Match Review: Dragons are a myth

Hello everyone.

That was very nerve-wracking,yes? Thankfully we took out chance when it came and had a generous dollop of good fortune when we needed it. Qualification for the Second Round is now well within our grasp.

Here’s a bit of coincidence(?) for you: like that last win in 1998, this was secured by a lone goal. It came against an Eastern European side (Bulgaria), same as tonight. The winner at Parc des Princes 16 years ago was scored in the 26th minute, this winner was scored in the 29th. The scorer in 1998 was Victor Ikpeba, tonight it was Osaze Odemwingie; both are natives of Edo State in Nigeria. The goals were both finishes under the goalkeeper.

Truth is stranger than fiction, yes?

Here’s the drill: the tactical review is on here http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4082/editorial/2014/06/22/4903413/emenike-and-odemwingie-inspire-nigeria?ICID=HP_HN_1

I will put up the tactics board on the blog, as well as random thoughts and musings from the game. You also get to vote your man of the match here, and I look forward to reading your comments on what you think we need to change going forward in order to make an impression in this World Cup.

First off, this is how both teams lined up

THE BIG ISSUE: THE MIDFIELD ZONE

Those who have had extended interaction with me, especially on Twitter, already know my stance on the Super Eagles’ midfield. It is this: John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi are fine together, but as a double pivot, their pairing does not work.

The reason(s) for this view is not far-fetched. It was in evidence for all to see last night.

Mikel is handed a tremendous amount of responsibility to dictate the play from deep. As a result, he often has to bring the ball past the half-way line. This is all right when the Chelsea midfielder is at his best. He was not last night.

Truth be told, he has not been at his best for a long time, going all the way back to the friendly in March against Mexico. Last night, he showed a worrying lack of match sharpness, getting caught in possession repeatedly and slowing down the play. Even when fully operational, Mikel often struggles when pressed.

Muhamed Besic pushed up and pressed him, winning the ball efficiently. The knock-on effect? Onazi charging up the pitch to salvage the situation, rather than holding position a little longer as an anchorman should. Onazi was easily passed around, and then there was a gaping hole between the lines.

This pattern was repeated so often that it got depressing.

Another consequence of this: the unfamiliarity between Joseph Yobo and Kenneth Omeruo became apparent. Omeruo, being quicker, wanted to push up and fill the space. Yobo, on the other hand, was terrified of this; his lack of pace means he would be turned very easily. This led to a couple of tight offside calls, as well as a good chance for Bosnia which Vincent Enyeama did well to turn around the post.

In the second half, the team defended much deeper and Yobo fared much better without having to worry about leaving space behind.

EMENIKE IN THE CHANNELS; ODEMWINGIE’S INTELLIGENT POSITIONING

In my pre-match feature, I noted

Nigeria’s best passage of play on Monday came in the first ten minutes. Rather than punting the ball aimlessly in the general direction of the penalty box, there were measured passes into the left channel for Emenike to chase. The Fenerbahce man relishes this, because it enables him isolate a defender one-on-one and use his powerful running to good effect.
It created the game’s best opening, as he squared for Ahmed Musa in the six-yard box in the 8th minute. The pass was slightly behind, but the idea was right. Why this did not happen again for the rest of the game, we will never know.

Bruce Lee famously said that a man to be feared is one who can do, not a thousand moves, but one move a thousand times. The point: find your strength and milk it for all it’s worth.

The pattern that made the first ten minutes against Iran so promising became the pattern of the entire game this time. Emenike just loves to use his surprising acceleration and power, and continuously got the better of Emir Spahic in the left channel. It was not just the passing though; the movement was also much better from Emenike, who enjoyed exploiting the intelligent movement of Odemwingie. Quite a change from having a talented but volatile Victor Moses to play with, I daresay.

The Stoke City man put in a lovely shift, always picking the right pass, appreciating space and drifting intelligently. He was particularly impressive dropping deep and playing quick passes on the turn. He tracked back diligently as well: a man of the match contribution.

Those are my thoughts on the game. A draw against Argentina would negate all nervous permutation. The Super Eagles are almost there. Long may the improvement continue.

My player ratings are here: http://africafootballshop.com/nigeria-vs-bosnia-player-ratings/

Vote your man of the match in the poll below and let’s have your comments. What did you notice watching the game? Cheers for reading!

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