Nigeria vs Mexico

Nigeria traveled to cuidad juarez in Mexico to play Mexico in a friendly last Sunday. It turned out to be a exciting game for both sides.

Mexico played its attractive form of futbol, moving and passing the ball with ease, missing chances and making every mexican fan just about fall out of their seats. Nigeria play its usually style fast and physical.

Many people were asking why Nigeria for a friendly? Why not, Nigeria is arguable the best team in Africa, all its players play in Europe, are tall and fast, and very strong. they have Martins up front smashing goals. Nigeria has won youth world cups. They are a top class team.

Nigerians maybe asking why Mexico. Mexico placed third in the Copa America, it plays a sexy Latin American style of play, it has players playing in Europe. All around it has a very competitive team. Won youth world cup, too.

The game turned out to be a draw 2-2. Martins two goals, Cacho two goals. Mexico scored first but the goal was called back for salicdo being offside, Whats funny is that the Nigerian coach was complaining about the linesman because they were Mexican, he must have been comforted when the mexican linesman called Mexico's goal offside. Anyway, Martins was huge that game, He blasted by Johny and scored a bullet that shook the goal frame, that goal silenced the crowd. all i could do was say Damn... poor Memo, Memo did mange to push a Martins shot over the bar earlier but Martins is lethal. I know his Newcastle career is not as it was in Inter. but he still gots it.

Martins did his version of the hugo sanchez flip as usual, but out of respect for the original flipster Martins chose not to flip after his second goal.

The second goal always seems to happen to Mexico when it pushes up to far on attack and the counter happens, Martins all alone, another great goal to the far post by a diving Memo. Nigeria played the counter all game and it worked. Nigeria has its style of play not always pretty, they can string togehter a few passes, muscle around the oppostion, and using their pace and counter. It reminded me of the US style of play.

Well Im sure after the mark 2-0 to Nigeria, they thought they had it won, but No.... Cacho and dos Santos start playing and making chances. Finally a Castro to Cacho Header adds one to Mexico's tally. I was thrilled, as a lifelong Mexico fan you learn to deal with disappointment and defeat, and "almost" factor. But theres always hope for any team.

After the first goal, Mexico like they did it in the first half started up the flow of passes and runs down the flank and gave the ball to dos Santos, in his natural position Gio is dangerous. Gio finally cut the ball back got in the box and was bought down, a clear penalty. there was no dive. Guess Who comes to boot? Cachoooo..... gooooool. He coolly puts the ball in the opposite side of the diving keeper.

So the game ends a bore tie? NO. The game gets spicier, Mexico does do a good job of controlling the tempo and time. Mexico has always manges to blow away chances that could have put the dart in the heart of Nigeria, but the lack of finishing haunts them.

So its getting into stoppage time, Nigeria subs in some fresh legs up front, and guess what it works! the fresh Nigerian forward starts a masterpiece with martins who returns the pass, and Salcido has to chose to commit the professional in the penalty box. I guess if you are the defender you think its better to commit the foul and hope your keeper can stop the shot or the taker chokes and misses. So....... Miss he does! a blast that probably landed back home in Nigeria. Game over. Well deserved tie.

From the atmosphere at the game and the players hustling on the field, it looked more than a friendly match. Nigeria is gearing up for the African Nations Cup. Mexico for qualifiers. Football fever is catching.

In all in all it was a match. the way football should be, pump full of life.