634x258 Dugout Discussion

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday One, Day Four

15 June 2014 3787 comments
Paul Paul
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With three World Cup matches on offer this evening, Fantasy managers have plenty to look forward to. First up, Switzerland take on Ecuador in the 5pm kick-off, with Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side looking to maintain the form that saw them top their qualifying group with an unbeaten record over 10 matches:

Switzerland: Benaglio: Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Djourou, Rodriguez: Inler, Behrami; Shaqiri, Xhaka, Stocker; Drmic

Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, W Ayovi; A Valencia, Noboa, Gruezo, Montero; Caicedo, E Valencia

For Switzerland, the highly-rated young left-back Ricardo Rodriguez will add plenty of attacking threat from the back, whilst the likes of Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are tasked with supplying the creativity behind Josip Drmic, who notched 17 times in 30 starts for German side Nurnberg in 2013/14. The one surprisde from Hitzfeld’s line-up is his decision to opt for Johan Djourou ahead of Fabian Schar in central defence.

Ecuador will be looking for front two Enner Valencia and Felipe Caicedo to grab the goals. The latter was top scorer in qualifying with seven strikes, whilst elsewhere in Reinaldo Rueda’s 4-4-2, Jefferson Montero and United’s Antonio Valencia will also be hoping to make an impact on the flanks.

After that, France square up to Honduras in the other Group E game at 9pm. Despite losing Franck Ribery to injury, Les Bleus are highly-fancied in this one – they’ve won four and drawn one of their last five friendlies, conceding just a single goal in the process. Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena owners have every reason for optimism as Didier Deschamps’ side look to get off to a winning start before a midweek meet with the Swiss.

Our late night viewing sees Group F get underway with a clash of the favourites, as Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina go head-to-head. Lionel Messi will surely be sporting the armband for a number of managers for the 11pm kick-off, though there’s no shortage of options on our radars for this clash, with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic all looking to catch our attentions before the schedule eases considerably for both sides.

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3,787 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Palacios just a massive dive. Great refereeing.

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    1. Prime
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      letting them carry him off. Disgrace

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  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Get up Wilson you twunt !!

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  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Beckhams red should be recinded !

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  4. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Terrible refereeing in my opinion

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Disagree.

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    2. Grounderz
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Hmm, so far the referee hasn't done anything wrong yet.

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  5. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Palacios ex tottenham scum 😉

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  6. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I have a bet on under 19 red cards in the tournament.

    Thought I was gonna see the second red there 😕

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    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Surely there will be less than 19 for sure !!

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  7. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Pelacios you absolute tw@t. Get up.

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  8. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Both there mothers would be proud.

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  9. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Palacios is an utter disgrace, but the ref really did well with this. Probably the best for the match.

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Palacios disgraceful yes, but you have to send someone off if they kick out at someone regardless of the provocation.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Kicked out, yes. But didn't make contact.

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        1. Camp No No
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly. He made some sort of kick, didn't contact the player with it. No red card. Ever.

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I agree.

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        2. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          He did make contact with the second kick. Even so, it's the intent. Both should've gone.

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          1. getfunky
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            this. it's violent conduct whether he connects

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            1. getfunky
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              or not*

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          2. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            It's not the intent. No violence happened, he didn't touch him with the kick and what you call "second kick" was not a kick. There was a slight contact with the other foot as he made a little kick towards Palacios with the other. There was never any grounds for red card in that. Had he hit him with his actual kick, then there would be.

            I admit there was a case of red card to Palacios though, seen that his awful tackle got Pogba bleeding. That is very disputable decision, but other than that ref's decision was all correct.

            Palacios was a disgrace for diving and faking an injury not being actually hit with the kick, especially after having done violence to the opponent himself.

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            1. Camp No No
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              And let me add, it was Palacios' own fault that he stumbled to Pogba's other foot as he went to stomp on Pogba once again.

              In fact, in aftermath, yeah, it was wrong because Palacios should have got a red card. Why I felt it was a right decision because serving warnings instead of red cards at that point could serve to calm things down. Only that Honduras' strategy seems to have nothing about calming down.

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            2. getfunky
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              eh? how can you say: "It's not the intent. No violence happened" then later say "Had he hit him with his actual kick, then there would be." that makes no sense. if its not the intent then what do you all kicking out at someone? a sign of affection? its an act of aggression & the rules cealry state that you dont have to make contact for it to be deemed violent conduct in the same way some players are sent off for two footed tackles that dont make contact wiht the player.

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      2. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Not because of the provocation, but because of diving and faking injury in that "kick" situation. The kick didn't hit Palacios.

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  10. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    There will be a sending off in this game

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  11. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    2 yellows

    Fair

    Though Palacios should get 2. 1 for a foul and 1 for simulation

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    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Did you see what WP did ?! He had 3/4 really bad kicks at him !!!!

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      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Am amazed there aren't 20 players on the pitch. WP should be off for kicking/stamping/simulation and Pogba for retaliation

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    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Three..One for standing on him..one for standing on him again..and one for being a nob.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Another one for playing for Stoke 😉

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        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yep...four.

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  12. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys!

    Is the game not on TV? was looking forward to this one and the argentina game!

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Bbc

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    2. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      BBC 1

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    3. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      BBC

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      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        jesus i'm a moron, thought match of the day would be a recap of the games earlier today!

        Cheers all =)

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        1. Declan
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😀

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    4. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Haven't you got BBC1? 😉

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      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        haha yeah 😛 evening sorted!

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    5. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Every game is on tv. Maybe not in N Korea

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    6. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      BBC One HD.

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    7. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      It's on British broadcasting company 1 in England anyway

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    8. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Turn on the TV?

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Put the plug in the wall 🙂

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      2. Alan The Llama
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Don't forget to keep your eyes open.

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  13. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Can't watch the game, how's Pogba looking? MOTM material?

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Sent off material

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      He should be off

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    3. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nearly sent off

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    4. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      More like red card material.

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    5. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely 😉

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    6. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely motm, get voting in 10 mins

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Don't worry, I will be 😉 haha!

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        1. Magerost
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Remember to vote on fifa.com, app for android and twitter 😉
            #manofthematch paul pogba 😀 haha

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    7. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Honduras are a really dirty team. I hope they get annihilated.

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed. But then, it is France 😕

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    8. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Wish I'd got Debuchy over Varane in Fox

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      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        yeah

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      2. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You couldn't risk it though...

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        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah... hindsight. He just looks a real threat up that right side. Doesnt look like Varane will offer attacking returns. Hes massive though surely he scores headers?

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          1. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Him and Sakho..

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          2. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJx6Qj1Az8

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    9. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      This game needs Giroud, then Remy

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        No, it's needs Griezmann to score

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    10. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Honduras have parked the bus, this could be the first 0-0

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      1. Blodyxe
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        It's only 40 minutes left

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        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          52

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        2. Optimus.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I must have missed the HT interval

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Not a chance, though sendings off may beat goals

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      3. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        No chance

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    11. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Lol
      Rush of blood to the head

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    12. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nobody else think that Pogba should have got a yellow and Palacios a red?
      I think common sense dictates that if you're stamped on you'll throw out a leg like that..

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I do..I hate those red cards..If a player stamps on another player then he should be the one walking not the one reacting.

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    13. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Beckeles blocked shot. 😀

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    14. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Benzema's decision making is so poor 😕

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Agree very bad play 😉 pogba is much better

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    15. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Honduran defenders will have some big scores!!

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    16. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      That looked painful

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    17. crystalpalaceRus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      PEN

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    18. Grounderz
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      PENALTY!

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    19. Prime
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Pen

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    20. crystalpalaceRus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Red card too

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    21. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. Motm

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    22. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      All falling apart now

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    23. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I've just seen the worst tattoo of the tournament anyway

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