Nigeria lose their opener for the first time

Shorunmu saves from Batistuta

Tournament favourites Argentina got off to a rolling start at the World Cup by beating the Super Eagles 1-0.

Gabriel Batistuta sent an angled header into the back of the net off Juan Sebastian Veron's swinging corner kick in the 63rd minute.

The South Americans, winners of the Cup in 1978 and 1986, did most of the attacking early on. But the Nigerians gained confidence as the half wore on.

Ariel Ortega's 25-yards shot forced a fingertip save from Nigeria keeper Ike Shorunmu in the 30th minute. Batistuta headed Veron's corner wide of goal from close range eight minutes later.

Nigeria's best chance came in the 31st minute. Jay Jay Okocha skipped around Juan Pablo Sorin and sent in a fierce 25-yard shot that was heading into the top of the net. Argentina keeper Pablo Cavallero leapt up and tipped it inches over the crossbar.

Argentina raised its game in the second half, pushing forward and forcing a string of corner kicks.

Batistuta put a shot wide from one corner, while Mauricio Pochettino sent a header wide from another. Sorin also came close to scoring, chesting down Ortega's pass and firing in shot that Shorunmu pushed over the crossbar.

Nigerian coach Adegboye Onigbinde said: "I would loved to have won the match, but we have lost, that was unfortunate. But talking about the standard of the game, I am very much impressed. I am happy with my boys and I see this result as a challenge - the reason to intensify our training, our preparation for the remaining two matches to stay in the competition."

"I had adequate coordination between the defence and attack and we were able to check most of the antics of the opponents ... and also in attack we made some forays into the opponents' 18 (yard box) and I think the team as a whole played a good game."

"I think we should have been a little bitter sharper up front ... and I believe this had to do with the fact that KANU got injured very early in the game. He just managed to finish the first half and couldn't continue the second half. It was like working with 10 men and in that situation we want to concentrate more on defence. I believe that was why our attack was not strong enough."

Nigeria also suffered when Kanu was elbowed by Diego Simeone in an off the ball incident. The injury severely restricted him and in the end led to his substitution.

Nigeria's next match is against Sweden in Kobe on June 7. Argentina face England in Sapporo on the same day.

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