Dream Cup: Ilerika Takes Blame For Future Eagles 6-1 Humiliating Loss To Japan

Dream Cup: Ilerika Takes Blame For Future Eagles 6-1 Humiliating Loss To Japan

Ibraheem Lateef

Nigeria U16 coach, Haruna Ilerika has absolved his lads from any blame, rather taking all the criticism as his fault, following the team's second defeat in the ongoing Dream Cup in Fukushima, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria had gone into Friday's game looking to bounce back to winning ways after a narrow loss in their opener.

The Future Eagles put up a gallant display but fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Netherlands in their first game in the Dream Cup.

Ahead of their second game, the Ilerika-coached side was in a confident mood of a positive result against the hosts.

However, the game turned out to be a one-sided affair as Japan walloped the Future Eagles.

Ilerika while reacting to a 6-1 humiliating loss to Japan said: "It's very unfortunate but I am not disappointed in my boys.

"If anyone will receive the blame, it's me (Ilerika) and probably nature. We had the game under control with good team play but playing in the rain and wasting our opportunities, even a penalty, cost us dearly.

"We are learning every day. Japan don't stream their match to the public that's why you didn't see it.

"We were better than the first game but the result is embarrassing. Sorry for everything but there's a lot to take home from here."