June, 4 2023.
The identities of the remaining two semifinalists of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup being staged in Argentina will be revealed today, after the last pair of quarterfinal fixtures would have been decided.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria, who did the Improbable when ousting the tournament hosts, Argentina with a 2-0 Round of 16, are in action on Sunday evening against South Korea, in Santiago with the winner qualifying for the last four.
The last quarterfinal fixture will see a miserly USA Under-20 side, who are yet to concede in the tournament go against Uruguay, the only South American team left in the competition.
The first two semifinalists emerged on Saturday, with debutants, Israel twice rallying back to hold the Junior Seleçao of Brazil 2-2; and completed the upset by beating the Samba Boys 3-2 at extra time, despite missing two late penalties, in quick succession during extra time, ckdmedia.ng reports.
The Under-20 Azzurris of Italy then sent another South American power house, Colombia crashing out of the tournament, with a 3-1 thrashing, to be one the second side to reach the semifinals.
Nigeria's best showing at this level has been appearance in two finals in 1989 (Saudi Arabia) and 2005 (the Netherlands); and the Flying Eagles lost both finals to Portugal and Argentina respectively.