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Big match feature: Iran v Nigeria
Nigeria will go into their first group game against Iran looking to bury the ghosts of World Cup past by winning their first game at the football showpiece event for the first time since France1998 .
Coach Stephen Keshi, in particular will look to make history as the first Nigerian to captain and coach a Nigerian team to the World Cup finals by nicking a first win in six attempts as the Super Eagles look to lay a marker in Group F of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Iran will be lead by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who is a proven tactician and has molded a strong defensive unit with Team Melli.
The Iranian team have been set up to be difficult to beat and usually use the counter-attacking style of play to devastating effect.
The 61-year-old Portuguese coach, who has had stints in England, Spain, the United States, Japan and South Africa, will be leading Iran into their first World Cup since 2006 and will look to build on their recent progress with a strong showing against Nigeria and other Group F teams.
Previous meetings:
Nigeria and Iran have clashed only once at full international, with the Africans coming out tops at the 1998 Carlsberg International Invitational tournament held in Hong Kong
Ahmed Garba's 50th minute effort was the only goal as Nigeria defeated Iran at the Hong Kong Stadium ,on their way to clinching the invitational tournament ahead of Chile and a selected Hong Kong XI.
Match day squads
Nigeria:
William Okpara, Jero Shakpoke, Ganiyu Ajide, Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, Kingsley Obiekwu, Uche Okafor, Henry Onwuzuruike, Gabriel Okolosi, Otiji Amaechi, Emmanuel Ebiede, Garba Ahmed
Iran:
Ahmadreza Abedsadeh, Mehdi Pashazadeh, Naim Saadavi, Reza Rezaei-Manesh, Mehrdad Minavand, Afshin Peyrovani, Farshad Falahatzadeh, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hamidreza Estilli, Alireza Mansourian, Ali Asghar Modir Roustar
Form going into the game:
Nigeria:- D D D L
Iran:- D D D W
Team news:
Nigeria:
Defender Elderson Echiejile, who has been ruled out of the tournament, has been replaced by Ejike Uzoenyi, while Kenneth Omeruo, who sat out the loss to United States has made progress and is expected to start against the Iranians.
Iran:
Queiroz has the full complement of his squad to chose from as there are no major injury worries. Veteran skipper Javad Nekounam will lead from the midfield ably supported by Dutch-born forward Reza Ghoochannejhad.
What they said:
Mikel (Nigeria)
"We know we're the African champions and people expect us to do well, to represent the African continent. That's a bit more extra pressure but it's pressure that we love. We love to be African champions."
Carlos Queiroz ( Iran)
"This is our 'Mission Impossible' once, twice and three times, but this is what makes the tournament attractive."
Players to watch:
Nigeria:
Victor Moses:
The Chelsea winger has arguably been Nigeria's stand out performer in the build up to the World Cup as the Super Eagles struggled in their preparatory games.
Blessed with pace, the former Crystal Palace player can be a handful for opposing defenders to deal with. He will be Nigeria's main attacking threat against Iran as the Super Eagles look to end their no-win hoodoo.
Vincent Enyeama.
First choice for both club and country, Enyeama goes into the tournament as the best African player in the French top division, which will do a lot for his confidence.
A tremendous shot-stopper, he has clearly improved his ability to deal with crosses which were his Achilles heels. Brazil 2014 will be his third World Cup appearance and is among the most experienced member of Coach Stephen Keshi's squad.
Iran:
Steven Beitashour:
The American-born defender is a late comer into Queiroz squad, and will be playing his first international tournament for Team Melli after making his debut last October.
A full back that loves to bomb forward, Beitashour was drafted at the number 30 pick in the Major League Soccer draft in 2010 by the San Jose Earthquakes and will hope to continue his steady rise with a decent showing in his first World game against Nigeria.
Ashkan Dejagah:
The poster boy of Iranian footballer who had a good season with Barclays Premier League side, Fulham despite the London team being relegated.
Dejagah is a combative midfielder who also plays in advanced midfield positions where he sets himself to be among the goals for club and country. Queiroz will surely rely on him to provide the front line with needed support to trouble Nigeria.
Odd tale:
A survey conducted before the start of the 2014 Fifa World Cup by Yougov, an online survey firm showed that Iran alongside Argentina and the United States are the most hated teams at the tournament.
NIGERIA SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim
DEFENDERS: Joseph Yobo, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami
MIDFIELDERS: John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi
FORWARDS: Peter Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor
IRAN SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Daniel Davari, Alireza Haghighi, Rahman Ahmadi
DEFENDERS: Hossein Mahini, Steven Beitashour, Pejman Montazeri, JalalHosseini, Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ahmad Alenemeh, Hashem Beikzadeh, Mehrdad Pouladi
MIDFIELDERS: Javad Nekounam, Ghasem Hadadifar, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Ehsan Hajsafi, Andranik Teymourian, Reza Haghighi,
STRIKERS: Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Ashkan Dejagah, Masoud Shojaei, Karim Ansarifard, Khosro Heydari.
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