Nigeria beat ten-man the United States 2-1 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the men's soccer tournament at the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday.
The United States, with two goals down, pulled one back from the spot at the 87th minute after Nigerian goalkeeper Ambruse Vanzekin fell Maurice Edu in the area. Midfielder Sacha Kljestan converted the penalty, which inspired his team to wage a desperate but belated flurry of attacks.
Nigeria survived the America's onslaught thanks to the heroic performance of Vanzekin who fingertipped a powerful free kick by American substitute Benny Feilhaber at the 90th minute.
The United States were left at a disadvantage with only three minutes into play when their defender Michael Orozco was expelled for elbowing Nigeria's forward Solomon Okoronkwo.
Nigeria, who apparently boast superior individual skill, constantly rattled the Cowboys' defence with long-range attempts, which just could not get past determined American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
But Guzan was left with no chance at the 39th minute when Nigerian forward Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi wriggled through America's packed defence and deftly passed the ball to unmarked Promise Isaac who easily tapped it into the empty goal.
Striker Victor Obinna made the win for Nigeria more a certainty at the 79th minute as he raced into the area to collect a through pass and curled the ball past hapless Guzan.
Nigeria and the Netherlands, which beat Japan 1-0, qualified from the Group B for the quarterfinals at the expense of the United States and Japan.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13,2008)