Group F - ARG, BIH, IRN, NGA

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FIFA Ranking: 5

Most Caps: Javier Zanetti 145
Most Goals: Gabriel Batistuta 56/78 games

Coach: Alejandro Sabella



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This is the tournament Lionel Messi and his accomplices have been building up to in expectation ever since they qualified with relative ease from their CONMEBOL group. Over recent years they have remained one of the few sides willing to attack but under Sabella while they still display immense flair and skill they have become a well organized unit that is quite happy to hit on the counter although given that most teams will stick ten behind the ball when they face the Albiceleste, the game plan will involve more patient probing and the use of the magic quartet they possess to play dazzling one two's to open up the opposition. Nothing less than a semi-finals appearance after the disappointment of recent tournaments will do and Leo himself has his eyes set on the ultimate triumph. He will be around in 2018 but this may well be his best chance to take the ultimate prize.

Sabella's choices have been fairly predictable given the consistency of his team selections as opposed to the madcap mayhem under Maradona where anyone could expect a call up as a gesture of misplaced friendliness.

In the past several fullbacks have demonstrated their attacking prowess for the Albiceleste. From the grace of Marzolini in 1966 and Tarantini to the surging runs of Jose Chamot they have been a useful weapon for Argentinian sides. Under the tutelage of Alejandro Sabella the side has predominantly utilized a back four though the coach has also opted for a back five at times.Sabella prefers a primarily defensive role for his fullbacks, relying on the fantastic four upfront to create space and chances. He also prefers fullbacks who are utilitarian that can play either flank or within the centre of a defence should any injuries arise. Zabaleta and Rojo are the first choices at right and left back respectively.

Zabaleta has developed from being a defensive midfielder into the best right back in the Premier League. The belief placed in him as captain of the 2005 World U20 Cup winning side by Jose Pekerman seems prescient. His attitude , work-rate and tackling as well as endless stamina and ability to help the attack is world class. His only weakness would be his relatively slow speed when retreating towards his own goal.In comparison Rojo has been playing his favoured role of centre back in Lisbon where has excelled. While he displays the virtues of speed and a willingness to attack, his positioning and ability to get stuck in – unlike Zabaleta – mean he remains a question mark in the defence.

Unfortunately Sabella has overlooked the two footed Cristian Ansaldi at Zenit and Lucas Orban of Bordeaux. Both are impressive physically and the former a real attacking threat who could have covered both flanks. Orban succesfully replaced Benoit Tremoulinas at Bordeaux, no mean feat. His size would have eliminated the threat of diagaonsl and his all action game with a propensity to lunge in and pick up cards and a shaky international debut led to his exclusion.

Sabella has also overlooked Gino Peruzzi who shot to prominence at Velez where he shut Neymar down in the Libertadores and earned comparisons to a young Javier Zanetti. After a knee injury ruled him out of joining Sunderland and delayed his debut for Catania he has been once again highly impressive and could have covered both flanks as well as providing an attacking threat.

Argentina has produced plenty of world class centre backs on the world stage from Roberto Perfumo, Daniel Passarella and Oscar Ruggieri to the recently retired ‘El Raton’ Roberto Ayala. At first glance the centre back options for Argentina seem underwhelming but this is not really the case. Sabella's bizarre Estudiantes fixation has proved beneficial for oncce in the inclusion of Federico Fernandez. He and Garay are both very good aerially in both boxes and read the game well. Both are accurate passers from deep but both lack express pace particularly Fernandez so it is likely a deeper defensive line will once again be the order of day. And also the reason why Sabella prefers to keep one fullback defensive on any counter with Mascherano covering. The alternates include Jose Basanta and Hugo Campagnaro. The former is tough and uncompromising and gritty as is the more disciplined and efficient Campagnaro who was scandalously overlooked for several seasons when he was one of the best defenders in serie A.

Sabella has also been persuaded by the form of the now ponytail less Dimichelis to earn him a recall. However his pace is a concern and he will likely be a replacment only. It is rather disappointing that several other promising candidates who have performed extremely well this season and will no doubt come into contention post Sabella such as Fazio and Musacchio were overlooked or indeed Lisandro Lopez who is one of the most dangerous centrebacks at set pieces in world football today.

Aspersions have been cast on the Argentine defence but is more than solid and works well as a unit combined with Masche who patrols before them as seen in friendlies against Italy and Germany. However this does not take into account the three clowns who have been chosen as the goalkeepers. This is the Achilles heel of the team and Sabella has remained true to his statement he would consider no one else. The current incumbent Sergio Romero is another u20 WC winner who star seemed in the ascendant when at AZ but since then he has failed to push on and his recent form is extremely troubling. There have been comical lapses in recent games. Poor ball handling, awful positioning and an inability to communicate with his defence or organize it effectively have been regular features of his play. His distribution skills are less than perfect. The sole credit in the Romero ledger is his shot stopping skills – which do not require thought – and his immense frame.

The fact in a World Cup year he was quite happy to sit on the bench behind Croatia's number two at Monaco should have been questioned but unlike the mad media campaigns for the inclusion of Tevez there was little action or pressure from the Argentine media in this regard.Of Sabella’s two other choices one could put Mariano Andujar in the same boat as Romero in terms of deficiencies albeit his penalty stopping and kicking is slightly better. Agustin Orion, the third choice, would at least be a better alternative to Romero and Andujar in terms of his overall game and decision making.

It is a crying shame that Saja and Barovero who excelled in the Torneo Inicial, Saja behind a sieve like defence were overlooked. All are superior in agility, decision making and coming for crosses as is the youngster Geronimo Rulli who almost seems certain to go to Atletico Madrid to replace Courtois. Even Lionel Speroni would have been a better candidate but the crying shame is the exclusion of Willy Caballero a truly world class goalkeeper whose decision making, one on one and penalty stopping abilities have saved Malaga many points in La Liga in the last few seasons and may be a costly error at these finals.


When he first took the reins of the Albiceleste one might have been forgiven for thinking that Alejandro Sabella, formerly a silkily skilful midfielder (who impressed during stints in England with Sheffield and Leeds United in the late 70s and early 80s) would be tempted to use players similar to himself in the process of revamping the Argentine midfield. Pragmatism is however Alejandro’s overriding hallmark and the concept of using an enganche playmaker to dictate play is an anathema to him.

He hit upon his winning formula in midfield more by luck than judgement, a midfield that relies less on possession to win matches than one that wins the ball and distributes it quickly forward. The crucial moment came in the away fixture in Colombia where Sabella has started out with a Basile like three defensive midfielder line that isolated Messi and Higuain. In that second half he shifted Mascherano further forward and removed one of the defensive midfielders and voila he attained a degree of balance which he has stuck with.The preferred formation is a 4-3-3 that goes to a 4-2-4 on the attack although with Messi coming deep for the ball it is often a traditional Argentine 4-2-2-2.

El jefecito Javier Mascherano plays in his preferred role of defensive general for the seleccion which was the spot the coaches at River Plate moved him to from his role of centreback in the River Plate cantera. A leader by example he is one of the finest players in his role in world football, with an acceleration and ability to read and respond to danger often recovered with trademark slide tackles. Less known is his role as a deep playmaker capable of accurately hitting inch perfect long range passes, a valuable weapon in the countering system Argentina has adopted.

Over qualification Sabella dropped Brana and Pablo Guinazu as backups. Age and injuries have caught up with both, allied to a rather lacklustre ability to build play or anticipate. Sabella cast a look at Catania's Fabian Rinaudo a player very similar to Mascherano who also can play box to box with some consideration along with the very young Matias Kranevitter a player touted to become even better than Javier, and Velez's Lucas Romero before choosing Lazio Lucas Biglia. A u20 WC winner alongside Messi in 2005, he may lack the bite of Mascherano but his accurate passing, simple style and displays for Argentina took him to Brazil.

Alongside Mascherano Sabella deploys a defensive midfielder who has the box to box role versus Mascherano's regista like function, linking defence with the attacjers. Gago is expected to take this role. Yet another u20 WC winner expectations were huge for the talented youngster but his sojourns in Europe with Real Madrid, Roma and Valencia offered only tantalizing glimpses of what he can deliver. His form this season even before the injury he is just coming back from have been poor. However his form the seleccion is always superior to that for his club in terms of distributing the ball and forming a valuable axis with Messi.


Ever Banega who won the u20 WC in 2007 has unlike his team mates in that side Aguero and di Maria has been omitted. It's a shame because on his day he is one of the best midfielders in the world who has become an all round midfielder. However his injury problems and form and lack of consistency had led to his replacment by Enzo Perez. Perez was moved from a wing role by Jorge Jesus at Benfica to become an all round action midfielder who can tackle, pass and dribble and whose engine like di Maria's is prodigious. He should I feel be the one slotted in alongside Mascherano until Gago is fitter.

Augusto Fernandez is also coming off an injury and is a hard worker allied to his quicksilver skills and his reliability is also an asset. This hard working ethic which Sabella demands saw Pastore miss out, while Lamela failed through injury to show off his dazzling skills and potential at Tottenham. Instead Sabellas has opted for Ricardo Alvarez. El Maravilla is a trickster who under Mazzari has become more disciplined and more of a team player but his form since January has been a bit poor but he possesses a decent work rate in covering di Maria should he be needed although Nico Gaitan I think was a better option.

di Maria is of course the third member of the midfield trio. The tutelage of Mourinho and Ancelotti has turned him into the star he was projected to be. His accurate long passes, pace and synergy with Messi as he inevitably tracks left across the pitch have been a cornerstone of their success. Incredible stamina – as seen at altitude in Bolivia – and willingness to track back are vast improvements on the 2010 debacle when he was employed in the same role by Maradona.

On the other side of the pitch Maxi Rodriguez was an easy choice, being in the form he was in prior to a serious knee injury picked up after the 2006 World Cup. A tremendously intelligent player and neat passer, often of quick give and goes, his recent finishing record with Newell’s, the club he idolizes, has been sensational. After earning a deserved recall against Paraguay he carried this goal scoring form into recent international games, bagging a brace in the final qualifier against Uruguay. He also provides World Cup experience. The Argentine midfield is excellent. Skilled on the ball, hungry without it and with great stamina and endurance.

The riches of the attackers the Albiceleste have are the envy of every team. The joker in the pack is a diminutive Rosarian who, if he can lead Argentina to a long overdue triumph in the backyard of their greatest rivals, will surely cement his place as one of the greatest football players the world has ever seen and in the process see churches with no shortage of disciples spring up across Argentina. Despite a less than stellar season for him (a once in a lifetime season for most other players) he remains the best player in the world. The sight of Maradona chasing Messi after a final win at the Maracana is an enticing spectacle.Ridiculous accusations have surfaced asserting that Messi is a failure for Argentina and that his success at Barcelona is down to his fellow players. With Sabella at the helm all this nonsense has been blown out of the water with 2012 seeing the little magician score twelve times in nine games to match the record set by Gabriel Batistuta for goals in a calendar year for the seleccion. That total would have been even higher but for the intervention of the woodwork several times.

An immaculate dribbler, passer and finisher with incredible vision Messi has has added steely determination to an already very long list of admirable qualities since being made captain of the seleccion and developed his set piece taking skills as another weapon in his already vast attacking repertoire. Like any great athlete in whatever sporting discipline his presence on the field inspires his team mates whilst simultaneously striking fear into the opposition. Defences have tried to double up on him or force him deep but in doing so have afforded space to a pair of players who would stroll into any national side. Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain have formed an almost empathic link with Messi and di Maria, creating fear and panic in opposing backlines rightly earning them the nickname of ‘The Fantastic Four’. Such is their own quality that they too create space for Messi to do his work in a glorious synergy.

‘Kun’ Aguero shot to prominence at an incredibly early age in Argentina with Independiente but still remains somewhat underrated as a striker by many. His formative relationship with Messi began at the 2005 u20 World Cup and he spearheaded the Albiceleste to another success at the same event in 2007. Despite his small stature Aguero is incredibly difficult to knock off the ball and is possessed of an incredibly accurate shot. He is a more than capable dribbler and header of the ball and quite capable of creating chances on his own thanks in part to his excellent ability to dribble past defenders at tremendous speed. Allied to this is a high work rate across the final third to create space. The same could be said to apply to Higuain.

Also underrated during his time at Real Madrid , the River Plate product is one of the most accurate finishers in Europe. Pipita often plays off the last defender, running in behind with clever runs using his speed. With Argentina Higuain (who like Aguero is predominantly right footed) drags defences to the right leaving Messi and di Maria to track across and down the left respectively. The trio’s superb quality means each is quite prepared to sell themselves as decoys for the others, creating many chances. With their speed Argentina have proven themselves to be the deadliest counter attacking team in qualification and they should score plenty of goals in Brazil certainly in the group.

Sabella has omitted Tevez.His last appearance was in July 2011 in the Copa America where his penalty miss consigned Argentina to an early exit. His ego and ability to disrupt the harmony of any dressing room is something Sabella was well aware of and the antithesis of the team unity he has built and so he was discarded. Sabella has instead gone for Rodrigo Palacio (Internazionale) and Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG). El Trenza so called for his pigtail is maturing like a fine wine with age. He topped the scoring charts in Italy for the calendar year in 2013 despite not being an out and out centre forward, a role he struggles with given his stature. However his speed and positioning earn him opportunities even if they are scarce in an underperforming side, while creating for others. His incredible conversion rate of these rare chances has greatly endeared him to the Nerazzurri fans. Palacio’s excellent work rate across the entire final third of the pitch no doubt also registered with Sabella although – understandably given scarce international chances – he has yet to truly replicate his club form for country.

El Pocho Lavezzi is by nature a wing forward rather than a shadow striker or centre forward where his lack of agility and size has undermined him while playing the role at PSG. Out wide his speed and dribbling ability is a real threat cutting into the box to unleash strikes on goal or pick up on balls sent into the box as seen against Peru when he was played alongside Aguero. This was what caught the eye at Napoli although he has remained hit and miss with his shooting. His incredible stamina and work rate should be productive for Argentina as an impact substitute.

Tactics:

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It has been twenty years without a major trophy in the cabinet at AFA headquarters. An extremely disappointing return given the prodigious talents Argentina has produced during that time. In order to win that elusive trophy the focus in recent years has been on getting the best out of Lionel Messi for the seleccion. Both of Sabella’s predecessors, Diego Maradona, as poor a coach as he was great a player and Sergio Batista, failed abjectly at the task.

Despite valid criticism that can be levelled at Sabella, particularly his misguided loyalty to Sergio Romero, it is to his credit that he has turned Messi into a force at international level.When at Estudiantes, Sabella a disciple of Carlos Bilardo (who no doubt helped him become trainer of the seleccion after the 2011 Copa horror show) favoured a robust 5-3-2 with its defensive options, utilizing a deep lying playmaker and hitting on the counter. It almost managed to derail Barcelona in the 2009 World Club Cup finals where Estudiantes, partly through fortune and partly by tactical discipline, almost managed to keep the Catalan giants scoreless for ninety minutes.

Sabella inherited a shambolic side bereft of confidence. His first key measures was to make Lionel Messi captain, placing his full confidence in the young maestro and affirming a desire – despite his pragmatic credentials – to build a side around him. Gradually through qualifying Sabella has weeded out the older guard, moving to a core that is tightly knit and have played together at u20 level. Sabella removed the Tevez issue straight away much to his credit in a country where the idiot is idolized for some strange reason.

The low morale post Copa 2011 carried on into the early phase of qualification despite an initial 4-1 thumping of Chile. A cautious Sabella started off with a 4-4-1-1 formation with Messi playing behind Higuain and Sosa and di Maria breaking forward in support. Claudio Borghi’s insistence on playing two attacking midfielders meant that both defensive midfielders used by Sabella, Brana and Banega, were tied down and in terms of defence versus attack balance one could use a value of 6.5-3.5 between defence/ attack minded players.

Sabella’s first game as coach highlighted two issues that are still present when the seleccion plays. One has been the overloading of the fullbacks to marauding wingers and overlapping wingbacks. It has been a feature of many games most notably in the away matches in Santiago and Quito where the fullbacks were run ragged for the first half hour or so leading Sabella not just to shut his eyes and pray but to change tactics.

The other issue concerns the opposition. Sides that have fielded two attacking midfielders leave Messi and di Maria too free and are very vulnerable to counters. But it is a real quandary as sticking two defensive midfielders or asking a centre-back to keep tabs on Leo is no guarantee of safety. It allows other attackers freedom between the midfield and defence and pulls the opposition’s defensive lines out of shape creating more space to exploit.

This has become evident as Argentina have come together as a unit and the quality of their attackers has come into its own but it was more luck than judgement that saw Sabella achieve this. Nonetheless this first qualifier did at least see defending from the front. A high press that led to a goal against Chile and has yielded results when employed.Given the weakness of the flanks Sabella opted for his favoured 3-5-2 against Venezuela but a formation is only as good as the players in it. Odd choices rendered it ineffective, including playing di Maria in central midfield where his natural tendency to cut into the centre of the pitch and be crowded out rendered him ineffective, forcing Messi to drop deep reducing his efficacy.

The match did however establish Mascherano in his regista role, reducing the dependency on Messi as the sole creator. Unsettled by the defeat – as in the terminal months of Alfio Basile’s tenure as coach – Sabella chose a trio of defensive midfielders, Mascherano with Guinazu and Brana against Colombia. It failed abysmally for forty five minutes that saw Higuain and Messi at times in their own half desperately looking for the ball.The introduction of Aguero for Guinazu led immediately to an increase in tempo, retention of possession in the final third and more chances coupled with a shifting forward of Mascherano to provide more balance.

Almost out of despair Sabella hit upon the formation which he has generally stuck with. This has to been to utilize a back four in what at times could be the classic Argentine 4-2-2-2 which just as easily reverts to a 4-3-1-2 when di Maria drops deeper from his preferred left wing role or even 4-5-1 when Kun and Messi drop into midfield.

Indeed categorizing the Argentina formation is extremely difficult given the fluidity of the front four. Sabella has benefitted from Jose Mourinho’s instilling defensive discipline and immense work rate into di Maria in covering the left flank when required. The issue remains problematic on the right flank, requiring either one of the two defensive midfielders to ensure they cover that space, particularly on the occasions that Zabaleta goes raiding forward.

In general Sabella prefers when one fullback attacks that the other remains in a defensive role to cover any counterattacks. The defence however remains weak at set pieces given the lack of a leader at the back and the insistence upon Romero. However, as the goals against column shows, despite the quality of some of the CONMEBOL attacks (as European sides have come to experience recently) goals have not been shipped easily, a fact that owes much to the effectiveness with which the team defends as a unit.The sort of swarm defence that one sees in rugby union – where a ball carrier is harried by two or even three players – is a big part of this defensive approach. However one misplaced tackle has at times yielded vast space to the opposition, causing watching Albiceleste fans to run behind their sofas.

This is completely different to 2006 when ball retention was the primary form of defence. The change is understandable given that Sabella prefers a vertical style, which is not to say that this side can’t retain the ball. There are more than enough players with the requisite skills to play keep ball for several minutes as seen in several matches.After the loss in Venezuela Sabella did return to the 5-3-2 with a D/A of 7-3. Espoused by Bilardo in 1986 as a method of providing more defensive protection and compensating for a relatively slow backline it was used against Bosnia recently with great effect, restricting the World Cup newcomers to a minimum of chances.

This 5-3-2 utilizes the wingbacks as attacking options which would suit players like Zabaleta and Rojo and might have made the omission of Gonzalo Rodriguez and Roncaglia an error.The 5-3-2 also allows Sabella to retain his favoured midfield trio with di Maria on the left where he played to great effect with Aguero and Palacio upfront against Bosnia and the possibility of playing Messi off a central striker upfront.

Getting Messi closer to the opposition box has been critical to Sabella’s thinking. Over time Gago has been the member of the midfield trio or defensive two that has allowed Messi to play further forward by carrying the ball deep into the opposition territory as he did at the 2005 u20 World Cup. When Gago is on his game, given a free role to link defence and attack and stem attacks, Argentina are usually also on top form.Mascherano is capable of launching counters with long range bombs but Gago is the preferred method when the opposition sits deeper, probing for an opening but with a riskier 5-5 D/A balance.

Sabella himself finds the enganche concept obsolete, preferring several axes of creating play rather than just one player. Nevertheless Leo Messi is almost akin to the enganche. He seldom plays upfront or on the right wing unless the opposition – such as Guatemala – are deemed sufficiently weak but plays behind two strikers. Messi prefers to attack towards the left of defences and in order to create space for him Aguero and Higuain act as decoys and vice versa, with di Maria often popping up on the left as defences drag across to the right. As mentioned before, the sheer fluidity of the four man attack – one can find Aguero in a playmaking role, di Maria on the right or indeed Higuain – will flummox any defence as will their empathic relationship and quicksilver one touch combinations.

Even if sides are tempted to play two defensive midfielders (an idea sides have tried to enforce after seeing Chile implode in Buenos Aires) Messi in his advanced role is almost impossible to contain. Time and time again his acceleration and dribbling have seen him break the shackles of any midfielder placed on him to run at opposing centre-backs while the space it creates in between the opposing midfield and defence has been well utilized by Aguero and Higuain to create scoring opportunities and combinations with Messi.Messi will also take the majority of free kicks and corners and is the designated penalty taker. His delivery and some of the worked routines Sabella has employed have as yet not been totally effective and this is something they are working upon.Both formations Sabella has used, 5-3-2 and more frequently 4-2-2-2 (4-3-1-2), have been effective thus far with the team playing as a unit in attack and defence compared to the shambles it was under Maradona and they have a great chance to go far into the tournament even the final so long as Romero doesn't play the clown.

Argentina have several exceptional players. But di Maria has a extremely key role in balancing defence and attack and has had an exceptional season. Often overlooked and under rated he comes to the finals in scintillating form.

[video=youtube;AAmnHqNrwm0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAmnHqNrwm0[/video]

FIFA Team Profile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsNLpGHC6MM​

National Anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqBC3l7i7dk​

 

FIFA Ranking: 21

Most Caps: Zvjezdan Misimovic 80
Most Goals: Edin Dzeko 33

Coach: Safet Susic



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The former Balkan states have a proud record of producing technically gifted midfielders and the odd star forward and Bosnia are no exception. They should enjoy the experience of Brazil in their first ever World Cup. They will find it extremely hard to get anything against the might of Argentina but will fancy their chances against Nigeria and Iran.

Their weakness is their defence although veteran Emir Spahic will enjoy the relative cool of their venues they really only have one defender of note who is attracting great interest from several clubs across Europe Sead Kolasinac.

The rest of their defence is a big downgrade in terms of quality and even a much weakened Argentina strolled past them in a recent friendly. Thus they will rely on one of the best goalkeepers of recent years Asmir Begovic who will not be regretting his choice to turn his back on Canada (although Canuck fans are less ready to forgive).

The spine of the team is Haris Medunjanin who will have to work his socks off to protect his back four. In terms of creativity Bosnia have Pjanic who once again has excelled for Roma this season. He will be complemented by Senad Lulic from city rivals Lazio on the left and Hoffenheim stalwart Salihovic.

He has been up and down this season occasionally showing moments of brilliance that recall better seasons of yesteryear. At other times particularly last year he has been anonymous.

Upfront Dzeko seems to be coming into form and his partner in crime Ibisevic are both dangerous predators in the box having top scored in qualification albeit Lichtenstein and Latvia (who shipped nine in their two encounters) were not the most effective at containing them.

The coach Safet Susic a veteran of the Yugoslav sides in 1982 and 1990 and widely regarded as the best Bosnian footballer to date (indeed at PSG as well) will do well to avoid some of the dissensions that split the Yugoslavian teams in the past. His supposed crime has been nepotism in selecting his nephew Tino Susic to the side and the left field selection of Anel Hadzic. Although being the great attacking midfielder he was he perhaps has more of a right than his critics to justify his selection.

Star player is without doubt for me Pjanic:

[video=youtube;WQ7ROW6fQQM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ7ROW6fQQM[/video]

FIFA Team Profile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXp0uMQ9eI4

National Anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w8kBGTRP8M​

 

FIFA Ranking: 43

Most Caps: Ali Daei 149
Most Goals: Ali Daei 109/149 games

Coach: Carlos Queiroz


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Iran qualified with relative ease for their fourth tilt at a World Cup finals. They will be hard pressed to make it again out of the group stages. Their coach Carlos Queiroz has admitted as much. He will try and soak up pressure and hit the opposition on the counter. Perhaps this accounts for the plethora of defensively minded players brought into the final squad with an eye perhaps to the use of tactical fouling.

Throughout qualification a 4-2-3-1 was in evidence although a reversion to a 5-3-2 in a recent friendly against Angola was an unusual experiment given it's sudden introduction. However most of the players in that were second stringers and it is likely the former set up will be the one Queiroz uses.

While the defence to date has been mean one has to take into account the relative opposition and while serviceable it lacks any experience outside of the Iranian Pro League aside from Steven Beitashour. The very reason that player who plies his trade in the MLS was recruited by Queiroz to try and get rid of some of the naievity they have at the back.

The goalkeeping is also not of the highest standard and rather inexperienced. Mehdi Rahmati of the champions Foolad was left out for disciplinary reasons and the favourite to replace him Daniel Davari has been dropping clangers all season in the Bundesliga.

Javed Nekounam therefore along with Andranik Teymourian both of whom have several seasons of European experience are critical to protecting the defence. Nekounam is also the main instigator of attacks for the team with his eye for an accurate pass as well as trying to get stuck in. Age and a lack of top speed around the pitch however may well undo both.

There has been great controversy with the final selection with Masoud Shojaei favoured for the role as playmaker despite complaints about his relative lack of pace and ability to create chances for his strikers. Much like England there has been a clamour for the young players to be included as a basis for the future and the disappointment which with Payem Sadeghian was left out given his performances in the Pro League for Persepolis have left a bitter taste in the mouth. The promising Ghasem Hadadifar is instead the likely deputy for Shojaei. Veteran Ali Karimi despite running Sadeghian close in terms of performance this season and coming out of international retirement was passed over.

The big disappointment is the absence of Sardar Azmoun a very gifted youngster and great dribbler with an eye for a pass and the ability to burst into the box to create and finish chances. An injury against Angola which was quickly shrugged off is no reason to have left him out of a team which lacks genuine top class talent and also denies him invaluable experience.

His trickery would have been a perfect complement to Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah who is also a gifted dribbler who also likes to work combinations around the box. While inconsistent he is capable of sublime moments that can unlock tight defences but without service he may well find himself dropping deep to get service. Beitashour who is capable of running all day will be needed to help provide support down his flank and overlaps to get the best out of him. Ashkan will also be the designated set piece taker.

Upfront does see some injection of youth. Reza Ghoochannejhad has had a pretty impressive scoring record with the national team and the club sides he has played for in Europe. While not sparkling at Charlton unsurprising given the straits that team has been in his goal against Leeds showed what he can do. He is a capable poacher as well and he may well find himself exchanging roles with the young Alireza Jahanbaksh. Jahanbaksh is fleet of foot with pretty good close control for a striker who can drift across the front two/three with sufficient pace to get in behind defences. He is a natural finisher close in or from range with his preferred right foot.

As seen with his two goals for Nijmegen against the champions Ajax recently. He deservedly won the young player of the season in the Eredivisie ahead of other players like Memphis Depay and is one to look out for although as I have mentioned with Iran likely to be on the backfoot for most of their games his chances to shine will be limited.

A pretty swift exit for the Melli Army is the most predictable outcome.

[video=youtube;Uqy4xMAf34I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqy4xMAf34I[/video]

FIFA Team Profile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ia6ea9fSLA

National Anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMwjgg2Pl2s​

 

FIFA Ranking: 44

Most Caps: Joseph Yobo 95
Most Goals: Rashid Yekini 37/58 games

Coach:Stephen Keshi




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Nigeria made it to Brazil with a fair degree of comfort albeit lack of goals as they disposed of Ethiopia 4-1 in the two legged playoffs for the continental group winners. The same team they beat in last years ACON which they went on to win and has given some great optimism that for once the Eagles will make it past the group stage as they did in 1994 and 1998.

I am not so sure. While they dominate at age group levels it is more a reliance on physique and pace. And there is no one in the current team that is a midfield maestro who can dictate play or find space with clever passes. It is more a case of bullying teams and wearing them down something that wont be so easy in Brazil.

At least this time the federation has stuck with the coach that got them through qualification, former player in 1994 Stephen Keshi. He deploys a 4-3-3 for his team with experienced keeper Enyeama in net. While not in great club form he as he did against Messi in 2010 is capable of pulling off some super reflexive saves. His deputies are to be frank rather poor and should he be injured they can write off their chances of qualifying straight away.

The preferred central pairing in defence is Oboabona and Omeruo. Both are inexperienced at this level, young capable of naivety and also lack express pace and have been exposed in the friendlies. Yobo would provide an experienced option but he is well past his best and lacks mobility.

Down the right Ambrose not the best of centrebacks is being chosen as the right back and his positional weaknesses have been highlighted. Down the left they do have real quality in Uwa Echiejile, posing a real threat with his pace and crosses but again suspect defensively.

Youngster Ogenyi Onazi who has impressed in his short stint with Lazio and one of the few graduates from the u17 team of 2009, breaks up play well and is a capable passer and another to look out for. Mikel who could play this role acts more of a playmaker and provides experience while Ramon Azeez who has plenty of creativity as opposed to the pace of Victor Moses could provide another attacking option and axis. However they are all relatively inexperienced.

Upfront Keshi is likely to use the pace of Ahmed Musa out wide on either flank. A pretty decent dribbler at speed who can score spectacular goals he is another carrying injuries into the finals. The other flank forward could be Moses in a more threatening role which utilizes him better with his directness or Odemwingie. The sole striker is bound to be Emmanuel Emenike top scorer at the ACON and during qualification albeit with just three goals.

There is a paucity of experience in the other three choices most bizarre of which is Shola Ameobi as a possible plan B. It makes the omission of Ikechukwu Uche who has scored at a goal every two games with Villareal this season most puzzling. More so given his intelligence to drop into space and ability to hold off defenders with genuine threat.

Argentina are bound to qualify and Nigeria should have enough to handle Iran meaning their game against Bosnia will likely decide who makes it to the round of sixteen. The way both teams have been performing I would suspect Bosnia have the edge and once more it will be another resounding disappointment to this populous nation. Star player for me is Ahmed Musa but Onazi is well worth looking at on and off the ball for his intelligence in covering and directing play.

[video=youtube;USxMYZhm6vA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxMYZhm6vA[/video]


FIFA Team Profile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fetWGB62rOI

National Anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF1a9ppi9qk
​

 

Argentina are going through the gears. Fernandez is a weakness in terms of his anticipation and covering space.

Gago has improved each game with his fitness and sharpness, but Higuain is still not match sharp. The loss of Aguero who also looked unfit is not beneficial. Messi is most certainly a danger in the tightest of spaces....