World Cup: Super Eagles Set To Fly Over Iran, Today …As Argentina Beats Bosnia 2-1

Caution and purposefulness must be the watch words for Nigeria national football team, Super Eagles today as they join the fray at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014.
The Eagles clash with their counterparts from Iran, the very time both teams will be meeting, in their opening Group F game. To many observers, it is a game that Nigeria needs a strong start and victory in the expected battle for second place in the Group, Argentina having been installed as runway favourites to top the group.
However, Coach Stephen Keshi and his wards ought to be wary of the Iranians, who have been viewed as the whipping team of the Group. Reason is that the World Cup has been full of shock performances and results in most matches decided at the five-day old championship.
First, it was Croatia that made Brazil over work before having a lucky break to subdue the Croats. Defending Champions, Spain followed with a tepid performance that led to a 5-1 trouncing by the Netherlands. Costa Rica also turned popular expectations on its heads with a devastating 3-1 victory over mighty Uruguay.
So, the Nigerian team should bear in mind that favourites tag is only what it is, a paper rating. The Super Eagles must do the job on the pitch. They need to fly and soar above Iran to put them in good stead for the qualification for the Round of 16.
Interestingly, most Nigerians’ expectations are predicated on an opening day victory over Iran and another over Bosnia-herzegovina before meeting perennial nemesis, Argentina.
Thus, despite Nigeria’s apparent poor run in to the world Cup, the Eagles must put their acts together and rediscover the potency that earned them the toga of African Champions.
The Super Eagles will have to banish the effect of their four winless friendless, including a 2-1 defeat to the United States in Florida to grab the available points in their first match.
Side by side, Nigeria boasts better World Cup record having reached the knock out stages on two occasions and making a fifth appearance this time around. But Iran, four times qualifier, and looking for a second win at the World Cup, can hurt the unwary.
They seem confident of ruffling some feather in Brazil, especially, having been tutored by experienced Carlos Queiroz.
According to Iran’s Fulham forward, Ashkan Dejagah, “we’re not going to the World Cup expecting to win the tournament, but we think we can cause a few surprises. We have never got out of the group stages, so it would be great if we could get into the knock out rounds. I think we have a chance”.
As the Eagles file out tonight, first, Keshi must get his selections right, while the team must curb the lethargic attacking build up, woeful defending and lack of cohesion that characterized their pre-world cup warm up matches.
This is a match the Super Eagles can not-afford to draw, let alone lose.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored a superb goal as Argentina began their World Cup campaign with a win over World Cup debutante Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Argentina went ahead when Messi’s free-kick was put into his own net by defender Sead Kolasinac.
Messi then played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, jinked past two defenders and rifled in to make it 2-0.
The goal lifted Argentina and, despite Vedad Ibisevic slotting in late on for Bosnia-Hercegovina, they held on.

Super Eagles of Nigeria lineup in a recent match