Cup back on the rails as the romped to a 4-0 win over Korea DPR.
After weathering a tight first-half, An Ye Gun's side went to pieces
after the break as a quick-fire brace from Saviour Godwin undid all
that good work. A fine final two goals secured all three points for
Nigeria and put them back in the mix for qualification from Group E.
Manu Garba's team almost put their disappointing second-half against
Brazil behind them inside the opening two minutes. Captain Musa
Muhammed looked to lead by example as he struck a thunderbolt of a
shot off the inside of the post from 25 yards, for which keeper Cha
Jong Hun was only an airborne spectator.
From there, though, Korea DPR improved for a spell. They contained the
threat of Nigeria and had occasional forays forward, but were
ultimately blunt in attack. The Flying Eagles looked more menacing as
the half wore on.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernand Bulbwa threatened, before a Muhammed
free-kick and Awoniyi follow-up brought out a superb double save from
Jong Hun in a half in which he was busy, but rarely tested to his
limits.
The second half saw all that change, as the Korea DPR goalkeeper
spoiled what had been an impressive display. His misjudgement to come
and challenge Saviour Godwin for a Bulbwa cross saw the Asian side
lose their foothold, as Godwin scored.
It only took the same player just three minutes to double his tally,
after a lucky ricochet allowed Awoniyi to skilfully progress up the
field before playing in the FC Sports forward, who coolly slotted
through legs of defender and goalkeeper.
The third was a peach. A corner found its way out to Kingsley Sokari
and his laser-guided shot from the edge of the area screamed into the
top left corner. The final one wasn't bad either, following a slick
team move. Awoniyi and substitute Success Isaac's exchanged passes
sliced through the Korea DPR defence before the latter slammed home
from a tight angle to revive the African champions' last 16 hopes.
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