EAGLES MUST SOAR
ICELAND will have to contend with unfamiliar temperatures in Volgograd but it’s opponents Nigeria who are now feeling the heat at the World Cup.
The Super Eagles started with a 2-0 defeat in Group D to Croatia and now have to break down superbly organised Iceland today if they want to progress in the tournament.
Another defeat will mean exit in the group stage for the side under German coach Gernot Rohr.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s Celsius and the early evening kick-off will bring little respite at a stadium which was also invaded by flies and midges during Monday’s match between England and Tunisia.
After holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw, Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson will see little reason to change his tactics but some personnel alterations are expected, particularly as Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson seems unlikely to recover from a calf strain against Argentina.
That could give an opportunity to Rurik Gislason, who replaced Gudmundsson in the Argentina game and saw his Instagram account surge since, mainly thanks to South Americans attracted by his blonde Nordic look.
“This is of course just funny, and something we all enjoy in the squad. It’s fun, especially for him,” striker Alfred Finnbogason said.
“We were in the dressing room after the game and then he had 70 00 followers. Then he refreshed and had 75 (thousand).
“I don’t know what was happening in South America while the game was on, but this is just good for him and his market value.”
The heat will be a challenge for Iceland where average
June temperatures do not even reach double figures. Concerns in the Icelandic press have also focused on the flies expected for the game.
Defender Birkir Mar Saevarsson, who is the only one in the squad who plays in Iceland (for Valur), told state broadcaster RUV: “I’m more worried about the flies than the heat. When I get flies in my mouth I start to choke. That’s not pleasant when you’re playing football.”
About the Nigeria game he said: “We have always been confident of being able to win most games. We have such belief in us that we play all games to win them. That hasn’t changed after the Argentina game.
“Our confidence is the same.”
Nigeria conceded two goals against Croatia following corners, and that may be an area which the Iceland side can exploit in a first competitive match between the two countries.
“It’s a whole another opponent, that has a different playing style,” Hallgrimsson said in comparing Nigeria to Argentina.
“They have a powerful and a strong team with players that can cover a lot of distance. It’s a really organised team, which the coach of Nigeria, Rohr, deserves credit for.”
Rohr said after the defeat to Croatia: “Now we have to win against Iceland. If we win the next game, all is possible for qualification.
Leicester City striker Ahmed Musa is thought to have a good chance of starting.