Eaglets stand the chance of winning, Ugbade says

Following last Thursday’s 5-0 rout of New Zealand at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup, a former captain of the Golden Eaglets, Nduka Ugbade, feels there is need for an improved performance from the Nigerian side if they intend to finish as champions in the championship, just as they get set to confront South Korea tomorrow in a quarter final encounter scheduled for the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Ugbade, who in 1985 led the Golden Eaglets to win the title at the inaugural FIFA U-17 World Cup in China, feels the current side has the capabilities of going all the way in Nigeria 2009, especially if they remain businesslike rather than playing to the gallery as was the case at certain stages of their game against the New Zealanders.

“It wasn’t a bad performance against New Zealand,” said the former Super Eagles defender. “They did their confidence a lot of good with the goals they scored against a team that did not concede more than a goal per match in their group matches.

“I was impressed with their touches on the ball and they played with more understanding, but they also lost focus after the first half and began playing to the gallery and that is something they must avoid when they meet South Korea.”

Korean challenge

The Koreans are one of the most entertaining sides at this championship and were responsible for the elimination of another equally entertaining Mexican side in the round of 16.

The game looks likely to be the sternest test of the Golden Eaglets’ title credentials.

The winner of the tie will get to meet either Spain or Uruguay in the semi final on Thursday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos and Ugbade is of the opinion that if the Eaglets get past the Koreans, no team will be able to stop them from retaining the trophy won two years ago by their predecessors.

“This team looks good enough to win this cup if they can remain focused all through every match they play,” continued Ugbade. “I only hope and pray that they can beat the Koreans and qualify for the semi finals.

“It won’t be easy though,” added the former Real Madrid player, “because the Koreans are more disciplined and far stronger than all the teams they have met so far. They play as a team, are very effective, very fast and also very disciplined.”

Remedies

Irrespective of the obvious qualities of the Asians, Ugbade has s ome suggestions for Eaglets coach, John Obuh that could go a long way in helping his team advance to the semi finals.

One of Ugbade’s suggestions was detailing players to quickly cut off the supply from the midfield to the att ack right from the Korean half of the field.

“The ball distribution of the Koreans is beautiful to watch,” he continued, “but we can neut ralize this if we pile a lot of pressure right there in their half of the field.

“We must not wait until they get into our half before winning back the ball, we have to try and get it back the moment we lose it,” added the UEFA licensed coach, who also wants Obuh to watch all over aga in video clips of the Koreans.