Nigerian Coach Rue missed chances

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback was left
rueing the missed chances that cost his
side victory over South Korea and
confirmed their World Cup elimination.
Striker Yakubu missed an open goal as
Nigeria could only manage a 2-2 draw with
South Korea, a result which handed the
Asian side a place in the last 16.
"I was disappointed about all the chances,"
said Lagerback.
"Mostly I feel disappointed and sad. It's the
results that count so there is not much to
say."
Nigeria would have become the first team
to lose their opening two games at a World
Cup and still progress to the last 16 had they
converted one of their chances to beat
South Korea late on.
But, after defeats by Argentina and Greece,
the Nigerian side were unable to take the
critical three points.
Yakubu scored a penalty to pull Nigeria level
at 2-2 in the second half, but the Everton
striker had missed an incredible
opportunity minutes earlier.
From four yards out Yakubu had an empty
net to aim at when the ball was pulled back
to him but he somehow caught the ball with
his heel and sent it skimming past the right
post - a miss former England striker Alan
Shearer called "the worst miss I have ever
seen".
And the profligacy continued, with
substitute Obafemi Martins running onto a
pass from Chinedu Obasi and chipping the
ball over the goalkeeper only to see it drift
just wide, while Kalu Uche also hit the post.
Despite his disappointment, Lagerback was
magnanimous in defeat.
"I can only congratulate the South Koreans,"
said Lagerback, who will have to watch on
in frustration as the Asian side take on
Uruguay in the last 16.
"I was a little bit sorry about all the time
wasting, I don't think it's fair play, but I
think the Nigeria players have done really
well.
"The players have done really well. They
worked hard over time."