USA defeats Nigeria 2-1 in final FIFA World Cup send off match in Jacksonville
The USA ended their three-game home warm-up series for the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Nigeria earlier tonight in front of a crowd of 52,033 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida
It was a deserved victory for a determined US team as two goals from striker, Jozy Altidore, whose first, after half an hour, ended a 28 game personal drought, and whose second, with just over 20 minutes left, matched his total for Sunderland for all of last season.
A late penalty, earned and then converted by Victor Moses, after referee Mark Clattenburg judged that Matt Besler had upended the forward gave Nigeria a lifeline and the crowd reason to be nervous.
The first goal was a simple tap in from four yards that was set up by Fabian Johnson, whose low ball across the box from the right hand wing gave a visibly relieved Altidore a departing gift to Brazil. The second goal had the hallmark of a man who has regained some confidence as he took control of a beautifully weighted ball over the top from Michael Bradley and then cut back in, giving him a yard of space to fire home a fierce shot past Vincent Enyeama in the Nigeria goal.
Nigeria always looked threatening going forward and in the 86th minute Victor Moses wriggled into the heart of the box and under Besler’s challenge went to ground to give referee Clattenburg a simple decision. Moses coolly slid the penalty home and the game could well have finished in a draw if Emmanuel Emenike hadn’t inexplicably shot over the bar in the dying seconds. It was a reminder to the US that they’ll need to concentrate for the full 90 minutes in Brazil.
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson, 5-Matt Besler, 20-Geoff Cameron, 7-DaMarcus Beasley (21-Timmy Chandler, 75); 11-Alejandro Bedoya (19-Graham Zusi, 60), 15-Kyle Beckerman (10-Mix Diskerud, 72), 13-Jermaine Jones, 4-Michael Bradley; 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.) (18-Chris Wondolowski, 87), 17-Jozy Altidore (3-Omar Gonzalez, 80)
Subs Not Used: 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 6-John Brooks, 9-Aron Johannsson, 12-Brad Guzan, 14-Brad Davis, 16-Julian Green, 22-Nick Rimando
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
NGA: 1-Vincent Enyeama; 2-Joseph Yobo (capt.), 5-Eric Efe Ambrose, 13-Juwon Oshaniwa, 14-Godfrey Oboabona; 10-John Obi Mikel (4-Ruben Gabriel, 46), 15-Ramon Azeez (25-Michael Uchebo, 74), 17- Ogenyi Onazi; 8-Peter Osaze Odemwingie (18-Michael Babatunde, 46), 11-Victor Moses, 23-Shola Ameobi (9-Emmanuel Emenike, 64)
Subs Not Used: 3-Elderson Echiejile, 6-Azubuike Emmanuel Egweukwe, 7-Musa Ahmed, 12-Kunle Odunlami, 16-Austine Ejide, 19-Uche Nwofor, 21-Agbim Chigozie, 22-Kenneth Omeruo
Head Coach: Stephen Keshi
Officials:
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (ENG)
Ass. Ref 1: Simon Beck (ENG)
Ass. Ref 2: Simon Bennett (ENG)
4th Official: Andre Mariner (ENG)
More photos from the game at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
