Bosnia and Herzegovina are already out of the World Cup after losses to both Argentina and Nigeria, but there is still chance for the debutants to go out on a high note if they defeat Iran for the first time in their footballing history.
Bosnia played very well in the first game against Argentina and will be very disappointed with their 1-0 loss to Nigeria considering Edin Dzeko scored a perfectly good goal before wrongly being disallowed for offside. They have nothing left to play for and might as well throw everything at Iran in order to get their country’s first World Cup victory.
Iran can still qualify for the knockout stages but need the help of Argentina to do so. As long as the Iranians defeat Bosnia and Nigeria loses to Argentina, as well as Iran having a superior goal difference to Nigeria, they will go through. However, there is an albeit unlikely possibility that if Iran win 1-0 and Nigeria loses 1-0, the team who goes through to the next round will be decided by a drawing of lots.
Team News
Bosnia and Herzegovina have no current injuries in their side but we may yet see a changed team in this game as Safet Susic may choose to field his fringe players.
Iran has no injuries at this stage either but we can expect to see a strong team as the Iranians push for their second round qualification.
Interesting Statistics
- This is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first appearance at a World Cup and was over after just two games at the competition.
- They have only scored one goal at the World Cup so far.
- Bosnia has played Iran on five occasions, losing four and drawing the other.
- Iran have scored 16 goals against Bosnia and Herzegovina in previous games between the two.
- They have yet to score at this World Cup.
Key Players
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Edin Dzeko
Dzeko hasn’t made much of an impact at the World Cup and is facing criticism at home that he has not tried hard enough. However, he was very unlucky not to be awarded the goal he scored against Nigeria due to an incorrect offside decision. According to Squawka.com he has only managed to get 44% of his attempted shots on target so far and has created two chances for his team mates. He has managed to complete 84% of his passes but surprisingly for a player with height and significant strength, Dzeko has only won 41% of his duels. It remains to be seen whether Susic will pick for the starting lineup but if he does, Dzeko will surely be desperate to score for his country at their first World Cup.
Iran – Ashkan Dejagah
Dejagah has been such an important player for Iran so far at this World Cup and this was no more evident than in the game against Argentina. He was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after Pablo Zabaleta tackled him in the box. According to Squawka.com he has managed to get all of his attempted shots on target and has created a further five chances for his team mates. He has also managed to complete 63% of his passes and has won 57% of all the duels he has been involved in. Iran have yet to score at the tournament but Dejagah has certainly come close and so Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defence will have to watch him like a hawk if they are to take anything from the game.
Prediction
Bosnia and Herzegovina have put in good performances at the World Cup and are perhaps unlucky that they have went out of the competition so soon. They will be determined to go out on a high. Iran will be boosted by the knowledge that they can still progress to the next round and will be confident they can beat a side they have beat many times before. However, I think this will lead to them cancelling each other out and so the game will finish 1-1.
