Argentina Vs Nigeria preview and prediction: Argentina will start 2010 world cup campaign as strong favourite against Nigeria which is struggling to recover from loss of John Obi Mikel. Argentina is in good form in warm-up games while Nigeria struggled to report convincing wins except against North Korea. Except in coaching department, Argentina will dominate Nigeria in all departments. Nigeria never defeated Argentina at world cup. Significance of match: Winner of this match is expected to top group B. Highlight: Argentina has best attackers in the tournament and also weakest coach. I am looking forward to watch my favourite footballer, Lionel Messi. Match timing: June 12 at 7:20 PM IST live on ESPN (India) Venue: Ellis Park stadium, Johannesburg (Altitude of 1753 metres). Group AArgentinaNigeria FIFA Ranking 7 21 Rating on paper9/10 6/10 Rating on form8/10 6/10 Coach NameDiego Maradona Lars Lagerback Coach Ranking 4/106/10 Best Ranked PlayerLionel Messi Ikechukwu Uche CaptainJavier Mascherano Kanu History: Argentina won two previous encounters with Nigeria in world cups (1994 & 2002). Argentina defeated Nigeria to win Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008 Olympics. Key players: Argentina: Lionel Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Veron. But, Javier Mascherano needs to support defenders in controlling attack minded Nigerian forwards. Nigeria: Yakubu and Martins. Absence of Mikel may weaken mid-field. Squad analysis: Argentina: After disastrous qualifying campaign, Argentina is regaining form and defeated Germany in Germany and crushed Haiti and Canada in warm-up games. Argentina has best attacking line-up in the tournament and their substitute forwards (Milito/Aguero!!!) can even wreck havoc on … [Read more...]
Group B Analysis
2010 World cup: B group analysis Argentina is looking to regain lost glory and is in easy group. Greece, Nigeria and South Korea will fight for second spot. Argentina coach may use group stage games to test all forwards and its sunstitutes are much better than first team members of other squads. But, injury to John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) changed equations in this group. Qualification of Group B teams: 1. Argentina: Qualified by finishing fourth in tough South American group behind Brazil, Chile and Paraguay. 2. Nigeria: Qualified in last minute as Tunisia lost its final qualifier. 3. Greece: Qualified in last minute by defeating Ukraine in play-off. 4. South Korea: Decimated opponents in qualifiers and are unbeaten in qualifiers. Prospects of Group B teams: 1. Argentina: Despite non-selection of Javier Janetti and Esteban Cambiasso, team still has enough players to take it to quarter-finals. Its substitute forwards are miles ahead of others. Your defence needs to be at its best to control these forwards. 2. Nigeria: These unpredictable players can reach second round or exit from group stage. Africa has lot of hopes on Nigerians. Among African teams, they got easiest draw. They need to improve in defence. Without Obe Mikel, they lost balance. 3. Greece: It has experienced players but form is not encouraging. Their perofrmance in warm-up games is not encouraging. But, they can now fight for second spot after Mikel injury. 4. South Korea: It may be difficult for South Koreans to reach second round. But, South Korea has best chance among Asian nations to reach second round. Japan and North Korea are in tough groups. South Koreans are one of few teams who qualified for last 6 world cups. Predictions on group B teams: 1. Argentina: Can easily win group and has potential to go to semi-finals. It may face Germany in quarter-finals and Spain in semi-finals. 2. Nigeria: Can reach second round if players can play as a unit. 3. Greece: Tough fight for second spot with Nigeria and Korea. 4. South … [Read more...]
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