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Group B – Nigeria vs Korea preview

Liverpool Fan — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:15:38 +0000

Game:- Nigeria vs South Korea
Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup
Venue :- Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Date :- Tuesday, 22nd June 2010
KO time:- 20.30 South African time

The second place in Group B is up for grabs with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece still with a chance of making it to the next round with leaders Argentina. Who do you fancy to grab that coveted qualification spot? Read our previews for Group B and then check out the odds that PinnacleSports are offering.

Nigeria form- last five games- most recent first

Nigeria 1-2 Greece (Uche)
Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
Nigeria 3-1 North Korea ( Victor Obinna, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-1 Colombia ( Haruna Lukman)
Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Even after having lost their opening two games, the Super Eagles have a straightforward equation to qualify into the knockout stages. They need to defeat Korea and hope that Greece lose out to the mighty Argentinians.

Lars Lagerback’s were in control of their last game against Greece till Sani Kaita’s foul temper earned him a red. Chinedu Obasi then missed an open goal in the second half to hand Nigeria their second loss.

Taye Taiwo’s injury is a concern for Lagerback. Uwa Echiejile came on a substitute for Taiwo but could not complete the game himself leaving Nigeria vulnerable at the left back spot. Sani Kaita is suspended after his red card. Obafemi Martins’ pace could see him get a start alongwith Yakubu and Uche.

Korea form- last five games- most recent first

South Korea 1-4 Argentina (Lee Chung Yong)
South Korea 2-0 Greece (JS Lee, Park Ji Sung)
Spain 1-0 South Korea
South Korea 0-1 Belarus
Japan 0-2 South Korea ( Park Ji Sung, Park Chu Young)

The 1-4 scoreline is a bit harsh on the Korean outfit who gave a good account of themselves against the Albicelestes. Coach Huh Jung-Moo insists that Korea would go all out to secure a win against the Africans. The attacking linkup between Park Chu Young, Yeom Ki Hun, Park Ji Sung and Lee Chung Yong would be vital for Korea’s fortunes.

Verdict: Nigeria 2-1 (Yakubu, Obasi // Park Chu Young)

Greece vs Nigeria betting preview- Group B

Liverpool Fan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:34:12 +0000

Game :- Greece vs Nigeria

Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup

Venue :- Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Date :- Thursday, 17th June 2010

KO time:- 16:00 South African Time

After suffering defeats in their respective group openers, both Greece and Nigeria will be keen to open their account in Group B when they meet in Bloemfontein on Thursday. Bet on Greece vs Nigeria with our recommended bookmakers after reading this World Cup preview.

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Greece were run ragged by the South Koreans in their group opener and looked a pale shadow of the side that had won Euro 2004. Coach Otto Rehhagel opted not to start with Sotiris Kyrgiakos in defence, a decision he might change on Thursday given the Liverpool centre half’s power and strength in the air. Angelos Charisteas and Giorgios Karagounis put in poor performances and may get the axe in Thursday’s must win clash.

Greece form- last five games- most recent first- Greece scorers in brackets-

South Korea 2-0 Greece
Greece 0-2 Paraguay
Greece 2-2 North Korea ( Kostas Katsouranis,Angelos Charisteas)
Greece 0-2 Senegal
Ukraine 0-1 Greece

Fact:- Greece are yet to score in the World Cup.

Nigeria had their problems against Argentina, but lost only 1-0 thanks to some wonderful saves from keeper Vincent Enyeama. Argentina probably have the best attack in the group and the Greeks, with all due respect to them, will not cause Nigeria so many problems in the final third of the pitch. The Greeks will try and create as many set piece opportunities as possible, something that Nigeria won’t mind given their own powerfully built centre backs and midfielders.

Lars Lagerback started with the trio of Obasi, Yakubu and Obinna against Argentina. Obafemi Martins and Osaze Odemwingie looked a better bet than Obasi and Obinna against Argentina and may start against the Greeks. Both Martins and Odemwingie are lightning quick and could take advantage of any sloppy defending from the Greeks.

Nigeria form- last five games- most recent first- Nigeria scorers in brackets-

Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
Nigeria 3-1 North Korea ( Victor Obinna, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-1 Colombia ( Haruna Lukman)
Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Nigeria 0-0 Niger

Verdict:- Nigeria were a much better side against Argentina than Greece were against the South Koreans. Add to that the fact there will be more support for Nigeria in the stadium.

Greece 0-2 Nigeria ( Yakubu, Obafemi Martins)

Argentina vs Nigeria betting preview- Group B

Liverpool Fan — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:12:19 +0000

Game :- Argentina vs Nigeria ( Group B)

Competition :- 2010 FIFA World Cup

Venue :-Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Date :- Saturday, 12th June 2010

KO time:- 16.00 South African Time

Sixteen years after playing his last World Cup match against Nigeria, Diego Maradona will play his first World Cup match as Argentina manager against the Super Eagles as the two sides clash in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Read this Argentina vs Nigeria and bet on this game with our recommended bookmakers.

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The Argentines beat Nigeria 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup, and also got the better of the Super Eagles eight years later in Korea and Japan. The sole goal that day was scored by Gabriel Batistuta. Unfortunately for both sides, neither Argentina or Nigeria progressed past the group stages in 2002. There are only two Argentine survivors from that 2002 game- midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, and defender Walter Samuel.

The two sides have met more frequently at youth level internationally, and several stars from both teams know each other from their teenage days.

Diego Maradona could change his formation to accomodate three strikers upfront. That would mean playing a flat three at the back, as he has done in the past. Maradona has to choose three out of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Martin Palermo- not an easy task for any coach.

Argentina form- last five games- most recent first- Argentina scorers in brackets

Argentina 5-0 Canada ( Maxi Rodriguez*2, Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero)
Argentina 4-0 Haiti ( Facundo Bertoglio*2, Martin Palermo, Sebastien Blanco)
Germany 0-1 Argentina ( Gonzalo Higuain)
Argentina 2-1 Jamaica ( Martin Palermo, Ignacio Canuto)
Argentina 3-2 Costa Rica ( Jose Sosa, Guillermo Burdisso, Franco Jara)

Nigeria will be without influential midfielder John Obi Mikel, who competed against Messi in the 2005 FIFA Youth Championships. The Super Eagles are coached by Sweden’s Lars Lagerback, who has already said that he has a ready plan in mind to contain the Argentines. Lagerback was coach of the Swedish team that progressed at the expense of the Albicelestes in 2002.

Nigeria form- most recent first- Nigeria scorers in brackets-

Nigeria 3-1 North Korea ( Victor Obinna, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-1 Colombia ( Haruna Lukman)
Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia
Nigeria 0-0 Niger
Niger 2-0 Nigeria

Verdict:- It depends on how much Argentina will be allowed to play to their strengths. If Lagerback can cut off supply to the Argentine forwards, Nigeria may be in with a chance of an upset.

Argentina 2-1 Nigeria ( Higuain, Messi/ Yakubu)

CAN 2010 – Nigeria vs Algeria betting preview

Liverpool Fan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:21:46 +0000

Game :- Nigeria vs Algeria
Competition :- 3rd place playoff, African Cup of Nations 2010
Venue :- Complexo da Sr. da Graça, Benguela
Date :- January 30, 2010
KO time :- 17:00 Angolan time.

Both Nigeria and Algeria were found wanting at the semifinal stage of the competition. They have a chance to salvage some pride and get their hands on the bronze medal when they meet in the third place playoff in Benguela, a day before the finals.

Nigeria – recent form – most recently played games first

Nigeria 0-1 Ghana
Nigeria 0-0 Zambia
Nigeria 3-0 Mozambique ( Peter Odemwingie*2,Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-0 Benin (Yakubu)
Nigeria 1-3 Egypt (Obasi)

In their semi-final, a solitary goal by Gyan Asamoah in the 21st minute was enough to relegate Nigeria to the third place playoff match. The Rennes striker was left unmarked at the near post and headed in Kwadwo Asamoah’s corner. Nigeria responded positively with Martins and Odemwinge. The Newcastle United striker wasted a couple of clear cut chances. When the Eagles contrived to keep their shots on target, Ghana keeper Richard Kingston proved to be an unsurmountable hurdle. Yakubu came on in the second half and had two decent chances which he wasted. Shaibu Amodu will be tempted to include Seyi Olofinjana, Kalu Uche and Dickson Etuhu in the starting lineup against Algeria. Onyekachi Apam will be available for selection after serving his suspension. Joseph Yobo will be the notable absentee at the back.

Algeria – recent form – most recently played games first

Algeria 0-4 Egypt
Ivory Coast 2-3 Algeria (Karim Matmour, Madjid Bougherra, Hameur Bouazza)
Angola 0-0 Algeria
Mali 0-1 Algeria (Rafik Halliche)
Algeria 0-3 Malawi

Algeria always seem to score in alternate games. Thus according to this statistic they should get at least a goal against Nigeria. Faouzi Chaouchi, Nadir Belhadj and Rafik Halliche can’t be the goalscorers as all of them have been suspended following their red cards against Egypt in the semi-final. Veteran striker Rafik Saifi faces a race against time to be fit for the game. If fit, he will be the Fennecs’ main threat in the attacking third.

Match Verdict:Algeria’s fralilties were exposed horribly by Egypt in the semis. Nigeria put up a more respectable performance in defeat. Going on current form, Nigeria should edge this one.

Nigeria 2-1 Algeria (Martins, Odemwinge // Matmour)

Ghana vs Nigeria betting preview-

Liverpool Fan — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:56:13 +0000

Game : Ghana vs Nigeria

Competition :- African Cup of Nations semifinal

Venue :-Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda

Date :- January 28, 2010

KO time :- 17.00 Angolan time

Two giants of African football will meet in the Angolan capital of Luanda this Thursday for the right to meet either defending champions Egypt or the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the final. Bet on Ghana vs Nigeria with our recommended bookmakers after reading this preview

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Ghana broke a million local hearts when they beat Angola in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Miroslav Rajevac’s youthful side won 1-0 thanks to Gyan Asamoah’s early goal. The Black Stars could however easily have ended up on the losing side had the hosts, especially striker Manucho, shown a little more composure upfront. Manucho easily missed around half a dozen decent chances. Ghana also had defender Isaac Vorsah to thank for a late clearance from Kali’s effort.

Goal scorer Asamoah was replaced shortly after the hour mark with an injury and coach Rajevac will be hoping that he is fit in time for the Nigeria game.

v Angola ( win 1-0) Gyan Asamoah
v Burkina Faso ( Win 1-0) Andre Ayew
v. Ivory Coast (Loss 1-3) Asamoah
v. Malawi (Draw 0-0)
v. Angola (Draw 0-0)

Nigeria were lucky to beat Zambia in the last eight as the Chipolopolo’s inexperience showing at a crucial point of the tournament. The Super Eagles were clearly second best to the Copper Bullets and ended up with ten men on the pitch after Onyekachi Apam was sent off. Apam is now ineligible to play in the semifinal against Ghana.

The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes and went to the lottery of penalties. Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama saved Thomas Nyirenda’s spotkick to allow the Super Eagles to win 5-4 in the shootout.

Zambia 0-0 Nigeria ( Nigeria win on penalties)
Nigeria 3-0 Mozambique ( Peter Odemwingie*2,Obafemi Martins)
Nigeria 1-0 Benin (Yakubu)
Nigeria 1-3 Egypt (Obasi)
Kenya 2-3 Nigeria ( Obafemi Martins*2, Yakubu)

Ghana and Nigeria met in the quarterfinals of the 2008 event which went the way of the Black Stars. Both of Ghana’s scorers in that encounter- Michael Essien and Junior Agogo will not feature on Thursday, but Yakubu, the scorer of the solitary Nigerian goal, will certainly be on the pitch.

It is a tossup between Ghana’s youngsters and Nigeria’s big tournament experience. I think Nigeria will make it, even though they may not be the better side.

Verdict :- Ghana 0-2 Nigeria ( Odemwingie, C.Obasi)

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