria automatically qualified.Only 4 best teams will advance.
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MY minds says it’s Nigeria vs Senegal
Hats off to Norway for setting a tournament record. They cannibalized Honduras 12 nil. One player, Erling Haland, grabbed 9 goals. I guess the golden boot is a wrap. Feel a little sorry for Honduras. What a massacre! But it’s football. If you go to a tournament ill prepared, be ready to face the music.
The flying eagles surprised, i thought they will be coming home. Well miracle do happen. Congratulations boys.
You people are not up to date. It’s Nigeria vs Senegal. 8:30pm Monday.