Three-time champions, Golden Eaglets came back from the dead to draw 3-3 with Sweden in their second group game at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, UAE 2013.
Against all expectations, Swedes struck after 11 minutes into the game. Eaglets’ keeper, Dele Alampsu thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced out of his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of goal. Valmir Berisha was on the spot to guide the ball home on the volley.
It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians eight minutes later when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area. Berisha showed he had his shooting boots on as he expertly headed home his second goal of the contest.
The Manu Garba-tutored boys fought back as Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer from the first game against Mexico, floated in a ball from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who slammed the ball into the far corner in the 20th minute.
Samuel Okon tried an audacious lob from 40 yards that had Sixten Mohlin in the Swedish goal back-peddling desperately, before tipping over the bar. Shortly after, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s snap-shot was saved again by Mohlin, the effort not able to match the outstanding approach work up the right side.
Mohlin went from hero to villain for the Swedes early in the second half. He failed to get his body behind the ball when Musa Yahaya tried a speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled between the keeper’s legs and bobbled, almost apologetically, over the line as the tried desperately to recover.
But a fast-break up the left side in the 65th minute saw the Swedes back into the lead. Saletros chested the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu could only parry away. Unfortunately for the keeper, substitute Mirza Halvadzic was lurking on the doorstep and slid home to make it 3-2.
Nigeria later drew level through Awoniyi whose powerful header with ten minutes to go was too much for Mohlin to keep out and the game ended honours even.
Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they will take on Iraq in their last match of the section on 25 October, the same day that Sweden meet Mexico in Al Ain.
Eaglets survive Swedes scare
