Group F: Argentina won’t have a better shot.
ARGENTINA
Head coach Alejandro Sabella. Back in 1978, Sheffield United tried to sign the young Diego Maradona, but decided he was too expensive. They took Sabella from River Plate instead, and he had four good seasons with the Blades, then Leeds United. Spent a long time out of the game after retirement but took his first managerial job at Estudiantes in 2009 and replaced Maradona as national coach in 2011.
How they qualified Won the very strong South American qualifying group ahead of Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay. Unbeaten at home, they top scored with 35, with Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain sharing 19 goals.
Most valuable player Lionel Messi. Hardly a surprise selection! Messi is adored by Barcelona fans, but until recently was less loved back home because he’s not quite managed to reproduce club form for his country.
Maradona wore his heart on his sleeve for Argentina, and played to the gallery. The more introverted Messi has spent most of his life in Spain and has even been accused of never singing his country’s national anthem because he doesn’t know the words. He had a poor World Cup in South Africa under Maradona, but Sabella has handed him the armband and is definitely getting a tune out of his star man.
Prospects They haven’t won a trophy since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and the fans are getting restless. But with thousands flooding across the border for games, it will almost be a home World Cup for them.
They’ll never have a better chance, particularly if front three Messi, Higuain and Sergio Aguero hit their straps.
BOSNIA
Head coach Safet Susic. As a player with Yugoslavia, Susic was considered world-class. France Football voted him PSG’s best player of all-time.
A cultured midfielder who hardly ever gave the ball away, he had a phenomenal scoring record of 172 goals in 343 games for the club. Moulded this team in his own image since taking over in 2009.
How they qualified Susic’s philosophy of “We’ll score more than you” paid off when they finished level with Greece but went through on goal difference. They scored 30 goals in 10 games, with Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic scoring 18 of them.
Most valuable player Edin Dzeko. He hauled Manchester City across the finishing line to the title with a flurry of late-season goals. That put paid to the accusation in some quarters that he was lazy.
Prospects Bosnia could be one of the most attractive teams, but it’s their first experience of the tournament and that might count against them.
IRAN
Head coach Carlos Queiroz. He had two spells as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant, a year in the Real Madrid hot seat and two terms as boss of the Portuguese national team, so the urbane 61-year-old is used to handling pressure.
How they qualified They were undefeated in topping their first group, which qualified them for yet another group, which they won after a nail-biting, controversial win in South Korea. They conceded seven goals in 16 matches.
Most valuable player Ashkan Dejagah. The Fulham forward was born in Tehran but moved to Berlin when he was a baby. He came through the German junior sides up to Under-21 level before declaring in favour of Iran.
Prospects They will arguably be the least prepared country in Brazil and are likely to finish bottom of the group.
NIGERIA
Head coach Stephen Keshi. THE average time in charge for a Nigeria boss is less than a year so the fact that Keshi has been in the job since November, 2011 speaks volumes.
He steered his side to Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2012, their first since Keshi skippered the team to their 1994 triumph.
How they qualified No dramas. They didn’t lose a game in qualification after topping their group comfortably, then beating Ethiopia home and away in the play-off.
Most valuable player Ahmed Musa. Keshi has put the emphasis on youth and none of the players introduced is as exciting as 21-year-old Musa.
The CSKA Moscow winger is lightning-fast and a crucial asset for a team that’s built for the counter-attack. He’s right-footed but likely to start on the left.
Prospects This group is all about the scrap for second place and the Super Eagles will fancy their chances.
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