FIFA World Cup 2014 Group F Preview: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

Can Lionel Messi lead Argentina to World Cup glory like Diego Maradona did?

Group F at the 2014 FIFA World Cup comprises of South American giants Argentina, European newcomers Bosnia-Herzegovina, African champions Nigeria and Asian representatives Iran. Argentina, a traditional football powerhouse, have flattered to deceive in recent international competitions but have been blessed with a fairly comfortable group to wade through.

Bosnia-Herzegovina will be making their debut in the FIFA World Cup finals, having failed to qualify in four previous attempts. Nigeria, crowned African champions in 2013, are making their fifth appearance at the World Cup while Iran have benefitted from their diasporas in European nations to continue their unusual trend of qualifying for alternate World Cup finals since the turn of the century.

**Group F Schedule**
Date	Match	Time	Venue
June 16	Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina	03:30 IST*	Rio de Janeiro
June 17	Iran vs Nigeria	00:30 IST*	Curitiba
June 21	Argentina vs Iran	21:30 IST	Belo Horizonte
June 22	Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina	03:30 IST*	Cuiaba
June 25	Nigeria vs Argentina	21:30 IST	Porto Alegre
June 25	Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran	21:30 IST	Salvador

*Matches are scheduled for the previous day in local time and will take place after midnight IST.

Venues

Each of the six encounters in Group F will be hosted by different cities - Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Porto Alegre and Salvador. The opening game between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be staged at the fabled Maracana Stadium in the picturesque seaside city of Rio de Janeiro.

Estadio do Maracana (Rio de Janeiro)Capacity: 79,000

This historical venue was once the largest stadium in the world with a capacity close to 200,000. Originally built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the Maracana underwent major reconstruction prior to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. It will also host this year’s final.

Estadio Mineirao (Belo Horizonte)Capacity: 64,000

A modernisation project which cost $287 million has completely changed the look and feel of this arena located in the third largest city in Brazil. This venue will also have the privilege of hosting a semi-final.

Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador)Capacity: 55,000

The Arena Fonte Nova is a brand new stadium constructed for this tournament. Completed in April, it was in the news recently after a part of the roof collapsed due to torrential rains in the port-city. It will play host to the final game of Group F and one quarter final.

Beira-Rio Stadium (Porto Alegre)Capacity: 50,000

It’s a race against time for the organisers to get this stadium ready for the event with FIFA also recently voicing its concern over the progress of work. Fans from Argentina and Nigeria have a treat on their hands in this football-mad city, also home to local clubs Gremio and Internacional.

Arena Pantanal (Cuiaba)Capacity 43,000

Located in the western part of the country, this stadium is slated to host four group stage fixtures. This region experiences scorching weather conditions in the summer with temperatures rising upto 40 degrees centigrade.

Arena da Baixada (Curitiba)Capacity: 41,000

Home to Atletico Paranaense, this stadium was almost stripped off its World Cup hosting rights after an inspection by FIFA at the turn of the year. It is considered to be one the most modern stadiums in Brazil equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for players, fans and media personnel.

Team Guide

Argentina

FIFA ranking: 5

Ever since Mario Kempes and Diego Maradona led their country to two World Cup trophies in 1978 and 1986, respectively, Argentina have failed to fulfil their potential and make a mark in the international arena. They have failed to get past the quarter-finals stage since 1990. But with a frontline (Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria) that would scare the living daylights out of any defence in the world, expectations have risen but so has the pressure on Sabella’s side to deliver.

Key player: Lionel Messi

For more information, read Argentina Team Preview.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

FIFA ranking: 21

With a growing number of players from this country plying their trade in some of the best clubs across Europe, Bosnia-Herzegovina have finally found the right mix of talent which has propelled them to their first-ever World Cup finals. The likes of Dzeko, Spahic, Pjanic and Begovic have successfully carried their excellent club form to the international level which also resulted in a stellar qualifying campaign. The Bosnian side scored 30 goals and conceded just six in their ten qualifying games.

For more information, read Bosnia & Herzegovina Team Preview.

Key player: Edin Dzeko

Iran

FIFA ranking: 43

Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was appointed as national coach with a vision to secure a place in this year’s World Cup and the Portuguese has delivered in some style. With a tough group stage staring at them, Iran might not be able to make much headway in the tournament, but the standard of football in Iran has been given a huge boost with several players now foraying into European club football. A victory for Iran would be counted as an upset and will put the cat among the pigeons in Group F.

Key player: Reza Ghoochannejhad

Nigeria

FIFA ranking: 44

Stephen Keshi has steadily groomed a side with the right mix of youth and experience and the seeds of his efforts bore fruit when Nigeria romped to glory at the African Cup of Nations in 2013. Nigeria’s squad for Brazil 2014 resembles the squad which lifted the trophy last year. But Nigeria have failed to go past the first hurdle in their last two World Cup finals and with a group as tightly contested as theirs, John Obi Mikel and his boys will have to perform out of their skins to upset the odds.

Key player: Emmanuel Emenike

Key fixtures

Argentina vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 16, Rio de Janeiro)

While most people have predicted a relaxed group stage journey for Argentina, Alejandro Sabella will be mindful of the form that Bosnia and Herzegovina are carrying into the tournament. Edin Dzeko would be itching to take advantage of the South Americans’ defensive deficiencies and any kind of complacency that might creep into the Argentinean camp. Bosnia won’t have anything to lose and they can be expected to go all out in the opening clash of Group F. The winners of this game are certain to emerge as table-toppers.

Cracking opening to Group F: Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Nigeria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 22, Cuiaba)

The likely tussle between Bosnia and Nigeria for the second place will reach its summit when the two sides go head-to-head in Cuiaba. With both sides expected to lose to Argentina and defeat Iran, this game could turn into a potential knockout for either side. A draw would bring Iran into the picture and make the permutations even more interesting. Coaches from both camps, Stephen Keshi and Safet Susic, would already be preparing for this tie which could have far reaching repercussions on their World Cup aspirations.

Predictions

**Group F Predictions**
Position	Team	Played	Win	Loss	Points
1	Argentina	3	3	0	9
2	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3	2	1	6
3	Nigeria	3	1	2	3
4	Iran	3	0	0	0

Argentina, with all their class and oodles of talent, should end up as comfortable group winners with the physical Bosnian side the only one that could bother the South Americans. Messi and co. will be hoping to bag all nine points on offer and avoid a potential round-of-16 encounter with France.

It will be a close fight between Bosnia and Nigeria for the second spot and whichever team comes out on top in their duel should qualify for the knockout stages. The quality of the Bosnian team should be able to surmount the challenge of the Africans. Carlos Queiroz and his team should savour the experience of the World Cup finals while they can, as Iran might have to return home empty-handed from Brazil.

To read other Group Previews, click here: FIFA World Cup Group Previews

Edited by Staff Editor