A hat trick by Hansen in the second match of round of 16 sent out the highly rated former five times champions, the Eaglets of Nigeria.
It was added pain because their victor, Oranje of Holland were mere lucky loser in their group while Nigeria topped the group and lost 1-3.
The Eaglet handlers did not study the pedigrees or current performance of the Dutch and relied on the credentials to earn them victory. The Dutch had sent out world defending champions, England and came to the party in Brazil as European Champions.
It was a day that the God of soccer boycotted many fans who kept vigil and waiting to paint the town red as well as the team that thought getting into the last four standing had become a birth right.
Holland scored in the 4′ and hardly had the shout of the Nigerian equalizer died down before Holland made it 2-1.
A handball identified by the VAR gave a penalty that nailed the coffin of the Eaglets. Hansen who scored the hat trick now has five goals to his credit.
Tuesday morning was bad for Nigerian football that had 11 corners and wasted all; their was no twam play as each Nigerian player played to the gallery.
It was obvous that the Dutch players most of who are from Ajax Academy, were more skillful and tactical than Nigeria. They blocked shots and moves as well as constantly reduce the space for the operations of the Eaglets.
The Eaglets were a bunch of disappointment to a pocket of fans who used to come and shout “hei, hei, hei” which is to tell the players of their support.
The sign of weakness of the Eaglets had been diagnosed with the shock loss to far less fancied Australia in their third group match.
Tournament rules says defeated teams should leave the host countries within 48 hours so the Eaglets are expected in Abuja on Friday.
Holland will proceed to meet winner of Paraguay v Argentina match in the quarterfinal.
– ENIOLA OLATUNJI.
