Posted by The Sun Online on
Norwegian referee, Hauge Terge fell to well-rehearsed antics of Argentine players to kill the game for Nigeria in Saturday's final of FIFA World Youth Championship at Utrecht, Netherlands.
Norwegian referee, Hauge Terge fell to well-rehearsed antics of Argentine players to kill the game for Nigeria in Saturday's final of FIFA World Youth Championship at Utrecht, Netherlands.
The explosive encounter was even for both sides with ball possession split between the two teams in the first half, when the referee awarded a penalty against Nigeria as Ayodele Adeleye cleared the ball off the feet of an Argentine.
Argentine danger-man, Lionel Messi stepped out and made no mistake in sending Nigeria's goalkeeper, Ambrose Vanzekin the wrong way as his calmly taken spot kick sailed into the net, 39 minutes.
Nigeria fought back and deservedly pulled the goal back in the second half when Adefemi Olubayo's cross from the flank found the diving head of Nigeria's anchor man, Chinedu Ogbuke for who could well be the best goal of the championship.
Nigeria's goal forced Argentine coach, Rene Weber to make two quick changes as Mikel Obi continued to mesmerize them in the midfield with defence-splitting passes, which were though not utilized by the duo of Ogbuke and David Abwo.
As the South Americans are forced to retreat by the now renewed Nigerians, they fouled John Owoeri just outside the box, but the resultant Obi's free kick came to nothing.
Moments later, Abwo rounded off his marker, sprinted into the edge of the box before squaring the ball for on-rushing Ogbuke. As the Norway-based Nigerian striker raced for the ball, Argentine defender hacked him down from behind but the referee waved for game to continue to the consternation of spectators.
Not long after denying the African Champions a glaring penalty, referee Hauge awarded another against them when he termed another diving antics by Aguero to be a foul in the box.
Livid, Nigerians players protested vehemently and the referee did not only stick to his ruling but also dished out a yellow card to Taye Taiwo. Messi made it two for the Argentines from the resultant spot kick.
From that moment, the Nigerian players became disoriented and it took two daring point-blank saves by agile Vanzekin to deny the Argentines more goals.
Solomon Okoronkwo was hauled into the game for Abwo, but the Hertha Berlin striker could not make any impact.
Several Nigerian players broke down and wept uncontrollably at the frustration when the ‘racist' referee ended proceedings.