Manu Draws Battle Line Against Iran.

Eaglets Coach, Manu Garba, has said that he  has a winning strategy in place to dismantle Iran in today’s 2013 Under 17 FIFA World Cup Second Round Match at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

Manu, who explained that the match will offers the Eaglet the chance to continue with their excellent form in the competition,assured that the team would win the game within the  regulation time and that they would not allow the match to be dragged into a penalty spot -kicks.

“We would ensure that we win this game within the allotted time and we are looking at the possibility of not allowing the game to be dragged unto a penalty shootout,” said Manu who further reinforced his stand at the official Press Conference.

“Yes, I agree that  Iran has been making progress since they started but they won’t progress(beyond the second round) at the expense of Nigeria on Tuesday.”

The coach, who agreed that  Iran had been making progress since they started,said Iran would not go beyond the second round at the expense of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets.

Though sounding very optimistic that the match would be won by his
glory-seeking side within the  regulation time ,  Manu and his assistants were not taking chances  as  they drilled and perfected penalty kicks  with the players  at  their last training session on Tuesday. 

In readiness for the match, the Eaglets technical crew drilled and perfected spot- kicks with the players at their last training session.
Manu, said he was not under any pressure rather he has the  belief that Nigeria will win the tournament for the  fourth time on an Asian soil.

It would be recalled that  a penalty kick cost the team dear at the CAN Under-17 finale when they lost 5-4 to Cote d’Ivoire after a pulsating 1-1 draw.

“Against Iran, there won’t be any margin for errors and we what you to pay proper attention to everything we have done and would do for this match, “Manu further told the players.

At the Press Conference proper, Manu said he was not under any pressure rather he has the  belief that destiny already had something in store for Nigeria to win yet her fourth title on an Asian soil.

He said: “All Nigeria’s previous victories in 1985; 1993 and 2007 were all in Asia and we are here again in Asia in 2013 and I think history favours us to win this trophy.

“ But we are not talking about  winning the trophy now, rather  we are talking about Iran and Insha Allah( by the grace of Allah), we shall win  our match against Iran,”  he noted before going for a photo-shoot with Iran’s counterpart, Coach Ali Doustimehr.

The match comes up 5.oopm Nigerian time.