Brazil 2014: Guide to Group F

ARGENTINA (seeded)
Argentina vs Bosnia Herzegovina Style and Formation

Style & formation:  In the CONMEBOL qualifying region,   Argentina normally opted for a daring 4-3-3 formation, although a more cautious variation of the 5-3-2 tactical style of play was effected for tricky away ties. The first tactical approach gives Lionel Messi the freedom to operate  between the midfield and attacking third while Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Napoli's Gonzalo Higuaín have the roles of adding width to the offense.

However, Ángel di María's inclusion in the midfield trio, offers minimal cover for the back four. Coach Alejandro Sabella admits “we are not a team who attack based on possession or order – we are an anarchic team, with very anarchic players.”

Strengths: La Albiceleste  (The White-and-Sky Blue)   have a deadly attack and it came as no surprise that five of Argentina's strike force scored 124 goals between them last season – all for top clubs. Their top three in attack receive support from Ángel di María, forming “ Los Cuatro Fantasticos ” – the Fantastic Four. According to the records, no other team featuring in Brazil this summer can match their attacking explosiveness. In addition, all three group games in the southern part of Brazil means they will receive a lot of away support, plus easy travel and enjoyable weather.

Weaknesses:  According to head coach Alejandro Sabella, this side lacks balance in the center of the field, as no other player can match the world-class defensive midfield exploits of Javier Mascherano. This same weakness was heavily exposed in their South Africa 2010 quarter-final clash with Germany, in which they were thwarted 4-0 under coach Diego Maradona. Balance is needed against top teams in a competition of this nature.  

Shot-stopper Sergio Romero only tasted action in just three league games for Monaco this season and could pose a potential problem for the White and Sky Blue. Lionel Messi's dip in form for Barcelona was also a deep area of concern going into the Copa Mundial  - although he netted 41 times for Blaugrauna in 2013-14.

 
Lionel Messi celebrates his winner over Bosnia-Herzegovina Most Valuable Player

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the most valuable player in the Argentina team, although he has more often than not, been pointed out for not emulating his scintillating club form in Spain for his national team.  He was somewhat disappointing for a span of 16 competitive games was he had not found the back of the net before the arrival of Alejandro Sabella in 2011 to be at the helm of affairs. Nonetheless, the coach gave the captain's armband to the 26-year-old Messi, who has been in admirable form ever since – he banged in 10 times in 14 World Cup qualifiers.

Ángel di María in action for La Albiceleste Player to watch

Real Madrid's Ángel di María  has proved to be a shining light in the team set up on the field of play. The winger has been a remarkable passer of the ball in the three-man midfield and his work rate gives his side an additional edge over their opposition. He also played in deeper roles for Los Blancos  at certain points in the just ended league season and achieved of an impressive feat of 17 La Liga assists – the highest number in the top five European leagues combined.

Alejandro Sabella Head Coach
Alejandro Sabella finally earned his shot at the Argentina coaching job after leading Estudiantes to triumph in the Copa Libertadores in 2009. Preceding to that achievement, he served as an assistant to Daniel Passarella for almost 20 years. He was a member of Argentina's technical team at the France '98 FIFA World Cup. Road to Brazil

They had a straightforward qualification to Brazil. They emerged as the only team to get a win away in Colombia, defeated Chile twice, and outclassed Uruguay (3-0) and Ecuador (4-0) on home soil. The only results that marred their qualifying campaign was their first ever loss to Venezuela, home draw with Bolivia and inconsequential final-game loss to Uruguay. World Cup Achievements

They have been world champions on two occasions (1978 and 1986) and have impressively finished as runners-up twice, albeit not being able to reach the semi-finals since 1990.

FIFA Ranking:  5 Squad
Goalkeepers:  Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).

Defenders:  Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey).

Midfielders:  Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Ángel di María (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), Enzo Perez (Benfica).

Forwards:  Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St-Germain). BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina Prospects
The Bosnians happen to be the only World Cup debutants in Brazil, however, they are favored by the bookmakers to have a real shot at reaching the round of 16 due to attacking edge, technical ability and discipline.

In UEFA qualifying they opted for a 4-4-2 diamond, which resulted in 30 goals- 18 from strike duo Edin Džeko and Vedad Ibišević.

The current squad is blessed with talented players who dictate the flow of a game, nonetheless it lacks quality ball-winners to provide an effective screen for the defense.

Miralem Pjanić Most Valuable Player
AS Roma's  Miralem Pjanić  could have featured for Luxembourg and France but he pledged his allegiance to represent the country he left just before war broke out.  The 24-year-old is a very talented player with the ability of scoring spectacular goals, but with the 32-year-old veteran Zvjezdan Misimović favored as Bosnia's 'number 10′, Pjanić  operates from the heart of midfield or on the lateral ends.

Safet Sušić Head Coach
Safet Sušić is the manager of Bosnia. He was voted the best player in the history of French side Paris St-Germain and he played for Yugoslavia at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups. Concerning their somewhat cavalier tactical system, he stated: “We know that we expose ourselves too much and that there is a huge risk in the way we play – but that is the price we are willing to pay. In the end, we play to score more goals than the opposition, and it has paid off so far.” Road to Brazil

Having lost to Portugal in the play-offs in their previous two UEFA qualifying campaigns, the Bosnians were more than focused to win their group to punch their direct tickets to Brazil. They topped Greece on goal difference with a final-game win away in Lithuania. World Cup Achievements

They are the only debutants at the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA Ranking:  21 Squad
Goalkeepers:  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen).

Defenders:  Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg).

Midfielders:  Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsaljevic (Hajduk).

Strikers:  Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB).

  IRAN
Iran Football Team Prospects
Iran are considered the outsiders in Group F, even though they are the highest ranked side from Asia and have gradually emerged as a team to avoid. They had the best defensive record in qualifying, with an impressive 10 clean sheets – the most of all the teams in Brazil. They however have a rather slow approach and are too easy to read. Their performance was uninspiring in their friendlies against Belarus and Montenegro (both 0-0) and Angola (1-1).

Reza Ghoochannejhad Most Valuable Player
The 33-year-old midfielder Javad Nekounam is the skipper and source of inspiration in the Iranian national team, but the new shining star is  Reza Ghoochannejhad  - Charlton's Iran-born, Dutch-raised attacker.

The 26-year-old made his international debut and banged in six goals in six games in 2013.

Carlos Queiroz Head Coach
Carlos Queiroz  is the technical head of the Iranian national team.    He was very blunt when he criticized the Iran's Football Federation, which he described as “lethargic, lacking ambition” when he was appointed in 2011. He managed to turn around the side's fortunes by inviting several players who grew up outside of Iran, including USA-born Steven Beitashour despite some resistance in Iranian football circles. The Portuguese head coach in 2010, has heaped praise on the passion of Iranian fans but was quick to admit that he didn't have all the answers to the weaknesses in his team. He will vacate the post after Brazil. Road to Brazil

Iran began their campaign on a bright note, but it was soon in tatters as they only managed a disappointing two goals and two wins in their first five games of the final group phase. They however turned it around with three back-to-back wins, beating South Korea away from home to finish in first place in the pool. World Cup Achievements

Iran are yet to make it past the group phase in their three previous appearances (1978, 1998, 2006), with their only victory coming against the USA in 1998.

FIFA Ranking: 43 Squad
Goalkeepers:  Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha, on loan from Rubin Kazan), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan).

Defenders:  Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir-Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis).

Midfielders:  Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Haddadifar (Zob Ahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan).

Forwards:  Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Saz, on loan from Persepolis), Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal). NIGERIA

Super Eagles of Nigeria Prospects
The Super Eagles underwent a major transformation under manager Stephen Keshi after their failure to reach the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, after the invitation of younger and very talented players to reduce the average age of the side. Keshi's selection criteria, although at times sparked a lot of debate, has paid off – In 2013, the Super Eagles won their first African title since 1994. They performed creditably well at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, but they have to improve if they desire to reach the knockout stages at Brazil 2014.

Victor Moses Most Valuable Player
Victor Moses  has quickly become an central figure and a valuable addition to the Nigerian national team after featuring for the first time for the side in 2012. He was pivotal at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa and could have made a meaningful mark at the Confederations Cup, for which he was down with an injury.

Stephen Keshi Head Coach
Stephen Keshi was removed from his post as head coach after having qualified the Hawks of Togo to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, just as he was fired as Nigeria's assistant in 2002. He has proven his critics wrong ever since he was given the mantle as the technical head of the Super Eagles and has shown he really deserved his appointment to lead his charges at the global soccer showpiece event in Brazil.  He is highly respected and  regarded as a father figure by the players he manages, although he has often been accused of selecting younger and rising players ahead of established names. His managerial contract is set to expire after Brazil. Road to Brazil

Nigeria had a pretty smooth run to the World Cup finals. They emerged as one of two unbeaten African sides (along with Ivory Coast), they topped their pool with five points separating them and the runners-up, then defeated Ethiopia 4-1 in a two-legged play-off. They banged in 11 goals throughout qualifying – fewer than any other representative who reached the finals in Brazil. World Cup Achievements

The Super Eagles made it to the round of 16 in 1994 and 1998 but have been knocked out in the group phase in their two subsequent tournament appearances (2002 and 2010). They missed out on a chance to make it to Germany 2006 as Angola had a better head-to-head record although both sides amassed the same number of points

FIFA Ranking:  44 Squad
Goalkeepers:  Vincent Enyeama (Lille), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United).

Defenders:  Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Joseph Yobo (Norwich, on loan from Fenerbahce), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders:  John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ramon Azeez (Almeria), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk).

Forwards:  Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke), Victor Moses (Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen). Fixtures

15 June 2014
Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, 22:00 (GMT)

16 June 2014
Iran v Nigeria, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, 19:00 (GMT)

21 June 2014
Argentina v Iran, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, 16:00 (GMT)

21 June 2014
Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, 22:00 (GMT)

25 June 2014
Nigeria v Argentina, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, 16:00 (GMT)

25 June 2014
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Iran, Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, 16:00 (GMT)

Watch We Are One (Ole Ola) [The Official Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Song] (Olodum Mix) by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte: