NIGERIA U23 vs JAPAN U23 LIVE: Olympics

NIGERIA U23 vs JAPAN U23

LIVE: Olympics

5 - 3

S. Umar 6'
E. Oghenekaro 10', 42'51'64'

S. Koroki 9'
T. Minamino 11'
Asano 70'

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Despite arriving late due to flight problems, Nigeria win their first game in Manaus. They face Sweden next while Japan will play against Colombia. Still a lot to play for in this group.

90' + 5'GOAL! Suzuki scores to make it 5-4, just one more and they'd be equal. The substitute picked his spot to slot home beyond Daniel.

86'Mikel is hauled off with four minutes left and the diminutive Soliu Popoola comes on in his place.

85'Japan win a corner kick after Mikel conceded possession in the midfield. Japan have not given up this one with five minutes left in the game.78'Ndifreke Udo on for Imoh Ezekiel


78'Ndifreke Udo on for Imoh Ezekiel

76' Shoya Nakajima (OUT)  Shinya Yajima (IN)

76'Japan throw in Yajima, another striker in search of the equalizer. Nigeria's substitution has stemmed the onslaught against t

71'Nigeria bring in a defender Kingsley Madu for a midfielder Usman Muhammed as they try to keep the Japanese at bay in this one.

70'GOAL! Substitute Asano scores with a back heel off a pass from Fujihar

64'GOAL!!! Etebo scores his fourth goal of the game from well outside the box after Kushibiki's clearance.61'Nigeria counter attack and a one-two sets up Mikel for a volley shot which goes just wide of Kushibiki's cross bar.

60'Japan win their own free kick off Sincere Seth and the kick is taken, headed across goal but Nigeria clear.

58'Nigeria win a free kick about 30 yards out. Mikel sets it up but his loop into the box flies above all the waiting heads.53'

Riki Harakawa (OUT)

Takuma Asano (IN)

53'Japan make the first change of the game as they send on star player Takuma Asano who's expected to play upfront and take the game to the Nigerians.

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! 51'ETEBO sends  Masatoshi KUSHIBIKI the wrong way to make it 4 for Nigeria and  hat-trick for himself

50'PENALTY! Nigeria win a penalty via Sadiq Umar who got the best of two defenders but has his heel clipped. Referee didn't hesitate with the call. Etebo steps up to take it47'Japan out with greater intent this half and they win an early corner kick after Sincere Seth cleared a cross into the Nigeria box.

46'We're back for the second half

45'Another great hustle from Sadiq Umar as his cross finds Etebo but the pace is too much for the midfielder who couldn't quite connect cleanly.

42'GOAL!!! Etebo pounces on his own rebound to head into goal after some brilliant hold up play by Sadiq Umar.

37'Azubuike's shot goes well wide of the post after another Nigeria attack. The Eagles have pinned back their opponents into their own half and should be looking to make the possession count.

33'Nigeria are playing so many men forward and this has kept the Japanese in defence for the past three minutes.

30'A long ball into the Japan defence by Troost-Ekong sees the defenders scampering for cover but Nigeria's final ball just goes wide of an attacker as Japan escape going behind again.

27'While Nigeria have tried to go through the middle, the Samurai Blues have worked more through the wings with some incisive passing that keeps finding space.

24'Nakajima profits from a bad clearance from Shehu but sees his shot blocked for a corner. Daniel picks up the cross to ease the tension in the Nigeria box.

15'It seems the early goals have dried up for the moment as both teams have settled down after that frenzied start. The ball is being moved around better and the defenders seem to have found their confidence in both teams.

11'GOAL!!! Minamino scores for Japan straight from the kick off. It's raining goals in Manaus!!!

10'GOAL!!!! Unbelievable, Etebo gets a cross inside the box and shoots to score. Amazing atmosphere in this game.

9'GOAL! Koroki coolly sends Daniel the wrong way to get the game back on level terms.

8'PENALTY! Japan win a penalty straight off the re-start as Amuzie is called for a foul on Minamino

6'GOAL! Sadiq Umar scores for Nigeria off the pace as he pounces on a rebound from Imoh Ezekiel whose shot was parried by Japan goalkeeper Kushibiki. What a lifeline for Nigeria this early.

3'SAVE! Daniel gets behind an Oshima volley after the attacker left the defence blind-sided. The Japanese have looked the sharper this opening period.

1'Nigeria get us along for the kick off.

NIGERIA LINE UP
18 Emmanuel DANIEL (GK),
2 Seth MUENFUH
4 Abdullahi SHEHU
6 William TROOST-EKONG
8 Oghenekaro ETEBO
9 Imoh EZEKIEL
10 John Obi MIKEL (C)
13 Sadiq UMAR
14 Azubuike OKECHUKWU
16 Stanley AMUZIE
17 Usman MUHAMMED

JAPAN LINE UP
1 M