NPFL’s All Stars beaten by Atletico Madrid through late goal

The NPFL’s All Stars yesterday suffered another defeat when they fell to the supremacy of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, as they finished bottom of the table at the just concluded Trofeo de Carranza tournament in Cadiz, Spain.

Abdulrahman Bashir levelled up beautifully six minutes from time after the Spanish side had taken the lead in the 33rd minute. Nicolas Gaitan earlier capitalised on a mistake to slot home.

Diego Godin then grabbed the winning goal for Atletico a minute from time.
 As expected, Atletico Madrid dominated proceedings but were repelled by the All-Stars defenders who put up a disciplined performance for the whole game.

Their resistance was however broken by a fine strike by Argentine midfielder Gaitan who curled in a fine effort behind Ikechukwu Ezenwa.Abdulrahmam Bashir came close to restoring parity for the Nigerian side in the 70th minute but blazed his effort wide.

Bashir equalised for the All-Stars six minutes from time.The team had earlier lost in the semi-final to eventual winners of the tournament Malaga CF 4-1.The La Liga tour may have come and gone, but its memories will linger for a long time as it brought about exposure, experience and an opportunity for the Nigeria Professional Football League players who had the chance to play some of the biggest players in World football.

Excitement, experience and lessons are most of those things Nigeria Professional Football League All Star team will take back home despite the bottom place finish at the just concluded Trofeo de Carranza tournament in Cadiz, Spain.