[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
22 June 2014 2095 comments
Paul Paul
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The last three games of Matchday 2 are played out this evening as Fantasy managers start firming up plans for tomorrow’s deadlines. First up this evening, Belgium and Russia will be hoping to improve upon their previous displays after both sides relied on substitutes to find the net last time around:

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vermaelen; De Bruyne, Witsel, Fellaini; Mertens, Lukaku, Hazard

Russia: Akinfeev; Kozlov, Berezutskiy, Ignashevich Kombarov; Glushakov, Fayzulin, Shatov; Samedov, Kokorin, Kanunnikov

Marc Wilmots makes a trio of changes for today’s match, with three Tottenham players making way. Jan Vertonghen is replaced by Thomas Vermaelen at left-back, while further up the pitch Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele are omitted from the central midfield three, with Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens handed a chance to impress after both climbed off the bench to notch against Algeria. Vincent Kompany recovers from a knock in time to start and Romelu Lukaku leads the line once again despite a less than impressive display in the opener.

For the Russians, Fabio Capello made a couple of alterations to his starting XI. Andrei Eschenko drops out for Alexei Kozlov at right-back, while former Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov drops out for Maksim Kanunnikov in the front three – this could potentially see the versatile Alexander Kokorin shifted left to accommodate the switch. Despite grabbing a goal within minutes of appearing off the bench last time around, Alexander Kerzhakov remains amongst the substitutes for Russia.

After that, South Korea square up to Algeria in the other Group H fixture at 8pm. The former will be buoyed by their opening draw against the Russians and Lee Keun-ho seems favourite to replace Park Chu-yung in the lone forward role after notching as a second-half sub last time around. Algeria need to pick themselves up after suffering a late loss to the Belgians and will be looking for Sofiane Feghouli to find the net once again and steer them into the points, after the Valencia man spoiled Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet with a coolly-converted spot-kick in Matchday 1.

The last game of Matchday 2 takes place at 11pm, with Cristiano Ronaldo centre stage. After being battered 4-0 by Germany in their opener, Portugal need to pick up the points against a USA side that chalked up a win over Ghana in their opener. With Pepe suspended and Fabio Coentrao ruled out due to a thigh injury, Paulo Bento’s side have half of their first-choice back-four missing – Clint Dempsey will be optimistic of netting again, having opened the scoring in last week’s 2-1 triumph over the Africans.

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  1. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Lukaku isn't going to score is he? 😕

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Nah.

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      On bed ? May be.

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    3. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Could get on the end of a header. Wouldn't bet on it though.

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    4. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Unlikely. He's so ineffective.

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    5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe in a favella

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  2. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    For a moment I thought Toby Adel... is kicking that guy for his theatrics 😆

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  3. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Kombarov really needs to pick up his game here.

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  4. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    watching him for first time...kombarov really is a shit defender

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Capitano?

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        yes.

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        1. Tommytour
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          We want a pen, we want a pen

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    2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He played well in the first game i thought... although he wasn't up against Mertens!

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      1. Tommytour
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Got many playing today SD?

        Captain?

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        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Have left my handband on Valbuena...

          Got a few today. Komba and KDB at the moment plus Halliche, Bentaleb, Bedoya and Ronaldo to come. Doubt i'll captain any of those tbh, not even CR7

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          1. Tommytour
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Good luck gaffer

            Are you replacing many low numbers?

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            1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Ozil (4) will probably come out today at some point today and Higuain (4) assuming Ronaldo starts

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  5. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Penalty! 😡

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      would have been nice

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  6. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Lukaku has offered absolutely nothing

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He can't even win headers from goal kicks against a guy half his height.

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      1. Gilbo88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Hasn't held the ball up once either

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  7. palace ash
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Neymar (7) to Slimani?

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Who?

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      1. palace ash
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Algeria lone striker v South Korea

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    2. T1P
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Hey Palace Ash, can you tell me who 'Electro' is in our league please? None of the names have Electro in it that I can see! Thanks!

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      1. palace ash
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Super_Oscar1

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        1. T1P
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Thank you!

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  8. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I hope Russia don't have a quicker full back than Kombarov or he'll be off soon, he can't cope with Mertens.

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      lol that would be very Un-Capello!

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    2. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Mertens looking very bright. Agree with you here Wakey he's giving Russia fits down that right side.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Reduces the number of times Kombarov can go forward as well.

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  9. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Vert is soon to be on for Verm

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  10. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Make the sub now... Goddamn it... 61 mins 🙂

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      60?

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  11. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Verm injured or useless?

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    1. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Knock I think.

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      1. Walsh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah. During pre-match warmups he picked it up they just showed it.

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Both ?

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    3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Both but injured this time

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    4. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      injured in warm-up

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  12. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Vermnator out for Vert

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  13. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Just too late for Vert to get a possible clean sheet.

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Pits alright he will score instead

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        It's *

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      owners will at least be pleased he has about an hour to pick up some RBs, blocks and maybe an attacking return

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  14. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Warm up injury for Verm

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  15. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Alderweireld already on 5pts! 😯

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      oh dear... Kombarov had better pull something special out of the bag!

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        He's on 4 points already

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          We're in trouble if he doesn't - both of us nailed our colours to his mast today!

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            The way things are going he will get over 10 points.

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    2. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      kombarov on 4 (2 RB's)

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  16. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Top 5 must have players for round 3 of group stages?

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      whoever you're stuck with

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    2. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Neymar, Alves, Ronaldo, Campbell/Ruiz, R. Rodriguez to name a few

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  17. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Awful display from both teams.

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    1. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Capello not giving Russia their best chance to perform in this World Cup with his selections in my opinion.

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      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        nothing new there

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  18. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    will mesbah start??

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

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  19. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    McD's game really is pants..4pts for Kombarov already for being rubbish. I'll take it though.

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  20. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    RIP Kombarov

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  21. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hate that, Mertens looked up, saw two players free yet went for the shot.

    Infuriating.

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  22. VillaDan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Mertens has Kombarov on toast here

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    1. Phil_fox85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Agreed, I'm thinking I should have gone (C) on Alberweired.

      Just got to hope that Kmbarov doesn't get subbed off early.....

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  23. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    was that penalty for Russia few mins ago? TV not showing replay

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Arguably a penalty yeah

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Probably

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      stonewaller

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        *sticks finger down throat

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        1. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          can't beat nonsensical cliches

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  24. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    kombarov you are kak.

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  25. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Crazy prediction time. Neither of these sides will win the world cup. yawn

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  26. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    dat tackle

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  27. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    KDB on 3pts? How?

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      minutes played & recovered ball.

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    2. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Back to 2 now

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  28. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Belgium are over rated dark horses, if that makes sense.

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Waiting for the final furlong

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  29. shazzaaam
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    is lukaku tired? he looks like he couldnt be bothered. 😆

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard's not far behind him..

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      1. shazzaaam
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        i see you 😆

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  30. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Kombarov not taking that corner...grrr...

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