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International Friendlies
May 28, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
SN

2-2

Uchebo (41'), Uche (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mulgrew (10'), Egwuekwe (52' og.)

Live Commentary: Nigeria 2-2 Scotland - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Nigeria 2-2 Scotland - as it happened: ID:157267: from db_amp
Live text coverage as Scotland take on Nigeria at Craven Cottage.

Scotland and Nigeria played out a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Gordon Strachan's side opened the scoring in the 10th minute thanks to a clever flick from Charlie Mulgrew, but Nigeria drew level before the break through Michael Uchebo's deflected effort.

Scotland appeared to have been gifted the victory when Azubuike Egwueke put the ball into his own net, but substitute Uche Nwofor took advantage of Grant Hanley's defensive mistake in the 90th minute to fire in a late equaliser.

Read below to find out how Nigeria continued their World Cup preparations with a draw in London.

Good evening everyone. I'll be bringing you international friendly action tonight as Scotland meet Nigeria at Craven Cottage. Nigeria's preparations for the World Cup continue in London. Can Scotland provide a difficult test?
As you may have already seen, this match has already been in the news this week for all the wrong reason. The National Crime Agency have been working alongside the Scottish FA with in an investigation into the fixing of this match. However, the authorities are happy to allow the game to go ahead, so we will surely know more over the coming days.
SCOTLAND: McGregor, Hutton, Greer, Hanley, Robertson, Brown (c), Morrison, Mulgrew, Anya, Maloney, Naismith
NIGERIA: Ejide, Odunlami, Echiejile, Obi, Yobo, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Uchebo, Ameobi, Babatunde, Egwuekwe
The teams are in from Craven Cottage. It appears that Steven Naismith, who has played in a false nine role for Everton, will be asked to do the same this evening. Scott Brown captains the side in midfield, while there are also starts for Shaun Maloney and James Morrison.
For fans of the Premier League there are some familiar faces in Nigeria's side. Shola Ameobi is asked to lead the line, while Joseph Yobo also starting for the African champions. Victor Moses is on the bench alongside Peter Odemwingie, who could make his first appearance for Nigeria in over two years later tonight.
It's all about preparing for the World Cup for Nigeria tonight. Stephen Keshi could experiment with a few plans as the game progresses, but it looks like he's picked a strong lineup. They'll meet Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nigeria will be confident of reaching the knockout stages, but it could be important to find form prior to the tournament.
Gordon Strachan takes a confident squad into this match tonight. They're unbeaten in their previous five games, winning four since failing to qualify for the World Cup. The Scotland boss will be looking ahead to the Euro 2016 qualifying, which begins in the autumn. A victory tonight would be another step in the right direction.
PREDICTION: Kickoff is less than 10 minutes away, so it's time for my prediction. There are bigger games to come for Nigeria, who will be hoping to peak in Brazil rather than in West London. Scotland are an improving side and I can see them earning a draw tonight. 2-2.
It's going to be cramped on both benches this evening. Strachan has 14 substitutes at his disposal, while there are 11 more players waiting for their chance on the Nigerian bench. Plenty of Keshi's side will be looking to impress tonight.
One thing you can guarantee from Strachan is a great quote prior to any game. In the press conference before this match, he wisely stated: "You get the ball, you try to score. You haven't got the ball, you don't let them score - it's not that complicated."
Here we go then. The national anthems have been played. It's a great atmosphere inside Craven Cottage, with both set of supporters making plenty of noise. We're almost ready for kickoff.
Nigeria get the game underway. It's an important night of so many players, with seven Nigerian players set to be cut from the provisional squad after this game.
Strachan has clearly asked Scotland to press the ball high up the pitch. Naismith is leading by example to make sure Nigeria's defenders don't have time to relax in possession.
Obi breaks forward from midfield to win a corner for his side following a long spell of possession. Brown gets his head on the first ball, before a deflected effort from Obi hands Nigeria another corner.
CHANCE! Scotland survive an extended period of pressure before creating the first opportunity of the game. Anya does superbly to collect a long pass before striking an effort from a tight angle which takes a deflection on its way onto the post. Inches away from the opening goal.
Nigeria have settled well, and are controlling possession at the moment. They'll be wary of the threat posed by the quick Anya following that chance. There's a heated exchange between Ameobi and Brown after the latter hits a quick free kick straight at Uzoenyi.
SAVE! Nigeria are almost gifted a goal when Hutton gives the ball away on the edge of the box. Uchebo should do much better as he hits a tame effort straight at McGregor.
GOAL! NIGERIA 0-1 SCOTLAND (MULGREW)
What a clever piece of skill from Charlie Mulgrew! A corner is taken short to Morrison, whose effort is heading well wide of the target. However, Mulgrew is in the right place at the right tame to flick the ball over the head Ejide. Scotland lead the African champions.
Scotland are full of confidence after taking the lead, and they keep the pressure on with a couple of corners in the space of a few seconds. Nigeria manage to hold firm, but it's Scotland who look more settled now.
Uzoenyi wastes a corner as Scotland's supporters continue to make more of the noise. It's clear that Nigeria have the pace to cause problems, but they're finding it difficult to create space on the wings.
It's clear that Keshi is experimenting with his team tonight, and it doesn't take a genius to work out that the likes of Odemwingie, Moses and Emmenike would push a few of these players out of the side. Scotland in control at the moment.
Ameobi is attempting to get involved as much as possible, but winning the headers we expect him to is not having the desire effect. Scotland are still pressing well when they don't have the ball, while Anya continues to impress on the left.
Lovely work from Scotland as the step up the tempo in midfield. Brown breaks forward from a deep position, but he fails to play Naismith in on goal. Promising signs for Strachan's side.
Ameobi brings down the ball well, but his progress is halted by a superb challenge from Hanley. Top defending on show there, but it'd a few moments later from Mulgrew as he gives a free kick away on the edge of the box.
Ameobi isn't known as a set piece specialist, and he might fall further down the pecking order after curling his effort into the stands from 25 yards out. Poor from the forward who becomes a free agent this summer.
Scotland are being pushed back, with Nigeria beginning to dominate possession once again. The Nigerian supporters are loving it as Mulgrew commits another foul in frustration. Obi's free kick fails to find a teammate.
Uchebo collects the ball on the right, before cutting inside and firing a poor effort over the crossbar from just inside the box.
SHOT! Nigeria continues to apply pressure as Uzoenyi becomes the next players to try his luck with a sliced effort that fails to trouble McGregor from 30 yards out.
Another shot from distance, this time from Scotland. It's clever play from the Scots as they keep the passes shot before a Maloney strike sails into the stands behind the goal.
Anya's pace is a threat again as he bursts clear on the left before winning a corner when his cross is headed behind. Scotland then see a goal chalked off when Hanley is penalised for a foul on Ejide. It looked soft, but Lee Probert believes different.
Nigeria need to get the ball out wide more often. They're enjoying long spells of possession, but they've been to narrow with their play, which has allowed Scotland to easily deal with the threat.
SAVE! A cross from the left appears to be too far behind Ameobi, who swivels impressively to attempt an acrobatic shot. Luckily for McGregor, the ball lands safely in his hands.
Much better from Nigeria as they work the ball from left to right before forcing Robertson to concede a corner. The ball is put in a good position, but Egwuekwe is unable to direct a header at goal.
Lovely play from Scotland again, but Naismith is unable to make firm contact with the ball after meeting a cross at the near post. Nigeria lucky to survive there.
GOAL! NIGERIA 1-1 SCOTLAND (UCHEBO)
Nigeria level just before the break. Uchebo is given far too much space to advance forward, and the luck appears to be on his side when a wild strike hits Hanley before flying past a helpless McGregor. Unfortunate for Scotland.
It's just got a little bit louder inside Craven Cottage thanks to that goal. Nigeria look confident again now following a slightly lucky equaliser. Uchebo certainly doesn't mind after opening his account on the international stage.
Uzoenyi delivers a brilliant corner, but none of his teammates are able to add the finishing the touch. McGregor collects another cross just moments later.
CHANCE! Ameobi should put Nigeria ahead in the only minute of stoppage time after Scotland gift possession to Nigeria on the edge of the box. The ball finds the Newcastle striker, who earns some space but fires a shot wide from 12 yards.
HALF TIME: NIGERIA 1-1 SCOTLAND
It's all square at Craven Cottage at the end of the first half. Mulgrew put the Scots ahead with a clever flick, but Uchebo's deflected effort has earned parity for Nigeria. Both teams have had spells on top, so the scoreline is not surprising.
Strachan will probably feel that his side should have gone on to take control after breaking the deadlock, but the final ball has been a problem for Scotland. They've struggled to create many clear opportunities since going ahead, despite the efforts of the lively Anya.
Seven players will be cut from the Nigerian squad before the World Cup, and they still have two friendlies to play before the group stage. In truth, not many players have impressed in this experimental side but they've shown good fight to draw level. There's likely to be plenty of changes at the break.
We're just a few moments away from the second half. At first glance, it looks like Chris Martin will be coming on for Scotland.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Martin is on for his debut as a replacement for Naismith, which means Scotland will have a stronger presence to search for up front. Nigeria are unchanged at the break. Scotland will get the second half started.
Lively start to the second half as Nigeria see most of the ball in the opening stages. Keshi will want to see more from this group of players, but he's likely to make changes soon.
SAVE! Scotland are looking dangerous, but Nigeria suddenly break impressively. It appears that the Scottish defence will clear before a loose ball drops to Ameobi, whose drilled effort is superbly kept out by the foot of McGregor.
Anya cuts in from the left to see a powerful strike deflected behind. Maloney's corner is poor, but Scotland regain possession and keep the pressure on. The game is being played at a great pace early in the second half.
GOAL! NIGERIA 1-2 SCOTLAND (Egwuekwe OG)
Disaster for Nigeria. Scotland regain the lead thanks to an own goal from Egwuekwe. Hutton is played in, and gets to the line to deliver an excellent cross. Morrison's touch isn't strong enough, but Egwuekwe is unable to stop himself from handing the lead back to the Scots.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Nigeria make two changes in the space of a minute as Odemwingie and Nosa Igiebor come on for Obi and Uchebo. Can they make the difference?
SHOT! Scotland need to make sure they do not invite too much pressure so soon after taking the lead. Nigeria are desperate to get back on level terms immediately as Igiebor's low strike is saved by McGregor.
It's been a strange game, with Nigeria now looking stronger than ever after falling behind for the second time. It appears that more changes are on the way as a promising attack breaks down when McGregor collects a poor cross from Uzoenyi.
Scotland have another goal disallowed! A flowing passing move sees the ball find Hutton, who delivers an inch-perfect cross from the right. Maloney adds the finishing touch, but a replay proves that he was clearly offside.
SUBSTITUTION: More changes for both sides. Morrison makes way for George Boyd shortly after Moses and Uche Nwofor had replaced Ameobi and Uzoenyi.
Moses is looking to make an impact immediately as he cuts in from the right, but a lack of options means he cannot prevent losing the ball on the edge of the box. Scotland have defended well tonight, which will certainly please Strachan.
SUBSTITUTION: Nnamdi Oduamadi is the latest player to come off the bench as Babatunde makes way.
SAVE! Scotland are starting to look very dangerous on the break as Boyd links well with fellow substitute Martin, whose fierce strike is beaten away by Ejide. The Derby forward wasn't far away from a debut goal there.
It's been slightly frenetic at times, but the crowd have been entertained. Judging by the state of the game at the moment it looks like we could be seeing more goals before the final whistle. Gaps are beginning to appear at both ends of the pitch.
Scotland seem more than happy to play on the counter, but they need to be wary of how deep they're dropping at the back. Strachan is continuing to shout orders at his players from the sidelines. There's a break in play as Odunlami receives treatment.
SUBSTITUTE: Not a good sign for Odunlami as he is stretchered off. It looks like his place at the World Cup could be under threat. Celtic's Efe Ambrose is his replacement.
SUBSTITUTION: Strachan uses his bench again to replace Robertson with Craig Forsyth. The flurry of changes is affecting the flow of the game at this stage.
Nigeria easily clear a free kick, before a long ball forward comes agonisingly close to playing in Anya, who has not seen as much of the action in the second half. Scotland frustrating Nigeria with a good spell once again.
Scotland are doing a good job of slowing the game down as we enter the final 10 minutes of normal time at Craven Cottage. Nigeria seem to be running out of ideas, with Odemwingie and Moses both struggling to make a difference.
Excellent play from Boyd, who has looked lively since being introduced, but his deep cross to the back post is sliced wide on the volley by Anya. It was a very difficult chance for the winger.
Moses gets the space he's desperate for on the left, and he looks a threat as he eases past a couple of defenders. However, the final product just isn't good enough as he fires a shot over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Steven Whittaker comes off the bench to replace Anya, who gets a very warm round of applause from the Scottish supporters.
CHANCE! Nigeria miss the opportunity to draw level for the second time. An extended spell of pressure ends with a cross finding Nwofor, but the substitute flicks his header just over the bar.
YELLOW CARD! You've got to do something bad to pick up a booking in an international friendly. Brown certainly can have no arguments after chopping down Igiebor.
CHANCE! Another opportunity is missed. It's Nwofor again as he directs his latest header wide after reaching the front post ahead of his marker. Nigeria should probably be level.
GOAL! NIGERIA 2-2 SCOTLAND (NWOFOR)
Nigeria score at the death! An initial cross is blocked by Greer. Hanley then has the opportunity to clear, but a delay sees the ball break loose to Nwofor, who makes up for his two earlier misses by firing past McGregor from a tight angle. Three minutes added on.
It's all Nigeria in the closing stages as Hutton makes a crucial sliding challenge to keep out Moses. Scotland are panicking at the back now.
FULL TIME: NIGERIA 2-2 SCOTLAND
The final whistle is blown after a dramatic finish at Craven Cottage. Scotland led until the final minute of normal time, but a mistake from Hanley allowed Nwofor to earn the draw for Nigeria. In truth, it was probably a fair result. Scotland's unbeaten run is stretched to six games, while Nigeria's experimental side have managed to avoid defeat ahead of the World Cup.
That's all from me tonight. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Thanks for joining me. Goodbye.

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