Soccer: Under-17s stand tall but get harsh lesson

The huge gap between African and Oceania soccer at youth level was again exposed as New Zealand were humbled by hosts Nigeria, who banged in five unanswered goals in their one-sided round-of-16 match at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Abuja yesterday.

Unlike the earlier group match with African nation Burkina Faso, when New Zealand were up against it but came back strongly after a long rain delay to snatch a draw, there was no way back this time.

The Young All Whites were battling from the outset. Three goals in 14 minutes early in the match dashed any hopes the Gordon Murie-led side might have had of pulling off an upset against a country who have won this tournament three times.

The Nigerians had more than 70 per cent possession, were a yard quicker, technically more skilful and always in control against a New Zealand side who were forced to defend wave after wave of Nigerian attacks.

Playing with width, Nigeria stretched the Young All Whites defence to breaking point, their first touch often sublime, whereas the under-pressure New Zealanders struggled to retain any scant possession they won.

New Zealand, playing a lone striker, rarely threatened. Of their six attempts at goal, most from set play, none were on target, whereas Nigeria had 26 shots with nine on target. They also forced 10 corners to New Zealand's three.

Despite being one-sided, the game was played in good spirit, Swiss referee Massimo Busacca blowing for only 11 fouls, including a nasty tackle from behind by Cameron Lindsay which earned him a 35th-minute red card.

"It was a bridge too far for us," said New Zealand coach Steve Cain. "They were too quick, too strong and too clever. With 11 men on the park it was difficult, with 10 it was impossible. They are a hell of a side.

"I have always thought Nigeria were favourites, but didn't say it because I didn't want to frighten my players. If anyone beats them they will deserve to win the tournament."

The hosts ran rampant in the opening half hour.

Edafe Egbedi opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty area. It took a slight deflection as Murie attempted to clear, giving goalkeeper Coey Turipa no chance.

Stanley Okoro added a second 10 minutes later and the game as a contest was well over within four minutes when Egbedi grabbed his second, again with the help of a faint deflection.

Two goals, four minutes apart, from 75th-minute substitute Sani Emmanuel completed the rout as Nigeria booked a quarter-final with South Korea, who beat Mexico 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Cain, honest in his assessment, praised his players for their ground-breaking effort in reaching the second phase.

"With what this group has achieved in a very short space of time we should be very proud of them," said Cain. "Today, against a world-class opponent, became a lesson that we need to go back to the drawing board, learn from it and come back stronger next time."