Hard Fighting Eagles Hold Spanish select side, Catalonia


Catalonia's Martin Montoya (R) vies with Nigeria's Benjamin Francis during the friendly football match between the selection of Catalonia and Nigeria at the Cornella-El Prat stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on January 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO
 
The Super Eagles of Nigeria held a Barcelona dominated Catalonia side to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly decided at the Espanyol Stadium last night.


The hosts, parading numerous Barcelona star players including Xavi Hernandez, Puyol, Pique among others opened scoring in the second minute of the encounter after Sergio Gonzalez converted a penalty.

The hosts dominated proceedings for long periods during the encounter which saw Coach Stephen Keshi’s side respond with some confident play mid way into the first half.

Goal scorer Gonzalez was substituted 10mins later by Sergio Garcia.

Also in the first half, Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol was elbowed by Bright Dike which saw blood coming from his face and he had to give way for Martin Montoya minutes after.

Catalunya dominated the first half but towards the end of that half, Nigeria unfolded into the game making three attempts at goal.

The first half ended with Catalonia leading 1-0.

The second half saw a more purposeful display from the Nigerians. Their efforts paid off in the 53rd minutes when Nigeria equalised through a counter from a near miss by the Catalonians. Onazi Ogenyi slotted in the goal after he confidently displaced two defenders.

Several attempts by both teams to break the deadlock proved abortive.

The match may have given the technical crew a glimpse of who will make the final list to the 2013 Afcon tournament in South Africa beginning January 19.

How did you see the Eagles performance? Any positives to take home?

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