By Akinwale Kasali
The Nigeria Beach Soccer team, ‘Super Sand Eagles’ started its FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup campaign against Portugal at the Asuncion beach, Paraguay, suffering a 10-1 loss to the World number two.
Nigeria took the lead against the Portuguese, before the tides changed, with the Europeans overwhelming Nigeria, defeating the Super Sand Eagles 10-1 to establish a dominant early lead in Group D.
Azeez Abu set the ball rolling for the Super Sand Eagles with an assured finish at the very end of the first period, but then it was all Portugal from there.
The Selecção das Quinas went on to score an incredible ten unanswered goals, with five each in the second and third periods.
Nigeria had opportunities but weren’t clinical enough, while their opponents were the exact opposite. It was an unusual type of goal that kick-started the Portuguese goal-rush as Belchior scored directly from a corner kick.
Portugal never looked back from there, with legend Madjer scoring the final goal of the match.
Nigeria faces Oman in its next match.
