INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Greece and Nigeria in a barren draw
played out a goalless draw ahead of
their trip to brazil for the summer's big
fiesta
Nigeria continued their good form ahead of
the World Cup with a 0-0 draw against
Greece on Wednesday.
Stephen Keshi’s men survived a demanding
test from a solid side, building on last
week’s 2-2 draw against Scotland at Craven
Cottage.
Nigeria wasted a number of openings in an
entertaining game at the PPL Park in Chester,
Pennsylvania and their inability to convert
begging chances ensured the Greek side
grew in confidence to cause moments of
panic for the Super Eagles.
The African champions made a lively start
and won a free kick in the 10th minute as
Victor Moses was brought down after
breezing past three defenders with the
resulting free kick wasted by Emmanuel
Emenike.
Though Fernando Santos’s men were pegged
down by the Nigerian backline, they relied on
counter attacks as skipper Giorgos
Karagounis fuelled the Pirate Ship’s attack.
Keshi’s men were made to pay for their
profligacy in the 28th minute as Santos’s
side almost got the curtain raiser as
Fetfazidis shimmied inside the Nigeria
defence and beat two defenders but his shot
was saved by impressive Vincent Enyeama
who put it out for a corner.
From that point, Greece gained more control
offensively and showed more intensity
against the speedy Nigerians.
Nigeria consistently wasted glorious chances
in front of goal as they spurned a number of
opportunities to take the lead. In the 37th
minute, Ogenyi Onazi collected a pass from
Osaze Odemwingie before firing a low cross
at the Greek goal but Glykos was up to the
task.
On resumption of the second half, few
changes were made as the Greek side
substituted goalkeeper Glykos for Kapinos
while Nigeria also replaced Ahmed Musa
with Michael Uchebo as Joseph Yobo came
on for Godfrey Oboabona in central defence.
Uchebo came close to giving Nigeria the lead
but could only spoon a pass received from
Moses over with a Greek defender before his
effort went high and wide from distance.
In the 82nd minute, the Greeks rallied and
almost scored but Enyeama saved twice
from substitute forwards Georgios Samaras
and Dimitrio Salpingidis to keep the
Nigerians in the game.
Both teams made several substitutions in the
closing minutes, taking out their big guns for
more inexperienced players. But the results
were the same, as the two sides continued to
have chances only to fall short of finding the
net.
Culled from Goal.com
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