Saturday, 21 June 2014
10 reported dead in attacks blamed on Boko Haram - CNN.com
Boko Haram militants are suspected of raids on two villages in northeast Nigeria where 10 people were killed Saturday, residents and community leaders said.
http://cnn.it/1nt2saJ
The Next 20 Years Will Not Be Like the Last 20 Years - Here's Why | Zero Hedge
Coming to the understanding that the Status Quo is not sustainable is often a crooked path of overcoming programming, propaganda, denial and fear...
http://bit.ly/1nt05VF
Tech Talk: Amazon should improve its phone - St. Cloud Times
FirstpostTech Talk: Amazon should improve its phoneSt. Cloud TimesLast week, Web retail giant Amazon announced Fire Phone, a smartphone designed around, among other features, helping users connect items in their world with the Web. Fire Phone is Amazon s first foray into the world of smartphones. Along with
http://on.sctimes.com/1nt00kD
Nigeria 1 - 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Match report - Goal.com
The striker struck in the first half to secure victory for the African nation, who were forced to withstand a late rally, with Edin Dzeko hitting the post Peter Odemwingie's fired Nigeria to the brink of qualification for the last-16 as they beat Bosnia 1-0 and knocked them from the World Cup
http://bit.ly/1lIrIOI
nigeria attacking
Nigeria's turgid attacking display against Iran means changes must be made for tonight's crunch game against Bosnia.
http://bit.ly/1nsPJ8b
COLLINS TECH : Five ways Keshi can improve the Super Eagles' atta...
COLLINS TECH : Five ways Keshi can improve the Super Eagles' atta...: Nigeria's turgid attacking display against Iran means changes must be made for tonight's crunch game against Bosnia. ANALYSIS By ...
Moses dropped, Odemwingie starts against bosnia
Stephen Keshi has made three changes to the team that
will play against the Europeans in Cuiaba on Saturday night with
Michael Babatunde and Joseph Yobo also startingCaptain Joseph Yobo comes in for injured Godfrey Oboabona while Michael Babatunde is expected to start from the wings in place of Moses who didn’t have a good game against Iran.
Odemwingie will replace Ramon Azeez behind the striker.
Nigeria are in search of their first World Cup win since 1998.
Nigeria XI: Enyeama; Ambrose, YOBO, Omeruo, Oshaniwa; Onazi, Mikel, Babatunde; Musa, Odemwingie, Emenike.
Nigeria v Bosnia - LIVE Q&A
Live Commentary
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Nigeria have a mixed record against European competition in the World Cup, winning four and drawing once in nine encounters. Another victory tonight would all but put them into the next round, but Bosnia won't want their debut campaign to end so soon.
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Toni Sunjic comes into defence for Bosnia as Ermin Bicakcic drops to the bench. The only other change is at left-back where Sead Kolasinac, who scored the own goal against Argentina, makes way for Haris Medunjanin, but it remains to be seen if that is where the Gaziantepspor man will start or if Safet Susic will shuffle his line-up further.
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Stephen Keshi has Godfrey Oboabona ruled out with an ankle injury so Joseph Yobo slots into the centre of defence. Victor Moses is replaced by Peter Odemwingie on the right wing and Ramon Azeez loses his place with the coach instead calling upon Michael Babatunde.
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Bosnia (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Mujdza, Sunjic, Spahic, Medunjanin; Pjanic, Besic; Hajrovic, Misimovic, Lulic; Dzeko.
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Nigeria (4-2-3-1): Enyeama; Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Yobo, Omeruo; Onazi, Mikel; Musa, Odemwingie, Babatunde; Emenike.
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The Dragons suffered defeat in their first ever World Cup fixture against Argentina last Sunday. They gave a good account of themselves but were eventually undone by some Lionel Messi magic and fell to a 2-1 loss. Vedad Ibisevic came on from the bench to score for Safet Susic's side, however there is no place for him in the starting XI tonight. Full line-ups on the way.
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The Super Eagles have not won any of their previous nine World Cup fixtures. In fact, their last win in the competition came back in 1998 when they defeated Bulgaria 1-0. Victory tonight, though, would dump Bosnia out of the tournament and put Nigeria on the brink of progression.
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Hello and welcome to this evening's Group F encounter between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba. It is the first time these two nations have met in international football, and both will be keen to pick up all three points tonight and take a firm grip on second position in the process, so expect a well-fought game. My name is Tom Webber, and I am going to be your host tonight.
Classic Klose equals Ronaldo's record when Germany needed him most
COMMENT: Joachim Low's side appeared to be running
out of ideas before the veteran frontman arrived to score a crucial
leveller in Group G
By Robin Bairner at Estadio Castelao, FortalezaLess than a fortnight after celebrating his 36th birthday, Miroslav Klose reached an altogether more lasting milestone when he stole home at the back post to steer home a near-post flick from a corner kick.
By levelling Germany’s second World Cup group stage match with Ghana at 2-2, the venerable striker struck his 15th all-time goal in the final stages of football’s blue ribbon tournament and hence equalled the record, set by Brazil’s Ronaldo.
It was the kind of scrappy goal that Klose has made a career from. When those around him were caught flat-footed, the Poland-born striker was alive in the six-yard box to convert what was the simplest of chances.
It was a goal of pure instinct; pure Klose.
Just as Filippo Inzaghi was able to prolong his career owing to his wherewithal near the goal, Klose has done likewise, and in striking Germany level he proved that there remains a place for him amongst the thoughts of head coach Joachim Low.
Thomas Muller’s scoring record may have caught the headlines lately, but though his is formidable – he had, after all, scored in five successive World Cup finals matches heading into the clash at Castelao – he is not a thoroughbred forward in the manner of his veteran colleague.
Before introducing Klose midway through the second period as a response to Asamoah Gyan putting Ghana ahead (and thereby tying Roger Milla’s record as the record scorer from Africa), Low had run the full gambit of systems.
| Name | Goals |
| Ronaldo | 15 |
| Miroslav Klose | 15 |
| Gerd Muller | 14 |
| Just Fontaine | 13 |
| Pele | 12 |
| Sandor Kocsis | 11 |
| Jurgen Klinsmann | 11 |
| Helmut Rahn | 10 |
| Gary Lineker | 10 |
| Gabriel Batistuta | 10 |
Germany first tried a 4-2-3-1 but promptly switched to 4-4-2 to mirror their opponents. Having found both ineffective, at half-time there was a further reshuffle to 4-3-3, but though it was Mario Gotze who put them into the lead with what might kindly be called a header, it was Klose’s instinct that would prove telling at the death.
Perhaps the greatest surprise about his 22-minute cameo was that he wasted an opportunity to win the match with 60 seconds remaining.
Certainly, one of the favourites for the World Cup were pushed hard by the side who finished 2010 as sore quarter-final losers in South Africa.
Prior to the game, Ghana, who would be vocally backed by the vast majority of neutrals, had promised to go out to leave everything on the field, and in this regard they certainly did not disappoint, with Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and, in the second half, Gyan ebullient.
For Germany, struggling in their second World Cup match is nothing new, however unwelcome. Only once since the reunification of the country have they won what is a known pitfall for the side.
Now they face the familiar task of earning a positive result in their final match against the USA, though with klose in two, there is always the likelihood of goal.
Five ways Keshi can improve the Super Eagles' attack
Nigeria's turgid attacking display against Iran means changes must be made for tonight's crunch game against Bosnia.
ANALYSISBy Solace Chukwu
The Super Eagles have a fight on their hands tonight against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cuiaba.
In the group opener against Iran, this team’s struggles in the attacking third were clear for all to see. It is not a new problem, Nigeria had problems breaking down the likes of Namibia, Kenya and Malawi in qualifying.
This time, there is little margin for error, so here are some ways Stephen Keshi can get his attack firing again.
Ameobi | Will the target man be called upon again?Resist the urge to play route-oneThe Super Eagles' attacking strategy against Iran consisted, almost entirely, of long punts from deep in midfield. Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was the chief culprit, playing a team-high 18% of his passes long (via Opta). The team has got to show more composure in central areas and more variety in its attacking play.
It is telling that in 52 minutes against Team Melli, Victor Moses only touched the ball 16 times and played six passes, in spite of the fact he carries the team’s creative burden higher up the pitch. The ball was not being spread to the wide areas often enough, even Ahmed Musa only got 30 touches in 90 minutes. These stats, from a team that finished the game with 69% of the possession, are frankly shocking.
Against Bosnia, the team must be patient and wait for the inevitable openings. Discipline and composure will be absolutely vital. Unlike Bosnia, this is not Nigeria's tournament debut. The Super Eagles must ensure it is the Dragons, not them, who will be guilty of schoolboy errors in this high-pressure encounter.
On a related subject...
Attack with widthA look at the Super Eagles’ average positions against Iran shows partly why Nigeria struggled to break Iran down. Moses and Musa usually ended up in very central areas trying to influence the play, as a result of the midfield’s basic, direct approach.
Against Bosnia, there has to be width in attack to stretch the defence laterally across the pitch. This creates space in the middle and opens gaps for runners to exploit from midfield. Attack this narrowly an d you make it too easy for opposing defenders.
As a creative weapon, width can be just as important as flair. Also, considering how deep Iran sat and how deep Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi were, the full-backs should surely have been more adventurous . instead, they rarely crossed half-way!
Mikel | Could tonight be his night?
Get Mikel into more advanced positionsWhatever you think of Mikel’s abilities, he remains the heartbeat of the Nigerian team. As befits the no.10 shirt he wears, the team looks to him to provide the sprinkling of gold dust required in tight situations.
Sadly he spent much of the game against Iran in very deep areas in and around the centre circle, surely not where you want your no.10 to be.
Without the ball, he pairs Onazi in a double pivot to provide security, but in the attacking phase he surely has to be more adventurous than he was on Monday. The cool, calm play under pressure we have come to expect from Mikel was surprisingly absent.
Chelsea fans have long criticised Mikel for his unambitious play and positioning, and while that is somewhat understandable at Stamford Bridge where he plays the holding role, surely not here with the Super Eagles when he has Onazi taking the knocks for him.
A look at where his passes where played from sums it up really.
Find Emenike in the channels
Nigeria’s best passage of play on Monday came in the first ten minutes. Rather than punting the ball aimlessly in the general direction of the penalty box, there were measured passes into the left channel for Emenike to chase. The Fenerbahce man relishes this, because it enables him isolate a defender one-on-one and use his powerful running to good effect.
It created the game’s best opening, as he squared for Ahmed Musa in the six-yard box in the 8th minute. The pass was slightly behind, but the idea was right. Why this did not happen again for the rest of the game, we will never know.
What is clear and undeniable though is that when you play a lone striker, it is essential that you play to his strengths.
On a related subject...Emenike | Valuable if used correctly
Play to your strengths
We saw yesterday how a well-drilled team that sticks to what it is good at can upset the establishment (Italy are still smarting from their shock loss to Costa Rica).
Three centre-backs, none of whom are especially world-class, bring safety in numbers. This also enables attack-minded wing-backs license to move forward, while the solid but unspectacular duo of Yeltsin Tejeda and Celso Borges simply Bryan Ruiz and Christian Bolanos the creative reins.
Hardly revolutionary, but it works a treat because the system exploits the strengths of the personnel available.
What the Super Eagles have going for them is great pace in attack and power in the middle. In order to progress, it is important to leverage on these advantages. Find Musa and Moses quickly in space on attacking transitions and get runners into the box to support Emenike.
A great team is one that is better than the sum of its parts. Playing to the strengths of your best players is a perfect strategy to turn an unheralded team into a surprise package. Just ask Costa Rica!
Messi proves decisive again - but Argentina must do better
By Ben Hayward at the Estadio Mineirao
This was what they wanted. Lionel Messi had called for a return to 4-3-3 after the much-maligned 5-3-2 experiment against Bosnia-Herzegovina last Sunday and the captain was backed by team-mates, media and seemingly everyone else. Against lowly Iran, it was expected to work wonders. Instead, it failed miserably for 91 minutes.
Messi began in a three-man forward line with Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, with Angel Di Maria pushing on behind them. The fantastic four. His favourites. "Messi prefers to play in a 4-3-3 with Di Maria joining in the attack," Sabella said on Friday in the pre-match press conference. And the coach added: "Against Iran we'll play 4-3-3." Messi had got exactly what he had asked for. But Argentina did not, at least in terms of the performance.
Early indications suggested they may struggle. Iran, ranked 43rd in the Fifa world rankings, were defending deep - and with discipline. "We can't focus only on Messi," coach Carlos Queiroz had said on Friday. "Because Argentina have so many other great players. We will play against time and against space - because that is what we can control."
Unlike Barcelona's 4-3-3 in which Messi is the shining star, Argentina's system is more in tune with Real Madrid's counter-attacking philosophy. But up against a back line defending deep and handing the initiative to Argentina, Sabella's side struggled to find the spaces.
Despite several good runs, Messi seemed restricted not only by Iran's tight line, but by having two strikers ahead of him. On a couple of occasions in the first half, the 26-year-old passed when at Barca he would have surely gone alone - and the attacks came to nothing.
There were chances. Messi fired a free-kick over the bar, Marcos Rojo headed wide from a corner, Aguero saw a curled effort well saved by Alireza Haghighi and Di Maria missed the target after a rare run down the left. But it was far from the expected onslaught.
The second half saw Argentina out quickly with a point to prove, but Iran grew in stature and created two good chances of their own, the second a header from Ashkan Dejagah which Sergio Romero tipped over the bar with a superb save.
Messi fired past the post at the other end and also hit the side netting from a tight angle, but as the minutes ticked away, Argentina looked lost - and still Sabella refused to make a change.
In the end, the 59-year-old brought on Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio to liven up his faultering forward line, and after 91 minutes of remarkable resistance from Iran, Messi curled home an exquisite left-footed drive to save his side's blushes.
Just as he had against Bosnia, their captain had stepped up when it mattered most, but a last-gasp 1-0 win over a group of players who, according to Queiroz, turn out in "an amateur league", is hardly the stuff of world champions.
So it's back to the drawing board for Sabella, because the answer, it seems, is not as simple as 4-3-3. And while few teams will defend in such numbers like Iran, Argentina fill face superior sides in this competition and they will need to do much, much better than this. Messi may have got them out of jail again on Saturday - but it was nowhere near good enough
Eagles must play as a team against Bosnia, says John Ogu
The Super Eagles midfielder has disclosed that team
work is the key ingredient for the African champions to ensure victory
against Safet Sušić’s side on Saturday
EXCLUSIVEShina Oludare
Nigeria international and Académica de Coimbra player John Ogu is assured that the Super Eagles will bounce back when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second game at the ongoing 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. Stephen Keshi’s men will be seeking for their win against the Europeans after they were forced to settle for the first draw of the 2014 World Cup on Monday when they played Iran in Curitiba.
According to the 26-year old midfielder who missed out of the squad to the global football showpiece, the Eagles will only overcome Safet Sušić’s men if they are disciplined and play as a unit.
“Against the Bosnians, the Super Eagles need to be disciplined, play as a team and help each other on the pitch,” Ogu told Goal.
“The game against Iran was like a warm-up though we did not win and I can assure you that against Bosnia, it will be a different ball game.
“All I want the boys to do is to put in their best because I know they are all professionals and will wake up to the challenge.
Ogu who boasts of seven international caps for the country also feels Eagles major undoing against Carlos Queiroz’ Iran was naivety anxiousness.
“I saw a team looking so nervous because it was their first game of the tournament and they needed to win. All they must do is communicate with one another, play according to the coach instruction and with this victory will be ours,” he concluded.
Nigeria must beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to stand a great chance of making it to the second round of the tournament.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Uruguay 2-1 England: Super Suarez at the double
A Wayne Rooney goal cancelled out the Liverpool
star's first half effort but the striker popped up late in the game to
nick the win for his side
Luis Suarez returned from injury to score twice as Uruguay beat England 2-1 to breathe new life into their World Cup campaign.Uruguay were shocked by a 3-1 loss to Costa Rica in their opening Group D fixture last Saturday, but Suarez - who was absent for that game - proved the difference in Sao Paulo on this occasion.
The fitness of the Liverpool star dominated the pre-match headlines but, as expected, he was included from the start just four weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.
And he marked his first appearance of this World Cup with a double, nodding in a superb Edinson Cavani cross six minutes before half-time to give Uruguay the lead.
Wayne Rooney missed two glorious chances for England, first heading off the bar from one yard while scores were level, before shooting straight at Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera early in the second period.
But he made amends as he tapped in Glen Johnson's smart ball across the face of goal with 15 minutes left to equalise and set up a grandstand finish.
Suarez had the final say, though, pouncing on Muslera's long ball - which flicked off the head of England captain Steven Gerrard - and firing past Joe Hart with just five minutes left to all but end England's chances of reaching the last 16.
Uruguay will now head into Tuesday's clash against Italy in buoyant mood, while England, beaten in both Group D matches, need a minor miracle to qualify.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez threatened to ring the changes after the Costa Rica match and he was true to his word, making five alterations, as captain Diego Lugano (knee) and defender Maxi Pereira (suspended) were not the only casualties.
In stark contrast, England were unchanged, and Roy Hodgson's faith was nearly rewarded when Rooney - the target of much criticism following their 2-1 defeat to Italy - curled a 20-yard free-kick just wide with Muslera rooted to the spot.
Phil Jagielka's mishit clearance allowed Cristian Rodriguez in at the other end, but his fiercely hit left-foot effort sailed inches over the crossbar in the 15th minute.
Diego Godin was then perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch, as the
defender, given a yellow card for a handball that led to Rooney's early
free-kick, caught Daniel Sturridge by the throat with his forearm, but
avoided further punishment.England should have taken the lead in the 31st minute but Rooney, who rose above Martin Caceres, inexplicably headed into the bar from one yard from a Gerrard free-kick, and they were soon made to pay for their profligacy.
Nicolas Lodeiro instigated the opener, beating Gerrard in midfield, and he fed Cavani, who, from the left, produced an inch-perfect cross that looped over Jagielka and onto Suarez's head, with the striker nodding across Hart and in from eight yards.
Sturridge nearly produced a quick response for England but they had to weather a storm after the break as Uruguay ramped up the pressure.
Suarez caught Hart napping as he shot from a corner, with the goalkeeper having to scramble back to keep it out, and he also fired wide after England were caught out at the back.
Cavani then wasted a fine chance to double Uruguay's lead, shooting wide when one-on-one with Hart before Rooney could only shoot at Muslera when played in at the other end.
Rooney finally opened his World Cup account in the 75th minute as Johnson, who cut in from the right and beat Alvaro Gonzalez, saw the Manchester United man steal in front of Caceres and shoot past Muslera.
England's celebrations were cut short, though, as Muslera's hopeful punt forward saw Suarez pounce on Gerrard's inadvertent flick-on, the striker keeping his cool to slam the winner past Hart
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Spain 0-2 Chile: Aranguiz sends holders crashing out of World Cup The reigning world and European champions have exited the competition at the group stage after being stunned by their South American opponents
The title holders and two-time defending European
champions are out of the World Cup and need to go back to the drawing
board after their successful spell came to an abrupt halt
Euro 2008. World Cup 2010. Euro 2012. Now, defeated. Spain's
stranglehold over international football ends here. Loyalty to certain
players and the key introduction of another brought about the end of
this particular era.A team built on quick passing, ball retention, tigerish tackling and high-energy pressing were beaten at their own game by a Chile side that dominated physically and, just as importantly, took their chances when they came.
From the moment Eduardo Vargas neatly sidestepped Iker Casillas to put the South Americans in front after a lovely flowing move, there was rarely a sense Vicente del Bosque’s men would salvage anything from an absorbing encounter.
They created chances - Xabi Alonso lashed wastefully over the bar after good work from Diego Costa, Costa himself fired into the side-netting and Sergio Ramos missed his kick when well placed.
The profligacy was symptomatic of Spain’s display. There was a lack of conviction from one to 11.
The malaise started, not for the first time, with Casillas. And it was his mistake which contributed to Chile’s second goal, punching Alexis Sanchez’s free-kick back into the danger zone from where Charles Aranguiz toe-poked home.
Vicente del Bosque had paid the price for loyalty.
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Pressed on whether he was considering dropping his captain prior to the Chile game, Del Bosque shied away, instead praising the 33-year-old for his willingness to rally the troops in the dressing room following the 5-1 drubbing by the Oranje.
Talk is cheap. Casillas’ actions over the past few weeks should have ensured Del Bosque took the bold step of leaving out one of his trusted lieutenants.
He did that with Xavi, dropping the Barca veteran to allow Andres Iniesta to move into a central role. It was the only thing he got right. Iniesta was brilliant, attempting to push his side forward single-handedly. Unfortunately for him, his team-mates were not on the same wavelength.
Chief culprit was Diego Costa. Despite Brazil’s woes in attack they can consider themselves to have had a lucky escape. For Spain, their efforts in persuading him to play for his adopted country have proved fruitless.
His only meaningful contribution of an otherwise forgettable performance was an overhead kick inside the area which Sergio Busquets somehow stabbed wide from three yards. It was that sort of afternoon.
He was hauled off to jeers after 64 minutes. Spain looked better without him, finally forcing Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo into meaningful action, but the goal which may have given them hope never arrived.
For Chile it means progress into the knockout stage alongside Holland. For Spain, a meaningless game with Australia before returning home to condemnation and investigation.
It is too easy to say Spain need to overhaul their squad. They still possess some of the best players in the world. What they need is a re-think. Del Bosque has often spoken of how he favours the Barcelona philosophy - that’ll be the Barcelona team that has just completed their first trophyless season in six years.
It seems harsh to criticise Del Bosque, a man who has presided over arguably the greatest period of success in international football. But his demeanour at the pre-match press conference spoke volumes. Spain needed someone to bang their first on the table, snarl, rally the troops. Instead, he remained calm, pleasant, laid back. Like a loveable granddad.
The 63-year-old is contracted to remain in charge until 2016 but that should now be ripped up. It’s time for re-evaluation. Spain have stood still since winning their second consecutive European Championship in Poland and Ukraine. World football has caught up.
Van Gaal proud of 'careless' Dutch
The Oranje fought to a 3-2 victory over Australia and
the coach was thrilled with how his attackers - and specifically Robin
van Persie - ensured back-to-back World Cup wins
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal was proud of the way his players fought back to defeat Australia 3-2 on Wednesday, despite conceding that his team were "careless" and "took too many risks".The Oranje have taken a giant stride towards qualification with the victory as goals from Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay denied a valiant Socceroos side who led for a short time in the second half.
Van Gaal had plenty to criticise about the Dutch performance but stressed that his team's reaction in the final 45 minutes delighted him and refused to single out any specific man to praise.
"We were careless, took too many risks, played too many short passes when we should have played it long, we went forward too little - we had to change that," the future Manchester United manager said.
"But then I was pleased with how we reacted on the second half - our ball retention and the opportunities we created.
"My players had something to go for after the break, they looked more confident. Luckily, it went well, but it could not have.
"We had more chances on the second half and managed to win, so I must congratulate the team. We were in a bad situation and managed to turn it around. Every player was in part responsible for what we pulled off, I don’t want to individualise it."
Robin van Persie's goal, the equaliser in Porto Alegre, sparked the Group B giants into action and signalled the start of their comeback and Van Gaal was over the moon that he had such a prolific striker in his World Cup ranks.
"We had five or six opportunities in the second half that I would have expected to go in and they missed a great chance," he continued. "I said: 'We’ll win, they can’t miss something like that'. And then Depay had a great goal, so I’m pleased.
"Is great to have a striker like Van Persie, he's on three goals already. That is a fantastic tally after two games, and he scores very attractive goals which is good for the fans.
"If I were to say that ours was the best attack in the World Cup, though, then the next opponents will try to stop us with that as motivation.
"We have wonderful strikers, this is not for nothing - even in the qualifiers, we scored a lot. This is part of the Dutch school of playing, and something I believe in, not like you journalists."
Netherlands face Chile in their final game of their Group B campaign on Monday.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
Keshi’s Super Eagles underperformed tactically and mentally in their Group F opener against Iran on Monday night
Keshi’s Super Eagles underperformed tactically and mentally in their Group F opener against Iran on Monday night.
The mood in Nigeria is at an all-time low following the Super Eagles disappointing 0-0 draw with Iran in Curitiba.
Having experienced mainly clement
weather in many urban centres since the World Cup kicked off, Nigerians
witnessed the skies give way in the middle of the afternoon on Monday.
If you are one for omens and portents, then you may have been tempted to
agree with the majority who saw the sudden downpour as a sign of a
momentous victory to come.
What they got instead was the most
turgid display of the World Cup so far, in a game that could not end
quickly enough. It provided us with the tournament’s first draw, and a
goalless one at that.
This was not in the script.
Could it be then that the heavens, in their prescience, foresaw the outcome and wept in abjection and anguish?
The challenge was clear for all to see: the Super Eagles had to hit the ground running.
With Iran, you would be hard pressed to
find a more defensive-minded and unimaginative team in the entire
competition. Neither was this an act of containment by Team Melli. They
really are set up to not concede, and in this, Carlos Queiroz has
shown the full range of his expertise, drilling a group of average
players into a fierce defensive regiment.
The question then is: with the challenge
already thrown down, why was Stephen Keshi unable to devise a coherent
enough attacking strategy to overcome it? It is, after all, what coaches
are paid to do. The dark arts of Jose Mourinho taught us that it is
easier to coach defensive organisation than attacking coherence, but
Iran were never going to re-invent themselves like Bosnia-Herzegovina
have done.
Mind games or just ignorance from Keshi?
On the eve of the game, Keshi went on
record as saying he had no knowledge of the Iranian team. There are two
possibilities with this statement. Either he was telling the truth, a
possibility which is surely too naive to countenance; or he was trying
to play mind games.
It is hard to tell which would be more worrying.
The Nigerian team started the game
brightly, hitting the target within two minutes and drawing a last-ditch
tackle to deny Ahmed Musa on eight minutes.
That was as good as it got.
The high tempo with which the Super
Eagles started abated quickly, and all semblance of strategy went out
the window as the team simply resorted to hopeful punts forward from
deep in midfield. When the passes did hit their mark, Iran simply
gobbled up the second balls; the deep midfield pairing of Andranik
Teymourian and Javad Nekounam deserves credit for its discipline,
creating an impenetrable square with their centre-backs.
For all Iran’s obduracy however, it is
hard to shake the feeling that Keshi did just as much to frustrate his
own team with the baffling decision to persist in playing Ramon Azeez in
the central role behind the striker. The Almeria youngster enjoyed a
break-out season in Andalusia playing deeper, and looked utterly lost
here as he did in the friendly against the USA. He was often bypassed,
an indication that his teammates have no confidence in him to carry the
team’s creative burden. When he did receive the ball on occasion, he
appeared hesitant and overawed, quick to cede responsibility by playing
unambitious passes sideways.
Azeez | Struggling with responsibility
The one player who the entire team do look to contrived to have his least effective showing ever in a Super Eagles shirt.
John Obi Mikel plays a role that is
entirely at odds with his Chelsea incarnation, tasked with providing
incision from the central zone. He wears the no.10 shirt, and this has
unsurprisingly led to comparisons with Jay-Jay Okocha, that wondrous
bohemian creator who wore the number with distinction for many years.
They are of course nothing alike (no one is as outrageously skilled as
Jay-Jay), but the burden of the shirt dictates that in times of
adversity, the wearer step up.
Mikel completely failed to.
The Chelsea man appeared disinterested
and languid, sapped of ideas and passion. At one point, Vincent Enyeama
sought to roll the ball out, but it was Mikel’s midfield partner Ogenyi
Onazi who made himself available for the pass. Mikel simply turned his
back and trudged away.
There is a sense that he does not grasp
the weight of the shirt, and the responsibility that comes with it. One
is reminded of the France 98 Round of 16 encounter against Denmark; even
in a losing effort, Okocha distinguished himself, running the Danish
defence ragged. Surely if he cannot be motivated enough by the pride of
the shirt, Mikel has to realise that there is no greater shop window
than the World Cup. Few managers or scouts would be enamoured with a
defensive midfielder who is reluctant to receive a pass from his own
goalkeeper.
His lethargy spread to the rest of the
squad: winger Victor Moses was anonymous, and was rightly withdrawn
after only 52 minutes; Ogenyi Onazi took on too much responsibility and
kept losing the ball in midfield; the usually excellent Emmanuel
Emenike fizzled out after a bright opening fifteen minutes.
The introductions of Shola Ameobi and
Osaze Odemwingie did little to provide a spark in a ponderous attacking
display lacking any invention. Truth be told, Iran were never truly
stretched. Neither was the Nigerian defence, but even at that defensive
stalwart Godfrey Oboabona contrived to pick up a knock that saw him
replaced in the first half. He is now a doubt for the next game.
Remarkably for such a depressing
performance, not much has changed with regards to the group. The Super
Eagles hold their destiny in their hands. A win over Bosnia-Herzegovina
will see Nigeria through with a game to spare. Keshi’s reputation as a
slow starter is preserved, but it is his reputation as an expert man
manager, as well as his tactical nous, that will now be put to the
test.
A recording of Bosnia’s loss to Argentina at the Maracana would not go amiss either.
Monday, 16 June 2014
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Iran 0-0 Nigeria: Super Eagles held in drab stalemate.
The teams were evenly matched throughout the 90
minutes with both teams struggling to create chances in their opening
game of the tournament
Iran and Nigeria were forced to settle for the first draw of the 2014 World Cup on Monday as there were no goals in Curitiba.Nigeria dominated possession in the Group F fixture at Arena da Baixada – particularly in the first half – but a disciplined defensive performance from the Iranians ensured the spoils were shared.
After a handful of early chances, the African nation failed to make the most of their pressure, seeing attacking moves fail in the final third time and again.
And Iran, whose best chance to score came courtesy of a first-half header from Reza Ghoochannejad, saw their persistence pay off as they held on for a point.
Argentina now lead the group by two points after their 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday.
Nigeria named Fenerbahce frontman Emmanuel Emenike as their sole striker, but it was winger Victor Moses who got the first sight of goal, drilling a tame effort comfortably into the arms of goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.
The Africa Cup of Nations champions had the ball in the back of the net from a corner in the eighth minute, but the whistle had already blown as Haghighi was somewhat fortuitously awarded a free-kick after a coming together with John Obi Mikel.
Iran were struggling to get a foothold in the match, and Ogenyi Onazi was next to fire a warning signal by sending the ball dribbling wide of the left-hand upright.
For all their possession, Nigeria were not working the Iran stopper hard enough and Stephen Keshi was forced to bring Joseph Yobo on for Godfrey Oboabona on the half-hour mark after the defender had earlier landed awkwardly in an aerial challenge with Ghoochannejad.
Iran – growing in confidence as the half progressed - almost punished their opponents’ profligacy four minutes later when a Ghoochannejad header from a corner forced Vincent Enyeama into a reflex save.
Keshi threw on Shola Ameobi seven minutes into the second half in a bid to give Nigeria more cutting edge in the final third, but it continued to be a tale of frustration as clear-cut chances continued to elude his side.
Iran had never previously kept a clean sheet at the World Cup finals, and their defensive approach drew whistles and heckles from fans in the green and white Nigeria.
Goalscoring chances became an increasingly rare occurrence and Nigeria will see this as a huge chance wasted with matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina to follow.
Iran’s next fixture is against group leaders Argentina on Saturday.
Germany v Portugal: Thomas Müller scores hat-trick after Portuguese capitulate following straight red card for Pepe
There are no ear-rings, bling or designer hair styles with Thomas Müller, but in a beauty contest against Cristiano Ronaldo in Salvador, the German delivered emphatic proof that substance beats style every time when you score a hat-trick.
Müller, the winner of the Golden Boot at South Africa 2010, put the current
holder of the Ballon d’Or firmly in his place by leading Germany
to victory against Portugal
with the first hat-trick of this World
Cup.
How Ronaldo must wish he could play in white at the World Cup, just as he does
for Real
Madrid in La
Liga. Then again, Germany are one of the few teams that can probably
succeed well enough without him.
But in front of the watching German chancellor Angela Merkel, Joachim Low’s
team showed they are determined to lead Europe’s challenge in Brazil.
Despite having won just three of their seventeen previous encounters with the
Germans, Portugal went into this Group G fixture sensing the opportunity to
improve their miserable record against the three-time world champions.
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