World Cup 2014 Preview:Group F
This is the sixth of 8 part series analyzing and previewing all 32 teams participating in 2014 FIFA World Cup.The previews focuses more on the current squad,tactics,formation and recent form. We continue with Group F consisting of Argentina,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Iran and Nigeria.
Another group that has all teams playing in different styles and approaches.Argentina are the favorites to make it out of the group but the place for second place is surely up for grabs
ARGENTINA
Two times World Cup winners have a stellar attacking line up with three of the best forwards playing together and in Alejandro Sabella they have pragmatic and disciplinary coach who is put in a system which is way more organized than Maradona's Argentina 4 years back.If Albiceleste's back four holds up then they are surely on of the favorites to win the cup
Qualification:
Argentina topped their group and lost only two matches in the process.The interesting thing about their qualification was they would easily beat top teams like Colombia,Ecuador and Uruguay but struggled against lesser opposition like Bolivia and Venezuela.Argentina scored the highest number of goals in the qualification phase and their highest goal scorer was Lionel Messi with 10 goals
Manager : Alejandro Sabella
A disciple of Carlos Bilardo, Alejandro Sabella was appointed as Argentina's head coach in 2011 after early exit in Copa America.Sabella has shown his cards early this World Cup and said he will be using 4-3-3 this World Cup.Also the players to be fielded are more or less known as Sabella is known to trust his players and doesn't change the winning combination often.Only few times he tinkered with formation choosing a 3-5-2 but it wasn't successful
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors).
Defenders: Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan).
Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Enzo Perez (Benfica).
Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan).
Formation/Expected Line up:
Albicelsete are going to setup as 4-3-3 but it's not a simple 4-3-3, many changes have been incorporated to ensure Messi can perform at his best.
The front three features the deadliest strikers in the world with Aguero,Higuain and Messi. Tactically Higuan has an important role to play he often pulls the defenders away to create spaces for Aguero and Messi.Aguero on left wing hardly plays the winger role and usually ends up in the penalty box,Sabella may sometimes select Lavezzi over him to provide more width to the team.On the right is the majestic Lionel Messi who again dribbles from right hand side to cut inside and create scoring opportunities.It is worth noting that previously under Maradona, Messi used to play very deep for Argentina and this hindered his goal scoring as we saw in 2010 World Cup, but that shouldn't be the case here as the work of linking midfield to attack isn't Messi's responsibility any more.
The above stated work is now done by the crucial Angel Di Maria,Although from midfield he can often drift towards left into the space left by Aguero by tactically he is much more mature and plays the shuttler role he used to play at Benfica.On the other side of Di maria is Gago,he plays an understated role keeping the ball rolling with simple passing.At the holding role is Mascherano and he holds the key if Argentina were to keep a good defensive record.
The defence is the biggest worry for Sabella,with Zabaleta being the only world class defenders.The center halves Garay and Fernanadez aren't bad just
Bosnia are the debutant in this tournament and have a freshness about them.Even tough the they are making their first appearance the squad has the experience of playing in some of the top teams of Europe
The front three features the deadliest strikers in the world with Aguero,Higuain and Messi. Tactically Higuan has an important role to play he often pulls the defenders away to create spaces for Aguero and Messi.Aguero on left wing hardly plays the winger role and usually ends up in the penalty box,Sabella may sometimes select Lavezzi over him to provide more width to the team.On the right is the majestic Lionel Messi who again dribbles from right hand side to cut inside and create scoring opportunities.It is worth noting that previously under Maradona, Messi used to play very deep for Argentina and this hindered his goal scoring as we saw in 2010 World Cup, but that shouldn't be the case here as the work of linking midfield to attack isn't Messi's responsibility any more.
The above stated work is now done by the crucial Angel Di Maria,Although from midfield he can often drift towards left into the space left by Aguero by tactically he is much more mature and plays the shuttler role he used to play at Benfica.On the other side of Di maria is Gago,he plays an understated role keeping the ball rolling with simple passing.At the holding role is Mascherano and he holds the key if Argentina were to keep a good defensive record.
The defence is the biggest worry for Sabella,with Zabaleta being the only world class defenders.The center halves Garay and Fernanadez aren't bad just
Key Player: Lionel Messi
Arguably the world's best player and with a point to prove in the biggest international tournament .
Strength:
The front four of Di Maria,Higuain,Aguero and Messi have plenty of goals in them
Weakness:
The vast contrast in the quality of attack and defenceMy Prediction:
Argentina have a pretty strong team and if Sabella gets the formation right they should easily progress to later half of the tournament.I'll predict a top of the group finish from themBOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia are the debutant in this tournament and have a freshness about them.Even tough the they are making their first appearance the squad has the experience of playing in some of the top teams of Europe
Qualification:
Bosnia and Herzegovina topped their qualifying group dropping just 5 points in the process.They were one of the most attacking side in Europe during qualifying scoring 30 goals in 10 matches with Manchester city striker Edin Dzeko being the top scorer with 10 goals
Manager : Safet Susic
Voted the best player in Paris St-Germain's history, Safet Susic represented Yugoslavia at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups. He says of his cavalier approach: "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."
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen)
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke 04), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Toni Sunjic (Zarya Lugansk), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg)
Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Tino Sven Susic (Hajduk Split), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz
Strikers: Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB)
Formation/Expected Line Up:
Safet Susic had a complete rethink in the formation just before the World cup,4-1-3-2 was the standard formation during qualification with Dzeko and Ibisevic upfront. Susic is now more likely to go back to 4-2-3-1 one and Ibisevic is the the likely one to be sacrificed for a defensive midfielder in Besic.
Upfront Edin Dzeko should start and having enjoyed a fruitful season at Manchester City should pose threat to opposition defenses.
In number 10 role is Miralem Pjanic another one coming into the team with great season at his club side AS Roma. Lulic and Izet Hajrovic will flank him on either side.Alternatively Susic can go for more attacking line up playing Misimovic in number 10 role and Pjanic at the base of midfield as sweeping playmaker.
Besic is the defesive midfielder and will look to shield a dodgy defence.
The fullbacks don't really like to attack much and are much better defensively than going forward.The center back pairing of Spahic and Bikcic is a cause for concern
Upfront Edin Dzeko should start and having enjoyed a fruitful season at Manchester City should pose threat to opposition defenses.
In number 10 role is Miralem Pjanic another one coming into the team with great season at his club side AS Roma. Lulic and Izet Hajrovic will flank him on either side.Alternatively Susic can go for more attacking line up playing Misimovic in number 10 role and Pjanic at the base of midfield as sweeping playmaker.
Besic is the defesive midfielder and will look to shield a dodgy defence.
The fullbacks don't really like to attack much and are much better defensively than going forward.The center back pairing of Spahic and Bikcic is a cause for concern
Key Player: Miralem Pjanic
The creative general of this team.Needs to be at his best for Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance from this group
Strength:
Good attacking sides with intelligent footballers in midfield and attack
Weakness:
The defence especially the center back pairing can be caught out against pace
My Prediction
Bosnia and Herzegovina are playing their first world cup so expectation aren't that high but the fact that their team is filled with quality players can't be hidden and qualifying from this group is a very good possibility.The match against Nigeria should decide their fate.I'm going for a win and progess into knockout round for them.
IRAN
Iran squad is characterized by being organized and tough to beat.Under coach Carlos Queiroz the focus has always been defence and he has been largely successful with Iran having kept 10 clean sheets in qualification phase,more than any team in the World cup
Qualification:
Qualification was no place for the faint-hearted and was something of a roller coaster for fans -- Queiroz called it "a journey through hell." The first group stage was navigated fairly easily, but the final round was tense until the final second of the last match. Iran's first loss against Lebanon had Queiroz on the back foot. A subsequent home loss against Uzbekistan had Iran out of the automatic spots with three games remaining, and scoring just two goals in the first five matches summed up the issue.
Then, it all went right. In came goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi, who didn't pick the ball out of the net once in the final three matches. In the first of those games, Ghoochannejhad scored the lone goal to give Iran a 1-0 victory against Qatar. Iran then avenged their previous loss to Lebanon with a 4-0 decision before a dramatic 1-0 win against South Korea (thanks to another Ghoochannejhad goal) sealed their trip to Brazil.
Manager : Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz has been outspoken in his criticism of Iran's Football Federation, which he described as "lethargic, lacking ambition" when he took over in 2011. Despite resistance from conservative elements, he has called up several players who grew up outside of Iran, including USA-born Steven Beitashour. Portugal's coach in 2010, he has praised the passion of Iranian fans but admits he doesn't have a "magic wand" to solve the side's flaws. He will leave his post after Brazil.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).
Formation/Expected line up:
Iran are expected to play a counter attacking 4-4-1-1
The striker Ghoochannejhad is good in running at channels and is supported by Fulham's Ashken Dejagah
At the base of midfield are Teymourian and Nekounam and are good distributors of ball.They'll try to feed the wingers Shojaei and Heydari as much as possible.
The defence features players who don't like to come out with the ball much and try to maintain team's structure.
At the base of midfield are Teymourian and Nekounam and are good distributors of ball.They'll try to feed the wingers Shojaei and Heydari as much as possible.
The defence features players who don't like to come out with the ball much and try to maintain team's structure.
Key Player: Ashken Dejagah
His ability to link up with wingers and striker will be the key
Strength:
Great defensive organization.
Weakness:
Lack of goals upfront.My Prediction:
Iran will try to avoid defeats in all 3 games and anything above that will be a bonus
NIGERIA
Nigeria are the reigning African cup of nations winner and are Africa's best hope to reach the knockout phase.Under Stephan Keshi they appear more organized and play fast counter attacking football
Qualification:
For the first time in what appears to be ages, Nigeria qualified for the World Cup with relatively little trouble. Kenya and Namibia threatened fleetingly, but failed to sustain their challenges. The Super Eagles looked in danger only once -- when Kenya visited in their first match after Nigeria made a triumphant return from capturing the 2013 African Nations Cup.The Harambee Stars were seconds away from claiming a seismic road victory at Nigeria's U.J. Esuene Stadium, until Nnamdi Oduamadi struck with virtually the last kick to rescue the Eagles.
From then on, it was smooth sailing. Victory at Kenya in the reverse fixture was followed by a draw and comfortable 2-0 home win against Namibia to seal progress to the playoffs. There, the draw pitted the Super Eagles against Ethiopia, the lowest-ranked team out of all the group winners.
A 2-1 win in the first leg all but guaranteed qualification, and Emmanuel Emenike's starring performance in the second leg was the finishing touch on a satisfying qualifying run
Manager: Stephan Keshi
Sacked as Togo coach a few months before the 2006 World Cup and likewise as Nigeria assistant in 2002, Stephen Keshi richly deserves the chance to finally test his managerial mettle on the grandest stage of all. He is considered a father figure by many players, but has had to fend off repeated criticism over his controversial focus on selecting youngsters ahead of bigger names. His contract expires after Brazil.
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).
Let's start with Nigeria's strength, Upfront Emenike is a deadly striker and was the highest goal scorer in African cup of nation.On the wings are Moses and the speedster Ahmed Musa.Moses is the key cutting in from left to become second striker.
The midfield three is little problematic with all three being similar type of players much like France.Mikel plays much more advanced role as compared to his club team but Keshi has tried variety of option of who will partner Mikel
The defence is more assured and organized under Keshi and will be tough to break down
Key Player: Victor Moses
His pace and dribbling should trouble opposition
Strength:
The front three are deadly on counter attacks
Weakness:
Lack of creativity from midfield
My Prediction:
The match against Bosnia and Herzegovina should decide Super Eagles fate.