Five-time world champions The Golden Eaglets early Wednesday morning crashed out of this year’s U17 FIFA World Cup after they fell 3-1 to European champions Holland in a Round of 16 contest.
It was an open and entertaining match-up that was well managed by the tactical-masterclass Dutch against a spirited Nigerian team.
Holland will now clash in the quarterfinal with the winners of the all-South American derby between Argentina and Paraguay.
Sontje Hansen put the Jong Orange in front after just four minutes when he cut through the Nigeria defence to finish off a sweeping move.
Olakunle Olusegun drew the Eaglets level on 12 minutes courtesy of a superbly taken low shot from outside the box.
A minute later, Nigeria could even have taken the lead, but Peter Olawale’s effort came off the base of the post.
Ajax striker Hansen grabbed his brace in the 15th minute when he struck a left-footed strike.
He completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes from the penalty spot after VAR ruled that defender Ferdinard Ikenna handled the ball inside the box.
He has now scored five goals in Brazil.
Nigeria continued to chase the game with Ibrahim Said’s full-blooded shot blocked for a corner by the goalkeeper and fullback Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi not clinical in front of goal.
The play was held up for six minutes in the first half after the medics had to attend to the injured Dutch goalkeeper.
A fine save by the goalkeeper denied the foraging Charles Etim in the 70th minute as Nigeria continued to chase the game after the interval.
The Eaglets pushed forward with more men time and time again with Akinkunmi Amoo and Olusegun the main forces.
But the tactically astute Dutch kept them at bay till the end of the match.
Eaglets starting XI vs Holland
Daniel Jinadu – Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi, Charles Etim, Ferdinard Ikenna, Usman Ibrahim – Samson Tijani, Hamzat Ojediran, Akinkunmi Amoo, Said Ibrahim (Ibraheem Jabaar 64) – Peter Olawale (Divine Nwachukwu 61), Olakunle Olusegun
