World matches of the last 48 hours decided the group standing of Groups A & B, C& D. The matches tonight are the third group matches of Group E and Group F.
The pre quarter final scenario that emerged looks the following: Barzail vs Chile, Mexico Vs Netherlands, Colombia vs Uruguay and Greece vs Cota Rica. Croatia, Cameroon, Spain and Australia will no longer be seen in action in Brazil World Cup.
France in Group E and Argentina in Group F have already booked their berth from the respective group with two of the other three teams will emerge to join them in the battle for next round.
Argentina in two that they have played so far have failed to impress their favorite status and struggled all the way to win against debutant Bosnia & Herzegovina and determined Iran.
They could only escape harassment through LM10 Lionel Messie magic in both the matches. Other three of fabulous four Higuain, Aguero and De Maria looked pretty ordinary till now in breaking crowded rival defense. The Super Eagles was held to a goalless draw in the first match and struggled to beat impressive debutant Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second match. Nigeria with four points from two matches must try and squeeze at least one point from Argentina for a safe passage to pre-quarter final. Iran looked pretty dogged in defence.
They held Nigeria to a goal less draw and almost embarrassed Argentina. Had it not been a magic golden piece of the greatest player Messi at the dying minute of the match Iran was going to get a point from the football super power. Debutant Bosnia and Herzegovina also looked very impressive in their first two matches. They were very unlucky to lose both the matches against two formidable oppositions Argentina and Nigeria.
Argentina – Nigeria Match: Porto Algere (10:00 PM BST)
Argentina have already booked their spot in the last 16 after winning their opening two matches and only require a draw to win the group, which would most likely mean they avoid France and instead face the Group E runners-up in Sao Paulo next Tuesday. Alejandro Sabella’s side will be looking for more than a point, though, having failed to shine in either of their games so far and been made to work for a 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and 1-0 success against Iran.
On both occasions they have been thankful to moments of magic from Lionel Messi, who followed up his stunning goal against Bosnia with the last-minute winner to see off Iran. This will be fourth time the two teams will meet in FIFA World cup of which Argentina won three.
Argentina will hope to underline their credentials as potential champions with an improved display against Nigeria, and Sabella will have to decide whether to make changes. The team fortunately has no injury scare but the coach may like to test few players from the bench depending on the state of the game. But he is more likely to give the likes of Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria another chance to find form and go in with a similar starting XI.
The super eagles must put their best to get at least a draw in the match or Iran winning big against Bosnia may cause exit for them. Nigeria is expected to be unchanged following a 1-0 victory against Bosnia, which has put them on the brink of a place in the knockout stages.
Victor Moses and Godfrey Oboabona have had injuries and are unlikely to be considered by manager Stephen Keshi for places in the starting team. Nigeria has four points from their first two matches and even if they lose in Porto Alegre they will still progress to the next round if Iran fail to beat Bosnia. Peter Odemwingie netted the winner against Bosnia and is relishing the prospect of taking on a side like Argentina.
Worldwide Argentinian fans want to see their favorite team play like potential champion and do not create high blood pressure for their frenzied fans. In the first two matches Argentina failed to impress and if they somehow loose will be required to play strong France in the elimination round. It will not be easy though as Argentinean defence will come under sterner tests from much superior Nigerian forwards.
Iran vs Bosnia & Herzegovina at Salvador (10:00 PM BST)
Iran desperately needs a win and win handsomely. But that will not be easy against impressive debutants. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz claimed the referee in their defeat to Argentina should have trouble sleeping after failing to award his side a penalty. Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic, meanwhile, may have himself endured a few restless nights after criticism in the Bosnian media that he is to blame for their early exit.
Susic favoured cavalier tactics in qualifying, usually fields an attack-minded 4-4-2 diamond formation. But the 59-year-old changed tack in the build-up to this tournament, dropping Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic to play a cautious 4-2-3-1 system.
So far that switch has blunted their cutting edge - they have had 36 attempts at goal but scored only one, coincidentally netted by Ibisevic as a substitute. Susic's surprising decision to drop highly-rated Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac against Nigeria also backfired, with the Super Eagles' winner originating from that flank.
He is expected to field a more attacking line-up in Salvador as his side targets a first World Cup win before they head home.
Iran have yet to score a World Cup goal this summer, but Queiroz's well-drilled side approach this match with a realistic, if outside, chance of reaching the last 16.
They will go through if they win and Nigeria lose and the winning margin in either game is greater than one. However, a 1-0 win for Iran coupled with a 1-0 defeat for the Super Eagles would leave the two sides completely level, and mean their fate would be decided by the drawing of lots. Iran is unbeaten in five meetings with Bosnia-Herzegovina between 2001 and 2009, having notched four wins and a draw. Iran was reportedly the first national team to play Bosnia-Herzegovina, in a friendly match back in 1993. The Bosnians emerged 3-1 victors in Tehran, although the match was not officially registered as the Bosnian Football Federation was not yet a member of FIFA.
We hope teams would give their best .Iran to try and win to grab the opportunity for moving into the second round and Bosina to record its first win in the first appearance of world cup.
BDST: 1512 HRS, JUNE 25, 2014
