Nigeria defeats Venezuela, 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

“Nwosu final seconds goal sealed up the victory.” 

Nigeria re-ignited their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup with a 5-3 win against pointless Venezuela.

Venezuela can still reach the quarter-finals if they can get a result in their final game against Russia, while Nigeria will face Tahiti with fresh optimism when the next round of fixtures are played on Tuesday 6 September.

The opening goal came exactly five minutes into the match, captain Edgar Quintero’s volley giving Venezuela the lead. Nigeria reacted positively and peppered the opposition goal with shots before Isiaka Olawale grabbed an equaliser with a header.

Three minutes later, Olawale got his and Nigeria’s second goal, which was enough for them to hold a 2-1 advantage at the end of the first period.

Midway through the second period, Venezuela got back on level terms in lucky circumstances, Nelson Nwosu scoring an unfortunate own goal to make it 2-2.

But in the final minute of the period, the Nigerians regained the lead which their play deserved through Victor Tale, whose goal made it 3-2 as the second period came to a close.

Shortly after the third period started, Tale scored again to give Nigeria a two-goal cushion. But Kevin Camargo replied just twenty seconds later, after a poor defensive error, to keep Venezuela in contention.

However, Nigeria wrapped up the win with a goal in the final seconds, Nwosu converting a free kick to make up for his earlier misfortune.