Iran and Nigeria open up their World Cup accounts on Monday in Curitiba and neither team can afford to lose this game if they wish to advance to the knockout rounds. The Nigerian ‘Super Eagles’ will like their chances against the ‘Princes of Persia’, although the African team hasn’t made it to the knockout rounds since 1998 where they beat Spain, but lost to Denmark. The Iranians have qualified for the World Cup four times, the last being 2006 where they failed to make it to the knockout rounds.
Three English Premier League stars lead the Nigerians: John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, and Peter Odemwingie. Their goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who plays for Lille in the French Ligue 1, has proven he is a capable performer at the highest level, including in the last World Cup in South Africa where he viciously denied Lionel Messi time and time again. However, the Nigerians haven’t quite had the best lead up heading into the tournament, tying games with Mexico, Scotland, and Greece and losing to the United States in their final lead up game. Coach Stephen Keshi’s experience and tactical expertise has also come into question.
Iran manager Carlos Quieroz was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United and comes into the match with good experience, however his team will undoubtedly be the underdogs and will need to pull off a miracle to beat the speedy Nigerians. The team has only won one FIFA World Cup match, beating the United States 2-1 in France in 1998. Reza Ghoochannejhad is Iran’s biggest threat and will likely be Iran’s sole forward, however he will need good delivery in order to be able to put away any chances. Steven Beitashour, who was born in America and plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS, will hope to start in the Iranian defense.
Expect both teams to come out attacking as they will both be underdogs in the other matches against group favorites Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina. As all three points are on the line, it will be very important for both sides to maintain cleanliness at the back, while hoping to create offensively. While this is perhaps not the best game of the tournament, the neutral observer can certainly hope for many goals.
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