Nigeria’s Beach Soccer National Team, the Supersand Eagles’ hope of advancement in the ongoing FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 were dashed as they were unlucky to reach the quarter finals after losing 2-1 on penalties to Iran.
Both teams tied 4-4 following regulation period and extra time in their final group game. The Group B match stretched into the early hours of Tuesday in Nigeria.
Goals by Victor Tale, Emmanuel Owhoferia, Godspower Igudia and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu balanced the efforts of the Asian champions, and set up a second successive extra time experience for the Supersand Eagles in Bahamas after they edged Mexico 5-4 on Saturday night.
However, in the penalty shootout, the Iranians prevailed 2-1, as Solomon Ogodo blasted his effort against the woodwork to send the Asian champions into a quarter -final encounter with Switzerland on Thursday and Nigeria on the way back home.
In their first match of their first World Cup finals in six years, the Supersand Eagles lost 6-12 to Italy, before the extra time win over Mexico and penalty shootout loss to Iran.
Six years ago, Nigeria reached the quarter -finals and only lost to Brazil in extra time in Ravenna, Italy.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
