Group F
Argentina
On the six previous occasions the World Cup has been hosted
in South America, a country from that continent has eventually come out on top.
That includes one of Argentina’s two previous World Cup wins, on home soil in
1978. Their other one was Mexico 86. Past history, therefore, appears to point
to a successful summer for La Albiceleste.
A glance at their squad merely confirms the suspicion that
they are amongst the frontrunners for world soccer’s biggest prize this summer.
Mixing the tenacity of Javier Mascherano and Pablo Zabaleta with the pace of
Angel Di Maria and the goals of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, they appear
to have it all. And we haven’t even mentioned the phenomenon that is Lionel
Messi.
Yet they are not without their weaknesses, with much debate
back home centring on who should start between the sticks. Sergio Romero is in
pole position, but he has not nailed down a regular spot at Monaco, while there
is a similar lack of quality in defence.
For coach Alejandro Sabella however, it has often simply
been a case of getting the best out of his magician Messi. They are so blessed
with attacking riches that Carlos Tevez has not featured for his country since
2011, yet Messi remains both the puzzle and the key.
If Sabella can fully unleash Messi this summer then they
will take some stopping.
How they
qualified
After a 4-1 win against Chile to begin their World Cup
qualifying campaign, Argentina then stumbled against Venezuela and drew 1-1 at
home to Bolivia, which raised doubts as to whether coach Alejandro Sabella, who
took over after Copa America 2011, was up to the task. La Albiceleste, however,
got back on track with a 2-1 win over Colombia in Barranquilla, which began
Argentina’s 14-match unbeaten run through the remainder of qualifying, where
they finished atop the South American table. Argentina tallied 35 goals while
only surrendering 15 on the way to winning the preliminary competition for the
third time. The rest of South America could only chase Argentina throughout the
final qualifying fixtures.
World Cup history
Argentina have contested four World Cup finals in all, the
first of them at the inaugural tournament, Uruguay 1930, when they went down
4-2 to the host nation. Respective contributions from Mario Kempes and Diego
Maradona inspired them to the biggest prize in football on home soil in 1978
and again at Mexico 1986, while their last showpiece appearance came at Italy
1990, when they were denied by an Andreas Brehme penalty. Since then they have
been unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Catania), Sergio Romero
(Monaco), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Federico Fernandez
(Napoli), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos
Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico
Mineiro), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (FC Barcelona), Jose Sosa
(Atletico Madrid), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Ricky Alvarez (Inter Milan),
Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ever Banega (Newell’s Old Boys), Fernando Gago (Boca
Juniors), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica)
Forward: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real
Madrid), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Sergio Agüero
(Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain)
The key players
With the landmark achievement of claiming four consecutive
FIFA Ballon d’Ors (2009-2012), Lionel Messi is the undisputed leader of the
Argentina national team and a multiple-trophy winner with Barcelona. Breaking
all kind of goal-records, La Pulga is now looking to achieve greatness with his
country after failing, somewhat surprisingly, to find the back of the net at
South Africa 2010. Supporting him will be an all-star cast featuring Sergio
Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria, all of them on top of their game
with some of Europe’s leading clubs.
The Coach: Alejandro
Sabella
Having only previously managed at Estudiantes, Sabella took
charge of his national side following the 2011 Copa America, and named Messi
captain almost immediately. He has focused on forming a side that will allow
his skipper to flourish and replicate his stunning club form on the
international stage, a task that he increasingly looks close to succeeding in.
A familiar trait of his reign up to now has been a fierce
loyalty to a select band of players, with top-class former internationals such
as Javier Pastore, Esteban Cambiasso and Carlos Tevez having all been left out
in favour of Sabella’s entrusted lieutenants.
Prediction: Runners-up
Much has been made of the favourable draw Sabella’s men have
been given; not only is their group not overly daunting, the Argentineans will
also play the entire tournament no further south than Brasilia, whether they
finish first or second in their group. This ensures them matches in a
comfortable climate that will certainly suit them, which could be a critical
advantage.
They look well set to top their group, and after that they
are a side that nobody will want to face come the knockout stages. Germany look
to be the biggest threat in Argentina’s half of the draw, but an appearance in
the final on July 13 appears an achievable aim.
Quick facts
FIFA Ranking: 7th
Best World Cup Result:
Winner (1978, 1986)
Best Copa America
Result: Winners (1923, 1939, 1940, 1971)
Record Scorer: Gabriel
Batistuta (56)
Most Capped Player:
Javier Zanetti (145)
Captain: Lionel Messi
Group matches
Sunday 15th June v Bosnia-Hercegovina (Rio de Janeiro)
Saturday 21st June v Iran (Belo Horizonte)
Wednesday 25th June v Nigeria (Porto Alegre)
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Vedad Ibisevic’s goal in Lithuania sealed
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first ever appearance as an independent nation at a World
Cup finals.
If Safet Susic’s players were honest, they were probably
just grateful to avoid a second-place finish in the group, and a possible meeting
with Portugal who eliminated them at the play-off stage for the 2010 World Cup
and Euro 2012.
Susic can call on a strong spine in the form of outstanding
Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, captain and central defensive rock Emir
Spahic, midfielder schemer Miralem Pjanic and striker Edin Dzeko.
Pjanic provides a terrific supply line to strikers Dzeko and
Ibisevic who were on fire in qualifying.
Susic adopted an aggressive approach throughout qualifying
and was rewarded as his side netted 30 times in 10 matches.
While Bosnia are heading to Brazil to enjoy their first ever
qualification, there is also a belief in the ranks that they can do some damage
in a group also containing Argentina, Nigeria and Iran.
How they qualified
Bosnia-Herzegovina had an outstanding campaign, winning
eight of their ten matches, drawing and losing just once. A ruthless attack and
resilient rearguard were the cornerstones of the side’s success, with the 30
goals scored representing the fourth-highest tally in European zone qualifying.
Equally impressive was a defence that was breached just six times.
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s notable goal difference proved crucial too, edging them
past a Greece side that finished level on points, to secure direct passage to
Brazil 2014 and a first appearance at a FIFA World Cup.
After starting with a string of victories combined with a
goalless draw in Greece, coach Safet Susic’s team’s campaign initially went
according to plan. However, a 1-0 defeat at home to Slovakia in September 2013
set up a nail-biting finale for Bosnia-Herzegovina, before they pipped Greece
to the post on the final matchday.
World Cup history
No World Cup history
Squad
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic
(Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen)
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic
(Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ervin
Zukanovic (Gent), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic
(Ferencvaros).
Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic
(Galatasaray), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor),
Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic
(Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic
(Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsaljevic (Hajduk).
Forwards: Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko
(Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB)
The key players
Bosnia-Herzegovina have a core of talented players capable
of changing games in an instant, ranging from the likes of Edin Dzeko and Vedad
Ibisevic up front, through midfielders Miralem Pjanic and Zvjezdan Misimovic,
all the way back to defensive rock Emir Spahic and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
The majority of the squad regularly showcase their talents in Europe’s biggest
leagues, giving them the experience necessary to shine on the biggest stage of
them all.
The Coach: Safet
Susic
Guiding Bosnia to their first ever World Cup is undoubtedly
the greatest triumph of Susic’s career. Once voted the country’ best ever
player, Susic lacks real coaching experience and Brazil 2014 will provide a
stern test of his managerial abilities.
Prediction: Knockout
Stages
Bosnia have more than enough to finish second in this group.
Their qualifying group may not have been the toughest, but dropping points in
just two of their 10 fixtures stands them in good stead for these finals.
Argentina surely have first place sown up, but Bosnia undoubtedly have what it
takes to see off Iran and African Nations Cup holders Nigeria. It will likely
be between the Europeans and Africans for second place, with Susic’s men just
to edge it and set up a possible second round clash with France or Ecuador.
Quick Facts:
FIFA Ranking: 25th
Best World Cup Result:
Never qualified
Best European
Championship Result: Never qualified
Record Scorer: Edin
Dzeko
Most Capped Player:
Zvjezdan Misimovic
Captain: Emir Spahic
Group Matches:
Sunday, June 15, 2014 v Argentina (Rio)
Saturday, June 21, 2014 v Nigeria (Cuiaba)
Thursday, June 26, 2014 v Iran (Salvador)
Nigeria
African Nations Cup holders Nigeria arrive in Brazil with
realistic expectations of reaching the second round of the 2014 World Cup.
Coach Stephen Keshi has built a young side which
dramatically overachieved in South Africa last year, although demonstrated that
they are still a work in progress with a disappointing Confederations Cup
campaign.
Keshi will look to the likes of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama,
midfielder Jon Obi Mikel, winger Ahmed Musa and forward Emmanuel Emenike to
fire them out of a group consisting of Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.
In March, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were forced
to deny that they will appoint a foreign assistant to coach Stephen Keshi,
insisting that the man who led them to their first African Nations Cup title
since 1994 had full support.
In the past, the federation have been architects of their
own downfall by failing to sort out payments to players before the finals.
Keshi will hope that any squad unrest can be avoided by each player knowing
what they are due to be paid prior to the event kicking off on June 12.
Keshi has attempted to foster a strong team spirit within
the camp, omitting players such as Mikel, who he felt did not have enough
respect for his fellow countrymen. The Chelsea midfielder is now back in favour
and will be desperate to impress on the biggest stage after missing the
disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign through injury.
Nigeria cruised through qualifying thanks, in part, to a
less than challenging draw, which saw them comfortably top their group before
easing past Ethiopia in a two-legged play-off.
How they qualified
Drawn in Group F with Malawi, Kenya and Namibia, the
Nigerians were always massive favourites to reach the final play-off round of
qualifying, and they did not lose any matches in the group stage. They did draw
three times, once against each opponent, with the most worrying result a 1-1 at
home to Kenya when only a second half injury time goal by Nnamdi Oduamadi won
the point. Once in the two-legged play-off, the Eagles drew the lowest-ranked
team in Ethiopia and despite the improvement of the east Africans, Nigeria were
seldom threatened in winning away 2-1 and at home 2-0.
World Cup history
After impressing on their way to the second round in each of
their first two FIFA World Cup appearances, 1994 and 1998, Nigeria have
struggled since: going out at the group stage three times while taking just two
points from their last eight matches in the finals. A muddled South Africa 2010
campaign under Lars Lagerback did little to bolster Nigeria’s reputation, but
Brazil 2014 offers another chance for the reigning African champions to soar.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin
Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves), Chigozie
Agbim (Gombe United)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe
Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike
Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon
Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle
Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez
(Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Joel Obi (Parma, Italy);
Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Nosa Igiebor
(Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France), Reuben Gabriel
(Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi
(Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna
Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Michael
Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor
(Heerenveen, Holland)
The key players
Coach Stephen Keshi has earned a reputation as a no-nonsense
boss who is not afraid to choose in-form domestic players at the expense of
more well-known stars, and that policy paid handsome dividends as Nigeria won
the 2013 edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Keshi has kept a relatively
stable spine of the team since then, with Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel leaving his
mixed past with the Eagles behind to become the lynchpin of the side. In goal,
Vincent Enyeama is an important veteran, while Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa and
Emmanuel Emenike are key parts of a deep attack.
The Coach: Stephen
Keshi
Stephen Keshi became only the second person to win the
African Cup of Nations as player and coach when he guided Nigeria to the trophy
last year. Keshi sees himself as a father figure to his young players, although
he guards against complacency by stressing that no one is guaranteed a starting
spot. Led Togo to the 2006 World Cup in Germany only to be fired before the
tournament began.
Prediction: Group
Stages
Barring a set of unpredictable results, it seems likely that
Argentina will be comfortable group winners, Iran will collect the wooden
spoon, and Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be fighting it out for second
place. Both Nigeria and Bosnia have become lethal forces. However, the
Europeans qualifying performances sets them apart.
Quick Facts:
FIFA Ranking: 44th
Best World Cup Result:
Second-Round (1994 and 1998)
Best African Nations
Cup Result: Winners (1980, 1994 and 2013)
Record Scorer: Rashidi
Yekini (37 goals between 1986 and 1998)
Most Capped Player:
Joseph Yobo
Captain: Vincent
Enyeama
Group Matches:
Sunday 16th June v Iran (Curitiba)
Saturday 21st June v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Cuiaba)
Wednesday 25th June v Argentina (Porto Alegre)
Iran
There is a case to be made that World Cups back in the 1970s
and 1980s held a far greater sense of intrigue than this summer’s event in
Brazil.
With world soccer now so accessible on television and
Internet, fans can lap up action from almost every nation and discover players
from all over the globe, ensuring that many fans will already be well
acquainted with the players on show this summer.
Iran however, are one of the more unknown entities of this
summer’s extravaganza. Successfully qualifying automatically after a two-year
marathon slog across Asia, they have been managed since 2011 by well-known
Portuguese coach Carlos Quieroz, who has increasingly looked to incorporate
players from the Iranian diaspora into his squad, namely Mehrdad Beitashour,
Ashkan Dejegah and Reza Ghoochannejhad.
A rather unique difficulty that has not helped Iran over the
past few years is the political landscape, with very few sides willing to visit
Tehran or even play host to Iran. As a consequence, their friendlies against
sides such as Mozambique and Belarus will surely not provide adequate practice
for the task of facing Lionel Messi.
They have never got past the group stage in their previous
three World Cups, and the odds are firmly stacked against them breaking their
duck in Brazil.
How they qualified
Under former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz’s watch, Iran
opened the preliminary competition brightly, scoring five unanswered goals past
Maldives to progress. And Team Melli were met with little challenge in the next
phase, maintaining their undefeated run as they finished section winners with
three wins and three draws.
However, despite logging an average of nearly three goals
per match in the previous round, the fourth round proved to be more difficult
for the strongly favoured Iranians. They found the net just twice in the
opening five matches during which they lost twice and drew once to see their
campaign in jeopardy. With so much at stake, Queiroz’s side rose to the
occasion to see off both Qatar and Lebanon, before overcoming hosts Korea
Republic 1-0 in the round’s final match to seal their return to the FIFA World
Cup.
World Cup history
Despite their presence within Asia, Iran have so far been
unable to progress beyond the group phase at the FIFA World Cup. They finished
their debut campaign with a point, courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Scotland. But
their first win came in the second appearance when a golden generation,
boasting the likes of Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri and Mehdi Mahdavikia, came up
with a memorable 2-1 defeat of USA. Their last participation at Germany 2006
saw them head home with a point after a 1-1 draw against debutants Angola.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari, Alireza Haghighi, Rahman Ahmadi
Defenders: Hossein Mahini, Steven Beitashour, Pejman
Montazeri, Jalal Hosseini, Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ahmad Alenemeh, Hashem Beikzadeh,
Mehrdad Pouladi
Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Reza
Haghighi, Ghasem Hadadifar, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Ehsan Hajsafi
Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah, Masoud Shojaei, Alireza
Jahanbakhsh, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Karim Ansarifard, Khosro Heydari
The key players
Filling the void left by Mahdavikia is captain Javad
Nekounam, who has quickly established his place as the team’s talisman. Aside
from providing leadership, the skipper provides creativity alongside former
Osasuna team-mate Masoud Shojaei. Belgium-based striker Reza Ghoochannejhad
stands out among the emerging generation, while Fulham man Ashkan Dejagah
shores up the midfield alongside Andranik Teymourian.
The Coach: Carlos
Quieroz
A coach who boasts a stellar CV, having been assistant manager
to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United for several years along with spells
as manager of Real Madrid and the Portuguese national side.
Taking over a side that had failed to reach South Africa
back in 2010, Quieroz has done an admirable job in steering the Iranians
through a mammoth qualifying campaign to get to Brazil, following that up with
securing qualification to the 2015 Asian Cup.
Prediction: Group
Stages
Squaring up against African Cup of Nations champions
Nigeria, a Messi-inspired Argentina and World Cup newcomers Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Iran will be many pundits’ favourites for Group G’s wooden spoon.
Even with the best will in the world, it is hard to see them
getting anything from their middle game against the South American giants. In
all likelihood, their tournament could well be over by the time their final
match arrives, as Nigeria will also surely prove too strong for the Asian
outsiders.
Quick Facts:
FIFA Ranking: 37th
Best World Cup Result:
Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006)
Best Asian Cup Result:
Winners (1968, 1972, 1976)
Record Scorer: Ali
Daei (109)
Most Capped Player:
Ali Daei (149)
Captain: Javad
Nekounam
Group Matches:
Monday 16th June v Nigeria (Curitiba)
Saturday 21st June v Argentina (Belo Horizonte)
Wednesday 25th June v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Salvador)