Nigeria and Iran clashed for the first time in the history of World Cup and the second match on Monday.

In the match, Nigeria controlled the midfield area of the pitch for the entire first half. The Iranian side managed to create a few better chances but neither team managed to put together any real clear threat on goal. The first half ended with both teams scoreless.

The second half continued with Nigeria dominating the midfield but failing to mount any clear shot on goal. While Iran looked disorganized, they did manage to create chances to exploit Nigeria’s defense but also lacked the finishing pass needed to win.

With the draw, both teams gain one point in a very tight Group F.

Iran and Nigeria 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.

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.

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.

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.

On the other hand, Nigeria goes into Group F 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.

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.

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.

I give the clear advantage to Nigeria 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level and experience playing in similar climate conditions that will assure the much anticipated victory over Iran age, outdated tactics and inexperience playing in tropical climate conditions.

Iran:

Nigeria:

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.

The Elephants of the Ivory Coast 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.

The best team in Asia, Japan, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Japan:

Ivory Coast:

As we’ve seen by developments this week, Traffic Sports USA has been responsible for organizing many international soccer events and has owned the Fort Lauderdale Strikers since they joined North American Soccer League as an expansion team since 2010 but, in my opinion, Traffic does a poor job at running a local community-based professional soccer franchise.

The frustration among many Strikers fans to Traffic Sports recently prompted a loyal Striker supporter to take action by photographing an old broken-down digital traffic signal that was still faithfully working for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Well, sort of.

Prior to every home game, an old sign appears roadside on Commercial Blvd. in front of Lockhart Stadium. It appears two days before every game or on the day of game. It stands alone and helps fans know where to enter Lockhart, the home of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

I’ve driven past it, but it never occurred to me that the traffic signal is missing several letters. You can barely read what it’s trying to say.

Before the start of this past Saturday’s home game between the Strikers and Indy Eleven, a member of the Strikers supporters group, Flight 19, posted the photo of the sign on the Twitter account (see below).

Before long, the tweet went viral and caused a plethora of responses. Someone tweeted that they heard if you kick the sign, the letter S will magically appear along with the letter I and the letter C.

The broken sign is a metaphor for the lack of funding Traffic Sports gives to the Strikers, to support the Strikers team and brand in the community. Insiders reveal that Traffic has slashed player and marketing budgets year after year, resulting in fans feeling frustrated with the lack of funding on and off the field.

It’s time for Traffic Sports to decide whether to increase the funding to the Strikers in order to develop marketing strategies that are on par with other NASL clubs who are spending more money to grow the popularity of their teams. And yes, to spend some money to fix the old traffic sign (which is a poor first impression for anyone visiting Lockhart). Or perhaps Traffic Sports should sell the team to someone who can devote their time, passion and money to the team.