BEIJING-Dream Team IV responded to a stinging public upbraid from coach Samson Siasia by playing their best game of the 2008 Olympic Games in a 2-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire that took them to the semifinal.
After a performance against USA that left the coach furious with the players, Siasia laid into his players and only averted a mutiny with a clear the air meeting just over 24 hours before the game.
The players gave the coach thei answer on the pitch and Siasia was left purring at the post match conference.
“Today, for one of the first times my players played to instruction and I’m actually very pleased with them.
“I’m glad we won and I’m glad we’re going to the semi-finals.”
Such was Siasia’s joy that he rated the game as the best the team have played so far.
“This was the best game we’ve played so far. Tactically we’ve been uncertain, we’ve been continually unsure, but today we looked good.
“We talked about how we’d play against the Ivorians and the players followed the plan.”
Nigeria will now play Belgium, who beat Italy 3-2.
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