Nigeria and Iran fire blanks in 0-0 draw
African champions Nigeria fire blanks against Iran in first goalless draw of tournament
GROUP F
IRAN 0
NIGERIA 0
Iran and Nigeria laboured to the first stalemate of a scintillating World Cup, with a dismal 0-0 draw this morning (Singapore time) that left both sides still chasing their first victory at a Finals since 1998.
While Iran could take some small satisfaction in keeping their first clean sheet since their debut in 1978, the bore at the Baixada Arena stood out like a suit salesman on Copacabana beach.
With Lionel Messi's Argentina, installed as clear Group F favourites, and exciting debutants Bosnia still to come, the other two teams look destined for early exits unless they can raise their game considerably.
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi warned on Sunday that the African sides were as good as any in Brazil and could win the tournament but, on this morning's evidence, they will not be celebrating.
Keshi said his side dominated but suffered from "nervousness and anxiety" in front of goal.
"We want to score, but it's not coming. We just have to calm everybody down and take it from there," he lamented.
Both teams were whistled and booed off the field by the largely Brazilian crowd of 39,000 after a first half that looked shockingly meagre, compared to the goal feasts served up elsewhere.
SQUANDER
Iran packed their defence as expected and Nigeria, with Emmanuel Emenike rarely posing a threat as the main target man for the African champions, squandered their chances with long balls to nowhere and passes straight to opponents.
The Super Eagles had the ball in the back of the net after seven minutes in a goalmouth scramble, but Ecuadorean referee Carlos Vera - perhaps harshly- ruled it out for a push on goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.
Ogenyi Onazi then drilled a shot wide two minutes later.
Iran came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute, but Nigeria goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama produced a fine save to beat out Reza Ghoochannejhad's header from their first corner of the game.
Nigeria defender Godfrey Oboabona made an early exit, replaced by former captain Joseph Yobo on the half hour, after earlier receiving treatment on the touchline following a heavy tackle.
Next up for Iran are Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Saturday night and coach Carlos Queiroz said: "We played with a strong team spirit, with a lot of concentration and discipline.
"We played a realistic game, with a lot of tactical discipline. I want to praise my players.
"They suffered but, they always played with one thing in their mind: 'Score, score, score'. Nobody deserved to win the game. I think one point for us and one point for Nigeria was fair."
- Reuters.
We want to score, but it’s not coming. We just have to calm everybody down and take it from there.
— Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi
Nobody deserved to win the game. I think one point for us and one point for Nigeria was fair.
— Iran coach Carlos Queiroz
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