Tunde Sulaiman
9 August 2008
Beijing — Nigeria's Dream Team tackles Japan this morning having at the back of their mind that a win is very crucial to their dreams of emulating the feat of the U-23 team 12 years ago.
Although Samson Siasia's wards played very well against Holland in the opening match of the group, their failure to take the numerous chances created meant the match ended goalless.
And with the US beating Japan on the same day, the two pre-competition favourites to progress from the group are pointless, while the Americans stand tall with three points.
On paper of Japan may appear to be the whipping boys of the group, but in reality, anything is possible in football, which means the Dream Team cannot afford to take any chances against the Asian powerhouse, which had more than enough chances of their own, to have at least snatched a draw in their own match.
The situation as it is means that should they (Japan) lose to their African foes today, then their own Olympic dreams would be over.
This scenarion makes it more of a must win match to them than even the Nigerians.
Moments after drawing with The Netherlands, Samson Siasia and Obinna Nsofor, who was the major culprit in Nigeria's goalless draw with Holland promised to rectify things today.
"We should have won today but since we didn't, now know that we have to win our next match (Japan) which we're very capable off," said Siasia at the post match conference.Nsofor, who was man enough to admit he cost his side dearly, vowed to get things right against the Japanese.
"I blame my self for the draw, I had two clear chances to have scored but I didn't. I hope to get it right on Sunday," said the striker.
While the Dream Team faces Japan in the early kick off, US will square up against Holland in the later game.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome Japan and virtually guarantee a place in the tournament's quarter-finals.
The NFF President said: "It was clear that our boys showed courage and firmness in the game. They were confident and calm and never showed signs of giving in to the Dutch.
"I have immense confidence in them as they go up against Japan on Sunday, and victory in that game will then set us up for a fine finish against the Americans in Group B."
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has succeeded in registering hitherto stand-by Oladapo Olufemi in place of defender Taye Taiwo, who was not released by French Club, Olympique Marseille.
"It was a battle to get it done but we have sorted things out and we're happy", said NFF General Secretary Bolaji Ojo-Oba.
Lulu Abdullahi, NFF 1st Vice President Amanze Uchegbulam, technical committee chairman Taiwo Ogunjobi and Ojo-Oba made the nine -hour train trip from Shenyang to Tianjin on Wednesday night after watching the Super Falcons' 0-1 defeat to North Korea at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Stadium.
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