Super Eagles in false start

CURITIBA. — African champions Nigeria were held to a goalless draw in their opening 2014 World Cup group game by Asian champions Iran at the Arena da Baixada last night after a close contest failed to produce the goals needed to illuminate the night.
Both teams came into this match carrying hopes of victory, crucial in a group that also features Argentina and Bosnia Herzegovina, but they could not pocket all points as they produced the first drawn match of a World Cup that, until now, had produced plenty of goals and action.

Nigerian coach Steve Keshi had boldly predicted that his men could make Africa proud by becoming the second team from the continent to win, following in the footsteps of Cote d’Ivoire who came from behind to beat Japan.

The Super Eagles piled on the pressure in the dying moments but substitute Shola Ameobi was denied a clear chance by a good defensive header while the ’keeper saved well from the resultant corner.

The Nigerians also have to thank ’keeper Vincent Enyeama for a wonderful save, in the first half, when he twisted his body in mid-air to somehow save a point-blank header.

Nigeria started the stronger side, riding on their confidence as favourites in this clash, taking the game to Iran in the early stages.
The crowd’s vocals rose in expectation as Victor Moses got the ball on the edge of the box, but he could only fire straight at Alireza Haghighi in the Iran goal after three minutes.

Three minutes later, Nigeria continued to probe in front of an electric crowd, but Efe Ambrose’s charged down the right came to a halt following a solid sliding tackle from Mehrdad Pooladi.

By the 12th minute it has turned into an attack versus defence and Nigeria were getting closer to an opening goal.
Moses looked like Lionel Messi for a moment as he danced between two defenders on the byline before zipping a low cross across goal, which no team-mate could reach.
Iran’s best chances of scoring and after 15 minutes as Ehsan Haji Safi’s lofted cross into the box was flicked on and out for a goal kick.

Iran dug in deep and managed to frustrate the African side and the game slowed slightly as the Asians began to find confidence in possession.
After 21 minutes there was a huge blow for Nigeria as Godfrey Obabona landed awkwardly challenging for a header and had to leave the field on a stretcher.

He was replaced by Joseph Yobo.
In the 31st minute the Nigerians nearly got the craftiest goal of the tournament when Musa lined up to cross a free-kick from the left, but he instead shot at goal, forcing Haghighi to scramble back to his near post and push the ball behind.

Three minutes later Iran had their second set piece.
And they almost got a goal, Ashkan Dejagah’s near post corner was diverted towards goal by Reza Ghoochannejhad, but Vincent Enyeama reacted to make a super stop as Nigeria scrambled clear.

After 52 minutes Moses has faded badly and replaced by former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi.
Even the Nigeria fans were getting fed up of their team’s play and with boos started to come from the crowd frustrated at the lack of urgency from their attacks.
There had been no bookings midway in the second half,  perhaps proving just how easy Iran were finding it easy to defend.

By the hour mark Iran  began to attack Nigeria.
The African side failed to clear a corner and a free-kick, before a Haji Safi cut-back was blasted way over the bar by Ghoochanneijhad. In the 69th minute Keshi threw in Peter Odemwingie after Azeez had another near post corner headed clear.

It was the midfielder’s last course of action.
Then Musa had Ambrose in a promising position, overlapping down the right flank, but his short pass was over hit and went goes out for a goal kick and there were more boos from the crowd.

Ameobi then saw his header going wide for the African champions but he had already been penalised for a foul beforehand. So poor were Nigeria in attack, it was always going to take something special for them to steal this one and even the Asians started to believe.

In the end, a goalless draw was probably the fairest of this World Cup’s first poor match.

Teams:
Iran: Alireza Haghighi, Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pouladi, Teymourian, Nekounam, Heydari, Dejagah (Jahanbakhsh 78), Hajsafi, Ghoochannejhad.
Subs: Ahmadi, Shojaei, Reza Haghighi, Ansarifard, Hadadifar, Mahini, Alnameh, Rahmani, Beikzadeh, Beitashour, Davari.
Booked: Teymourian.
Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Oboabona (Yobo 30), Omeruo, Oshaniwa, Onazi, Mikel, Moses (Ameobi 52), Musa, Azeez (Odemwingie 69), Emenike.
Subs: Ejide, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Babatunde, Nwofor, Uchebo, Agbim.
Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador) — Agencies.