The second match of the day is also the second match of Group F, following yesterday’s unconvincing Argentine victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina. Today, the current African champions Nigeria take on three-time Asian champions Iran. I can’t pretend I know much about these two sides, but read on and you’ll at least be able to pretend you know the little that I do.
What’s At Stake
What did we learn yesterday from Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina? Argentina haven’t quite hit their stride yet, and World Cup debutant Bosnia is an organized, dangerous side, probably second-best in the group. That said, they didn’t manage a point yesterday, and Nigeria can get a foot in the door to the second round with three points today. Very little is expected of Iran, and they’ll probably just try to keep clean sheets and get lucky. They’ll settle for a draw here.
Iran will play 4-4-2, and will probably find themselves under serious pressure. They’ll defend in two lines of four, with the two forwards dropping deep to press and looking to hold up the ball on the wings to start counterattacks. Talented Ashkan Dejagah plays for England’s recently-relegated Fulham F.C., so he should be comfortable as part of a team that’s short on hope.
Nigeria played a 4-3-3 against the USA two weeks ago – or at least, that was the shape the disorganized Nigerians appeared to have in mind. Poor American finishing and a late Nigeria penalty meant a 2-1 loss flattered the African side, which passed around decently in the back but played without any sense of attacking direction. Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa have the speed and talent to hurt Iran if the Persians allow themselves to be drawn out, but Iran might keep Nigeria off the scoresheet if they stay tight at the back.
The problem for Iran is that coach Carlos Queiros likes to play a high offside trap, and the African champions have pace in abundance. The Nigerian speedsters will have enough chances to put one away if the trap doesn’t drop a bit deeper today.
Derek Rae and Efan Ekoku. English-born Ekoku won the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 1994. He has a curious habit of not seeing things that contradict his opinions. If his immediate impressions of events in today’s match are colored by his Nigerianness, it should be interesting to observe his bouts of temporary blindness in the face of slow-motion video evidence.
Match-specific Drinking Games
Blindfold: Take a shot anytime Efan Ekoku persists with an opinion in the face of direct contradictory video evidence. How drunk? Dizzy.
Guessing: Have a sip whenever a commentator misidentifies one of Iran’s players. How drunk? Drunk, if you’re diligent. Efan won’t correct himself, however, so if you don’t know the Iran players yourself (and you don’t), you’ll miss a few.
Waterfall: Pick the minute in which you think the first yellow card will be awarded. Chug a beer for one second for each minute your guess was off. How drunk? Up to you!
Iran: Chai. Our guide recommends tea, but drinking alcohol in Iran is only illegal for the Muslim majority; religious minorities can buy and consume alcohol. So go nuts!
Nigeria: Kunun-zaki. Another non-alcoholic one! You probably need a break after Germany vs. Portugal, anyway.
For more:
– Read my general World Cup watching guide.
– Check out Zonal Marking, my favorite tactics website.
– See a commentary schedule or a review of each commentator.
– See where I’m getting my national drink recommendations.
– Check out other match previews from this group: Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Picture credit: alarabiya.net
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