'Nigeria already has six points' - Brazil U20 coach admits Group D is very balanced 

Brazil U20 head coach Ramon Menezes has admitted that Group D of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup is very balanced heading into the final round, with a strong possibility that three teams could finish with the same number of points.

After a shock 3-2 loss to the Italians in their opening group game, the five-time world champions sent a message to the Flying Eagles that they are back in business by demolishing Dominican Republic 6-0 to boost their chances of qualifying to the knockout stage.

Six different players netted for the South American powerhouse, namely Savio, Marcos Leonardo, Jean Pedroso , Giovane , Marlon Gomes and Matheus Martins .

A disciplined and well-organized Nigeria side maintained their one hundred percent start to the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Italy. 

If Brazil beat Nigeria on Saturday and Italy register a win against Dominican Republic, three teams would finish on six points and goal difference would be used as the tiebreaker. 

"The World Cup is very difficult and our group is very balanced. Nigeria already has six points. It was worth a lot for the difference," Menezes was quoted as saying by Globo.

"Now it's time to recover these players, show the difficulties of this decisive game, and football doesn't even have time to celebrate. 

"We already have a trip, we have to train to play a great game on Saturday."
 

Group D table-toppers Nigeria have a goal difference of +3, Brazil +5, Italy -1 and Dominican Republic -7. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: fifa.com 

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