PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
2013 FIFA U-20 Cup: Portuguese player hopes Nigeria progresses
Kayseri, Turkey (PANA) - Portugal's Under-20 defender Tiago Ilori has said he hopes his team and Nigeria make it past Group B of the current 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament in Turkey.
Portugal defeated Nigeria's Flying Eagles 3-2 Friday night to begin their quest for the world championship on a winning note.
Two-time champions Portugal lead Group B with three points after the first round of matches, while South Korea are second also on three points after their 2-1 win over Cuba. Both Nigeria and Cuba are pointless.
“It was a good match against a good team and I hope Portugal and Nigeria go through to the next round of the competition,” said Ilori, whose father is a Nigerian.
“I see that you changed your team completely from the one that played against us in Toulon, where I liked the big centre-back (Semilogo Ajayi).
“On Friday, I liked the No.9 (Olanrewaju Kayode). He is very fast; obviously the No.10 (Ajagun), who scored two goals and so too the No.7.”
The Sporting Lisbon centre-back moved to Portugal from London, where he was born, when he was only eight years old.
He said he was disappointed not to feature in Friday’s match at the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri.
Ilori, whose father has closed down his restaurant business to live with his son in Lisbon, also spoke about former Nigeria Under-20 star Rabiu Ibrahim who was with him at the Sporting Lisbon Academy.
“He is a very talented player but unfortunately he did not get his chance at Sporting. I see that he has now moved to Scotland. I wish him the very best,” said the tall, highly-rated defender.
-0- PANA SA/VAO 22June2013
Portugal defeated Nigeria's Flying Eagles 3-2 Friday night to begin their quest for the world championship on a winning note.
Two-time champions Portugal lead Group B with three points after the first round of matches, while South Korea are second also on three points after their 2-1 win over Cuba. Both Nigeria and Cuba are pointless.
“It was a good match against a good team and I hope Portugal and Nigeria go through to the next round of the competition,” said Ilori, whose father is a Nigerian.
“I see that you changed your team completely from the one that played against us in Toulon, where I liked the big centre-back (Semilogo Ajayi).
“On Friday, I liked the No.9 (Olanrewaju Kayode). He is very fast; obviously the No.10 (Ajagun), who scored two goals and so too the No.7.”
The Sporting Lisbon centre-back moved to Portugal from London, where he was born, when he was only eight years old.
He said he was disappointed not to feature in Friday’s match at the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri.
Ilori, whose father has closed down his restaurant business to live with his son in Lisbon, also spoke about former Nigeria Under-20 star Rabiu Ibrahim who was with him at the Sporting Lisbon Academy.
“He is a very talented player but unfortunately he did not get his chance at Sporting. I see that he has now moved to Scotland. I wish him the very best,” said the tall, highly-rated defender.
-0- PANA SA/VAO 22June2013
