Group F: Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina Venue: Arena Parentanal, Curitiba Kick-off: 11pm (7pm, Brazil time) TV coverage: ITV1, from 10.40pm Odds: Nigeria 16/5, Draw 12/5, Bosnia-Herzegovina 19/20 Referee: Peter OâLeary, New Zealand Managers: Stephen Keshi (Nigeria), Safet Susic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) Key clash: Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) v Edin Dzeko (Bosnia-Herzegovina) The young Chelsea defender will warm up for facing Lionel Messi and his Argentina pals by trying to keep Manchester City forward Dzeko quiet in Curitiba. One to watch: Vebad Ibisevic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) The striker netted Bosnia-Herzegovinaâs first ever World Cup goal against Argentina. He had already found the net eight times in the European World Cup qualifiers. Head-to-head record: Played 0 Familiar face: Look out for Stokeâs Asmir Begovic between the sticks for Bosnia-Herzegovina. History lesson: This is the first ever meeting between the countries, but Bosnia-Herzegovina do not have much to worry about â Nigeria havenât won any of their last nine World Cup games. Did you know? Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi is one of only two people to win the African Cup of Nations as a player and a coach. Line ups: Nigeria: Enyeama,Yobo (c), Oshaniwa, Efe, Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Babatunde Michael, Osaze, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike. Bosnia: Begovic, Spahic, Besic, Pjanic, Misimovic, Dzeko, Mujdza, Sunjic, Lulic, Medunjanin, Hajrovic
I really don't know hoe this formation will pan out, Sušić left out Kolašinac and Bičakčić which is very strange please log in to view this image
"Bosnia-Herzegovina do not have much to worry about - Nigeria haven't won any of their last nine World Cup games". That more or less guarantees a Nigeria win - 'Sod's law'...
Keeping Nines' tradition alive:- I think this is B&H? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Almost another by Dzeko - well you're a quiet lot - I just took a 20 min break to eat a Greek supper, away from the computer and TV in my office. In the dining area there is an HDTV with wide screen, but I miss out on all the banter with you guys! Nigeria 1-0 up now, by Odemwingie, the Loftus Road parking lot lad, that should have possibly been ruled out.
It was a goal but Bosnia had a goal wrongly ruled out. The LB made a BAE like effort and was really lazy. Refs are deciding games today.
NZ referee O'Leary to control World Cup game please log in to view this image MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Peter O'Leary has made it to the greatest stage in world football New Zealand will be represented at the 2014 World Cup after all. While the All Whites failed to qualify for Brazil, Whangarei schoolteacher Peter O'Leary has been selected to referee tomorrow's group F game between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Among the cacophony of 41,112 at Cuiaba's Arena Pantanal, will be some familiar faces, with Kiwis Jan Hendrik Hintz (Auckland) and Mark Rule (Palmerston North) working as O'Leary's assistants. O'Leary, the head of biology at Tikipunga High School, becomes just the second New Zealander to control a World Cup game. Michael Hester was the first when he blew the whistle for South Korea versus Greece in South Africa in 2010. "Peter rang me as soon as he got the news yesterday," said NZ Football's referee development manager Ken Wallace. "They're delighted and thoroughly looking forward to it. Peter's a very good athlete, he's worked extremely hard for many years. He's got a responsible job and a young family but he puts in a huge amount of hours training each month. "He takes care of himself, he's employed a psychologist, a nutritionist and has access to physio and massage therapy. He doesn't get fazed by things, he relates well to players and can talk to them on the run." O'Leary referees in the A-League and has been part of Fifa's programme since 2010. He copes with mistakes by using the "dump and forget" method. Appointments at the World Cup are performance-based, and referees only learn of their assignments two days in advance. Wallace had no doubt O'Leary was up to the job tomorrow. "Peter's done under-20 World Cups, the London Olympics and the Club World Cup," Wallace said. "He's performed well and he was at the last World Cup as a reserve so he's got experience of the atmosphere and procedures. If they do well they will get the chance of doing another game." Teams at this year's tournament are noticeably playing more attacking football than in 2010. "And the referees have played a part in that," Wallace said. "With quality referees you get quality games." Both Nigeria and Bosnia will be desperate for points tomorrow. Nigeria played out a scoreless draw with Iran in their opening match, while World Cup debutantes Bosnia were impressive but ultimately losers, falling 2-1 against perennial heavyweights Argentina. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/10184405/Kiwi-referee-O-Leary-to-control-World-Cup-match
Still another half to go - if they continue to press the Nigerian goal, and the ref gets a few decisions correct, they can turn the deficit around, as lots of other teams have already achieved at this WC, so keep you chin up!
Can't blame the ref for the offside, they need to use video evidence for every goal, penalty and red card decision.
A feckin' Kiwi? Even worse. Pirata, another disgraceful decision in this game. How the hell the linesman didn't get that one right is a mystery. He was right in line with Dzeko's run. That left back of yours is a disaster though mate.
His natural position is left winger. And in this match he's getting no help from Misimović who is playing on the left wing
