Encomium
MIXED REACTION TRAIL EAGLES’ PERFORMANCE IN BRAZIL 2014
Following Super Eagles poor showing in their first match at the World Cup in Brazil, Nigerian soccer fans are divided over who should take the blame. While some blamed the players for lacking the energy and drive to confront opposition, others shifted the blame on the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi as the cause of the whole poor showing maintaining he didn’t read the game very well.
Sylva Chibueze, who wrote on the social media sympathized with Stephen Keshi for the criticism he has been subjected to since the team’s lack lustre performance against Iran. “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Keep moving and make sure you do the right thing. Don’t be intimidated by criticisms.”
Princewill Egbuchulem was, however, hard on Keshi. He wrote, “You didn’t go there for a jamboree. The team should up their game in the next match or else Nigerians will criticize them more.”
“Did any team come to the World Cup to dance samba? Iran too were determined to win and we only drew with them. Keshi should not mind all those playing football with their mouth,” one Ugochukwu Ernest wrote in Keshi’s defence.
However, Stephen Keshi was quick to reply critics during the week, insisting Nigerian soccer fans should be patient.
“I am always being criticized, if I win or draw. We don’t have patience in my country. Nigerians want result at all costs.
SUPER EAGLES’ PLAYERS GET $10,000 EACH
The players after their draw against Iran were paid $10,000 each. This is the allowance to them in their first match and this was paid to motivate them to do better in their subsequent matches at the mundial.
FIVE WONDER GOALS OF THE WORLD CUP
As the 2014 World Cup in Brazil enters third week, we present to you some of the goals that will be remembered for a long time.
- Robin Van Persie’s flying header: The Dutch flew to head in Netherland’s third goal against defending champion, Spain in a 5-1 demolition.
- Tim Cahill’s stunning volley: Australia’s all-time leading scorer, Tim Cahill got a stunning volley in his country’s 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands. The goal is still generating enormous Twitter comment as one of the best in the tournament. Unfortunately, the thunderous strike could not rescue Australia from crashing out.
- Clint Dempsey’s fastest goal: US captain, Clint Dempsey scored an unbelievable goal just 29 seconds into their match against Ghana. This was the fastest goal the US have ever scored in a World Cup and the fifth fastest scored by any team in the history of the World Cup.
- Arjen Robben’s brilliant solo: The Dutch went solo as he controlled teammate’s Daley Blind’s pass and proceeded to round two Spaniards to slot in Netherland’s second goal. The goal has been voted one of the best in the history of the World Cup.
- Haris Seferovic’s match winning goal: Switzerland’s Haris Seferovic scored in added time to complete a 2-1 comeback victory for his side just 15 minutes after coming off the bench.
Ecuador had launched their last gasp attack moment prior to the end of the match in defeat for them.
WORLD CUP UPSET
Brazil World Cup will go down in history as one of the most surprising upsets. Defending champions, Spain were booted out of the tournament in the first round. The team, known for tiki taka short pass style of play suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat in the hands of Netherlands.
Their woes were further compounded when they were confined to a 2-0 defeat in their second match by low-rated Chileans.
England, which paraded some of the best players in the world disappointed many of their fans as they failed to make it to the second round.
WHO IS IN, WHO IS OUT
Costa Rica joins Netherlands, Chile and Columbia in the round of 16. England, however, joins Cameroun, Bosnia Spain and Australia on the plane home.
KEY CONTROVERSIAL REFEREE’S DECISIONS
Just as the thrill of the World Cup went on, there were occasions where the referee’s decision broke fan-hearts. Here are they:
- Fred’s controversial penalty: The Croatians will never forgive Japanese referee, Yuichi Nashimora for awarding a dubious penalty to the host, Brazil after one of their players, Fred, hit the turf in a theatrical fashion in a slight contact.
The Croatians, who were leading 1-0 at half time, believed the equalizing goal via the controversial penalty added more to their losing the match by 3-1.
- Disallowed Croatian goal: Nashimora became more unpopular with the Croatians after awarding a questionable penalty to the Brazilians. He enraged them further by ruling out what would have been an equalizing goal in the 83rd minute of the match.
- Ravshan flop: Uzbekistan referee was accused of letting the play flow during the Group E clash between Ecuador and Switzerland even though there was an infringement.
The referee allowed play to go on in a challenge on a Switzerland player by the Ecuadoreans which allowed Switzerland score the winning goal at the dying minute of the match.
RESULT OF MATCHES
Germany 4 Portugal 0
Iran 0 Nigeria 0
Ghana 1 USA 2
Belgium 2 Algeria 1
Brazil 0 Mexico 0
Russia 1 South Korea 0
Australia 2 Netherlands 3
Spain 0 Chile 2
Cameroun 0 Croatia 4
Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1
Uruguay 2 England 1
Japan 0 Greece 0
Italy 0 Costa Rica 1
Switzerland 2 France 5
Honduras 1 Ecuador 2
Argentina 1 Iran 2
Bosnia 0 Nigeria 1
Belgium1 Russia 0
South Korea2 Algeria 4
USA2 Portugal 2
-FOLUSO SAMUEL
