An amazing comeback gives The Sand Eagles the Cup, as Lebanon finishes second after bending Argentina
The Nigerian Beach Soccer National Team reedited the Copa Lagos this afternoon, after an astonishing game against Portugal. Both contenders had true options to the Cup, and that was easily noticeable in the intensity of the game, the toughness of the battle, and the determination in all of the players. Finally, after an amazing comeback from 3-7 to 8-7 in the extra time, the hosts retained the gold, turning the stadium into a real party.
Pushed by the amazing atmosphere raised at the stands, the Sand Eagles quickly opened the score, by means of a rocket by defender Ogbonnaya Okemmiri. In just one minute, though Jose Maria, the one in charge of the Portuguese powder when Madjer and Belchior are not there, changed things around, getting Portugal ahead. Abu would partially amend things for the hosts, but a long range shot by Bruno Torres would have the Lusitanians ahead again, with Rui Coimbra to follow for the 2-4 before first time was blown over.
The Portuguese inspiration remained during the second half. Indeed, it was in the very first minute that Marinho would widen the gap, only to see, though, luck turn the back on him just some seconds afterwards, when he deflected a ball straight into the back of his own nets. That stroke did not disturb Tiago Reis? squad too much, as they kept finding the Nigerian goal, with Jordan and Coimbra raising the score to 3-7.
But a great reaction by the sand Eagles, with goals by Olawale, and MVP Abu got Nigeria a 6-7 that, despite the defeat did give them the trophy, thanks to a better goal average against Lebanon and Portugal. That possibility got confirmed when Badmus scored the 7-7. Anyway, Adamu?s side did not want to get the last points escape, and confirmed their terrific tournament by seizing the victory in the supplementary leg, thanks to Ibenegbu.
Goals: 1-0: Okemmiri, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Jose María, min. 5 (1); 2-1: José Maria, min. 5 (1) ; 2-2 : Abu, min. 4 (1). 2-3 : Bruno Torres, min. 2 (1) ; 2-4 : Coimbra, min. 1 (1) ; 2-5 : Marinho, min. 11 (2) ; 3-5 : Marinho, o.g, min. 11 (2); 3-6: Jordan, min. 10 (2); 3-7: Bruno Novo, min. 4 (2); 4-7: Olawale, min. 3 (2); 5-7: Tale, min. 1 (2); 6-7: Abu, min. 10 (3); 7-7: Badmus, min. 8 (3) ; 8-7 : Ibenegbu, min. 1 (et)
Lebanon beats Argentina to end as runner-ups
Lebanon brilliantly closed their spell in Nigeria clinching the second place in this 2012 edition of the Copa Lagos. Despite Argentina finally found themselves in their last game of the competition, that was not enough either to bend the solid Lebanese either. Abdullah?s winner in the last stage of the fixture got Moghaddam?s side a really noticeable final standings.
Both teams brought on a busy first period, with up to seven goals. The Asian side were the first to step ahead, and they did it twice, by means of Abdullah, only to find, though, the Argentinean reaction to have things 3-2 on their side, thanks to Ezequiel Hilaire, Spinelli and Lucas Dupiellet. Hawali did not let that advantage last more than a few seconds, having the score 3-3.
Midway through the second period, a terrific shot by Matar would sweep Lebanon ahead once again, and although Minici leveled things back in the beginning of the third leg, a really inspired Abdullah fired the winner home to secure a victory that reached them to the final second position , with six points.
Goals: 1-0: Abdullah, min. 8 (1); 2-0: Abdullah, min. 7 (1); 2-1: E. Hilaire, min. 7 (1); 2-2: Spinelli, min. 3 (1); 3-2: Dupiellet, min. 1 (1) ; 3-3 : Hawali, min. 1 (1); 3-4: Matar, min. 6 (2); 4-4: Minici, min.11 (3) 4-5: Abdullah, min. 3 (3)
COPA LAGOS BEACH SOCCER 2012
Results:
Friday, December 14th
Portugal 4-0 Argentina
Lebanon 6?7 Nigeria
Sat 15.12.12
15:00 – Portugal 4-5 Lebanon
16:15 – Nigeria 5-0 Argentina
Sunday, 16.12.12
14:00 – Argentina vs. Lebanon
16:30 – Nigeria vs. Portugal
Standings
Nigeria – 8 points (+7)
Lebanon – 6 points (+1)
Portugal – 3 points (+2)
Argentina – 0 points (-10)
MVP: Abu (Nigeria)
