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FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP
The team within a team

(FIFA.com) 05 Nov 2015



"We can’t have three of us between the posts.”

The simple statement of fact from Amos Benjamin,
one of Nigeria No1 Akpan Udoh’s deputies at the FIFA
U-17 World Cup, sums up the life of substitute
goalkeepers at any major tournament. Benjamin and
Chisom Chiaha have yet to play a single minute in
Chile, but they are vital to the team, working with
Udoh and their goalkeeping coach Emeka Amadi in
training to keep the Remo Academy youngster sharp.


With this rivalry for the No1 jersey, you would think
the relationship between the three would be a touch
tense. Not so. Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com at
their hotel, alongside Amadi, all three are at ease in
each other’s company, smiling and calm.


“I am so happy to have this guy on the pitch,” Chiaha
says, nudging Udoh with a beaming grin. “As we are
on the bench, we are ready, because anything can
happen. But we are praying for him to keep him well.
I want him to win the best goalkeeper award. It would
be an honour for the three of us.”


The No21’s words reflect on the attitude of the team
within a team, the goalkeeping ‘squad’. Any clean
sheet is a clean sheet earned by all three, and by
coach Amadi.

“Any of them can be in goal and I am proud of that,
and I’m proud of them,” Amadi said. “I don’t like to
train average goalkeepers, I want to train world class
goalkeepers.”


"We believe in ourselves that we are going to
make it to the final."- Amos Benjamin, Nigeria U-17 goalkeeper.


The imposing Amadi has the experience to pass on to
his back-up goalkeepers to be alert and ready. In the
1989 U-20 World Cup, the then Flying Eagles stopper,
played a key part in the ‘Damman Miracle’. He came
on at half-time against the Soviet Union, saw his side
go 4-0 down before coming back to 4-4 and winning
the penalty shoot-out, thanks to a stop by Amadi, to
progress to the semi-finals.


“The No1 goalkeeper gets injured, the second
goalkeeper that comes in gets a red card so what
happens?” Amadi asks. “Everybody must be ready if
we want to achieve our objective.”

“When I am at my academy, I am the first choice,”
Chiaha adds. “I relax because any time I have a
match I know I will play. Since I have come to the
national team I am among the best. It will not be easy
for me to make it again to be the first choice, but I
work hard.”




---German influence---

The three ‘keepers, who roomed with one another
leading up to the tournament, listen attentively to
their coach whenever he speaks, and he has been
passing on knowledge from his time as a player and
coach in Germany. He names Oliver Kahn as an
influence, and with the trio citing Manuel Neuer as an
inspiration of their own, it is clear his message is
getting through.

Udoh’s performances so far in Chile
have seen him comfortable with the ball at his feet,
like the Bayern Munich man, and with three goals
conceded in five matches, he has bettered Neuer’s
record from the same stage of Brazil 2014.

“I am happy with the tournament so far,” Udoh said.
“Anytime I keep a clean sheet, even in training when I
don’t concede a goal, I’m happy for myself.”

Mexico await in a mouthwatering semi-final for Udoh
and Co., a repeat of the 2013 final.

“We believe they have a strong attack, we have a good defence,” Benjamin said. “I believe in my own team, the coach, the backroom staff. We believe in ourselves that we are going to make it to the final.”

With Benjamin and Chiaha his chief cheerleaders on
the bench, Udoh will feel as though he has them by
his side, attempting to repel every Mexican attack.
Three goalkeepers between the posts not in body
perhaps, but at least in spirit.




www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/y=2015/m=11/news=the-team-within-a-team-2730354.html

TheSuperNerd:
FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP
The team within a team

(FIFA.com) 05 Nov 2015



"We can’t have three of us between the posts.”

The simple statement of fact from Amos Benjamin,
one of Nigeria No1 Akpan Udoh’s deputies at the FIFA
U-17 World Cup, sums up the life of substitute
goalkeepers at any major tournament. Benjamin and
Chisom Chiaha have yet to play a single minute in
Chile, but they are vital to the team, working with
Udoh and their goalkeeping coach Emeka Amadi in
training to keep the Remo Academy youngster sharp.


With this rivalry for the No1 jersey, you would think
the relationship between the three would be a touch
tense. Not so. Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com at
their hotel, alongside Amadi, all three are at ease in
each other’s company, smiling and calm.


“I am so happy to have this guy on the pitch,” Chiaha
says, nudging Udoh with a beaming grin. “As we are
on the bench, we are ready, because anything can
happen. But we are praying for him to keep him well.
I want him to win the best goalkeeper award. It would
be an honour for the three of us.”


The No21’s words reflect on the attitude of the team
within a team, the goalkeeping ‘squad’. Any clean
sheet is a clean sheet earned by all three, and by
coach Amadi.

“Any of them can be in goal and I am proud of that,
and I’m proud of them,” Amadi said. “I don’t like to
train average goalkeepers, I want to train world class
goalkeepers.”


"We believe in ourselves that we are going to
make it to the final."- Amos Benjamin, Nigeria U-17 goalkeeper.


The imposing Amadi has the experience to pass on to
his back-up goalkeepers to be alert and ready. In the
1989 U-20 World Cup, the then Flying Eagles stopper,
played a key part in the ‘Damman Miracle’. He came
on at half-time against the Soviet Union, saw his side
go 4-0 down before coming back to 4-4 and winning
the penalty shoot-out, thanks to a stop by Amadi, to
progress to the semi-finals.


“The No1 goalkeeper gets injured, the second
goalkeeper that comes in gets a red card so what
happens?” Amadi asks. “Everybody must be ready if
we want to achieve our objective.”

“When I am at my academy, I am the first choice,”
Chiaha adds. “I relax because any time I have a
match I know I will play. Since I have come to the
national team I am among the best. It will not be easy
for me to make it again to be the first choice, but I
work hard.”




---German influence---

The three ‘keepers, who roomed with one another
leading up to the tournament, listen attentively to
their coach whenever he speaks, and he has been
passing on knowledge from his time as a player and
coach in Germany. He names Oliver Kahn as an
influence, and with the trio citing Manuel Neuer as an
inspiration of their own, it is clear his message is
getting through.

Udoh’s performances so far in Chile
have seen him comfortable with the ball at his feet,
like the Bayern Munich man, and with three goals
conceded in five matches, he has bettered Neuer’s
record from the same stage of Brazil 2014.

“I am happy with the tournament so far,” Udoh said.
“Anytime I keep a clean sheet, even in training when I
don’t concede a goal, I’m happy for myself.”

Mexico await in a mouthwatering semi-final for Udoh
and Co., a repeat of the 2013 final.

“We believe they have a strong attack, we have a good defence,” Benjamin said. “I believe in my own team, the coach, the backroom staff. We believe in ourselves that we are going to make it to the final.”

With Benjamin and Chiaha his chief cheerleaders on
the bench, Udoh will feel as though he has them by
his side, attempting to repel every Mexican attack.
Three goalkeepers between the posts not in body
perhaps, but at least in spirit.




www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/y=2015/m=11/news=the-team-within-a-team-2730354.html

Great story, these boys are going places, they have great character.

BascoVanVeli:
How could a paid writer be so wrong. Nigeria vs Ghana 1993? Wow i could see myself being a writer if they let them get away with stuff like this. To me this whole piece turns useless.

It was Nigeria vs Ghana final in 1993 na. Or what are u saying?

Nashoji:
sir, I doff my hat for you, I will like to learn much from your wealth of experience in this beautiful game (soccer).

No big deal. Jst keep following our national teams. Follow all FIFA and CAF tourneys including d Olympics. Then also follow our players in their various leagues both local and foreign.

Icon4s:
It was Nigeria vs Ghana final in 1993 na. Or what are u saying?

The writer said no African teams had met in the u-17 finals.

BascoVanVeli:
God bless Ronaldo.

amen and bless all of us too to make head ways like him.

Nashoji:
amen and bless all of us too to make head ways like him.

Nope, when i grow up I want to be like Messi lol.

Icon4s:
Haba! Alfredo Di Stefano ke. Mayb na me and ur Grandpa watch that one together in my previous life.

Lol.

Belgium leading mali, 1 nil

Funny enough...... Belgium got their goal through "FIFA'S PLAYER TO WATCH", Rigo..........*smiles*

Very funny!!!

Abeg Osimhen..... No mind dem.... Just get ready.... Coz Early friday morning, u go show dem say na u be "the main player to watch".......*smiles*

[b][size=14pt]
Mexico vs Nigeria: 10 players to watch
[/size]
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/b7/fa/abraham-romero-mexico-u17_1mbf53oxmuzwn1ap4vf793v7y6.jpg?t=-697071056&w=320[/img]
Abraham Romero | Mexico | Goalkeeper | Besides the game against Chile, in each match he shined with a couple of awesome saves. He is very acrobatic. He has made 16 saves in the tournament from 450 minutes of football, an 88.9 per cent ratio and conceded just twice.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Mexico/15/fa/akpan-udoh_ybt9qcq72qmp1b7d0v2ygxnmy.jpg?t=-733444088&w=320[/img]
Akpan Udoh | Nigeria | Goalkeeper | He's kept Nigeria's back line very solid with his saves. Kept them in the game against Brazil's marauding attackers. Has conceded three goals, one against Chile and two in the loss to Croatia, made 17 saves in 450 minutes with an 85 per cent ratio.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/95/48/jose-esquivel-mexico-u17_1ot3fhfnkfrt91nsuqycnc7ebn.jpg?t=-697071056&w=320[/img]
Jose Esquivel | Defender | Mexico's captain, he is the strong man at the back of the team. Shows his leadership every game and is one of the reasons El Tri have only conceded twice so far.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Mexico/2b/b4/john-lazarus_2cc1qqjop4sm1jywb7mp2f9d1.jpg?t=-733444088&w=320[/img]
John Lazarus | Full back | Full back with deadly attacking instinct who helps to create scoring opportunities for the attackers. Very strong and hard working lad.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/2e/79/claudio-zamudio-mexico-u17_1cieh3b7zrs14160fb4uvk6osk.jpg?t=-697071056&w=320[/img]
Claudio Zamudio | Attacking Midfielder | Wears the number '10', but actually he is a heck of a striker. Camudio has scored two goals so far and has a very tricky feet. Will be the heart of the playmaking.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Mexico/72/52/kelechi-nwakali_16wz3j34083hd1qni4pbxyqte6.jpg?t=-733444088&w=320[/img]
Kelechi Nwakali | Midfielder | Captain of the team, plays in the defensive role and has a good eye which enables him to distribute pinpoint passes to the attackers. Has scored two goals from the penalty spot.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/f9/75/pablo-lopez-mexico-u17_1cg0sv0cg0c4t1lprii3suf4mj.jpg?t=-697071056&w=320[/img]
Pablo Lopez | Midfielder | The only one that has played all the minutes and games with the team, Lopez is El Tri's midfield compass. He creates most of Mexico's chances and is a dangerous passer.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Mexico/40/30/samuel-chukwueze_14psopmsf59sp1krmlrpbw9gvh.jpg?t=-733443056&w=320[/img]
Samuel Chukwueze | Winger | Chukwueze has scored thrice so far. He is deadly going into the box and showed this by earning three penalties against Chile. Will trouble the Mexican defence.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/f/52/eduardo-aguirre-mexico-u17_w7a89uq3z5ut1vuyf96aifmtt.jpg?t=-697071056&w=320[/img]
Eduardo Aguirre | Striker | Mexico's goal weapon. Aguirre has only scored one goal in this tournament, but most of the balls to the area go searching for him. He is an excellent header and possesses good physical presence that will disturb the Nigerian defenders.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Mexico/c3/42/victor-osimhen_1hkb79b5mlhzk14d5urfzvrv1a.jpg?t=-733444088&w=320[/img]
Victor Osimhen | Striker | Osimhen has great pace for counter-attacking and has shown his deadly ability by scoring 8 goals so far, at least a goal against every team. He is looking to break the 9 goals record of the championship and has two more matches to do that. Has unbelievable agility despite his height.
[/b]
m.goal.com/x/en-ng/news/7175/gallery/2015/11/05/17005732/mexico-vs-nigeria-10-players-to-watch/victor-osimhen/10
CC: Safarigirl, Icon4s

confun:
Belgium leading mali, 1 nil

21 minutes gone.

if I hear say Mali dey similar to Iheanacho set

Mali has equalized

Mali isn't even close to the Nigerian class of 2009 not even to mention the Nigerian 2013 Super Class.

Anyway, Mali 1-1 Belgium....

*smiles*

safarigirl:
21 minutes gone.

if I hear say Mali dey similar to Iheanacho set

MEXICO COACH SLAMS NIGERIA,MALI AS AGE CHEATS
Apparently stunned by the artistry of defending champions, Golden Eaglets in the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, former Mexico U-17 coach, Raul Gutierrez has accused the Nigerian wonder-kids of doing things no real U-17 player could do with the ball. He did not spare Mali too as he claimed that the two African teams in Chile could not possibly be U-17 players. Raul Gutierrez Gutiérrez was in charge when the 2013 set of Eaglets beat Mexico twice en-route to being crowned champions in the United Arab Emirates. And while the Golden Eaglets have been outstanding at the ongoing tournament in Chile, Gutiérrez suggests that there is much to meet the eye as he posited that the Eaglets aside their physical attributes take decisions that are not expected of true U-17 players. Gutiérrez also made same accusation against the Mali team that have also booked their place in the semi final. “It’s the same with the Nigeria team, so with Mali, that beyond their physical development, decisions made by many of their players are not of an U-17 player’’ the coach told mediotiempo.com. Despite his fears, Gutiérrez said he believes Mexico can beat Nigeria when both countries meet in the semi-finals on Thursday (12a.m. Friday, Nigeria time), but admitted that it will be difficult. “Sure we can beat them. I think Mexico can have a good result on Thursday. “In football nothing is written, everyone already knows that the game will be complex. We will face an opponent with a winning record, but you must play the game, the matches are defined on the field and we have to think that way,” says Gutiérrez.

2-1 Mali... Goalkeeper error

Hello Sir..... Thanks for posting but we've already seen it on this thread.............*smiles*

And I still have the same "two" words for Gutierrez.....


****SORE LOSER****

suaveman:
MEXICO COACH SLAMS NIGERIA,MALI AS AGE CHEATS

Apparently stunned by the artistry of defending
champions, Golden Eaglets in the on-going FIFA U-17
World Cup in Chile, former Mexico U-17 coach, Raul
Gutierrez has accused the Nigerian wonder-kids of doing
things no real U-17 player could do with the ball.
He did not spare Mali too as he claimed that the two
African teams in Chile could not possibly be U-17 players.
Raul Gutierrez
Gutiérrez was in charge when the 2013 set of Eaglets
beat Mexico twice en-route to being crowned champions in
the United Arab Emirates.
And while the Golden Eaglets have been outstanding at
the ongoing tournament in Chile, Gutiérrez suggests that
there is much to meet the eye as he posited that the
Eaglets aside their physical attributes take decisions
that are not expected of true U-17 players.
Gutiérrez also made same accusation against the Mali
team that have also booked their place in the semi final.
“It’s the same with the Nigeria team, so with Mali, that
beyond their physical development, decisions made by
many of their players are not of an U-17 player’’ the
coach told mediotiempo.com.
Despite his fears, Gutiérrez said he believes Mexico can
beat Nigeria when both countries meet in the semi-finals
on Thursday (12a.m. Friday, Nigeria time), but admitted
that it will be difficult. “Sure we can beat them. I think
Mexico can have a good result on Thursday.
“In football nothing is written, everyone already knows
that the game will be complex. We will face an opponent
with a winning record, but you must play the game, the
matches are defined on the field and we have to think
that way,” says Gutiérrez.

It will be very difficult to beat Mali... 3.1

The only thing that pisses me off is that Udoh won't get the golden glove

TheSuperNerd:
Hello Sir..... Thanks for posting but we've already seen it on this thread.............*smiles*

And I still have the same "two" words for Gutierrez.....


****SORE LOSER****

oh.. didn't have a clue.

safarigirl:
The only thing that pisses me off is that Udoh won't get the golden glove

unless of course if mali gets spanked hard in the final(against nigeria,I hope)

Congrats Mali..... *smiles*

A very good side they are but not impossible to beat.....

Belgium had 3 shots on target against the Malians and scored one..... They also dominated possession... But of course, I knew the malians would win...... Good performance.

I see a repeat of Japan 1993 if (or when) we get pass Mexico........ *smiles*

Nigeria vs Mexico match-up will be much tougher than the 1st Semi-final that just finished...... All the best Golden Eaglets........

Seriously, I wanna play Mali.........*smiles*

safarigirl:
The only thing that pisses me off is that Udoh won't get the golden glove

Not really if things go right the finals will decide.

suaveman:
unless of course if mali gets spanked hard in the final(against nigeria,I hope)

unless that.

Then they ruin the stats

God give us the needed spirit to defeat the El Tri boys. I hope and believe that we will win. And I hope we win with another cleansheet today, Mexico is not Australia they will surely have enough shots on target to increase Udoh's save.

The final match will determine the golden glove.

safarigirl:
The only thing that pisses me off is that Udoh won't get the golden glove

They re both good , but I think the Malian defense has really helped him . If he wins it , he deserves it .

Lets go guys

Great free kick nwakali

Captain Nigeria I knew he would make a long shot sooner or latter

What a goal. okwonkwo just scored what should be the goal of the tournament

No keeper on earth could catch that ball. 2-1

I remember calling this team a strange team.. Another strange game..

Terrific goal by Okonkwo... Nigeria need at least one more goal.