Report: Nigeria 1-5 England Deaf Men

England Deaf Men made it two wins from two at the World Deaf Football Championship with a 5-1 victory over Nigeria.

The Para Lions had to endure some nervy moments in Kuala Lumpur though, with goalkeeper Alex Smith saving penalties in either half.

But first-half goals from Jamie Clarke and Abdou Jobe, plus two more from Oliver Manoochehri and Will Palmer late on, meant their side retain a 100 per cent record heading into their final group game with Gabon on Wednesday, having beaten Australia 4-1 in their opening match.

Nigeria had a golden opportunity to take the lead after just five minutes when Salaudeen Saleh intercepted a back-pass and went down in the penalty area under what appeared to be minimal contact with goalkeeper Smith.

The Nigeria forward stepped up to take the resulting penalty but it was well saved low to his left by Smith.

Nigeria were causing England real problems and moments after Saleh had shot over when one-on-one, he then got in behind once more and laid the ball off to John Agbaji, but his goal-bound effort was blocked close to the line by Joe Dixon.

The Para Lions centre-back, who bagged a brace in the opening match, almost scored in his own net when Smith had to tip over his backwards header.

But England weathered the early onslaught and took the lead on 16 minutes when Matt McQueeney squared to Clarke and he finished confidently.

Clarke then had his second ten minutes later when Harry Boorman showed quick feet and released the England captain, who rounded the goalkeeper before scoring in an empty net.

Abdou Jobe then added a classy third shortly before half-time when he rolled the defender following a throw-in, and skipped past another man before drilling the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.

Similar to the first half, Nigeria started brightly after the restart and Saleh shot wide minutes into the second period.

And like the opening half, they were awarded another penalty, this time when the ball rebounded up and hit the arm of Ellis McLean from close range. But just like the opening half, Smith was equal to the effort, this time saving Adeola Adegoke’s effort low to his right.

Nigeria did score a few minutes later though when Saleh was put in behind the England defence and squared the ball to Agbaji for a simple tap-in to make it 3-1.

Substitute Kehmati Anderson almost restored the three-goal advantage when he curled a long-range effort over the goalkeeper’s head but it struck the crossbar.

The forward then released Clarke soon after but this time the captain’s finish went wide.

England were to add gloss on the result though with two late goals.

First, replacement Manoochehri expertly glanced in a header from a corner before Boorman’s deep cross was volleyed across goal by Cole Neil, leaving fellow replacement Palmer with a tap in.

Next up for the Para Lions is Gabon on Wednesday in their final group match, with kick-off set for 1.30pm BST and the match should again be streamed live on the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association’s YouTube channel.

England: 1 Alex Smith, 2 Harry Boorman, 3 Dylan Cross, 4 Phil Swift, 5 Matt Oaten, 7 Abdou Jobe, 8 Ellis McLean, 9 Jamie Clarke ©, 11 Matt McQueeney, 12 Joe Dixon, 14 Cavell Donaldson

Substitutes: 20 Kehmati Anderson for McQueeney 59, 10 Oliver Manoochehri for Jobe 68, 18 Cole Neil for Donaldson 82, 19 Will Palmer for Clarke 82

Substitutes not used: 13 Sam Edwards, 6 Rylan Casey, 15 Gino King, 16 Drew Rowley, 17 Henry Bowe

Head coach: Sam Manoochehri

Goals: Jamie Clarke 16, 26, Abdou Jobe 38, Oliver Manoochehri 83, Will Palmer 90