What: Greece vs. Nigeria, Group B, Match 4
When: Thursday, June 17, 9:30 am ET
Where: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
TV: ESPN, Univisión
Greece were regarded as one of the most defensively solid teams coming into the World Cup, but their point of pride was dismantled by South Korea’s speed and accurate passes. Nigeria were supposed to show that their offense was just as strong as their defense, but they failed to mount any significant threats against Argentina. Had it not been for goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s brilliant performance, Argentina would’ve found the net more than once. After losses in the first round, both Greece and Nigeria must win if they are to keep their Cup hopes alive.
Greece
The Hellenic squad is known for being strong on defense, but in a vital match against a Nigeria team that proved to hold their own in that department, Greece must now be strong on offense.
WATCH: SOUTH KOREA VS. GREECE RECAP
“Good teams are defined by a strong defense, but they are able to score when the opportunity arises,” said striker Dimitrios Salpingidis. “That's what we have to do."
However, Greece have failed to score in four World Cup games they’ve ever played, including in Saturday’s loss to South Korea. The responsibility to end that streak will fall upon forward Theofanis Gekas. As Greece’s best threat up top, his team’s hope rests squarely on his shoulders.
Also, defender Vangelis Moras, an important part of the Greek defense, will be back in the lineup after missing the first game with a groin injury.
Nigeria
It was visible against Argentina that Nigeria are far from the dynamic offensive menace that they were in the 1990s. Nonetheless, the Super Eagles showed flashes of their previous selves in the second half of that game, tearing open the midfield and going forward with speed and power.
WATCH: ARGENTINA VS. NIGERIA RECAP
Unfortunately for them, those flashes were few and too late in the game. Against Greece, Nigeria will have to be a consistent blaze.
Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins, who were surprisingly left out of the starting lineup against Argentina, came off the bench to lead Nigeria’s second half surge. Against Greece, both strikers should be on from the start and will have 90 minutes to drive the European squad crazy.
Key Players
Greece: Theofanis Gekas. In the final two games of World Cup qualifying, when Greece needed him most, the striker responded with six goals in two games. Now, Greece need Gekas again.
Nigeria: Obafemi Martins. The striker came on as a substitute against Argentina and was the only Super Eagle to get a shot on target. Nigeria can’t settle for the draw, and Martins is their best bet up top.
Final Analysis
Greece’s slow defense was exposed in their previous outing, and Nigeria have explosive, albeit inconsistent, attackers. It’ll be close, but in the end, the Super Eagles should soar to three extremely valuable points.
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