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Iran national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 16, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Nigeria national football team

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Nigeria, Iran stumble to goalless draw

Nigeria and Iran begin their respective World Cup campaigns with a goalless draw in Curitiba.

Nigeria and Iran have been forced to settle for a point each in their Group F opener following a goalless draw in Curitiba.

It was a bright start from Nigeria as Victor Moses unleashed the first shot from outside the box in just the third minute to test Alireza Haghighi.

Nigeria's defender Kenneth Omeruo (L) fights for the ball with Iran's midfielder and captain Javad Nekounam during a Group F football match © Getty Images

Nigeria continued to dominate the early stages, with Emmanuel Emenike a threat in the build-up to a great chance for Ogenyi Onazi, who fired wide after finding space inside the box.

Despite sitting back and soaking up the pressure for most of the first half, it was Iran who created the best opportunity just after the half-hour mark when Reza Ghoochannejhad lost his marker to force Vincent Enyeama to push a header to safety.

Nigeria continued to be frustrated going forward either side of the break, with Iran's stubborn defence making it difficult for the African champions to find the space they needed in attacking areas.

Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria makes a save over teammates Joseph Yobo and Ashkan Dejagah of Iran during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match on June 16, 2014© Getty Images

Ghoochannejad looked lively when he managed to get involved further up the pitch, but he failed to trouble Enyeama for a second time when curling a speculative effort wide of the target.

Shola Ameobi was introduced to add another option in attack for Nigeria, and he almost made an impact with a clever pass to Emenike, who could only fire a poor effort over the crossbar.

A venture forward from the Iranian almost produced a goal in the 78th minute when a deep cross found Ashkan Dejagah at the back post, but the Fulham attacking midfielder mistimed his jump and could only direct a header wide.

Ameobi's presence in the box caused problems late on, with Mehdrad Pooladi twice being forced to make vital clearances as Iran secured the draw.

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Nigerian Coach Stephen Keshi in the dugout for a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Calabar in November 16, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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