Nigeria, Sweden share spoils

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets came from behind twice on Tuesday to hold Sweden 3-3 at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain.

Eaglets hit the ground immediately knocking at the opponents door but at each occasion the Europeans backline held on.

The Swedes created their fair share of scary moments as Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu fumbled in most occasions.However, his inaccuracy at ball was lashed in on by forward, Valmir Berishe to put his side up in the 11th minute and was on song again in the 19th minute for the side second goal.

Isaac Success was to conjure a goal in the 22nd minute for his side after he squeezed himself free from two defenders to unleash a thunderous shot that beat the Mexican goalkeeper.

Both sides retired for the first term break with the Europeans firmly leading 2-1.

Eaglets resumed the second term more business like anxiously looking for the equaliser and it was Musa Yahaya whose shot was badly parried to slip into the net for Nigeria’s second goal.

Thereafter, it became a dingdong affair as both sides tried every trick in their book to undo each other but it was the Swedes who once again broke the ice as substitute, Halvadzic edged his side forward in the 65th minute.

Eaglets fought back strongly through substitute, Taiwo Awoniyi who drew level in the 81st minute to save his side from imminent defeat.

Efforts thereafter to grab the winner was rebuffed by the Mexicans as the Argentine referee, Juan Pablo Beletti sounded the whistle to end the thrilling encounter.

Both sides are level on four points but Nigeria lead the Group F log on superior goals.

Eaglets will head to Dubai to face the group weeping child, Iraq while Sweden will face resurgent title holders, Mexico on Friday.

Nigeria must avoid defeat against Iraq to be certain for passage to the knockout stage campaign at the ongoing Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).