Azeez rues Super Sand Eagles loss to Spain

By Gbenga Jolaosho

Super Sand Eagles player, Abu Azeez, is pained that Nigeria lost opportunity of clinching the 2017 Copa Lagos to Spain despite the spirited effort put up by him and his colleagues in the championship.
The Nigeria’s Beach Soccer team was beaten 5-6 by Spain in the final played on Sunday at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, and thus end up picking silver medal in the tournament.
It is Spain’s first ever COPA Lagos title as they subjected the Sand Eagles to another final defeat following the Nigerians’ loss to Switzerland in last year’s final.
“We never expected to lose in the final because we were prepared for the competition. We fought very well but I think luck was against us,” Azeez lamented while reacting on the outcome of the game.
“It’s really painful that for the second consecutive time that we got to the final and yet could not lift the trophy, but I believe we did Nigeria proud despite the loss.”
Both Spain and the Sand Eagles went into the game undefeated after winning their previous two games in this year’s tournament. In the first period Spain went in front twice with goals from Llorenc and Eduard Molina but EmekaOgbonna and EkutimiEganosi brought the Sand Eagles back on two occasions to end the first period 2-2.
The second period saw the Sand Eagles go 3-2 up but Molina equalised to bring Spain back in the game to 3-3.
Molina once again got on the score sheet to put Spain 4-3 up but Abu Azeez drew the Sand Eagles back level.
Once again the Spaniards went in front again, this time through their goalkeeper Francisco Lopez who gave them a 5-4 lead close to the end of the second period.
The Spaniards extended their lead to 6-4 thanks to Adrian Garcia in the third period.
With time running out, Azeez pulled a goal back for Nigeria which was only a consolation goal as Spain held on to claim their first ever COPA Lagos title.

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