CURITIBA, Brazil -- Nigeria and Iran delivered the first draw of the World Cup on Monday as they ground out a scrappy 0-0 stalemate in their opening match in Group F. The draw at the Arena da Baixada in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba followed 12 mostly high scoring and attacking games. After a first half in which Nigeria failed to capitalize on its dominance, chances were few and far between in the second. In the early passages of play, Nigeria had shown menace, with much of its attacking thrust coming down the left with Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses combining to cause problems for the defensively-minded Iran side. Nigeria came closest to scoring in the seventh minute when an Ahmed Musa goal was disallowed after John Obi Mikel was adjudged to have fouled Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi at a corner. Iran grew more confident as the game progressed and came close to scoring in the 34th when a Reza Ghoochannejhad header required a sharp save from Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. In the second half, both sides were guilty of sloppy passages of play, to the growing annoyance of the mainly Brazilian crowd. Players from both sides snatched at chances, and neither goalkeeper was troubled despite some frantic late pressure in the final minutes. "They had 11 people behind the ball, which made it hard for us to create chances," Mikel said. "Its frustrating because they sat back." Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said his team became anxious when it failed to score during a dominant opening 25 minutes. But he added: "Respect to Iran, they had their game plan to sit back and defend and they did well." Keshi, who played for Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup, is already anticipating a backlash after the draw. "Win or lose Im criticized," said Keshi, whose side won last years Africa Cup of Nations. "A draw now, Ill be criticized. Its part of the game. In my country, its win at all costs and sometimes it doesnt go that way." The best chance either side has to progress in the tournament is to beat debutant Bosnia-Herzegovina, as Argentina is the firm favourite to top the group. Lionel Messi scored one of the tournaments best goals in Argentinas 2-1 victory over the Bosnians on Sunday. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said the result was "fair" and that his players deserved "sympathy and respect" for performing on the biggest stage despite the impact of economic sanctions on the country -- which made it difficult to arrange friendlies. "Were not here to perform the role of the happy loser," Queiroz said. "The fans need to know the conditions we have endured for three years to get here." Queiroz wouldnt talk about the teams next game against Argentina. "Now Im so tired just let me enjoy this point we collected from Nigeria," he said. The draw means the winless World Cup runs of both teams continues, dating back to France 1998. For Iran, though, this was the first time it had not conceded a goal at the World Cup finals. Replica Soccer Jerseys . First, the Red Wings scored the tying goal after officials missed the puck hitting the protective netting, then the Kings wound up losing in a shootout. That could affect playoff positioning in the Eastern and Western Conferences, and thats a concern for everyone. Soccer Jerseys Outlet .ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China . Louis Blues are reportedly taking restricted free agent forward Vladimir Sobotka to arbitration. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . The team said Saturday that the 36-year-old Robidas is expected to miss four to six months, jeopardizing his return this season. He was injured when he slid hard into the boards in the second period of a 2-1 shootout loss to Chicago on Friday.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner sat out practice Wednesday with tightness in his left hamstring, and is not sure when he will return to the field. The practice, the teams fifth organized team activity session, was the first Milliner has missed this off-season after experiencing symptoms earlier in the week. "Its just precautionary," Milliner said. "I feel fine." Milliner, in his second season, had a rough start to his rookie year while dealing with hamstring issues early. He is expected to take over this season for Antonio Cromartie as the teams No. 1 cornerback, making this latest injury — however minor — cause at least some concern for the Jets. "He has to understand that hes got to be in extraordinary shape," coach Rex Ryan said. "His challenge will be to be in world-class shape because weve got to have you out there. He needs to be out there and he needs to get work, because thats how hes going get better." Ryan said Milliner, the No. 9 overall pick last year, had been having a good off-season before this setback. The coach was encouraged by Milliners progress last season, particularly in the final month. "You saw it as the year went on last year, he got better because of the work on the practice field and in the classroom," Ryan said. "He was taking off from there, and you dont want to see this happen. Hes got to step it up, because I think hes got all the talent in the world." Milliner, who stood on the sideline during team drills, acknowledged that theres a bit of frrustration not being able to participate.dddddddddddd "It bothers me because I want to be out there on the field with my teammates getting better during OTAs," he said. "In another way, its fine because I know (Im not) injured or hurt that bad." Wide receiver Eric Decker also was among those who did not participate. He is in Nashville with wife and recording artist Jessie James for the CMT Music Awards, at which they will be presenters. Ryan had no issue with the teams top receiver not being at the voluntary workouts. "Well, speaking as a married guy, (I) absolutely recommend that you would go to that," a smiling Ryan said. "So that would be recommended, I think. You know, you ask for their support, you need to support them, too." Meanwhile, running back Mike Goodson, coming off a knee injury and facing legal troubles, has yet to show for any of the teams OTAs. Ryan again stressed that the practice sessions are voluntary, but added: "He volunteered not to be here, and Ill volunteer to not answer the question." Goodson roster status is in serious doubt, aside from facing weapons charges. The Jets also have Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson, Bilal Powell, Alex Green and Daryl Richardson at the position. And, the team isnt quite certain how much Goodson has been able to do in his rehabilitation from the injury. "Im not going to speculate because hes not here and I dont know where he is," Ryan said about Goodsons rehab. "We havent seen him, so I cant answer that question." ' ' '