Nigeria is a four-star show

A fantastic team performance, a ceiling of a support Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, assured Nigeria beat Belgium 4-1 to become the first team to reach the final of this year's Men's Olympic Football Tournament.

The opening half was dominated by Samson Siasia, and attacking his brilliance threatened to divide their opponents defence open. Much of the initial request came from Peter Odemwingie, whose pace and trickery had Belgium on the back foot from the outset.

Already in the first minute, Lokomotiv Moscow with interest quickly broke left and crossed the ball into the box. Logan Bailly, recovered from the shoulder injury that forced his early exit from the quarter-final victory over Italy, Palm away, but his clearance fell into the path of Ebenezer Ajilore. It feeds Sani Kaito, whose shot was saved by the Belgian goalkeeper.

A defensive slip of Nigeria almost gave the Europeans a great opportunity to score. Onyekachi Apam allowed the ball rebound in the head, but despite Kevin Miralles reacted quickly, his shot was wide of the goal.

The 17 minutes was action-packed and result in the game's first goal. Obasi Ogbuke ran right, twisting and turning its past, its form Belgian opponents before unleashing a shot which was returning expert post Bailly.

From the resulting corner, Victor Obinna played the ball and Odemwingie was found Femi Ajilore, whose shot was blocked. The Belgian backline could only partially clear the ball, which fell into the path of Olubayo Adefemi, and the rifle a shot home from 18 metres.

Nigeria nearly lost his concentration - and its example - in the minutes immediately after the goal. Anthony Van den Borre found the run Tom De Mul, which was denied by some last-defence.

However, after regaining his composure, is Dream Team IV, as they are known in their homeland, which seemed more likely to score. Solomon Okoronkwo beat his marker for pace and he himself received in a good position but his shot flashed wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Odemwingie will also have been disappointed not to at least test the keeper from close range after being provided by Obasi Ogbuke, and a single goal separated the sides at half-time.

Nigeria faces the happy dilemma of whether to defend their lead or push for a second after the interval, and almost took its toll confusion when Belgium had two great opportunities to score after the resumption. First, Moussa Dembele supplied Miralles, who showed a fine save from Ambrus Vanzekin. Then, Jan Vertonghen the first time volley from the corner De Mul was smothered by the keeper at his far post.

Siasia sent to Victor Anichebe for Okoronkwo and had an immediate impact, creating Obasi Ogbuke to side foot home at the hour mark, although the Everton striker missed a golden opportunity minutes later, hitting the ball wide of goal with the goal at his mercy - and most fans of Nigeria and conclusion.

That miss was forgotten, however, when Obasi Ogbuke scored his second and third Nigeria with a rasping drive from the edge of the box with 17 minutes to go. The right to strike legs will surely be one of the goals of the tournament, and dispel any doubt that Africans arriving at the end.

Six minutes later he added another. Obinna the corner from the left was taken in the short and Chibuzor Okonkwo, and his shot cannon off the post and into the net. Substitute Emmanuel Ekpo conducted a savings flight Bailly as Nigeria threatened to run riot, but Belgium grabbed a small consolation when Laurent CIM smashed home a free kick in the 89 th minute.

The goal, however, took place barely three minutes later Nigeria joy at the fact that had become the first team to book their place in the Olympic village and the Bird's Nest Stadium for the final, while Belgium must battle for the bronze.--fifa.com--