Czech beat Nigeria 1-0 in final World Cup preparatory game
- Super Eagles lose their final wrap up game against Czech Republic on Wednesday, June 6
- Chelsea on loan defender at Fulham Tomáš Kalas scored the only goal that separated the two sides in the 24th minute
- Nigeria will play their first Group D game against Croatia in Russia on June 16
Nigeria wrapped up their preparations towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia against Czech Republic on a losing note.
Tomas Kalas' first half goal ensured the Super Eagles lost their second straight game in their build up as they go into the final phase of their build up.
The three time African Champions could have conceded more in the first 45 minutes of the game for saves from Francis Uzoho.
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Going into the game, coach Gernot Rohr ringed some changes into the squad that face the Three Lions in their last game, but those changes failed to help the tactician avoid defeat.
The Super Eagles came into the second half of the game better with the introduction of Tyronne Ebuehi and Elderson Echiejile.
Chelsea star Victor Moses got a chance to level up for Nigeria in the 66th minute but couldn't make good use of the chance created by Ighalo.
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Two minutes earlier, captain John Obi Mikel got a half chance to cancel Kalas' goal but his header went straight into the hands of Pavlenka.
Having wrapped up their preparations on a losing note, the Super Eagles coach will ensure his players correct all their lapses before their first game against Croatia in ten days time.
Nigeria are in the same group as Argentina, Iceland and Croatia and their first game will be played on June 16.
READ our match update below
89' Referee signals final whistle just one minute before the end of the game as Nigeria lost their second straight friendly game on a row
89' Ahmed Musa flagged offside with just one minute left in the game
86' Iwobi wins a free kick after being tripped at the edge of the box
84' Substitution for Czech as Josef Sural goes out for Jan Kopic
80' Ahmed Musa comes in for Victor Moses as John Obi Mikel goes out for Kelechi Iheanacho to some in as Nigeria search for an equaliser
77' Fantastic save by Francis Uzoho after a fantastic shot
73' Victor Moses' set piece was aimless as it couldn't find any Nigerian player
73' Ebuehi wins a free kick for Nigeria as the edge of Czech 18-yard box
71' Patrik Schick substituted and Michael Krmencik has been introduced into the game
69' Elderson Echiejile come on for Bryan Idowu while Simeon Nwankwo takes Ighalo's place up front
66' Victor Moses missed a fantastic chance to level up for Nigeria but failed to utilise the chance created for him by Odion Ighalo who dribbled his way into Czech's box
66' Double substitutions for Czech Republic
64' Mikel Obi got a chance to equalise for the Super Eagles but his header was weak and went straight into the Pavlenka
63' Wilfred makes a fantastic run into Czech box but his move was denied
61' Moses wins free kick for Nigeria at a vantage point and he is poised to take the kick
60' Game suspended due to heavy rainfall, action resumes after few minutes of rest
Czech Republic Also made half time substitution as Pavlenka comes in for Vaclik
54' Nigeria are handling the ball better in the second half after the introduction of Ebuehi at half time
51' Superb cross from Wilfred Ndidi but the delivery wasn't well delivered
47' Ighalo with a good chance to level up for the Super Eagles but his final ball was weak as it went straight into the hands of Czech keeper Vaclik
46' Tyronne Ebuehi comes in for Shehu Abdullahi as the second half kicks off in Austria, scores remain Nigeria 0-1 Czech Republic
45' The center referee signals the end of the first half of the game with Czech leading 1-0
45' Uzoho with the last save of the first half as Jankto's corner kick went straight into the hands of the Super Eagles goal tender
43' Mikel Obi wins a free kick for Nigeria after been fouled by Soucek
41' Another corner for Nigeria at the right flank and Victor Moses with that one but Odion Ighalo was flagged offside in his effort to score with a back flip
40' Victor Moses with a poor corner kick but Nigeria wins a throwing in Czech's half
39' Good challenge from Abdullahi as he stopped his side from conceding a second goal in the first half
38' Mikel Obi caught offside as the Super Eagles searches for an equaliser
37' Ndidi long range shot was saved by Vaclik as Nigeria won a free kick
36' Sural wins a free kick for Czech
33' Bryan Idowu landed carelessly on his back but he is back on his feet and play resumes
31' Ighalo's shot was parried by Vaclik
31' Schick created another chance to double his side's lead but his effort was shot wide
30' Mikel wins another free kick for Nigeria after dribbling two of Czech's players
28' Corner kick for Nigeria but John Ogu's efforts at goal went wide
24' Kalas scores from a rebound after an initial header was saved
24' Goaaaalllllll
21' Alex Iwobi wins free kick for Nigeria but Victor Moses failed to make good use of the final ball
19' Czech had another chance to open the lead in the game but Jugas' header went wide as the pressure as been taken away from Nigeria's defence
19' Schick tried a fast one on Francis Uzoho but his reflex was sharp to save the ball from going into the net
17' Corner kick for Czech but superb save from Francis Uzoho relieved the pressure from Nigeria's defence
16' Freekick for Nigeria as Odion Ighalo was brought down but the free kick was a waste
14' Nice delivery from Sural but Shehu Abdullahi cleared the ball to corner
13' Odion Ighalo flagged offside by the assistant referee
13' Goal attempt from Victor Moses but his effort was blocked by Czech defence
10' A corner kick for Czech but Nigeria's Francis Uzoho was on ground to save the ball
5' Victor Moses took the free kick but Czech's goalkeeper was on hand to stop the ball from crossing the line
5' Mikel Obi wins free kick for Nigeria at the edge of Czech's box
3' Both teams are yet to settle into the game as they are trying to bait themselves to penetrate their defence
1' Czech takes the kickoff from right to left in their traditional red top and blue short while Nigeria are in all green jersey
Here is how Nigeria's Super Eagles will line up against Czech. Legit.ng will provide live feeds of the game.
Read our preview below
Nigeria battle Czech Republic in their last friendly game before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at the Rudolf-Tonn-Stadion on Wednesday, June 6.
The Super Eagles were handed a 2-1 defeat by the Three Lions of England in their second to the last test game at the Wembley Stadium in London four days earlier.
With Harry Kane and Gary Cahill scoring for Gareth Southgate’s side while Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi getting a consolation for the three time African champions.
READ ALSO: England record a narrow 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles
However, Gernot Rohr’s men will be hoping to avoid another defeat in their last build up game to serve as a morale booster for the team ahead of their first Group D game against Croatia exactly 10 days from now.
Czech Republic on the other hand are also coming into this game on the back of their 4-0 defeat to Australia on June 1 and they will be hoping they can bounce back to winning ways despite not participating in this year’s World Cup.
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Though, the European country failed to make it through to Russia after finishing behind Germany and Northern Island on the qualification table, they have their pride to protect,
Meanwhile, this will be second time both sides will be meeting as their first clash ended up in favour of the European team as they beat the Super Eagles 2-1 in the Hassan II Trophy invitational tourney.
Nigeria are currently in Austria for the final phase of their preparations for this year’s edition of the championship, and will connect Russia few days before the tournament begins proper on June 14.
Match: Czech Republic vs Nigeria
Venue: Rudolf-Tonn-Stadium
Time: 2:00 pm (Nigerian time)
Legit.ng previously reported that Nigeria suffered a slim defeat to England in their penultimate World Cup build up game against England at the Wembley Stadium on Monday, June 2.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill opened the scoring with a header early in the match as the Three Lions produced a dominant first half display.
Captain Harry Kane scored the second after his shot slipped through Francis Uzoho's armpit as England doubled the advantage.
This is how the Super Eagles lined up against Gareth Southgate's men in London four days ago, and the coach will most likely ring changes to his starting lineup in this game.
Super Eagles Score 1:1 with DR Congo Team Simba in Port Harcourt - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
