Group F easy for Argentina [VIDEO]

On now to Group F and the team many believe will win the World Cup after winning it in 1978 with Daniel Passarella, Mario Kempes and a certain Osvaldo Ardiles, then again in 1986 in Mexico.

Group F easy for Argentina


Group F winners play the runners-up from Group E and the runners up play the winners from Group E which I expect to be France and Ecuador respectively.

Group F

The opening round of games in Group take place on Sunday 15th June when Argentina take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, then Monday 16th June when Iran take on Nigeria. The second set of fixtures both take place on Saturday 21st June with Argentina playing Iran and Nigeria playing Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group finished on Wednesday 25th when Nigeria face Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina play Iran.

Argentina

In 1978 Argentina won the tournament in their own country, a tournament renown for it's ticker-tape, after which of course Tottenham shook the world by signing Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.



Since finishing runners-up in 1990 in Italy Argentina have not progressed beyond the quarter-finals in five attempts. Expectation is high this time around though with one of, if not the strongest team in the tournament.

Captained by Lionel Messi they topped the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 9 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats with a positive goal difference of 20.

They have an abundance of attacking talent and an easy group to progress from as winners.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina got to Brazil by topping a qualification group that included Greece, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein, hardly the strongest group ever assembled.

This is their first World Cup and they have some quality players in their squad. Edin Dzeko scored 10 goals in the 10 qualifying games, Asmir Begović keeps goal for Stoke City and Tottenham have been linked with Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanić.

They looked booked for second place in the Group if nerves don't get to them.

Recent Stories:
Why France will not win Group E
Belief can win you anything
Can Pochettino teach Rose too?
Group D, will England score? 
Is this the most bizarre penalty ever?
Will Italians stump up the cash?


Nigeria

Nigeria have gone backwards as a footballing nation and they haven't won a single game at a World Cup since 1998. They have played 8 games in that time and have only failed to concede a goal once, against you guessed it, England.

Tottenham have been linked with 27 year-old Fenerbahçe striker Emmanuel Emenike but we are likely to see him get few chances to show his prowess.

Chelsea duo John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are unlikely to be staying beyond the group stages unless nerves get the better of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Iran

Iran are the whipping boys of this group and are managed by former Manchester United number 2 and Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz. Back in December he indicated an interest in taking over at Tottenham.

He is a coach that uses an incredible attention to detail so Iran will have been well schooled. They will be organised but this squad simply lack experience at this level and that is likely to be there downfall. They looked booked for bottom slot in the group.

Group F Final Standings

1. Argentina
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Nigeria
4. Iran