Nigeria put Iceland’s World Cup hopes in ice after substituting a purposeless first-half performance with an attacking intent to record a much-needed win in Russia.
Nigeria made up for 45minutes of lethargy with four minutes of energy and two well-structured attacks to test the goalkeeper for the first time in the game.
Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood advice from inside a studio in South Africa was spot on.
‘These guys are not good at possession football. They are fast off the ball and need long passes’.
And Nigeria enacted this advice on the pitch to devastation. All goals a deadly piece of counter-attacking football.
Nigeria from defending a throw-in deep in their half, Victor Moses gained possession and pace darting along the right unhindered. His cross was plucked out of mid-air by Ahmed Musa’s foot and he allowed the ball to kiss the grass lightly before unleashing a shot into the net.
His second would come barely 20 minutes later. Once again, a pass, Stoke-City style, from the Nigerian defense that had absorbed virtually the entire Iceland team found Musa high up the pitch.
Giving the defender a run for his money, Musa run down the right and rounded up the goalkeeper for the easiest of finishes.
Source: myjoyonline.com