World Cup 2014 Group F: Iran ties Nigeria [PHOTOS]
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Loading...Persianfootball.com – CURITIBA, In its 2014 FIFA Group F opener, Iran faced Nigeria in an intense nail biting battle a defensively very well organized Team Melli managed to draw Nigeria 0-0 at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba on June 16, 2014.
The best chance for Iran and of the game came in minute 35, when Charlton Athletic striker Reza Ghoochannejhad headed the ball on target from inside the box, but was blocked by Nigerian goalie.
Nigeria appeared more dominant, but Team Melli defended very well to hold them at bay until the ending the first half 0-0, only granting one real chance to the African champions.
In second half, Nigeria started by putting more pressure on Iran but Carlos Queiroz’s men held their ground keeping Nigeria from creating true danger on Iran’s goal throughout the game.
However, Iran lacked the concentration and willingness to risk anything in order to take advantage of the increasing turnover rate from a tiring and frustrated Nigerian team and so the game ended in a goalless draw.
It was Iran’s first ever clean sheet in their tenth World Cup game.
Iran will next face Argentina on June 21 at 9:00 am Pacific time and will need to at least repeat the defensive performance from today to keep the score low.
Iran’s lineup: Haghighi – Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pouladi – Teymourian, Nekounam – Heydari (Shojaei, 88), Dejagah (Jahanbakhsh, 77), Hajsafi – Ghoochannejhad
