Matthias Hangst
The two most defensive teams at the
World Cup astonishingly failed to produce a thriller for the ages as
Nigeria and Iran played out a goalless stalemate, the first draw of the
tournament.
A game between
two of the most defensive teams in the tournament didn't result in a
high-scoring classic and probably the worst game of the tournament so
far. Who could've suspected it?
Despite an initial flurry of
chances, the game soon settled down into a rather tepid affair between
two desperately limited sides, with Nigeria
enjoying more of the ball but failing to really test its opponents,
with a lack of creativity the old bugaboo in the Africans' offence.
Although the eventual product
was a dull encounter, the game initially looked like it was going to be a
cracker as NIgeria went for Iran
in the early stages. The Super Eagles came close to scoring in the
opening minutes when Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi spilled a cross
into the area which preceded Victor Moses seeing a shot blocked and
Ogenyi Onazi firing wide.
Nigeria were dealt a blow when
Godfrey Oboabona had to be withdrawn after coming off worse in a clash,
being replaced by veteran center back Joseph Yobo. But
the game was becoming bogged down between two teams that could not find
a final ball or any real decisive play in the final third, and chances
were at a premium.
Iran did come close through Ashkan Dejagah following a corner, but Vincent Enyeama
was equal to his effort and kept it out to keep the game
deadlocked.before half-time. Shortly after the break, Nigeria coach
Stephen Keshi wasted little time in making changes, and Moses was soon
withdrawn for Shola Ameobi to make his World Cup debut.
The Newcastle forward soon had
one of the best chances of the game, too, as he rose highest in the box
to plant a header goalward after a good cross from Ahmed Musa, but
despite being well positioned his effort spun off-target. Nigeria was
doing most of the attacking as the game wore on, but Iran's impressive
defending was keeping them at bay with relative ease, and combined with a
lack of patience and quality in attack for both sides, produced a
pretty poor spectacle in what has so far been a thrilling World Cup.
Iran did have to hold out
against a late barrage as Ameobi was inches away from getting into
another cross before a series of injury-time corners threatened a late
Nigeria win, but Iran held out to secure a win that is unlikely to do
them much good and end a game which I have already forgotten ever took
place.
Iran: Haghighi, Heydari,
Hajsafi, Hosseini, Pooladi, Sadeghi, Nekounam, Timotian, Montazeri,
Ghoochannejad, Dejagah (Jakhanbakhsk 78'),
Nigeria: Enyeama,
Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Oboabona (Yobo 29'), Omeruo, Onazi, Mikel Obi, Azeez
(Odemwingie 69'), Moses (Ameobi 52'), Musa, Emenike
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