Secretive Nigerians plan Greek tragedy
Source: Agencies |
June 17, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NIGERIA is keeping everyone guessing about its plans for the World Cup Group B match with Greece today, training in seclusion on the Indian Ocean coast since its defeat by Argentina.
Both sides desperately need points from the clash in Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium to keep alive their hopes of reaching the second round. The omens do not favor the Greeks.
Nigeria has largely kept its own counsel at its camp at Richards Bay, north of Durban, founded as a British army base for its campaign against the Zulus in the 19th Century.
The Super Eagles could take some encouragement from last Saturday's 0-1 defeat against an adventurous Argentina side in Johannesburg, a game lit up by Lionel Messi.
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a series of excellent saves, a stubborn defense helped keep the score down, and the attack caused the South Americans sporadic problems.
Nigeria's Swedish coach Lars Lagerback will have to decide whether to stick with Chinedu Obasi on the right side of the attack, after he started promisingly but tired quickly and was replaced by the experienced Peter Odemwingie on the hour.
All four of Nigeria's World Cup wins have been against Europeans, including a 2-0 win over Greece in 1994.
For the Greeks, the fact a side built on solid defense let its guard down in a 0-2 defeat by lively South Korea in Port Elizabeth last Saturday is a worry. Coach Otto Rehhagel has warned his players they cannot afford another lapse in concentration.
"We have got to examine the last match very carefully and then we will try to improve in a very sober manner and learn our lessons," the 71-year-old German said.
Greece has yet to score at a World Cup and failure to do so against Nigeria would leave it staring elimination in the face ahead of its last group game against Argentina.
Striker Dimitris Salpingidis said they would not discard their defensive tactics for a more attack-minded approach. "We have shown in big matches in recent years that we always have a compact defense and we play with fast counter-attacks and that's what we must do again," he said.
Both sides desperately need points from the clash in Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium to keep alive their hopes of reaching the second round. The omens do not favor the Greeks.
Nigeria has largely kept its own counsel at its camp at Richards Bay, north of Durban, founded as a British army base for its campaign against the Zulus in the 19th Century.
The Super Eagles could take some encouragement from last Saturday's 0-1 defeat against an adventurous Argentina side in Johannesburg, a game lit up by Lionel Messi.
Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a series of excellent saves, a stubborn defense helped keep the score down, and the attack caused the South Americans sporadic problems.
Nigeria's Swedish coach Lars Lagerback will have to decide whether to stick with Chinedu Obasi on the right side of the attack, after he started promisingly but tired quickly and was replaced by the experienced Peter Odemwingie on the hour.
All four of Nigeria's World Cup wins have been against Europeans, including a 2-0 win over Greece in 1994.
For the Greeks, the fact a side built on solid defense let its guard down in a 0-2 defeat by lively South Korea in Port Elizabeth last Saturday is a worry. Coach Otto Rehhagel has warned his players they cannot afford another lapse in concentration.
"We have got to examine the last match very carefully and then we will try to improve in a very sober manner and learn our lessons," the 71-year-old German said.
Greece has yet to score at a World Cup and failure to do so against Nigeria would leave it staring elimination in the face ahead of its last group game against Argentina.
Striker Dimitris Salpingidis said they would not discard their defensive tactics for a more attack-minded approach. "We have shown in big matches in recent years that we always have a compact defense and we play with fast counter-attacks and that's what we must do again," he said.
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