Date: June 16, 2014
Result: Iran 0-0 Nigeria
Venue: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Attendance: 38,081
Match overview: Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama kept 21 clean sheets in Ligue 1 this season – more than any other goalkeeper from Europe’s top five leagues.
Key moment: After a frantic first half an hour during which they repeatedly gave the ball away, Iran forced a corner from which Reza Ghoochannejhad drew a fine save from Vincent Enyeama. That chance appeared to settle Carlos Queiroz’s side and thereafter they seemed much more composed in possession.
Man of the match: Mehrdad Pooladi. In an undistinguished match played between two ordinary sides, no one player really shone, but Pooladi was effective at the back for Iran.
Matter of fact: This is the first time Iran have kept a clean sheet in a match at the World Cup finals.
Talking point: The draw was welcomed by Iran coach Queiroz, but with tougher games to come it is hard to see how a point will be of any use to either team.
Stats:
Goal attempts
- Iran 7
- Nigeria 10
On target
- Iran 3
- Nigeria 6
Corners
- Iran 2
- Nigeria 7
Line-ups:
Iran:
- 12 Haghighi
- 15 Montazeri
- 23 Pooladi
- 06 Nekounam
- 04 Hosseini
- 05 Sadeqi
- 02 Heydari (Shojaei – 89′ )
- 14 Teymourian
- 16 Ghoochanneijhad
- 03 Hajsafi
- 21 Dejagah (Jahanbakhsh – 78′ )
Nigeria:
- 01 Enyeama
- 05 Ambrose Emuobo
- 13 Oshaniwa
- 10 Mikel
- 22 Omeruo
- 14 Oboabona (Yobo – 29′ )
- 07 Musa
- 17 Onazi
- 09 Emenike
- 15 Azeez (Odemwingie – 69′ )
- 11 Moses (Ameobi – 52′ )
Yellow cards:
Nigeria:
- Timotian 75
Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)
