‘Argentina 4-2 defeat won’t count for Eagles at World Cup’

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says their 4-2 result against Argentina will not count at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June.
The Super Eagles manager has played down the significance of last November’s 4-2 international friendly win over Albiceleste.
A few weeks after that friendly win, the two countries were pitted against each other in the group stages of the global tournament.
However, Rohr claims the result of that game will not matter when both countries lock horns in a Group D game in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 26.
“Remember, [Lionel] Messi didn’t play that game. So we are very cautious and have to analyse this great result in context,” said Rohr.
“Argentina had played another friendly against Russia in Russia before facing us. Perhaps they were a bit tired – they also left Russia soon after our game.
“I think no one should overrate the result. I definitely won’t overrate it. It was definitely not to our advantage because Argentina will take us more seriously now.”
“Of course, I would have wanted an easier group. But it is what it is. Now we have this strong group.
“If you look at our FIFA ranking, we are only in 52nd position – the others are far ahead of us. I think they sit in position 14, eight and four.
“That means we are the underdogs. We were only in pot four in the draw, we mustn’t forget that.
“But we are an underdog with ambition and we want to get into the knockout stages, even though it will be very difficult. That’s our target.”
Nigeria is expected to play friendly games against Poland and Serbia later this month as preparations for the World Cup intensify.

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