What: FIFA Confederations Cup – Group B
Who: Nigeria vs Uruguay
When: Thursday 20th June, 2013, at 23:00 UK Time
Where: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Nigeria Make Light Work of Tahiti
Nigeria come into this game with the security of a 6-1 crushing of minnows Tahiti already in the bank. Their win over the underdogs looks emphatic, but they missed a hatful of chances and were indebted to a combination of Tahiti’s enterprising and ambitious approach along with a mistake ridden defensive display.
Stephen Keshi will now have a job on his hands to make sure his team are ready for the challenge ahead against Uruguay. Brown Ideye may come back into the team in place of Anthony Ujah, who did not impress against Tahiti. The defence will also need to tighten up, having kept one clean sheet in five.
Still, Nigeria have done well in competitive games and have not lost one under Keshi’s management so far. If they can keep up that record with two more draws in the group they will certainly make it through to the last four, whilst a victory over Uruguay would seal that spot before they have to meet world and European champions Spain.
Must Win Already for Uruguay
So comprehensive was their defeat to Spain in the opening game that it was remarkable Uruguay actually ended the game with hope of salvaging a draw. During the first half of the game the Albiceleste barely got out of their own half, as they were forced to repel wave after wave of mesmeric Spanish attacks and chase shadows as La Roja passed the ball imperiously.
Coach Oscar Washington Tabarez may reflect that it may prove a very useful exercise too, sharpening their competitive instincts for this decisive game in Group B, as well as ahead of an autumn of vital World Cup qualifiers.
Tactically Tabarez is likely to stick with the same front three of Gaston Ramirez behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, but the central midfield trio may be more attacking and advanced than they were against Spain. Tabarez was forced into tactical reshuffle after tactical reshuffle in a bid to contain the Spanish and if he can find a winning formula in this match it could almost qualify his side, given that they play Tahiti in their final match whilst Nigeria face Spain. And who would bet against them doing just that and then going on to meet Brazil for the first time in a competitive game in the country since the final match of the 1950 World Cup?
Recent form
Nigeria:
Kenya 0-1 Nigeria (05/06; World Cup qualifying)
Namibia 1-1 Nigeria (12/06; World Cup qualifying)
Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria (17/06; Confederations Cup)
Uruguay:
Uruguay 1-0 France (05/06; Friendly)
Veneuzuela 0-1 Uruguay (11//06; World Cup qualifying)
Spain 2-1 Uruguay (16/06; Confederations Cup)
Key absences
Nigeria: Ogenyi Onazi
Uruguay: None
Players to watch
Nigeria– Nnamdi Oduamadi: Oduamadi netted a hat-trick against Tahiti on Monday and will be full of confidence in this game. He produced neat footwork and then supplied a crisp finish for the first, and showed that he has a clinical edge with his second and third goals. Oduamadi played for most of last season on loan at Varese from AC Milan and has been given his chance to shine in the absence of Emmanuel Emenike. The nifty forward may prove to be a more than adequate replacement if he can fire them past Uruguay.
Uruguay – Luis Suarez: Uruguay may have been soundly beaten by Spain in the tournament opener, but there was a personal triumph for their talismanic Liverpool forward. Suarez’s late free kick meant he equalled Diego Forlan’s record of scoring 33 times for his country. And whereas Forlan has appeared 99 times for his country, Suarez has struck his haul in just 65 games. Suarez remains Uruguay’s most unpredictable threat, just as dangerous 30 yards from goal as he is in the box, and Nigeria must find a way to handle him if they want to avoid defeat.
Match Prediction
A problem that a team can face when playing a small team who they are able to beat with ease is that it can cause them to lose their edge. Nigeria may find that they take a little while to get used to the competitiveness of a top level team when they come face to face with Uruguay.
Tabarez’s side will be at it from the off and by contrast they started with the hardest game imaginable, taking on the rampant Spanish. It may well be therefore that Uruguay have an edge in this encounter. The fiercely competitive Copa America champions could benefit from this, whilst Nigeria sometimes need to be pushed to summon their best displays.
Uruguay’s defence can be sluggish and caught on the counter attack, but Tabarez’s side are inherently reactive – although he has tried to change that recently. They may still struggle against the pace of Oduamadi and Ahmed Musa. But even though Uruguay also lack width in their front three of Gaston Ramirez, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, the Super Eagles will have their hands full. Given the way in which Tahiti were able to get into their half and threaten in the opener, Nigeria may just find themselves on the wrong end of this one too. Nigeria 1-2 Uruguay.
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