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. Rod Beck Jersey .com) - Colorado may be ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference standings, but they are a club that the Avalanche may want to avoid in the playoffs. Lee Smith Cubs Jersey . Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. https://www.cheapcubs.com/1420t-craig-ki...y-cubs.html.com) - The Chicago Blackhawks take aim at their longest winning streak of the season on Sunday when they host the Calgary Flames in a battle at the United Center. Tyler Chatwood Cubs Jersey . The 19-year-old Swiss centre back will initially have to impress in Uniteds reserve side to earn a spot in the first team. Veseli says "Manchester United has a long history of younger players coming through and hopefully I can follow and do the same. Jerome Walton Cubs Jersey . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. CHICAGO -- Brandon Cumpton pitched seven scoreless innings, Travis Snider hit a solo homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday. Cumpton (3-2) won his third straight decision as the Pirates won the last two games of the three-game series. Cumpton allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four. The rookie right-hander retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced. He allowed a walk to Nate Schierholtz in the fifth inning, but rebounded by getting John Baker to hit into an inning-ending double play. Ryan Sweeney reached on a single against Cumpton in the first inning and the other hit was by Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel in the sixth. Pirates closer Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances. Melancon gave up back-to-back singles to Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Melancon then struck out Luis Valbuena and got Schierholtz to hit into a fielders choice as Rizzo scored. Melancon finished the game by getting Junior Lake to fly out. Gregory Polanco had his hitting streak snapped at 11 games. The Pirates rookie leadoff hitter had a hit in his first 11 major league games. He was 0 for 3 with a walk. Hammel (6-5) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one. Hammels first pitch of the third inning was hit over the centre-field wall by Snider. It was Sniders fourth of the season. Later in the inning, Josh Harrison hit a liner right back at Hammel.dddddddddddd The ball ricocheted off Hammels right side and allowed Chris Stewart to score from third. Harrison reached first base without a throw. Hammel was briefly looked at by a team trainer. Pirates reliever Tony Watson pitched out of trouble in the eighth. With runners on second and third with one out, Watson struck out pinch-hitters Welington Castillo and Justin Ruggiano. NOTES: Cubs OF Emilio Bonifacio has yet to return to baseball activities after being placed on the disabled list on June 13 with a rib injury. "Were still in the wait-and-see," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Hes feeling better, hes not feeling any discomfort anymore." Renteria added that this type of injury can become chronic if not taken care of properly, so the Cubs are being as patient and proactive as possible to make sure Bonifacio is full recovered before returning to the active roster. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker is expected to join the team in Tampa Bay on Monday. He has been on the DL since June 9 with an appendectomy. He is eligible to be reinstated on Tuesday. ... Pirates OF Starling Marte is expected to rejoin the club in Tampa on Monday. He is attending to a personal matter in the Dominican Republic. ... Before the game, the Cubs activated Castillo off the DL. He missed 18 games with a rib cage injury. ' ' '