WORLD CUP: Nigeria versus Iran
Nigeria boss Stephen Keshi also has a major headache as a dispute between his players and the Nigerian Football Federation over appearance fees is ongoing.
Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are among the expected starters as the Super Eagles look to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game. Charlton's Reza
Ghoochannejhad is expected to start up front as a target man, and Queiroz will be hopeful that Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah can use his Premier League experience to add to the
Iranian threat going forward.
With Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina also awaiting in Group F, it is a game which could
provide the best chance for either side to take three points.
Iran came into the tournament as perhaps the least fancied of all 32 nations but in Quieroz
they have a well travelled campaigner at the helm.
He has managed his native Portugal, as well as South Africa and the United Arab Emirates at international level, had a brief tenure at
Real Madrid and spent several years as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United.
Keshi admits to having a limited knowledge of the Iranian side but takes the challenge of
besting Queiroz seriously.
"I think an experienced coach is their biggest weapon, because he is well experienced, he knows the game well," Keshi told FIFA.com.
"They have a very good coach and I'm sure they also have some quality players. We don't know Iran very well, but we'll see them on
Monday.
"For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We're not
going to take Iran lightly because they're not going to take us lightly. So we have to go out with everything that we have."
As for his own side, Keshi is relying on an experienced spine to steer an otherwise youthful group.
"This squad is probably a year-plus old, it's a new team," he said. "Most of the players are young.
"In two years' time we can be much better. I pray that Vincent Enyeama, [Joseph] Yobo and [John] Obi Mikel will bring all their experience. Youth is good, but if we can
combine youth and experience that will be great for us."
Queiroz knows Iran are up against it on the biggest stage of all, but has a simple game plan to maximise their chances. He has called
for focus, enjoyment and a refusal to admit defeat.
"The most important is the first game," he said.
"We cannot miss this opportunity to face them with pleasure and enjoyment. We must treat
them as they are, no more, no less. There are no perfect teams in the world.
"Our goal is simple: if they make a mistake, we will be ready to capitalise. We have to be
in the right places at the right time.
"Not 90 per cent (of the time), but 100 per cent."
Culled from Sky Sports
Comments
Post a Comment