Confederations Cup Today: Nigeria Trounce Tahiti; Brazil Get Ready for Mexico

Uwa Echiejile scored twice, and Nnamdi Oduamadi bagged a hat-trick in Nigeria’s 6-1 win over Tahiti in Monday’s Group B contest, although the hero of Belo Horizonte was Jonathan Tehau, who scored for the Oceania side early in the second half.

The second round of matches in this installment of the Confederations Cup will begin on Wednesday when Fortaleza welcomes Brazil and Mexico, while Italy and Japan square off in Recife.

Tahiti 1-6 Nigeria (54’ J.Tehau—5’ 80’ Echiejile; 10’ 26’ 76’ Oduamadi; 68’ J.Tehau OG)

Nigeria started quickly, going ahead after just five minutes when the ball took a deflection off the referee before landing at the feet of Echiejile, whose shot careened off Tahiti captain Nicolas Vallar’s shoulder before dribbling into the open net.

After 10 minutes the advantage was doubled when Oduamadi scored the first of his trio of goals, slotting gently into goal after swerving through the Tahiti defense. And if there were every any doubts as to the result, they were put to bed 16 minutes later by the same player, who had a tap-in after Tahiti goalkeeper Xavier Samin dropped the ball in front of him.

But the game’s biggest talking point was surely Tahiti’s lone goal of the encounter, and it came nine minutes after the restart, with the Oceania champions swarming Vincent Enyeama’s goal. A corner kick from Alvin Tehau found his brother Jonathan at the far post, the latter out-jumping his marker and placing his downward header just over the line.

It was the only joy Tahiti would experience, however, as Echiejile and Oduamadi each scored another while Tehau accidentally turned the ball into his own net to round out the scoring.

Coach’s words

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Japan will have the slight edge, I think, because they have an extra day of rest. Plus, Alberto [Zaccheroni] knows us very well, he knows how we work. I expect him to prepare a trap for us...I trust that he will come up with an interesting strategy against us. –Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japan (FIFA.com)

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Player of the day

Nnamdi Oduamadi. The AC Milan attacker (he spent last season on loan at Varese) notched a hat-trick against Tahiti, with a repertoire of goals that included what proved to be the match winner. He might have scored even more against Tahiti, although in comparison to some of his more lacklustre teammates, his performance surely impressed Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi. In six senior internationals, the 22-year-old has now tallied four times.

Looking ahead

Brazil and Mexico have split their previous four meetings, so don’t expect a draw on Wednesday.

Neither manager has any injury worries, so look for both to name starting lineups similar to those they deployed in their first matches of the competition.

Giovani dos Santos will likely keep his place in Mexico’s starting XI, although Pablo Barrera could replace Javier Aquino. On the other side of the ball, Atletico Mineiro striker Jo could come in for misfiring Fluminense marksman Fred.

Projected Brazil XI: J. Cesar; D. Alves, T. Silva, D. Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, L.Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Jo

Projected Mexico XI: Corona; Flores, Rodriguez, Moreno, Salcido; Herrera, Zavala; Aquino, dos Santos, Guardado; Hernandez

Italy forward Stephan El Shaarawy could make his tournament debut from the bench against Japan on Wednesday. The Milan attacker has been nursing an ankle injury and is unlikely to start up top alongside club teammate Mario Balotelli, although he may be manager Cesare Prandelli’s first option from the bench.

Japan will be looking for goals against the Azzurri, and to that end Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni could start both Shinji Okazaki and Ryoichi Maeda up top, although the most likely scenario would see Okazaki lead the line on his own. Nevertheless Japan will require better performances from playmakers Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa if they’re to pose much of a threat in the attacking third.

Projected Italy XI: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Sciglio; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo, Giaccherini; Balotelli

Projected Japan XI: Kawashima; Uchida, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo; Endo, Hasebe; Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa; Okazaki