By Tonte Davies
Nigeria were held in a goalless draw against Iran contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians. Both teams created chances for goals but failed to convert their chances. However, it was the Super Eagles who possessed about 63 percent of the ball throughout the game yet it counted for…nothing. Nigeria’s domination was witnessed by an attendant crowd of 39,081 at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.
Arguably, the first half was far off better than the second 45 minutes from a Nigeria perspective, given the exceptional performance of the squad. The Super Eagles started the game on a high-tempo moving the ball in quick transition while ‘bullying’ Iran. The Asian champions on the other hand, were on the back-foot for 15-20 minutes soaking in pressure from the Nigerians. Afterwards, the Iranians got into the grind of the game creating chances of their own through Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejad.
On the opposite end, Emmanuel Emenike started as lone striker – which many disapproved – with support cast from Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa. Victor Moses got Nigeria’s first chance at goal but his effort was tame and an easy catch for goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi. The Super Eagles lost Godfrey Oboabona 29 minutes into the first half as he picked up an injury, allowing for Joseph Yobo to step in. The team captain (Yobo) was handed the armband by stand-in captain Vincent Enyeama.
The draw means Iran and Nigeria share the spoils with a point each, a pill hard to swallow for the Nigerians and especially, the coach Stephen Keshi. The stalemate between both teams is the first of the tournament which audiences across the world found somewhat ‘boring.’ Stephen Keshi did not hold back his disappointment at the end of 90 minutes. “The boys were too nervous and unsettled, you don’t do that at this stage,” mused Keshi.
Stephen Keshi may share in the performance of his team, he urged them to “move on” ahead of their encounter with Bosnia and Herzegovina.”It happens in football. We really didn’t perform as expected but we have to move on,” said Keshi. Concerning their next game against Bosnia, Keshi says “I wanted a win but must take a draw. We must do better do get a win against Bosnia.” Stephen Keshi’s counterpart Carlos Queiroz is certainly happy with the draw his team ‘earned.’
“I’m very happy but it was difficult,” Carlos Queiroz said. “We played against a great team. It was necessary to play a realistic game. We fought for every ball, every space and played 90 minutes with one thing in our mind,” Queiroz further said. Carlos Queiroz did not mince words when he said “now it is Argentina,” implying their next match against the table-toppers as crucial. But Queiroz was unequivocal in his words about the chances of his team: “the most important thing is that everything remains open for us.”
Argentina sit top of Group F table with three points following their 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday. The south America team will face-off against Iran on Saturday 5pm Nigeria time, while the Super Eagles will expect to soar higher than Bosnia at 11pm local time.
Image Source: AP/DailyMail