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Sunday June 15th - 4:00PM | ||
| vs | BOSNIA HERZ | ||
| FIFA RANKING 7 | FIFA RANKING 25 | ||
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| HOW THEY QUALIFIED |
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| ARGENTINA After a 4-1 win against Chile to begin their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign, Argentina then stumbled against Venezuela and drew 1-1 at home to Bolivia, which raised doubts as to whether coach Alejandro Sabella, who took over after Copa America 2011, was up to the task. La Albiceleste, however,got back on track with 2-1 win over Colombia in Barranquilla, which began Argentina's 14-match unbeaten run through the remainder of qualifying, where they finished atop the South American table. Argentina tallied 35 goals while only surrendering 15 on the way to winning the preliminary competition for the third time. The rest of South America could only chase Argentina throughout the final qualifying fixtures. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA Bosnia-Herzegovina had an outstanding campaign, winning eight of their ten matches, drawing and losing just once. A ruthless attack and resilient rearguard were the cornerstones of the side’s success, with the 30 goals scored representing the fourth-highest tally in European zone qualifying. Equally impressive was a defence that was breached just six times. Bosnia-Herzegovina’s notable goal difference proved crucial too, edging them past a Greece side that finished level on points, to secure direct passage to Brazil 2014 and a first appearance at a FIFA World Cup™. After starting with a string of victories combined with a goalless draw in Greece, coach Safet Susic’s team’s campaign initially went according to plan. However, a 1-0 defeat at home to Slovakia in September 2013 set up a nail-biting finale for Bosnia-Herzegovina, before they pipped Greece to the post on the final matchday. |
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RECENT RESULTS |
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| ARGENTINA | BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA | ||
| 15/11/13 - ARGENTINA 0-0 COLUMBIA 11/11/13 - BOLIVIA 1-2 ARGENTINA 15/10/13 - URUGUAY 3-2 ARGENTINA |
15/10/13 - LITHUANIA 0-1 BOSNIA-HERZ 11/10/13 - BOSNIA-HERZ 4-1 LIECHENSTEIN 15/10/13 - SLOVAKIA 1-2 BOSNIA-HERZ |
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| PLAYERS TO WATCH | |||
| ARGENTINA With the landmark achievement of claiming four consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Ors (2009-2012), Lionel Messi in the undisputed leader of the Argentina national team and a multiple-trophy winner with Barcelona. Breaking all kind of goal-records, La Pulga is now looking to achieve greatness with his country after failing, somewhat surprisingly, to find the back of the net at South Africa 2010. Supporting him will be an all-star cast featuring Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria, all of them on top of their game with some of Europe’s leading clubs. |
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| BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA Bosnia-Herzegovina have a core of talented players capable of changing games in an instant, ranging from the likes of Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic up front, through midfielders Miralem Pjanic and Zvjezdan Misimovic, all the way back to defensive rock Emir Spahic and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The majority of the squad regularly showcase their talents in Europe’s biggest leagues, giving them the experience necessary to shine on the biggest stage of them all. |
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