FIFA U-20 World Cup: Five Takeaways From Flying Eagles Emphatic Win Over Qatar

The Flying Eagles began their quest for glory at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in style  with an emphatic 4-0 win over Qatar on Friday evening.

Izuchukwu Okosi presents the five takeaways from the victory by the Nigerian team.

1. Attackers Comfortable Across The Front Lines

One noticeable aspect of the performance of the team was how comfortable the trio of Henry Offia, Mohamed Tijani and Maxwell Effiom were in interchanging positions across the front lines.

The strikers/wingers had pace and pressed high up the pitch which helped put less pressure on the midfielders and defenders.

2. Utin Is Defensive And Attacking Threat

Captain Ikuowem Utin was a thorn for the Qatari right back and fellow captain Nasir Peer with his rampaging runs. He provided two assists for the first half goals scored by Maxwell Effiom and Henry Offia.

Defensively he did his job admirably but was lucky not to be yellow carded for some tackles.

3. Kingsley Michael's Great Impact

The midfielder had a great game and was the assist provider for Tom Dele-Bashiru's 68th minute goal.

His passes were pinpoint, he carried the ball forward a couple of times which eased some tensed moments.

Michael was also at hand to cover up for Utin whenever he forayed forward.

4. Bashiru Is A Gem, Creative Spark of The Team

Manchester City's youngster Tom Dele-Bashiru grabbed the third goal in the second half but aside his goal he was pulling all the major strings in the midfield.

The Nigerian number 8 could well prove to be the team's poster boy but he also needs to make quicker decisions while in possession of the ball.

5. Good Defensive Display

The defenders and goalkeeper were splendid. The defenders worked for each other and were comfortable joining the party at the other end of the pitch.

Aliu Salawudeen's goal was a thing of beauty albeit the Qatari side did exploit the right side of the back line marshaled by Zulkifilu Rabiu.

Assistant captain Valentine Ozornwafor was yellow carded for using his arm to foul Mohamed Waad so he has to be intelligent with his tackles on Monday against USA.

Izuchukwu Okosi