|
Intercontinental
Cup
Semifinals |
Dikemaskini :
22 May 2008 08:40 PM
Nigeria vs Chile
If Nigeria leave
their striking boots
at home, Chile,
packed with
imaginative and
tricky players,
might grab the berth
to the final.
Skipper Roberto
Cereceda’s left peg
is dangerous in
dead-ball
situations, while in
Gerardo Cortez and
Daud Gazale, Chile
has two players
capable of following
in the footsteps of
Marcelo Salas and
Ivan Zamorano.
Players to watch:
John Owoeri (Ghana),
Pablo Gonzalez,
Roberto Cereceda and
Gerardo Cortez
(Chile)
Quotes:
Samson Siasia
(Nigeria coach)
“There are a few key
areas that needed
some tweaking,
especially in the
goal-scoring
department. I may
have to ring some
changes to inject
more urgency to the
forwardline.
Although I’m
satisfied with the
frontrunners
Jeremiah Ani and
John Owoeri, I am
not dismissing the
possibility of
giving the young lad
from Charlton
Athletic, Danny
Uchechi, another
run. He gave us more
options with his
running and
dribbling skills in
the second half in
the 1-0 win over
Iraq and I would
like to see more of
him. As this
tournament serves as
a platform for me to
identify a few to be
picked for the
Beijing Olympic
Games, I need the
players to impress
me more. Chile is a
typical Latin
American side,
packed with
individual talent.
But again I must
stress I’m here to
win, nothing less. I
expect the boys to
rise to the
occasion.”
Eduardo Berizzo
(Chile coach)
“Like most African
side, Nigeria is
strong on and off
the ball, with
players who possess
speed, technique and
physical strength.
That is why they are
one of the
favourites for the
Olympics. I don’t
know whether
(Gerardo) Cortez
will be available or
not due to the eight
stitches he received
in the 1-0 win over
Croatia but if he is
fit, he will crucial
to our plans. This
is an interesting
game between two
nations with two
different
philosophies. But
the objective
remains the same.”
AUSTRALIA vs
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Don Givens' Irish
side finished second
in Group A, level on
points with hosts
Malaysia, but
entered the last
four with a superior
goal difference.
In contrast the
Olyroos, already
used to the
conditions in Asia,
stormed to the last
four earning maximum
points in Group B.
In a match where
physical strength is
a prerequisite, it
will be a close
contest.
Players to watch:
James Ryan, Michael
Collins (Ireland),
Mark Milligan, Matt
Simon (Australia)
Graham Arnold
(Australia coach)
“I’m happy with
the attitude shown
by my boys. Even
without the four -
James Troisi, Mark
Bridge, Nikolai
Topor Stanley and
James Holland – who
have reported for
duty with the senior
side who play Ghana
on Friday, the
remaining ones will
perform
effectively.”
Don Givens (Republic
of Ireland coach)
“I’m hoping for it
to be a good match.
It has been
difficult for us in
coping with the heat
and humidity but the
boys have risen to
the occasion
before.”
