Nigeria’s league stars, the NPFL All-Star put up a brave fight but lost 1-2 to top Spanish Laliga team, Valencia CF in a friendly at the Luis Suñer Picó Stadium, Alzira on Wednesday.
Valencia dominated in the early stages and scored in the eighth minute after Alvaro Medran powered home a header off a cross from Jose Luis Gaya.
But the expected annihilation of the NPFL All-Stars failed to materialize as the Nigerians grew in confidence though Valencia looked in control with larger share of the possession.
Medran and Paco Alcacer had opportunities to score but flashed their efforts wide. Dani Parejo also got in the act but could only smash his free kick from just about 20 yards over Ikechukwu Ezenwa's goal.
The NPFL All-Star then pegged back Valencia for a few seconds and won themselves a corner kick.
Joseph Osadiaye equalized by reacting swiftly as the Valencia goalkeeper, Maty Ryan, fumbled with the ball from a corner kick in the 32nd minute, and the NPFL All-Star held on till the end of the first half to go into the locker room with score tied at 1-1.
The restart witnessed both coaches sending on a number of players from the bench in a bid to try out their playing personnel. Charles Henlong, Abdulrahman Bashir and Ismaila Gata featured from the bench.
Godwin Obaje, who had a quiet evening had an opportunity but it did not ruffle the Spanish club.
Valencia continued to enjoy lots of ball possession and with seven minutes to time, Rodrigo Moreno got the winner for the La Liga team. The 25-year-old coolly controlled a long ball from Medran and rounded Ezenwa before slotting into an empty for the deciding goal.
However, there was one more drama left in the game. Alcacer in a predictory manner fired in what could have been a third goal for Valencia after Parejo's freekick fell kindly to him, but he was miles offside and that proved to be the last action of the contest.
The NPFL All-Star will now move to Cadiz for the Trofeo Ramon de Carranza to play against Malaga CF on Friday in a tournament that will also feature Atletico Madrid and Cadiz CF play in the other game.
No comments:
Post a Comment