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SWC 2014 preview: Group F

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SWC 2014 (File)
SWC 2014 (File)

Cape Town - Sport24's Wade Pretorius previews Group F at the 2014 Soccer World Cup and reckons that Argentina may just go all the way.

The draw has been kind to Argentina as they find themselves in Group F. Argentina may be tested by their group stage opponents but ultimately should finish with nine points from the group phase. La Albiceleste have an abundance of strikers in their squad and with the added steel they currently have in midfield, 2014 may be the year Argentina hit the peak of international soccer once again.

The tussle between Bosnia and Nigeria for second place is something to keep an eye on. Unfortunately for African hopes, I’m backing Bosnia to sneak into the Round of 16.

FIFA rankings:

Argentina: 7th

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 25th

Nigeria: 44th

Iran: 37th

Players to watch:

Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic, Asmir Begovic (all Bosnia), Vincent Enyeama, Victor Moses, Ogenyi Onazi (all Nigeria), Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Ezequiel Garay (all Argentina).

Two to go through:

Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Team to create a stir:

Iran. Carlos Queiroz has developed his troops into a tight competitive unit which has seen them rise through the FIFA rankings in recent times. Should an side fail to beat Iran and doing so in convincing fashion, with the possibility of goal difference coming into the equation, makes Iran the team most likely to create a stir in Group F.

Match not to be missed:

Nigeria v Bosnia and Herzegovina – This game is almost reaching knock-out status before the tournament even kicks off. Whoever wins this game will most likely progress from the group stages as most fans expect Argentina will go on to win all three games. I’m backing English Premiership duo Edin Dzeko and Asmir Begovic to be the difference in potentially one of the best games of the tournament.

Don’t forget to join our Superbru pool for the 2014 SWC and test yourself against the Sport24 team.

Will Iran cause an upset? Have we got Nigeria’s fate all wrong? Do you think Messi is going to have a field day in Group F?

Look out for our Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D and Group E previews.

Follow Sport24's Wade Pretorius on twitter: @wadepretorius

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