The interest in Group F at first glance appears to be solely on who will end up second. With Argentina massive favorites to finish first, the likes of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, and Nigeria look to be left to fight it out for the second place.
Argentina will feel pressure to win and win big, so there could be some early jitters for a team expected to leave victorious in all three group matches. On paper, there shouldn’t’ be any problems for Lionel Messi and company, whose sights are set much further than this group.
The remaining three teams will relish playing each other and will believe they can get the better of the opposition. Bosnia’s attacking strength may tip the balance in their favour. However, they are also an inexperienced outfit on this stage and the fear is that they could be overwhelmed by the occasion.
Iran were solid down the stretch in qualifying and with Carlos Quieroz’s experience will believe their time has finally come to make a big impact at the World Cup.
Nigeria are reemerging as one of Africa’s best. After a disappointing 2010 tournament, they will see this group as a way to make things right. It won’t receive the hype of some other groups, but this is another captivating section that should go right to the end.
>> Bosnia & Herzegovina Team Preview
ArgentinaAs they usually are, Argentina enter the 2014 World Cup as one of the pre-tournament favourites. A positive qualifying campaign has seen the stock of Alejandro Sabella’s team rise. In a quality-laden squad which is highlighted by the presence of Lionel Messi, there is no question that Argentina have the personnel to lead them to World Cup glory on their rival Brazil’s soil.
What must be answered is whether the mental toughness is there to beat the best deep into the tournament. Argentina finished first in the CONMEBOL region qualifying and their attacking prowess was once again on display. 35 goals in sixteen qualifiers is a fantastic return, but perhaps the most uplifting statistic for Albiceleste fans is that the team conceded less than one goal per game.
After winning only once in their first three matches to begin their campaign including a defeat to Venezuela and a home draw with Bolivia, Sabella’s team reeled off six victories in seven matches in the middle of the qualifiers. With a very winnable group dealt to them, the focus for many has already shifted to how far could this team really go.
Key players
With a genius footballer in their ranks, everything for Argentina starts and ends with Messi. The Barcelona star and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year has enormous pressure on his shoulders to lead Argentina to victory this summer. Though he is coming off an average season compared to his super-human standards, Messi could legitimately lay claim to being one of the best ever if he can lift the World Cup trophy come 13th July.
Messi comprises one part of the talented quartet known as the ‘Fantastic Four’. These skilled attacking players are Argentina’s biggest strength: Pure goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain, exciting winger Angel di Maria and the energetic and speedy Sergio Aguero round out the talented foursome. When on form they have enough ability to win any match and their differing styles will undoubtedly be a major headache for any opposition.
In defence, Ezequiel Garay is a highly sought after centre-back on the radar of many big European clubs. Martin Demichelis also provides experience and is coming off a fantastic second half of the season for Manchester City.
Coach profile – Alejandro Sabella
Alejandro Sabella’s reign as Argentina coach has been smooth sailing so far. The 59-year-old took over the team after a disastrous 2011 Copa America and has transformed a loose collection of supremely talented individuals into a formidable unit. Sabella previously coached at Estudiantes, winning an Argentine title and also the Copa Libertadores. He has thus far been able to make a real impact on this squad by squeezing the best out of Messi. The team is set up in order to maximize the player’s talents and if that can continue Sabella could lead his team to something special in Brazil.
Expectations and prediction
For Argentina and a few other select sides, nothing else matters except winning the trophy on offer. Group F looks like it will be easily navigated by Sabella’s men, the real test will come further down the line. After not advancing past the quarter-finals since 1990, the expectations are downright enormous that Argentina do well. A place in the semi-finals is the least this team will want to achieve and if everything falls into place then it wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that Argentina have a real shot at winning the World Cup.
Group fixtures
Argentina v Bosnia (15th June, Estadio do Maracana, Rio De Janeiro)
Argentina v Iran (21st June, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte)
Argentina v Nigeria (25th June, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre)
Bosnia-HerzegovinaBosnia-Herzegovina’s presence at the 2014 World Cup means that every tournament in the competition’s history will have had at least one debutant. Bosnia will be the only first-time participant in Brazil, but even though they haven’t qualified in the past, there is already a buzz that they could make an impact.
Safet Susic’s side were superb in qualifying, finishing top of their section as they edged out Greece on goal difference. The Bosnians won eight of their ten matches and scored a whopping 30 goals in the process. It was a fantastic return and helped erase the disappointment in recent years of going out in the playoffs before major tournaments.
There is a great deal of individual quality in the squad with some world-class talent leading the way. After the draw was made, supporters of the Zmajevi (Dragons) were even more excited about the World Cup. While they may not have the requisite experience, this is a team that can score goals and will be a handful, especially for the likes of group opponents such as Nigeria and Iran.
Key players
The highest profile member of the team is undoubtedly Edin Dzeko. The player who recently scored several crucial goals to help Manchester City to the Premier League title was in red-hot form in the qualifiers scoring ten goals. He may be seen as a tall and lanky striker with good aerial ability, but most impressive is his finishing and dribbling abilities.
The vastly experience Vedad Ibisevic chipped in with eight goals in qualifying including the winner in Lithuania in the final match that got Bosnia to Brazil. Roma starlet Miralem Pjanic is this team’s creative genius. His playmaking skills which include his touch and passing along with a fine free-kick will be a danger for any opposition.
Asmir Begovic, Stoke City’s six-foot, six-inch towering goalkeeper conceded only six goals in the qualifiers. Another one to watch is the veteran Emir Spahic. A leader at the back, the long-serving defender is set to play in his first and probably last World Cup.
Coach profile – Safet Susic
A magnificent footballer in his playing days, Safet Susic has been with Bosnia since December 2009. Having had previous coaching stints in France, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, Susic took over Bosnia and has since turned them into a high quality side. He has won plaudits not only for taking Bosnia to the World Cup and their highest ever spot in the FIFA Rankings (13th), but for doing so with style. His 4-1-3-2 attacking system has helped spur an attractive Bosnian team who can score for fun. At club level most of Susic’s experience comes from Turkish football, where he has coached Istanbulspor, Konyaspor, Ankaragucu, Caykur Rizespor and Ankaraspor.
Expectations and predictions
This is a side that, if they can repeat some of their prolific form in qualifying, will surprise observers in Brazil. Iran and Nigeria both have some recent World Cup history, but assuming Argentina will top the group, Bosnia are perhaps the team expected to come runners-up. With a fine mix of youth and experience and a good blend of foreign-based and domestic players, the ingredients are there for a place in the next round. Both Iran and Nigeria have their potential to fight their way through the group, but the smart money would be on Bosnia coming through instead.
Group Fixtures
Bosnia v Argentina (15th June, Estadio do Maracana, Rio De Janeiro)
Bosnia v Nigeria (21st June, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba)
Bosnia v Iran (25th June, Arena Fonte Nava, Salvador)
IranTeam Melli’s trip to Brazil will be Iran’s fourth ever appearance at a World Cup finals. Carlos Queiroz’s men may be one of the lower profile teams in the competition, but they arrive at the tournament as Asia’s number one ranked side.
Qualification to Brazil came about on the last day of matches with a victory against South Korea away. It was a fierce battle between the two sides and Iran’s 1-0 victory was massive and wildly celebrated by the players in Ulsan that night and the entire nation back home.
It was a rocky start to qualifying for the Iranians as the team won only one of their first four qualifiers. The turning point was in June 2013 when the team reeled off three straight victories which put their campaign back on track. The catalyst for that run was Reza Ghoochannejhad who scored three times in those victories including two game-winning strikes.
Queiroz was lauded as a hero for leading Iran back to the World Cup for the first time since 2006. The question now is whether this side have enough quality to emerge from Group F. Having never advanced past the group stage in their previous three appearances the odds are stacked against Iran. However, with the experienced Queiroz at the helm there is belief that perhaps it will be different this time around.
Key players
Reza Ghoochannejhad, or ‘Gucci’ as he is known, was a revelation during the qualifiers. He may not have shown much scoring touch with Charlton this season with only a solitary goal to show for his efforts in fifteen appearances, however, for Iran he has been spectacular with nine goals in only eleven caps.
Captain Javad Nekounam is still the leader in the centre of the park. The highly experienced midfield general who has over 130 caps to his name is known for his leadership traits and his aggressive style. His partner in midfield is Adranik Teymourian. Another tough presence in the middle, Teymourian also possesses a great strike from distance.
Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah is capable of some extraordinary goals, with his wing play characterised by fine technical ability. A versatile defender who may arouse some interest in Brazil is domestic-based Eshan Hajsafi who can also play further into midfield if need be.
Coach profile – Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz is a respected manager in the European game, but also in other parts of the world. The 61-year-old was the long-time assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Queiroz has held many coaching jobs himself in a coaching career that has lasted for 25 years and has spanned four continents. He was Real Madrid boss for one season and most recently led Portugal to the 2010 World Cup. The Portuguese is an astute tactician with real attention to detail.
Expectations and prediction
Even most football-mad Iranian fans won’t be expecting their side to come through Group F. That said, there is hope that Argentina will sweep all before them and that second place will be up for grabs against the likes of Bosnia and Nigeria. The latter duo won’t strike fear into the hearts of Team Melli and this certainly represents one of their better World Cup draws, on paper at least. Expect this side to be a well-drilled unit under Queiroz, who will leave no stone unturned in preparing his team. Still, a lack of quality through the squad should ensure that a place in the Round of 16 is just too big of an ask for this team.
Group fixtures
Iran v Nigeria (16th June, Arena de Baixada, Curitiba)
Iran v Argentina (21st June, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte)
Iran v Bosnia (25th June, Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador)
NigeriaStephen Keshi led his side to an unspectacular qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles may have eventually qualified quite comfortably for the World Cup, but they did so in rather unimpressive style, topping a weak group that included Malawi, Namibia and Kenya. What followed was a straightforward aggregate win over Ethiopia to advance to the finals.
This will be the Nigerians’ fifth trip to the World Cup. Participation in their first two finals in 1994 and 1998 was deemed a big success with two straight trips to the knockout stage. Since then the results have been underwhelming with two group stage exits.
The hope this time around is that they can recapture the results of their 1990s counterparts. With an opening match against Iran that many believe Nigeria must win, there is a chance to start the tournament off on the right foot for the 2013 African Cup of Nations champions. While there wasn’t much flare and fantasy to be found in the team’s displays during qualifying, there is a belief that the team will shine at the tournament.
Key players
The man expected to produce the goods is Brazil is Emmanuel Emenike. The Fenerbahce striker enjoyed his first season in Turkey by leading his club to the Turkish Super Lig title with his twelve goals and nine assists.
Providing service for Emenike on the flanks will be Victor Moses. The Chelsea winger’s strike rate in English football is not that great, but for his country Moses has six goals in just seventeen caps. More so than his goal production, his ability to cause opposition defenders difficulty with his energetic style makes him a key member of this team.
Behind those players, Jon Obi Mikel provides the steel in midfield. The no-nonsense defensive midfielder does his job well and gives the more creative players license to push forward as they know Mikel will be there to cover.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has become one of the more highly respected custodians on the continent in recent seasons. He came up with a whopping 1,062 consecutive scoreless minutes this past season for Lille and is a superb shot-stopper who seems to get better and better.
Coach profile – Stephen Keshi
Super Eagles’ boss Stephen Keshi turned out 64 times for his country as a player, but since 2011 he has been managing it. Keshi has won an African Cup of Nations and led his team to Brazil earning praise for both feats. He is a big proponent of mixing foreign and domestic talent as well as giving youth a chance. Keshi prefers attacking football, though Nigeria were particularly goal-shy in the qualifiers.
Expectations and prediction
Nigeria have 175 million reasons to want to ensure they meet their goals at the 2014 World Cup. That would please the country’s citizens to no end as football-crazy Nigerians are wishing for a positive tournament. In truth, the expectations are massive. There is almost a zero tolerance policy amongst some supporters that means Nigeria must at least grab second place in the group ahead of Bosnia and Iran, assuming Argentina nab top spot. The first two games however will likely decide where Nigeria end up. An opening match victory over Iran is vital and then comes the crunch clash with the Bosnians which could be the deciding match as to whether Nigeria can advance.
Group fixtures
Nigeria v Iran (16th June, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba)
Nigeria v Bosnia (21st June, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba)
Nigeria v Argentina (25th June, Estadio Beira Rio, Porto A)
