With Argentina all but cementing its place atop Group B after defeating South Korea, Nigeria and Greece face must-win situations as they meet at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa (10 a.m., ESPN/ESPN3.com).
Neither team managed a point through its first match, and both trail second-place South Korea by three points. Greece figures to need the win more, considering its final match is against Argentina. Nigeria could still be in business without a result, but that would put immense pressure on its group finale against South Korea.
Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama was the Super Eagles' star in their opener, and while he likely won't be tested by the Greeks like he was against Argentina, it's imperative that he be on top of his game for the African nation to succeed.
Greece allowed South Korea to penetrate its traditionally-sound defensive set-up with relative ease, and it must be wary of Nigeria's attacking talent of doing the same.
If you are watching the game, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the match!
Oh, I agree with you there. South Korea has to be the favored in the game. I was just pointing out that goal difference was not really the issue for Nigeria. In order for them to advance, they would have to beat South Korea and Argentina would have to beat Greece, and if both happened, they would automatically get second place (as one-goal wins in both games would put Nigeria at minus-one and the other two are minus-two). Personally, I’d put my money on South Korea winning and taking the second spot.
What in god’s name was Kaita thinking? The play where he lashed out was innocuous enough–there was no reason to do that!! If I were him, I wouldn’t bother heading back to Nigeria. Probably apply for political asylum in South Africa or something. Idiot move.
Well, based on the 2 games in this group, I think Nigeria is a long shot to beat South Korea. They have the individual talent, but South Korean is a very disciplined team. And they are playing well, they were within inches of tying the game at 2 before Argentina scored 2 more.
It will surely be a good game between Nigeria and South Korea.
If they beat South Korea, they are going to most likely be in. A win would put them ahead on goal difference with Korea (they are only one behind, so even a 1-0 win would put them one up) and you have to think Argentina will beat Greece even if they put their back-ups in. Assuming they actually do the job in their game, the Nigerians worst nightmare is that Argentina doesn’t really try to force the issue and would be comfortable with a draw, as that would give them the group.
It is a very disappointing result for Nigeria. They are fast and technically superior team. The player that got sent off just had a terrible lapse of judgement. Interestingly, had this been a league match, would the Nigerian player still have been a lock to get a straight red?
I think Nigeria is, realistically, done (which sucks for me since I picked them to finish 2nd). They’d have to beat South Korea, and then hope the goal difference helps them out. I am assuming Argentina will beat Greece quite handily, even if they technically have nothing to play for.
Group B:
1- Argentina: 6 points (goals: 5-1)
2- South korea: 3 (3-4)
3- Greece: 3 (2-3)
4- Nigeria: 0 (1-3)
{Overall goal difference is the first tie breaker, then goals scored.}
No team was eleminated or progressed. all teams are still in a shot at making it to the next round.
Next games:
South korea vs. Nogeria
Argentina vs. Greece
Yeah, despite the loss, Nigeria will go through if they beat South Korea and Argentina defeats Greece. Ironically, this result also means that Argentina might not go through if they lose to Greece by three goals or more and South Korea beats Nigeria by three goals or more. Though I would be hard pressed to bet a penny on that happening even if you gave me million to one odds.
Absolutely correct. With Greece’s 2 goal defeat in the first match, they will lose a 3 way tie if Nigeria defeats S.Korea (and they lose to Argentina).
Doubtful
Sounds like Enyeama just pulled a Green
Greece should move players up and try to keep pushing cause this could easily go down to differential.
Good match for Gekas at times
Nigeria still can get out of the group. They share goal differential with South Korea and Greece. The Greeks will have to face Argentina which they will within any reason lose. Thus, if they beat South Korea, they will probably advance at 3 points.
I feel that FIFA which try to promote “fair play” has done the most “unfair” thing to soccer by taking the fun out of the game.
Instead of encouraging good soccer, they are promoting lucky soccer.
If you look at the replay, it was a shameful dive… the Nigerian shouldn’t have raised his foot (and he should know better), but the Greek player paused and then fell over backwards.
I was just about to write that Enyeama is evoking memories of Nkomo, from the ’82 Cup. That fumble might cost him millions of dollars.
I feel sorry for all these goalkeepers who have to deal with this ball
Hard to blame Enyeama for this because he has kept them in the match for so long.
GOALLLLLLL!!!
And Greece has done it!
Greece insists on ripping 40 yard shots with a man advantage.
Who coaches these people?
Did not need to one time that. Settle it and tap it in, he had plenty of time.
That could be the miss of the tournament. I am shocked.
Nigeria is collapsing.
Somewhere, Michael Orozco is smiling?
Stupid red card means Greece have a chance to win this game. The second half is going to be fun to watch.
I didn’t see a ton of great movement away from the ball on either team. It looked like a lot of straight-ahead-and-damn-the-torpedoes play. Of course, I’m on a fuzzy Slingbox feed at the office, too, so sometimes the Nigerians blend into the turf.
On the red card, Torosidis should have gotten some kind of card also. He hit Kaita’s chest with the ball before he got Kaita upset and retaliated.
Well, Odemwinge was coming across to head the ball and the GK was playing a Odemwinge header and he didn’t touch it, so it went straight in.
Wait, someone scored on a free kick? And it wasn’t an accident?
Wow, ten goals in two and half games in the second round of group play. Definitely looking like negative tactics used in fear of losing the first game was the main culprit for the lack of goals. The need for a result is really opening the play and the flow into the back of the net.
Greece looked poor again until Kaita got a red card. Until that red card there was really not much going on in the game, no creativity in the final third for either team.
Goal by Nigeria on untouched free kick.
Goal by Greece on deflection
I just woke up, so much for watching Argentina.
How’s Greece looked?
Nigeria shot themselves in the foot
Very little creativity by either team in the final third so far……….as soon as I say that Greece has a nice play in the final third.
well at least Greece is adding a forward (Samaras was poor in the opening match) after the Nigeria red card. Hope this game opens up some.
Wow…red card. Dumb move there.
If the result stands, Greece will be the first team to be eleminated. Also, Argentina will confirm their place in the knock out round.
Imagine, a European country is the first to go home.
Fun game to watch. Nigeria beautiful on attack, crisp passing controlled build up……and score. Greece on the attack, lets’ see Nigeria defense
Obviously a lot of time left, but if this result holds the Nigeria/South Korea match will be fun.
Any win by Nigeria will put them ahead of South Korea on goal difference, going into their meeting next week.
Overall goal difference is the first tie breaker in this world cup.
this Greek defense is a shadow of their defense in 2004.
One would think this game would be interesting. Must win for both, especially Greece. Greece has to win and win by 2 or 3 to have a shot in this group.
I’m pulling for nigeria on this one. with a win they’re back in the thick of it.
C’MON NIGERIA!!!
Guess there’s not a lot of enthusiasm for this one.