West Ham United Academy goalkeepers Daniel Jinadu and Krisztian Hegyi both featured for their respective countries at the Under-17 World Cup last night.
The duo, who both started as Nigeria U17s fought back to overpower Hungary U17s in their Group B opener on Saturday night, enjoyed an evening of mixed fortunes in Brazil during Tuesday night’s action.
Jinadu’s Nigeria started their game against Ecuador brightly, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Ibrahim Said pounced on a stray pass from South American keeper Joan Lopez to finish into an empty net.
The West Ham keeper was then unfortunate to concede an equaliser five minutes later, Adrián Carrasco’s shot rebounding off the post and into the net via the committed Jinadu’s back.
The Hammers keeper had little further involvement as his side pushed forwards, but could do little for the Ecuardorians’ second after half-time, Johan Mendoza blasting a VAR-awarded penalty into the top corner.
Once again the Super Eagles had a late comeback within them, however, Said curling in his second with a spectacular finish five minutes from time, before the livewire striker completed his hat-trick three minutes later with a powerful finish from inside the area.
The 3-2 win guarantees Nigeria’s progression to the Round of 16, with knockout matches commencing 5 November.
Jinadu’s teammate Hegyi, however, still faces a fight with Hungary to advance to the next round, as they drew 2-2 with Australia.
The Hungarians had looked on course to record their first win of the tournament when a header from Peter Barath and a penalty by Akos Zuigeber gave them a two-goal lead in the first-half, albeit largely against the run of play.
Australia dominated possession and tested Hegyi on numerous occasions in the second half, finally beating the West Ham goalkeeper through their own VAR-awarded penalty, which Noah Botic stroked into the top corner twenty minutes from time.
The Socceroos then completed their own quickfire comeback five minutes later, Caleb Watts tucking in a counter-attack from close range.
The point marks Hungary’s first at an U17 World Cup in 34 years, but without a win so far in Group B, they will more than likely need to defeat Ecuador on Friday night to advance to the next round.
