₦airaland Forum

All that is needed from our players most especially our midfielders is one touch football coupled with quick passes. I don't want our team to be set up to sit back and absorb pressure. It might just cost us.

Get out and bombard them and see their vulnerable defence crumble.

An early goal for us can be the difference.

komekn:
Musa first name on the team sheet.

Ask any defender what's your greatest fear and it's BLISTERING PACE you simply can not defend against it.

Look at the Argentines Otamendi will be left for dead by Musa. I actually expect Musa to score.

With Ighalo holding up play or nodding it on for Musa to run on to it, expect GOALS.

Ighalo will not do all those things you mentioned.

I'll rather have simy pair Musa than Ighalo.

See wetin I see for front page

I suspect that this might be a mind game to divert the mind of the super eagles team from effective preparation. Our coach should better not use a back 3 this time around coz this people will use a front 3. A 4-3-3 formation with Etebo, Ndidi and Mikel in their middle, then a front trio of Simi, Musa and Iheanacho

How Nigeria can beat Argentina, I am not a football analyst, just a crude observer
To beat an opponent in football is not rocket science.
It depends on the coach and the players, of course they make up the team.

1. THE FIRST HALF IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE SECOND HALF: This is one of the issues of mindset. I can remember a certain commentator referring to Nigeria's Super eagles as a second half team, and this is a consequence of we not performing in most first half of our matches. The first half is the time you have to destabilize your opponent. This was the first mistake made by Iceland, they fail to destabilize us from the first half by preferring to seat in their box and play on counter thereby allowing us to grow in confidence which begin to become evident towards the end of first half but actually materialize in the second half

2. DISPOSSESS THEM: We have dribblers and a lot of them in the Argentine National team, the likes of Dybala and Lionel Messi. But it is actually very possible to dispossess these wizards. We blacks are known for our Strength, and this is one thing we have to use to our advantage here. When an opponent player is holding on to the ball, two of our players should rush to tackle him, while the other player around that part of the field should mark, one-on-one, other opponent players nearer to the player in possession of the ball should in case he passes to any of his teammates around him. This tactic will prevent Argentina from having much needed time on the ball, and consequentially reduce their chance of scoring.

3. DON'T PLAY OLD TIRED LEGS: This is actually a message to the coach. The likes of Onazi, Joel Obi and Ighalo have done well for Nigeria in the past. I can remember the Confederations cup in 2013 or 2014, where Onazi was our star player and Mikel Obi was on fire after they had helped us win the Nations cup in 2013. These guys are past their prime now. And you can't expect them to start running around the field to actualize the step number 2 above. To implement the step two above, we need young players who can run tirelessly for a whole of 90 minutes. Mikel Obi can still be used because he is a reliable defending midfielder.

4. COMPLETE PASSES: No player should hold on to the ball for too long, except if he is pressing forward with the ball. Even if na just to pass to the person beside you and take the pass back in a second. Pass the ball around, distribute the play and always find a way to move forward. This would destabilize the opponent.

5. DON'T FORGET TO PLAY AS A TEAM: This is the most important part of this write-up. The code is Massive-Attack, Mass-Defend. When you mass defend, you automatically implement the step two. When you mass attack, you expose their defense and give them a tough time. However, we must be careful not to expose our defense when we mass attack. There must be, at least three of our defenders should be at the midfield in case of counter attacks.

I recommend a 4-3-3 formation.
Moses-Omeruo-Leon-Ekong.
Etebo-mikel-Ndidi
Simi-Iheanacho-Musa
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olapluto:
Is it just me or VAR decisions seem to favour European teams more? Officiating generally has favoured European teams.

No be only you. I don talk am since. The Video refs are biased with their decisions. This won't be the first. Prior to the first penalty, Lingard was in an offside position. He even used style dress the ball before he went down under that challenge. But na the Pk interest them.

Mtcheew

Shukusheka:
Our own drums are too big, you can literally hide two adults in it.

This cracked me up.

TheGoodJoe:
I praised Musa for the goal and genuinely celebrated the win. I just said Rohr should work on Musa passing to the player in better option for next time sake. Just as we hammered on Moses to reduce his selfish play.

I wonder why something as simple as that should be a problem.

I'm sure he will make use of his instinct next time when he finds himself in a more tighter position.

TheGoodJoe is becoming more of a British analyst who only see things from a single angle. He reminds me of a certain Michael Owen who played down one of Nacho's goals instead of praising his brilliance in taking that curler from outside the 18 yard box. He kept saying he should have passed to gray because he was better positioned.

Musa scored and that's all that matters. He did it in style and so deserves all the praise. No need to check and analyze an alternate route that does not guarantee a goal. What if he passed it to Nacho and while trying to hit it he shoots it against the defender/goalkeeper or even falls or Musa himself hits the pass to much and ends bouncing off Iheanacho's feet. Maybe that his when you would have appreciated Musa's ingenuity. That goal was class.

Finito(in TheGoodJoe's voice)

Amedino99:
actually they came its just that drums were not allowed inside the stadium go check fp you will see the thread there

Thanks. I saw the news.

What is required of them is to inform FIFA/LOC on their plans earlier. Probably before the start of the tournament. Take your musical instrument to the venue few hours to the games for inspection. I'm sure if these are done, no one will deny them entry.

They don't have any excuse and they need stop playing the blame game. FIFA is not marginalizing us. We are just not doing things the right way. Other fans are sha allowed into the st with their Musical Instruments.

I think the Local Organizers are only been cautious! Nothing more.

elyte89:
Can we forget abt Iceland match and lets focus on argies match


After leading by 1-nil...I will want rohr to switch to a defensive formation


9-1-0....who's with me here

Even after leading, I won't want us to park the bus.

We are playing against Messi, Dybala. They all have great curling skills and can shoot from outside 18 box. We will concede more free kicks in dangerous areas playing with 9 men behind the ball.

All the team needs is quick transition. Quick passes and counter attacks will be too much and unbearable for the Argentines. Diagonal runs from Musa and Nacho will break and unsettle their defense line. That's why Ighalo is not needed at all in that game.

Hoping to see Iwobi coming on early in the second half.

I will like Rohr to stick with the players that executed the second half. Moses and Ebuehi starting as WBs. If possible they can switch positions depending on how the game goes.

Ebuehi is more calm than Idowu. Though he wasn't at his best, but he made and won more tackles than Idowu, won a corner kick and set up Musa for the shot that ricocheted of the crossbar.

Idowu is easily cut out of position.

Finally, our defenders need to concentrate through out the match. No room for sloppiness.

GOAL!

Germany doing the playing Sweden doing the scoring.

See these Germans. Look at how they came all out in their attires and flags reminiscence of what you see in a Bundesliga game.

Look at Lukaku's movement. Our strikers need to learn o

M- Making
U- Us
S- Smile
A- Again

Tunisia don score. Let's go guys.
Belgium 2 : 1 Tunisia

Tunisia de chop am here. But the officiating has not been fair enough.

Is that really a penalty? So much for VAR. Mtcheeew

Ndidi is just getting back into fitness! He ll only get better.

AIG07:
I just want us to win. I wan know whose camp Sir. Icon79 will pitch his tent. Will it be with Argentina's Messi or Nigeria?

I never hear from baba since yesterday.

Now that we've won, Oya who are you rooting for @ Icon79.

Nigeria or Messi?

MetalJigsaw:
Did you know?: Ebuehi has conceded two penalties for Nigeria.

Hahaha... Yes o! One was against Corsica and the other one against Iceland.

But do you know? Both came on his debuts. One in a friendly and the other in his first competitive match.

It seems Nigeria's supporters club are not in Russia. Cos me can't see them. It only individuals who came to the stadium that was cheering the team to victory.

fabyom:
I don't know what Ighalo did to you guys go and watch the match again. You guys are so biased. He fought for that ball got it wanted to pass to Musa but a defender arrived, he then passed to Iwobi who made a mess of that chance. You guys are not blaming Iwobi but busy blaming the creator of the chance. Astonishing!!

The initial word I used Was PLAY.

One thing you guys don't know is that seconds count in football. If you don't make the right decision at the right time then forget it. He did well to win the ball but spoiled everything by holding longer. Iwobi was already there asking for the pass. But he waited few more seconds which allowed our opponents to fall back and gets into position and that was the end of a potential goal for us and an assist for him.
This he did repeatedly. One was a pass he got at the center circle which he just needed to pass to a running Musa who was trying to get into space as we were 2 against 2. But baba held for so long till he was fouled. That's why we don't score often when he plays.

IIghalo is good at holding up play but his timings are bad and so let the team down. Hope you get it Sir.

There is no better time to put Argentina to the sword than now.

Let's go for the kill.
#SendArgentinaHome

MetalJigsaw:
I think the 352s effectiveness all come down to our players abilities and shortcomings.

The formation aids teams that struggle with creativity and compactness in the middle of the park.

Spot on. The additional midfielder makes the Midfield compact. Bringing the players close to each other. We did some quick pass exchange yesterday that was beautiful. Can't wait to see Iwobi join the Middle as an AMF in a triangular setup.

TheGoodJoe:
I hope Rohr does not make the kind of changes he made when we went 2 goals up. Those kind of substitutions could lead to a disaster and us throwing away the lead. He could have brought in more defensive players like Ogu to help secure the goals than exposing us. The worst was Etebo for Iwobi. It should have been Musa for Ogu.

so happy Musa was not subbed cos he was on his way to an Hat-trick. Which he could have gotten if Ighalo had play with him.

I'm so happy for our victory yesterday!

But credit must be given to those who deserves it.

First to the entire team for perfect execution of the match.

Rohr also deserves some praise for been brave. Finally, he did the unthinkable. Starting Moses as a WB. I knew it. All he needed was to sit Moses down and talk sense into him and we all saw the result of such decision.

Moses on the other hand was damn to much and his contribution was immense. He defended more and attacked with grit. On a lighter note, he didn't fall unnecessarily this time around(may be 3 or 4 times through out the entire 90mins.

Kudos too goes to Mikel for leading by example. He accepted the defensive midfield role and did a great job. I also love the way he feigned that injury to help pause the game and allow our boys to catch some breath as they were almost all gasing out at the same time. Though I was initially scared of a potential injury to the captain. But relaxed when he wave his hand for continuation. Salute to the Man himself.

Musa too was brilliant yesterday. He his more potent as a striker than a winger. He made good use of his pace to out ran the Iceland defender. Ighalo wanted to do something similar but baba heavy for ground. His combo with Iheanacho should be retained for our next match against Argentina.

Ndidi and Etebo were the steel in our midfield. Ndidi posed a five start performance. He was just unlucky,he could have gotten a goal. I so much love the way they kept shooting on goal from outside the penalty area. Musa hit the cross bar with his missile. Ndidi caused the goal keeper to divert his own over the bar no thanks to the little deflection cos that was goal bound.

Ebuehi did well but he seem not to be happy. He started with some kinda reluctant attitude. But picked himself up after the first goal. Was happy we have finally capped him. I think it was unfair dropping Aina without trying him out on the right and Shehu too in the middle. Who knows they might have been better than what we have.

Our 3 man defense well absolutely resolute yesterday. Balogun showing how to do it. Love the way he intercepted some balls. Omuero is what we need in that defence to quench any threats from crosses and set-pieces. This came as surprise to the vikings. Cos their plan was to hurt us through set pieces and crosses since we are vulnerable to anything like that. But alas, our defenders rose to the occasion. It came to a time I myself was not bothered by those incessant kicks as I felt that we are now capable. Our setup in defending the corners too has changed and improved. Good work. I hope they work on the way we take ours. Indirect freekicks does not have to be crossed in. There is need for innovation. Kelechi was trying to do something by calling his team mate to come receive pass but they were not interested.

Finally, Uzoho was muah yesterday. He answered every call rightly. He his maturing with every game.

Yesterday was an happy day,
Today we keep rejoicing
Hoping and believing that tomorrow will be glorious!

Goodmorning to you- Nigerians.

It came to a time during the match when we recorded 60%possession with 83% pass completion.

The thing sweet my Belle no be small. The last time I had such moment watching the SEs was in that friendly against Argentina.

Today, we could have easily score more but no thanks to some bit of selfishness

charlesemeka85:
playing for chelsea is a tall dream oga, if they wanted to integrate him into their setup that would have been after 2014 worldcup because omeruo was one of the best young central defenders during the group stages.he should push for a move to a good league maybe the ligue 1,la liga or even the bundesliga. this worldcup should serve as a platform for him to distinguish himself which will attract decent clubs from good leagues who will will jostle for his signature

In all fairness, Omuero deserved a look in after the 2014 worldcup. He was outstanding.

Even now, I'll pick him ahead of Rudiger.

Well, football is all about oppotunity-Sir Komekn has always said this.

Finito(in TheGoodJoe's voice)

Football is the only thing that unites Nigerians.

Super Eagles is the reason why Nigerians are happy. They are the only escape from day to day frustration the government has subjected it citizens to.

When they win, We forget our travails. but when they loose, we remember and hiss about NEPA, SARS, our failed politicians, unproductive and failed systems and heap blames on anything blameable.

Today, you guys have not only made us happy but you've gone a step further to make us proud of our heritage - NIGERIA

God bless the Super Eagles
God bless the good people of Nigeria and
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

#SoarSuperEagles

One thing that pleased me today was the way our boys kept taking those long range shots with precision. The first goal did a lot in boosting their morale.

Chai! I don shout today... So tey two plates of food no Belle full me.

All thanks to the Super Eagles