In this Group F clash, Argentina and Iran will fight it out at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte with Argentina manager Alejandro Sabello having one of the best selection headaches at the competition. The Argentina team sheet is indeed a joy to behold, with star names such as Zabaleta, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi, Aguero and Higuain having ensured that Argentina topped their group by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 last week. This is Iran’s first meeting with Argentina in a world cup, with the record book showing one other meeting between these two sides in March 1977 which actually ended up as 1-1 draw.
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In fact Iran have only met one other South American team in a World Cup game before today, when they were comprehensively beaten by Peru in 1978, with that particular game finishing 4-1. There is no shortage of experience in the Iran side, however, with an extremely fluid front four of Ghoochannejhad, Dejagah, Hajsafi and Nekounam pitting their wits against the wily back four of Zabaleta, Garay, Rojo and Fernandez. Ghoochannejhad has recently been cited as telling FIFA that his team have “nothing to lose”. After gaining a valuable point against Nigeria, Iran’s confidence is high with Ghoochannejhad going on to say: “Mentally, the team has never been stronger. Yes, we dropped two points, but we did what we set out to do, which is gratifying. We’re physically and mentally ready to take on Argentina and I’m hoping to score against them.”
With most pundits and fans writing off tonight’s meeting as a foregone conclusion, Ghoochannejhad is understandably ebullient, believing that the pressure is all on Argentina to perform well this evening. “We have to enjoy it,” he said, “Argentina are among the favourites for this year, while the same can’t be said for us. All the pressure will be on their shoulders and we will have to show our resilience, like we did against Nigeria.” The other factor in their favour is that even if the Albi Celeste do beat them, they will still stand a good chance of going through, so long as they can overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina, who they have already dismantled in four out of five friendly games.
Argentina should not be written off however, and not just because of their sparkling lineup, either. In the last 13 World Cup games they have played, they have won ten, lost one and drawn two, banging in 26 goals in the process. Iran should also take steps to bolster a defence that on paper, looks shaky in the air, as five of the last nine goals they have conceded have come from headers. Argentina could easily outmuscle Team Melli, should they decide to turn up in strength, but the Iranian ethic of “work hard, play hard” should not be overlooked.
The “Little Chief” or as he is better known, Mascherano will have his work cut out in the midfield as he goes up against the versatile Hajsafi who is actually lethal with his left foot. Indeed, Argentina will likely have their work cut out against a team who so far have displayed a “do or die” attitude.
