Nigeria 0-0 Iran: African champions stumble to goalless draw

Nigeria 0-0 Iran: African champions stumble to goalless draw

Nigeria started their World Cup campaign with a 0-0
draw against Iran in an exhilarating Group F game
at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.
The Super Eagles started brightly taking the game to
their Asian counterparts and created the first chance
in the 3rd minute as Victor Moses found space to
cut inside from the left before firing it straight down
the keeper’s throat.
In the 9th minute Emmanuel Emenike barged off an
Iranian defender and played in an exquisite through-
pass for Ahmed Musa, but the winger failed to
connect properly with the ball and shot wide.
Nigeria dominated this half but struggled to create
any meaningful opening as the Iranians camped
outside their box.
Musa tried to catch the goalkeeper, Haghighi
unaware with a shot when he was expecting a cross
from a free kick but scampered across his post back
and palmed it away for a corner.
Iran had their first real chance of the game in the
39th minute as Reza Ghoochannejad was left free in
the box to nod a corner but Vincent Enyeama
produced a brilliant save to keep it out.
It stated that way till the interval, a result that
would have best pleased Carlos Queiroz’s men.
Stephen Keshi’s men continued to probe but the
Iranian defence were resolute in the face of all the
Eagles threw at them.
Former Newcastle man Shola Ameobi was
introduced to join Emenike upfront , and he almost
made an impact with a clever pass to Emenike, who
could only fire a poor effort over the crossbar.
Ashkan Dejagah had a good opportunity on 78
minutes to break the deadlock as he got on the end
of a cross at the back post, but Fulham man
mistimed his jump and could only direct his header
wide.
It ended that way as the two teams showed a real
lack of creativity leading to the first stalemate of the
this goal laden World Cup.