phins_4_ever
E12 FH Tailgate Gang
Not sure how many people are actually watching this game unless it is a diehard soccer fans or a fan of France, Nigeria, Germany or Algeria. But on paper it looks like a boring matchup.
Nigeria has qualified for the cup as the only African Nation very consistently since they appeared first in 1994. Only in 2006 they failed to qualify. Expectation to be the one African Nation to go deep in the tournament is always laying heavy on their shoulders. How much weight they put on the shoulders of Nigeria shows the 2010 World Cup. After a first round exit the President of Nigeria suspended the National Team for its poor performance for almost 2 years and risked an exclusion by FIFA.
After making its debut in the World Cup in 1994 and reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998 the 'Super Eagles' failed to qualify beyond the group stage in their follow up appearances in 2002 and 2010.
As the current champion of the African Cup Nigeria participated in the Confed Cup last year (warm up to the FIFA Worldcup) and did not qualify for the second round.
This year they were expected to advance behind Argentina and ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovenia and Iran.
Until 1998 France did not do much in the World Cup. A couple of 3rd place finishes and one 4th place finish but mostly it was group stage or quarterfinals and out. As a matter of fact France failed 6 times (out of 15) to qualify prior to 1998.
Beginning in 1996 with a surprise semifinal at the European Championship the tide turned a little and the WC win in 1998 and the European Championship title in 2000 had expectations rise in France. Though having failed to go past the group stage in 2002 and 2010 France has qualified for every EC and every WC since which is the longest run in French soccer history.
2010 was the most disappointing tournament as France (runner up in 2006) left the tournament in last place of the group stage with 1 point and 1 goal scored after expectations were high. They joined Italy who won the cup in 2006.
Arriving in Brazil without its star Ribbery France has fulfilled expectations and laid claim to a 2nd WC title with convincing victories against Honduras (3-0) and Switzerland (5-2) who scored their goals with France being up 5-0.
The game is in Brasilia but I would not be surprised if France already booked their tickets to Rio for the next round to face the winner of Algeria/Germany. It could be a trip for things to come as the final is also played in Rio.
Unless the Super Eagles can keep the game close to the end they will crash land and run over by the (do I dare say that) ****s.
France vs Nigeria 4-1
Nigeria has qualified for the cup as the only African Nation very consistently since they appeared first in 1994. Only in 2006 they failed to qualify. Expectation to be the one African Nation to go deep in the tournament is always laying heavy on their shoulders. How much weight they put on the shoulders of Nigeria shows the 2010 World Cup. After a first round exit the President of Nigeria suspended the National Team for its poor performance for almost 2 years and risked an exclusion by FIFA.
After making its debut in the World Cup in 1994 and reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998 the 'Super Eagles' failed to qualify beyond the group stage in their follow up appearances in 2002 and 2010.
As the current champion of the African Cup Nigeria participated in the Confed Cup last year (warm up to the FIFA Worldcup) and did not qualify for the second round.
This year they were expected to advance behind Argentina and ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovenia and Iran.
Until 1998 France did not do much in the World Cup. A couple of 3rd place finishes and one 4th place finish but mostly it was group stage or quarterfinals and out. As a matter of fact France failed 6 times (out of 15) to qualify prior to 1998.
Beginning in 1996 with a surprise semifinal at the European Championship the tide turned a little and the WC win in 1998 and the European Championship title in 2000 had expectations rise in France. Though having failed to go past the group stage in 2002 and 2010 France has qualified for every EC and every WC since which is the longest run in French soccer history.
2010 was the most disappointing tournament as France (runner up in 2006) left the tournament in last place of the group stage with 1 point and 1 goal scored after expectations were high. They joined Italy who won the cup in 2006.
Arriving in Brazil without its star Ribbery France has fulfilled expectations and laid claim to a 2nd WC title with convincing victories against Honduras (3-0) and Switzerland (5-2) who scored their goals with France being up 5-0.
The game is in Brasilia but I would not be surprised if France already booked their tickets to Rio for the next round to face the winner of Algeria/Germany. It could be a trip for things to come as the final is also played in Rio.
Unless the Super Eagles can keep the game close to the end they will crash land and run over by the (do I dare say that) ****s.
France vs Nigeria 4-1
