Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Egypt's SCZONE welcomes Zhejiang Province delegation for trade talks    Beltone Venture Capital partners with Citadel International to manage $30m startup fund    S. Africa to use contingency reserves to tackle debt    Gaza health authorities urge action for cancer, chronic disease patients    Transport Minister discusses progress on supplying new railway carriages with Hungarian company    Egypt's local gold prices see minor rise on April 18th    Expired US license impacts Venezuela crude exports    Taiwan's TSMC profit ups in Q1    Yen Rises, dollar retreats as G7 eyes currency calm    Egypt, Bahrain vow joint action to end Gaza crisis    Egypt looks forward to mobilising sustainable finance for Africa's public health: Finance Minister    Egypt's Ministry of Health initiates 90 free medical convoys    Egypt, Serbia leaders vow to bolster ties, discuss Mideast, Ukraine crises    Singapore leads $5b initiative for Asian climate projects    Karim Gabr inaugurates 7th International Conference of BUE's Faculty of Media    EU pledges €3.5b for oceans, environment    Egypt forms supreme committee to revive historic Ahl Al-Bayt Trail    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Acts of goodness: Transforming companies, people, communities    Eid in Egypt: A Journey through Time and Tradition    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Tourism Minister inspects Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids    Egypt's healthcare sector burgeoning with opportunities for investors – minister    Egypt starts construction of groundwater drinking water stations in South Sudan    Russians in Egypt vote in Presidential Election    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Egypt's powerhouse 'The Tank' Hamed Khallaf secures back-to-back gold at World Cup Weightlifting Championship"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    Egypt builds 8 groundwater stations in S. Sudan    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Preview: A draw is enough for Nigeria against fancied Argentina
Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup last 16 if they defeat or draw with Argentina; they will also go through if they lose and Iran fail to beat Bosnia on Wednesday
AP Published in Ahram Online on 25 - 06 - 2014

The Lionel Messi show is coming to this southern Brazilian city, along with hordes of the Argentina striker's loyal fans.
Porto Alegre is close to the Argentine border, and thousands have already made the crossing into Brazil, many sleeping in buses and vans ahead of Wednesday's game against Nigeria. Local media say more than 50,000 are expected, though less than half will have tickets, in what could be a test for security authorities.
As predicted in the run-up to the tournament, Messi has been the key to success for Argentina, which has already qualified for the second round. Currently top of Group F after two scrappy wins, it will stay there if it gets at least a point against Nigeria.
A draw would also suit the Nigerians, who would seal second place in the group and their first appearance in the knockout stages since 1998. They could also lose and still progress if Iran fails to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina in a match being played at the same time.
Argentina will be looking for a better team performance in front of its fans, who have had little to cheer about so far - apart from Messi. The 26-year-old Barcelona star scored a second-half goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in an opening 2-1 victory, and popped up in added time to curl in a left-foot shot from outside the penalty area for the only goal of the game against Iran.
Nigeria arrived in Brazil as the reigning African champions but underwhelmed at last year's Confederation Cup, where it lost to Uruguay and Spain after an easy win over Tahiti. The team wasn't tested much in qualification for the World Cup.
With the likes of Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Liverpool's Victor Moses in the squad, Nigeria is where most people expected it to be in Group F, in second place behind Argentina. After a 0-0 draw with Iran 0-0, Nigeria played better in a 1-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, courtesy of a first-half goal by Stoke City striker Peter Odemwingie.
The group remains tight, and one set of results on Wednesday would see second place decided by the drawing of lots by the FIFA organizing committee. If Nigeria loses 1-0 and Iran wins 1-0, both teams would have the same goal difference and number of goals scored, and could not be separated by their head-to-head result.
(For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportsonTwitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/104547.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.