Lagos — Nigeria's Golden Eaglets appear to have an easy round of 16 draw last night with the defending champions paired against third placed New Zealand on Thursday in Abuja. The New Zealanders who finished behind Iran and Colombia in Group C in Calabar, were one of the beneficiaries of the best losers slots. The other two are United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

Speaking before the Draws which held in Kaduna, Eaglets coach, John Obuh had expressed happiness that Nigeria finally got her rhythm back, beating Argentina in the last group match in Bauchi.

"I am particularly happy with the performance of my players against a tough and quality side like Argentina. I am also elated with the way my boys responded after Argentina's first goal. That shows character and seriousness on our part," Obuh said at a post-match briefing.

"I believe this team will continue to improve from game to game. The victory against Argentina is good for the confidence of my boys and this would definitely place them in good stead to confront any other opponents we might face on our way to lifting the Cup.

He added: "Like I said before the tournament, our goal is to retain the Cup won by our predecessors in 2007. Now that we have overcome our earlier scare in the tournament, I think the boys are in good frame of mind to achieve this objective."

The final day of group fixtures at Nigeria 2009 concluded with four teams confirming their ongoing participation at the tournament. USA and United Arab Emirates entered the final day of Group E action locked together on three points, safe in the knowledge that the winner of their match-up would claim a berth in the knockout stage. A workmanlike USA secured a 1-0 win, only for the UAE team to also progress by the slimmest margin imaginable. The Asian side reaching the knockout stage for the first time at this level finishing ahead of other third-place teams by virtue of the Fair-Play ranking after all other criteria was equal. Things were far less complicated for group leaders Spain who maintained their 100 per cent record by easing past Malawi. The European heavyweights claiming a comfortable 4-1 win over the tournament debutants.

In Group F Korea Republic claimed their top-16 status with a controlled 2-0 win against a disappointed Algeria who go home without a goal or a point. Meanwhile in Kano, group winners Italy ground out a scoreless draw with Uruguay, with the point enough to guarantee the South Americans' progression. The day's results brought heartbreak for both the Netherlands and three-times winner Brazil who were eliminated in agonising circumstances. The pair are the unlucky third-place teams to miss out after being level with United Arab Emirates on points, goal difference and goals scored, only to be knocked out by virtue of a single extra caution in the Fair-Play countback. Germany and New Zealand are the other two third-place teams to progress.

Round of 16 Fixtures

Nigeria v New Zealand -Abuja

Argentina v Colombia -Ijebu Ode

Turkey v UAE -Enugu

Switzerland v Germany -Lagos

Italy v USA -Kaduna

Spain v B' Faso -Kano

Iran v Uruguay -Calabar

Mexico v Korea -Bauchi