<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/02/nigeria-announces-23-man-squad-for-world-cup-2014/nigeria/" rel="attachment wp-att-103003"></a></p><p></p>
<p>Iran and <a title="Nigeria" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/02/nigeria-announces-23-man-squad-for-world-cup-2014/">Nigeria</a> will meet for the first time in their history at a World Cup match when the Arena da Baixada stadium opens its doors today, the day’s first match is guaranteed to be hot and humid with a chance of Amazon showers.</p>
<p>Both teams have one thing in common, they are winless in a World Cup since France 1998 and are looking to end their 16 year wait for a win.</p>
<p>Iran does not habitually create many chances for scoring but their strength lies in their fearless defense and tough style of play. Their offensive tactics of aerial offensive passing by many are considered out-dated and will make it very difficult to score against Nigeria.</p>
<p>Led by 33-year-old Javad Nekounam, the Iranian players revolve around his rhythm whose task is to break up opposing attacks and launch his team on the fast and furious counterattack.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Nigeria goes into <a title="Group F" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/11/world-cup-2014-group-stage-predictions-e-to-h/">Group F</a> being considered the heavy underdogs, but if they are able to keep things tight at the back and get the ball into the penalty area from the flanks and apply pressure with enough quality shots one just might hit the back of the net.</p>
<p>The man that can do that is 29 years old striker, Emmanuel Emenike, he is one of Nigeria’s main scoring threats for this game and can give the Nigerians the knock-out goal victory.</p>
<p>Much will hinge on both teams form and fitness especially in the 80-90 minute of play as the hot, humid, rain soaked pitch will make older players legs feel like heavy logs.</p>
<p>I give the clear advantage to <a title="Nigeria" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/05/01/nigerian-eagles-set-to-soar-at-world-cup-2014/">Nigeria</a> based on their youth, fitness level and experience playing in similar climate conditions that will assure the much anticipated victory over Iran age, outdated tactics and inexperience playing in tropical climate conditions.</p>
<p>Iran:<br>
</p><div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://lineupbuilder.com/2014/ir/350x452/?p=11&amp;a=40231&amp;t=&amp;c=dc0000&amp;1=GK_D.Davari%20/%20R.Ahmadi%20/%20A.Haghighi__388_174&amp;2=DL_M.Pouladi%20/%20H.Beikzadeh%20/%20H.Mahini__317_64&amp;3=DCL_J.Hosseini%20/%20A.Alenemeh__327_138&amp;4=DCR_A.H.Sadeghi%20/%20P.Montazeri__327_211&amp;5=DR_S.Beitashour__317_284&amp;6=DML_J.Nekounam%20/%20B.Rahmani__240_138&amp;7=DMR_A.Teymourian%20/%20G.Haddadifar__240_211&amp;8=AL_M.Shojaei%20/%20R.Haghighi__158_78&amp;9=AC_A.Dejagah__151_174&amp;10=AR_E.Hajsafi%20/%20K.Heydari__158_269&amp;11=FCA_R.Ghoochannejhad%20/%20A.Jahanbakhsh%20/%20K.Ansarifard__80_174&amp;c2=ffffff&amp;c3=ffffff&amp;output=embed" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="350" height="452"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p>Nigeria:<br>
</p><div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://lineupbuilder.com/2014/ng/350x452/?p=11&amp;a=40402&amp;t=&amp;c=dc0000&amp;1=GK_V.Enyeama%20/%20A.Ejide%20/%20C.Agbim__388_174&amp;2=DL_J.Oshaniwa%20/%20U.E.Echi%E9jil%E9__317_64&amp;3=DCL_K.Omeruo%20/%20A.Egwuekwe__327_138&amp;4=DCR_G.Oboabona%20/%20J.Yobo__327_211&amp;5=DR_E.Ambrose__317_284&amp;6=MLA_O.Onazi%20/%20M.Babatunde%20/%20R.Gabriel__204_64&amp;7=MCL_J.Obi%20Mikel%20/%20S.Ameobi__222_138&amp;8=MCR_A.Musa%20/%20K.Odunlami__222_211&amp;9=MRA_P.Odemwingie%20/%20U.Nwofor__204_284&amp;10=FCL_V.Moses%20/%20R.Azeez__98_138&amp;11=FCR_E.Emenike%20/%20M.Uchebo__98_211&amp;c2=ffffff&amp;c3=ffffff&amp;output=embed" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="350" height="452"></iframe></div><p></p>

Iran and Nigeria Face Off in the Amazon: Match Preview

Iran and Nigeria Face Off in the Amazon: Match Preview - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-102052" title="Ivory Coast" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140614_CMS_104831_Ivory-Coast-600x393_4f4d1f9d.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=393" alt="" width="600" height="393" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054716/Ivory-Coast-600x393.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054716/Ivory-Coast-150x98.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054716/Ivory-Coast-300x196.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/17054716/Ivory-Coast.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
<p>In a wide-open group, Japan and Ivory Coast face-off today with very different attack minded football styles and will likely put on an exciting game in the team’s opening game in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.</p>
<p>The Elephants of the <a title="Ivory Coast" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/10/world-cup-2014-group-stage-predictions-a-to-d/">Ivory Coast</a> have one of the world’s most talented midfielders, Yaya Toure, and don’t forget his brother Kolo who provides plenty of experience at the back. Up front is where the power lies for the Elephants with Didir Young at right back along with Serge Aurier and the aging Didier Drogba, who may no longer be the force of nature he once was but is certainly to score if given the chance.</p>
<p>The best team in Asia, <a title="Japan" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/12/11/japan-away-shirt-for-fifa-world-cup-2014-leaked-photo/">Japan</a>, is a skillful and attack-minded team. They performed well in last year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil, showing they can compete and are likely to cause problems for all of their group opponents.</p>
<p>Japan’s formation is a wide attacking style of football, key to their game is their midfielder Keisuke Honda. Honda operates centrally and has the freedom to drift across the pitch, he’ll look to leverage his outstanding ball control and awareness to create combinations passes with Japan’s other three attacking players.</p>
<p>Another attacker Shinji Kagawa, who plays on the left of their attacking midfield, uses pace and power to deliver accurate crosses into the box. Kagawa’s game is more based on close control and forward movement. He’ll try to pull opposition defences out of shape by drifting inside off the flank, and get into goal scoring positions himself.</p>
<p>Make no mistake; with so much attacking firepower the Ivory Coast Elephants have the capacity to trample almost anyone. The Elephants are ready, willing and capable of beating Japan and winning the Group prize.</p>
<p>Japan:<br>
</p><div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://lineupbuilder.com/2014/jp/350x452/?p=11&amp;a=40231&amp;t=&amp;c=dc0000&amp;1=GK_E.Kawashima%20/%20S.Nishikawa%20/%20S.Gonda__388_174&amp;2=DL_Y.Nagatomo%20/%20M.Morishige__317_64&amp;3=DCL_Y.Konno%20/%20M.Inoha__327_138&amp;4=DCR_M.Yoshida%20/%20H.Sakai__327_211&amp;5=DR_A.Uchida%20/%20G.Sakai__317_284&amp;6=DML_Y.End%u014D%20/%20T.Aoyama__240_138&amp;7=DMR_H.Yamaguchi%20/%20M.Hasebe__240_211&amp;8=AL_S.Kagawa%20/%20Y.Osako__158_78&amp;9=AC_K.Honda%20/%20M.Sait%u014D__151_174&amp;10=AR_S.Okazaki%20/%20H.Kiyotake__158_269&amp;11=FCA_Y.Kakitani%20/%20Y.%u014Ckubo__80_174&amp;c2=ffffff&amp;c3=ffffff&amp;output=embed" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="350" height="452"></iframe></div><p></p>
<p>Ivory Coast:<br>
</p><div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://lineupbuilder.com/2014/ci/350x452/?p=11&amp;a=40303&amp;t=&amp;c=dc0000&amp;1=GK_B.Barry%20/%20S.Gbohouo%20/%20S.Mand%E9%20__388_174&amp;2=DLL_K.Tour%E9%20/%20D.Zokora__293_56&amp;3=DCL_S.Bamba%20/%20J.D.Akpa-Akpro__327_138&amp;4=DCR_A.Boka%20/%20O.Viera__327_211&amp;5=DRR_S.Aurier%20/%20C.Djakpa__293_292&amp;6=DMC_C.Tiot%E9%20/%20D.Ya%20Konan__258_174&amp;7=MCRR_Y.Tour%E9%20/%20G.Sio%20__218_226&amp;8=MCAL_S.Die%20/%20I.Diomand%E9__186_138&amp;9=WL_Gervinho%20/%20M.Bolly__116_64&amp;10=WR_S.Kalou%20/%20M.Gradel__116_284&amp;11=FCA_D.Drogba%20/%20W.Bony__80_174&amp;c2=ffffff&amp;c3=ffffff&amp;output=embed" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="350" height="452"></iframe></div><p></p>

Japan and Ivory Coast’s Predicted Line-Up in the Battle for Group C

Japan and Ivory Coast's Predicted Line-Up in the Battle for Group C - World Soccer Talk

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Iran and Nigeria Face Off in the Amazon: Match Preview

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Japan and Ivory Coast’s Predicted Line-Up in the Battle for Group C