634x258 Dugout Discussion
18 June 2014 2465 comments
Paul Paul
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Fantasy managers will be looking for an improvement from this evening’s three fixtures after yesterday’s schedule served up just five goals. The first match on our agenda bodes well for Fantasy returns as Holland square up to Australia on the back of a stunning 5-1 triumph over defending champions Spain last time around:

Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, De Guzman, Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben

Australia: Ryan; McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; Jedinak, McKay, Bresciano; Leckie, Cahill, Oar

Unsurprisingly, Louis Van Gaal names an unchanged side after last week’s humbling of Spain. Holland are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation once again, then, with Daley Blind and Daryl Janmaat handed the wing-back role, while front two Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will be hoping to maintain the form that saw both score twice in their Group B opener.

Australia make a couple of alterations from the side that lost to Chile. Ivan Franjic is out with a hamstring injury, allowing Ryan McGowan the chance to deputise at right-back, whilst in central midfield, Matt McKay comes in for Mark Milligan. As always, Tim Cahill carries the main threat as the former Everton man looks to get amongst the goals again, having netted in last week’s 3-1 loss.

Following that one, Spain square up to Chile in a must-win Group B match. Their humbling by the Dutch, allied with the South American’s opening win over the Aussies, means Vicente del Bosque’s side have it all to do – if Holland win in the earlier match, a victory for Chile would send the Spaniards tumbling out after just two games. Diego Costa’s starting role looks under threat in light of a poor display against the Dutch, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping del Bosque’s side can replicate the resilience that made their defence such strong options in the previous couple of international tournaments. Chile will look to Alexis Sanchez to maintain the form that saw him produce a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Australia, though Jorge Valdivia and Eduardo Vargas are also in form, having served up a goal and assist respectively last time around.

The late 11pm kick-off sees Croatia take on Cameroon as both sides attempt to bounce back from Matchday 1 defeats. Suspended for the loss to Brazil, Mario Mandzukic is available once again and is expected to lead the line – with Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic supplying the guile from midfield, Niko Kovac’s side may well prove too strong for their opponents. The Africans are sweating on the fitness of Samuel Eto’o ahead of tonight’s game – the veteran’s potential absence could afford Vincent Aboubakar his first start of the tournament in a reshuffle up top.

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

    Assist?

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  2. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    robben impossible to fail

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  3. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I really wish I had robben in macds!

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

    Omg

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

    Familiar scenario: one Euro demolishes another in first game, everyone thinks they will win the cup, then they stumble against a weak team. Watch the same thing happen when Germany plays USA.

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

    Oh my lord! What a goal!

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  7. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What a goal

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  8. Shakshuka
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Blind what a hero 😀

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  9. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Cahill!!!!

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      BOOM

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

    Tim Cahill, take a bow.

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  11. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Holy mother!

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  12. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    goal aussies!!!!!

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      what a goal cahil

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  13. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What a goal

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  14. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    finally a cracker took a while

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  15. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    WOW back in it 😀

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

    Cillessen CS gone. 😀

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  17. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    woooo wow wowo wooooo

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  18. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Wish I had Cahill.

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

      You don't get extra points.

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  19. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    😯 goal of the tourney so far

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      +1

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

      Nah. The Flying Dutchman!

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        that was so much better come on!

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

          Maybe.

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    3. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Takes the spot from RvP...had a lot of RvP's goal for Arsenal against United about it too.

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  20. ★FC Borecelona★
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    HOLY SHIT! 😯

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    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      hey fc, have you sorted your team score out yet?
      on the league table it says you have 0 pts?
      can you get on glassboard.

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  21. Ludo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Left foot as well, unbelievable technique!

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  22. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    yes no holland cleanie 🙂

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

    Reminded of RVP vs Aston Villa the season before last.

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    1. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      That's the one I was thinking of (forgot which game it was in).

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

    Double Holland defence and no Robben in Mirror. Great.

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  25. DLL18
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Goal of the tournament right there. 😯

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  26. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone follow me on the 6/1 Robben FGS I suggested earlier? 🙂

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    1. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I had Cahill at 13/1 😥

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      5.50 e/w for me.

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  27. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Unbelievable goal

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  28. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    @4vets

    Only 11 players out of the 75 or so that I've got have a Spanish defender, and I have other minions to do that work 😉

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      What about other discrepancies (Honduras)?

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        20 teams each isn't too much of an issue. One of the smaller issues involved with the McD game 😡 🙄

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        1. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Understood. Thanx again.

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  29. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who knew Timmy Cahill actually knows how to score with his foot?!?!

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      He's been using his head to give everyone else a chance 😉

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  30. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    what a great 2mins of football - simply jaw dropping!

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