"AWONIYI IS MY TYPE OF STRIKER!" - Asamoah Gyan

Golden Eaglets striker Taiwo Awoniyi is the type of striker you only notice when paying close attention. One man who recognised his efforts at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday was Asamoah Gyan, the Ghana striker extraordinaire who’s top-scored in UAE’s top-flight for the last two seasons with club side Al Ain. Gyan is one of the perfect examples of the lone striker having led the Black Stars attack to great applause for many years, including featuring at two FIFA World Cups and knows a thing or two about life as a lone striker. After watching the Eaglets dismantle Iran, Gyan said “I like him, that No18, Awoniyi. He does all the work up there and creates a lot. This is my kind of player.”

When Gyan’s praises are passed on to the youngster after the game, his face lights up like a bulb. “Wow,” he said bashfully, shuffling his feet on the floor. “He [Gyan] is such a great striker and he knows that it isn’t always about scoring. A lot of times you have to work hard so that your teammates can be the ones to get the goals.”