Nigeria battles Denmark in the quarter final of the Rio Olympics men’s football event in Salvador today, August 13.
Chelsea midfielder Mikel and his Dream Team mates breezed into the knockout stages with two wins in their opening two games against Japan and Sweden, before losing their final Group B game to Colombia.
NOTE: KEEP REFRESHING THE PAGE FOR NEW UPDATES…
Nigeria 2-0 Denmark
FULL TIME!!! Nigeria head to the semifinals after beating Denmark
90′ – Three minutes stoppage time added.
90′ – Substitution: Imoh EzekielSadiq Saliu Popoola
86′ – SUBS: Azubuike Okechukwu out for Ndifreke Udoh while Sadiq Umar makes way for Femi Ajayi who makes his debut in this competition
83′ – Azubuike gets a caution and will certainly miss the semi final against German. Needless one there after handling the ball. We are 12 minutes away from this game and Dream Team VI are not looking tired as they thirst for more goals. Fantastic cross from Mikel and a timely clearance from Gomes
80′ – Yellow Card Azubuike Godson Okechukwu
77′ – We’ve less than a quarter of an hour left to play in Salvador and, as it stands, Nigeria are heading into the semi final. Massive effort from Azubuike Okechukwu who tries an attempt on goal. Not a bad one from the Dream Team VI’s assistant skipper
74′ – Larsen attempts an audacious effort from outside the penalty area and it goes harmlessly wide.
71′ – SubstitutionJacob Bruun LarsenEmil Larsen
71′ – Coach Niels Frederiksen thrown Emil Larsen and Kasper Larsen into the fray. Will that put them back in contention for this game, well time will tell as coach Siasia not ready to make any change yet
69′ – Yellow Card John Obi Mikel
68′ – Many tipped this as a potential tie of the round, but I’m afraid it has fallen some way short of that so far. There is still time for it to burst into life, though. Sadiq wins a free kick for Nigeria
65′ – As we’ve seen in some other matches at this tournament, fans with seats that are in the direct glare of the sunlight are slow in coming out for the second half. Scores of empty seats on the far side of the pitch.
62′ – Denmark have to go for it now, surely. For all their good play, Nigeria have proven more clinical. Mikel’s quality has put them almost into the semi-finals. Dream Team VI just need to see the game out now.
59′ – Assist John Obi Mikel
59′ – Goal Aminu Umar
53′ – Dream Team are playing with massive confidence as they keep their opponents in their own half. Need I say here that Sadiq Umar has been so quiet in this game. Denmark make their first change of the evening with Frederik Borsting coming off for Robert Skov
50′ – Umar now surges into the Danish penalty area, looks to be waiting for a reason to go down, but it doesn’t come and the move breaks down. Good defending by the Europeans as his attack is diluted
47′ – Nigeria have started brightly and are giving a Denmark a taste of their own medicine in the opening minutes of the second half, denying their opponents a chance to get on the ball. Mikel almost doubled the lead but the Europeans were so smart to tidy up their backline
46′ – Denmark get us back under way in Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
HALF TIME
45′ – Nigeria’s goalkeeper makes another smart save from a heading to deny Denmark a leveller.
43′ – YELLOW. CARD!!! Nigeria’s Sincere gets a caution.
42′ – That was a way ward cross from Stanley Amuzie
38′ – Amuzie tries his luck from close range and wins a corner kick.
36′ – Denmark are now in control of the match after going down to Mikel’s strike.
35′ Mikel tries a pass to find Sadiq Umar but the pass was intercepted
31′ – Yellow card: Nigeria’s Mohammed gets first caution for a reckless challenge on the opponent
30′ – Denmark are using the long ball option. It’s paying off with Daniel making two quick smart saves.
27′ – Daniel again stops a goal bound move from close range.
25′ – So Close: Daniel was almost caught off guard there by a looping header
22′ – Jens Jonsson challenges Usman Mohammed for his rough challenge on him. Referee Sandro Ricci awards a freekick to the Europeans, quickly taken and Dream Team VI win the ball again
19′ – Imoh Ezekiel misses a clear chance to put Nigeria 2-0
15′ – The Nigerian skipper taps in Imoh Ezekiel cross from close range NGR
15′ – GOAL !!! John Mikel Obi scores
11′ – Nielsen hits the crossbar with a long range strike. Denmark almost got a goal
10′ – A wayward free-kick from Azubuike Okechukwu. Still goalless
8′ – Denmark are gradually getting into their stride.
6′ – Mikel fails to find Sadiq Umar after a neat superb play from midfield
5′ – Foul. Ezekiel pushed off the ball there
4′ – Offside: Shehu Abdullahi caught offside there.
3′ – Goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel gets the first feel of the ball.
2′ – Ezekiel on the attack. Mohammed forces a save from the goalkeeper in the 2nd minute.
1′ – Nigeria kicks off
Nigeria 0-0 Denmark
– The match kicks off at 8pm (Nigerian Time)
Find the starting lineups below:
Nigeria Starting XI
Daniel, Abdullahi, Troost-Ekong, Seth, Amuzie, Okechukwu, Mohammed, Obi (C), A. Umar, S. Umar, Ezekiel
Denmark Starting XI
Hojbjerg, Puggaard, Gomes, Mathiasen, Maxso, Vibe (C), Larsen, Borsting, Nielsen, Gregor, Jonsson
