TheCable

One player who will be paying close attention when the Super Eagles of Nigeria take on Scotland at Craven Cottage next Wednesday is Fulham forward, Ashkan Dejagah.

Iran kick off their 2014 World Cup Group F opener against the current Africa Cup of Nations champions, and Dejagah is looking forward to seeing what they have to offer in SW6 on Wednesday May 28, 2014.

“I’m sure Iran will send some people and scouts to watch this game,” said Dejagah.

“It’s an interesting game, and it’s nice because it’s taking place at Craven Cottage, and there’s bound to be a great atmosphere. If we don’t have training, perhaps our manager [Carlos Queiroz] will ask us to watch this game together as a squad.”

Stephen Keshi named his provisional 30-man World Cup squad for Brazil and his England-based players, such as former Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi;Stoke City’s Peter Odemwingie; and Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel of Chelsea will be at the Cottage

That squad will be trimmed down to 23 names ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Iran in Curitiba.

“I think it’s a big game for both of us because it’s our first game in the group. It’s the most important game to take some points and I think Nigeria are a good team,” Dejagah said.

“It will be difficult to play against them because the African teams are very physical and very strong, but we have time to be ready and to work hard to prepare for the tournament.”

Dejagah reckons Argentina will qualify from the group and he also feels that any one of Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia have a good chance to progress through to the next stage of the competition.

“I think Argentina will go through but the other three teams also have a chance so we will try our best and we will see,” he said.

“Our first game is the most important game because if we start well, we have a good chance to go through.”