In the first match of Group B play on Match Day
2, Nigeria defeated Sweden 1-0.
Nigeria started on the front foot, holding
possession and putting pressure on Sweden’s
defense. Nigeria almost took the lead as forward
Sadiq Umar gotin on goal against Swedish
goalkeeper Andreas Linde, but the keeper was
up to the challenge.
In the 23rd minute Sweden had its best scoring
opportunities of the first half as Mikael Ishak
made a run behind Nigeria’s backline, but his
volley attempt went wide of the goal.
Sweden had few chances the rest of the half as
Nigeria established control in the match.
Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo, who had four goals
in his team’s first Olympic match, had a golden
opportunity in the 36th minute. Imoh Ezekiel
found Etebo wide open in the box, but he sent
his header just over the crossbar.
Just a few minutes later Umar put Nigeria in
front. Stanley Amuzie sent in a curling cross to
Umar who placed his header past Linde.
Early on in the second half Sweden’s Linde was
forced into multiple diving saves to prevent
Nigeria from building on its lead.
First, Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel sent a
hard strike toward the goal. Then, minutes later,
Linde got his fingertips to an Etebo shot that
was heading for goal.
Despite the small margin of victory, Nigeria
dominated Sweden throughout. Nigeria had 10
shots on goal compared to Sweden's one and
held 56 percent of the possession.
Nigeria now has six points and is in a great
position to advance to the quarterfinals. Sweden
remains at one point.
Next up for Nigeria is its final group stage
match against Colombia on Tuesday at 6:00
p.m. ET. Sweden plays its next match on the
same day and time against Japan.
2, Nigeria defeated Sweden 1-0.
Nigeria started on the front foot, holding
possession and putting pressure on Sweden’s
defense. Nigeria almost took the lead as forward
Sadiq Umar gotin on goal against Swedish
goalkeeper Andreas Linde, but the keeper was
up to the challenge.
In the 23rd minute Sweden had its best scoring
opportunities of the first half as Mikael Ishak
made a run behind Nigeria’s backline, but his
volley attempt went wide of the goal.
Sweden had few chances the rest of the half as
Nigeria established control in the match.
Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo, who had four goals
in his team’s first Olympic match, had a golden
opportunity in the 36th minute. Imoh Ezekiel
found Etebo wide open in the box, but he sent
his header just over the crossbar.
Just a few minutes later Umar put Nigeria in
front. Stanley Amuzie sent in a curling cross to
Umar who placed his header past Linde.
Early on in the second half Sweden’s Linde was
forced into multiple diving saves to prevent
Nigeria from building on its lead.
First, Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel sent a
hard strike toward the goal. Then, minutes later,
Linde got his fingertips to an Etebo shot that
was heading for goal.
Despite the small margin of victory, Nigeria
dominated Sweden throughout. Nigeria had 10
shots on goal compared to Sweden's one and
held 56 percent of the possession.
Nigeria now has six points and is in a great
position to advance to the quarterfinals. Sweden
remains at one point.
Next up for Nigeria is its final group stage
match against Colombia on Tuesday at 6:00
p.m. ET. Sweden plays its next match on the
same day and time against Japan.
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