International Friendly: Nigeria 0-2 Serbia – As it happened.

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Mar 27, 2018. 23:06

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the FIFA international friendly match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Eagles of Serbia at The Hive Stadium in London, England.

LINEUPS:

NIGERIA: Uzoho, Ebuehi, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Idowu, Onazi, Ndidi, Joel Obi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa.

SERBIA: Stojkovic, Rukavina, Ivanovic, Nastasic, Kolarov, Milivojevic, Matic, Tadic, Ljajic, Kostic, Mitrovic

COMMENTARY:

This will be second meeting between Nigeria and Serbia with the two teams havng met in May 1998.

Serbia (formerly known as Yugoslavia) thrashed Nigeria 3-0 in a friendly match in Belgrade.

1' - The match is underway.

5' - Serbia threaten first as  Ljajic forces Nigeria goalkeeper Uzoh into a save from a free-kick.

10' - CHANCE: Mitrovic leashes a shot on the turn which bounces right in front of Uzoho, who spills and Ekong clears as Serbia's Eagles press for an early goal.

13' - Nigeria launch an attack and Moses pulls the trigger from edge of the box, but his effort is parried by Serbia keeper Stojkovic for a corner.

15' - WOODWORK! Nigeria midfielder Obi prevents Serbia striker Mitrovic from scoring as the ball deflects onto the top of the cross bar.

16' - CLOSE! Uzoho makes a crucial save as he reacts quickly to stop the ball from crossing the goal-line.

20' - Nigeria have been under pressure thus far with Mitrovic looking lively for the Eagles.

25' - The Super Eagles attacker Iwobi unleashes a good shot, but the referee spots an infringement in favour of the Eagles as the Africans search for the opening goal.

27' - Uzoho makes another fine save to deny Serbia attacker Tadic as we approach the half-hour mark.

30' - It is still 0-0 as we reach the half-hour mark.

35' - Moses wins a free-kick in a promising area and Nigeria attacker steps up, and fires straight at the Serbia wall.

40' - Both teams are pushing for the opening goal as we approach the half-time break.

43' - CLOSE! Kostic hits the side-netting as Serbia look to break the deadlock.

HALF-TIME: Nigeria 0-0 Serbia.

46' - The second-half is underway.

46' - Nigeria sub: Ighalo IN, Moses OUT.

50' - Kostic fires wide of the target as the Eagles look to punish the Super Eagles defence following a mistake by Ebuehi.

55' - Uzoho comes out quickly to deny Ljajic after a heavy first touch as the Serbians continue to press the opposition.

60' - It remains 0-0 here in London.

65' - Ighalo attemps an acrobatic kick, but the Nigeria striker misses the ball as the Super Eagles look to break the deadlock.

65' - Serbia sub: Grujic IN, Matic OUT.

67' - GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Serbia. Mitrovic scores with a left-footed effort from inside the box.

70' - Ighalo turns and shoots, but his deflected shot is easily saved by Serbia keeper Stojkovic.

75' - The Eagles are still attacking as Kostic unleashes a left-footed shot which is easily saved by Uzoho.

77' - Nigeria subs: Simon & Ogu IN, Onazi & Obi OUT.

80' - Serbia sub: Zivkovic IN, Ljajic OUT.

80' - GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Serbia. Kolarov sets up Mitrovic, who grabs his brace with a good finish. 

85' - Time is running out for Nigeria as they push for late goals.

85' - Nigeria subs: Aina & Agu IN, Idowu & Ndidi OUT.

88' - Nigeria sub: Ajayi IN, Iwobi OUT.

91' - Serbia sub: Maksimovic IN, Tadic OUT.

92' - Serbia are looking to hold on to their two-goal lead in the closing stages of the game.

FULL-TIME: Nigeria 0-2 Serbia.