Coach Samson Siasia has hailed the Nigerian U23 national team, following their impressive game in their Olympic Games opener against Japan on Friday morning.
The Dream Team VI beat the Blue Samurai 5-4 in the second group B game, to sit top of the group
with three points ahead of Sweden and Columbia, who have one point each, while Japan sits at the bottom with zero point.
Nigeria were the last team participating in the men's football event of the Rio Olympic Games, but despite the challenges the had before they departed Atlanta gave a very good account of themselves in Brazil, Siasia said this during the post match press conference at the Amazonia Stadium, Manaus.
"I just can't describe what happened today. My boys defied science to win this game; what gave us this game was the mental toughness of the boys."
"For a team not to train for two days and put up this type of performance is a miracle. You know that when players are tired they tend to lose focus."
"That is why we conceded four goals. For now, all I can say is I just want to go and savour this victory with my players."
The former Flying Eagles coach also insists that they will not allow the victory on Friday derail them from their focus, which is to win gold at the end of the day.
"We just won a game, we can't and won't allow this victory get into our heads."
"Our target here is to win the gold and this is just the first step of us achieving that aim."
"No two games are the same, for me this hurdle is over, when I wake up tomorrow I will then think of my next game."
Siasia added that the Blue Samurais were a fantastic side: "The team we defeated is a good side; I respect them for pushing my boys to the limit."
Coach Siasia refused to speak on the issues that caused him and the team to arrive Manaus hours before the game, saying the team has put that behind them and are grateful to Delta Airlines for coming to the rescue of the team when they did.
Describing the nine -goal session as a spectacle, the 2008 Olympics silver –winning coach said: "I knew that towards the end of the game my boys were tired and barely managed to hang on. I will not blame any one of them for the goals we conceded. We have put this match behind us. I hope my team sustains this great form and even step up a gear in our subsequent matches."
The Dream Team VI beat the Blue Samurai 5-4 in the second group B game, to sit top of the group
Nigeria were the last team participating in the men's football event of the Rio Olympic Games, but despite the challenges the had before they departed Atlanta gave a very good account of themselves in Brazil, Siasia said this during the post match press conference at the Amazonia Stadium, Manaus.
"I just can't describe what happened today. My boys defied science to win this game; what gave us this game was the mental toughness of the boys."
"For a team not to train for two days and put up this type of performance is a miracle. You know that when players are tired they tend to lose focus."
"That is why we conceded four goals. For now, all I can say is I just want to go and savour this victory with my players."
The former Flying Eagles coach also insists that they will not allow the victory on Friday derail them from their focus, which is to win gold at the end of the day.
"We just won a game, we can't and won't allow this victory get into our heads."
"Our target here is to win the gold and this is just the first step of us achieving that aim."
"No two games are the same, for me this hurdle is over, when I wake up tomorrow I will then think of my next game."
Siasia added that the Blue Samurais were a fantastic side: "The team we defeated is a good side; I respect them for pushing my boys to the limit."
Coach Siasia refused to speak on the issues that caused him and the team to arrive Manaus hours before the game, saying the team has put that behind them and are grateful to Delta Airlines for coming to the rescue of the team when they did.
Describing the nine -goal session as a spectacle, the 2008 Olympics silver –winning coach said: "I knew that towards the end of the game my boys were tired and barely managed to hang on. I will not blame any one of them for the goals we conceded. We have put this match behind us. I hope my team sustains this great form and even step up a gear in our subsequent matches."
Samson Siasia Hails Incredible Dream Team VI
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Reviewed by Unknown
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13:13:00
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