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Olympic Football Tournament
Topic Started: Apr 20 2008, 07:29 AM (2,344 Views)
Merengue
Administrator
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It is too bad this game was played at midday, has anyone else remembered an international game where the ref allowed both teams a break to drink water midway through each half? Reminded me of a basketball game with a timeout! Considering the conditions it probably was wise but was the first time I've ever seen that take place.

Nigeria had their opportunities but couldn't convert while Messi brilliantly fed DiMaria for the game winner. A tight, tactical game as discussed here determined by a piece of brilliance by Argentina's two best players in this tournament in my opinion.

I too wondered about Ogbuke. He had to have been injured as he's been one of Nigeria's most effective, and inventive attackers in the Olympics.
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Hector
Advanced Member
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I can't argue with what has been written here, the heat did effect both teams but what can you say about Messi? He just comes up with the key plays and that is what you expect from your superstar. Nigeria have a strong team and tactically were very strong but Argentina had Messi and that was the difference.
iPuerta amigo, Sevilla esta contigo!
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SuperEagle
Advanced Member
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Yes Chinedu Ogbuke Obuasi was injured during practice for the final and has a stress fracture in his leg. His loss was felt as he was in my opinion the big difference between the Nigeria we saw in the group stages and the Nigeria which played in the elimination rounds. Ogbuke has the speed and the individual ability to break down the opponent's defense plus he demonstrated a strong shot and those qualities were missing against Argentina in the final. His replacement Promise Isaac is not the same kind of player and lacks Ogbuke's dynamism.

It was obvious to all the heat effected both teams and made for a much less exciting final than it could have been if played at night. Overall I am proud of Nigeria for reaching this far especially when the club were missing two key U-23 players, Chelsea's John Mikel Obi and Marseille's Taye Taiwo, both national team regulars, and two over age players they wanted to use in this tournament, goalie Vincent Enyeama and forward/winger Ike Uche, also national team regulars. Their absences effected the team's overall performance but the silver lining is without them, other players were able to gain much neeeded international experience and that should help the Super Eagles as they continue in qualifying for South Africa 2010.

I thought Nigeria had the tactics right and they shut Argentina down for most of the game except for Messi's pass to DiMaria for the goal. On the other end Nigeria had some opportunities but couldn't finish them off. Promise Isaac unfortunately was the player who ended up with the most goal opportunities and he is for me the only player who saw significant playing time in beijing who is not a national team candidate in the near future. But with Ogbuke out injured, Nigeria's alternatives were limited.

To play a team of Argentina's ability so close in the final is nothing to be ashamed of but Nigeria's potential in this tournament and their missing players still left me thinking, "What if?"
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