Highlights: Iran 0-0 Nigeria
Iran and Nigeria played out the first draw of
the 2014 World Cup as their Group F opener
ended goalless.
Nigeria dominated possession but created few
chances against a disciplined side managed by
ex-Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz.
The Super Eagles' best opportunities came in
the first half, when Ogenyi Onazi fired a yard
wide before Ahmed Musa went close with a free-
kick.
Iran's Reza Ghoochannejad forced a great save
from Vincent Enyeama.
The share of the points leaves both teams well
placed in the group after Argentina defeated
Bosnia-Hercegovina.
African champions Nigeria were fancied to go
through with the South American giants, but the
pressure is now on them to beat the section's
only European side, who impressed in their first
ever World Cup match on Sunday.
Iran, on the other hand, will be buoyed by this
result and will be looking to cause one of the
biggest shocks in World Cup history on Saturday
against Argentina.
They performed diligently, with Queiroz getting
the best out of a group of players who stuck
rigidly to the tactics employed.
Their conservative approach, with midfielders
Javad Nekounam and Andranik Timotian as an
extra line of defence for the backline, frustrated
Nigeria.
Stephen Keshi's side were limited to only a
couple of chances despite having the lion's
share of possession. The first fell to Lazio
forward Onazi, who slammed his shot a foot wide
before Musa almost caught out goalkeeper
Alireza Haghighi with his quick thinking from a
free-kick.
Ironically, Iran had the best chance to score
despite their only effort on goal coming when
Charlton's Ghoochannejad, who spent much of
his career to date playing in the Dutch and
Belgian leagues, forced a excellent reaction save
from Enyeama, playing in his third World Cup.
Keshi - the mastermind behind Nigeria's
unexpected Cup of Nations win last year -
tinkered with his attack after the break by
bringing on former Newcastle stalwart Shola
Ameobi and fellow forward Peter Odemwingie of
Stoke.
The tactical swaps almost paid dividends in the
71st minute, when Ameobi headed wide from
eight yards, but he had conceded a foul in the
process.
The former Magpie also had a chance in the
closing minutes, but on this occasion his
goalbound header was easily cleared by
Mehrdad Pooladi.
That draw now means Nigeria have not won a
World Cup match in nine attempts - the longest
streak in the competition. They might need to
rethink their strategy against Bosnia-Hercegovina
if they do not want that run to continue.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz:
" We played against a great team and it was
necessary to play a realistic game. We fought for
every ball, every space and played 90 minutes
with one thing in our mind. My players need to
be congratulated.
"Now it's Argentina and the most important
thing is that everything is open to us."
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi:
"Respect to Iran, they had their game plan to sit
back and defend and they did well.
"Win or lose I'm criticized. A draw now, I'll be
criticized. It's part of the game. In my country,
it's win at all costs and sometimes it doesn't go
that way.''
SOURCE - BBCSport
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