Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match / In-match discussion

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

We seem to have a habit of meeting in international tournaments. Twice in WC's , twice in the olympics, and once in the u20. The recent U20 and olympic meetings will have a large number of players who will see each other in this match. The Nigerians will be out for revenge. These are the players who faced each other recently in the U20 and olympics who may probably be against each other again.

Mascherano, Aguero, Messi, Di Maria, Gago, Monzon, Garay, Lavezzi

Obasi, Mikel, Odemwingie, Adeleye, Apam, Taiwo, Obinna, Ajilore

Argentina has owned us, but we had the one olympic victory in 1996, our guys will be very motivated for this game, I can't wait.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

What an opening group match for this group, as I will stick around to watch this game as I am from Ghana and I support all African teams in this 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Nigeria is no exception because I love the way The Super Eagles handle themselves against the big teams, and lest we forget what happened in Korea/Japan 2002 the last time these 2 teams faced off in a group stage match. Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0, barely beating Nigeria I might add, but I think the score will be different this time around, and that The Super Eagles will either tie with Argentina or beat them since Nigeria will be playing on their own continent

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Yes this is a great opener for the group! I agree that whoever wins this will probably win the group. I am rooting for Nigeria.. I was at Atlanta 96 for the Olympics game and it was one for the archives! Go green eagles!!

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

I remember they played eachother in the first group game of 2002, Argentina was clearly superior in that one. Maradona's Argentina is completely different though, much more defensive. He's basically already announced his lineup.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

This is pretty much the crunch game for this group. I do believe whoever wins this match will end up as the group's leader.

That said, both teams have been shaky up until now, and I think they're both going out there with something to prove. Should be a brawl, and fun to watch.

I'm hoping for that 2-1 for us, but nothing's written, of course, until it's over.

Good luck, Nigerians, This will be a good match!

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

I don't expect Nigeria to win, but that Nigeria team in 2002 was a team in crisis and much worse than in 1994 or 1998. I also think it was worse than the current team. Basically in 2002 it was Okocha trying to win the game by himself, because he didn't seem to have anyone to work with.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Posssible formation for Argentina in this match:

---------------Romero
------Demi---Samuel---Heinze
-Jonas-Mascherano-Veron-DiMaria
----------------Messi
--------Tevez---------Higuain

Maradona tried this out today. Its the first 11 player formation he's used since training began in SA.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Odemwingie and Taiwo can play on the other wing also, and Taiwo is natural to the right IIRC (OM).

Individually, Nigeria defenders and dms are solid. How they will cope with one another is unknown, but it's pointless to bet money on our opponents' under-performances.

This is an easy draw, with 5 defenders plus Veron.
With almost 5 players dedicated to attack, there's still a good chance to get 3 points. Personally I see no reason to risk it and going particularly offensively in this match.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Somehow I see a tight, defensive match happening on both sides here.

I don't believe we've ever tied at championship stages, and I don't think that will happen this time, either.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

You are totally off.

First off: Nwaneri I believe didn't even make the final 23. I think the defensive duo will be 2 of the 3: Afolabi, Adeleye or Yobo.

Second: Nigeria will probably play with Kaita ahead of Etuhu.

Third: The key player in midfield under Lagerback will be Lukman Haruna of Monaco.

Fourth: I find it highly unlikely for Obinna, Odemwingie and Obasi to be on the field at once. There will probably be another defensive midfielder in the mix or possibly someone like Kalu Uche.

TO SUM IT UP: Afolabi and Haruna look to be definite starters and key players under Lagerback.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

If they play Kalu Uche, they probably won't play Lukman Haruna. The two are similar, maybe Kalu Uche positions a little more forward. Lukman Haruna is probably more useful overall, but he's still very young, and traditionally Nigeria doesn't play an enganche. They play mostly one or two waists and pivot around the fullbacks.
If they do play the two together, they're not going to have two defensive midfielders. And between Kaita and Etuhu, later is bigger and has a larger coverage, and better alone.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

We do not look very good at all. Many players just seem so lazy, hopefully they are not trying.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Well Jonas and DiMaria both have incredible stamina and both will run their asses off up and down those flanks so I'm not too worried about the defensive aspect. Plus as you say Mascherano covers plenty of grounf.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Wow we look shockingly bad

Argentina 4 Nigeria 1

I still think we should be good enough to scrape through to the second round.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

I would be surprised if Shittu and Yobo start in defence (Odiah is the probable first choice RB) - Afolabi and Adeleye are much better defenders and would hope at least one of them to start. I would have to say that the lineup is probably very close to the starting XI for Argentina. Kaita and Haruna are two players Lagerback has been raving about. Possible changes would be Obasi instead of Obinna.

As to the Kalu Uche - Lukman Haruna issue: If Haruna is played closer to the defence line (as a box-to-box midfielder) Kalu Uche would be up-front.

Didn't watch the game, but well... the result is definitely good.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

How big is the loss of Mikel?

I really like him as a player, such a shame it happened

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

It is definitely a loss... that said Mikel is probably Nigeria's most known player, but not the best. Also his role for Nigeria is just so different to that in Chelsea that he has issues adjusting. Nigeria would probably be better with him, but it's not anywhere near the echelon of the Essien, Ballack or Robben loss.

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

Any line up with this dude in pitch doesn't inspire confidence in me.. This comes from a RM fan....

 

Re: Match 3 Argentina vs. Nigeria: Pre-match discussion

It is a HUGE loss, he is the one that holds our midfield together, he also has very good vision and an eye for defence splitting passes, He is very hard to disposess and his technique on the ball is excellent we don't really have a guy to replace him. Put it this way with the personell we have I'd say Mikel is the one guy I would not want to lose. I disagree Maruti Mikel is a bigger loss to Nigeria than Ballack to Germany.