Iceland manager warns Super Eagles to expect another defeat when they meet on Friday

ICELAND'S manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned Nigeria to expect his wards to build on their draw with Argentina and claim all three points when the two teams meet this Friday on June 22.

In their opening game, Iceland pulled off a spirited 1-1 draw with Argentina, the top seed in the group, while Nigeria put in a dismal performance in her first game, losing 0-2 to an equally uninspiring Croatia. Later this week, the second round of matches will take place with Argentina and Iceland looking by far the best two teams in the group.

Mr Hallgrimsson said it would be foolhardy for anyone to underestimate his team in the Russia 2018 World Cup  after they  earned a  point in their David versus Goliath fixture against  Argentina at  the Spartak Stadium in Moscow  on Saturday. Augsburg forward Alfred Finnbogason secured a 1-1 draw  for  the tiny European country  after  he rifled  home  in the  22nd minute to make history   as the first-ever  player to score a goal for Iceland  at the World Cup after Sergio Aguero put Argentina ahead in the 18th minute.

Argentina were gifted an opportunity to win the match from the spot through Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi but Hannes Halldorsson emerged as Iceland hero as he palmed his shot away. Mr Hallgrimsson said that when his wards face Nigeria at in Volgograd on June  22,  his boys  will aim to pull off another shock result.

“We are more unpredictable now and hopefully we’ll show that in the competition. We know how we can win football matches," he added.

According to Mr Hallgrimsson, a 51-year-old dentist, Iceland were able to come out with a point against Argentina because they were bluntly honest about their ability. He hinted that he  would abandon  the team’s traditional 4-4-2 formation  and play negative tactics against the Eagles  like they did against Argentina.

 “It is just a fact that Argentina have superior individuals with superior skills and if we go one-on-one with them you don’t need to ask who will win the game. We have to play in a special way and we have a clear identity.

“We are a nightmare to play against and we can beat anybody when we have our day, ” Mr Hallgrimsson added.