Young Players to set the 2014 World Cup alight from Group F
Argentina
|
Marcos Rojo
|
|
|
Age |
24 |
|
Club |
Sporting Lisbon |
|
Position |
Defender |
|
Int. Caps |
21 |
|
Int. Goals |
0 |
In an experienced Argentina side, Marcos Rojo is one of the younger and probably one of the most important players in the Albiceleste squad. The 24-year-old will be playing in the left-back position for Argentina at the World Cup and has emerged as an integral part for Alejandro Sabella’s side.
While his defensive qualities have been put into question at times, Rojo is a great threat going forward and will surely prove to be a useful outlet in the final third of the pitch for the South Americans.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
|
Sead Kolašinac
|
|
|
Age |
20 |
|
Club |
Schalke |
|
Position |
Defender |
|
Int. Caps |
4 |
|
Int. Goals |
0 |
Sead Kolašinac has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Schalke this year. The young man established himself as an integral part of the German side and impressed many with his mature performance at the back.
A versatile player who is primarily used as a left-back, Kolašinac switched allegiance to Bosnia & Herzegovina after representing Germany at youth level and looks set to play a big part in the country’s debut World Cup campaign in Brazil.
Iran
|
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
|
|
|
Age |
20 |
|
Club |
NEC Nijmegen |
|
Position |
Midfielder |
|
Int. Caps |
6 |
|
Int. Goals |
1 |
Alireza Jahanbakhsh is probably the most exciting young player to emerge from Iran recently. The 20-year old plies his trade in Netherlands for NEC Nijmegen and managed to impress with some fine performances for the Dutch side over the course of the campaign.
A tricky winger with a knack of scoring goals, Jahanbakhsh adds a bit of flair to a solid Iran side. While Ashkan Degajah and Javad Nekounam will most probably be preferred to Jahanbakhsh in the starting lineup at the World Cup, one cannot rule out the young man making an impact in the competition whenever afforded the opportunity.
Nigeria
|
Ogenyi Onazi
|
|
|
Age |
20 |
|
Club |
Lazio |
|
Position |
Midfielder |
|
Int. Caps |
20 |
|
Int. Goals |
1 |
Ogenyi Onazi’s meteoric rise to prominence has been phenomenal. Having picked up by Italian giants from a church-sponsored team in Lagos called My People two years ago, Onazi has gone on to become one of the finest young midfielders plying their trade in Europe.
The 20-year old has also established himself as a regular in the Nigerian national team and helped the Super Eagles to the African Cup of Nations triumph in 2013.
A tough tackling midfielder, Onazi possesses a brilliant temperament and he will surely be looking to impress at the World Cup by taming the dangerous Argentina and Bosnia attack.
Written by: Sarad Shrestha