634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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  1. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Did gerv get subbed?

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  2. shazzaaam
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    daaamn JRoders i hate y'all

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  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jrod what a legend

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  4. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Penalty Greece !!!

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  5. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    And they don't have Falcao....

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think that might one of the reasons, they are doing so well

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

    WOW!!

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

    Nooooooooooooooooooo

    Ooooooooooo

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  8. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    wow, penalty

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  9. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    OMG

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  10. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    At all Cuadrado owner 😆

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      16 + 9 and I should be sad?

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

    That's bullish....

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  12. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Greece Penalty 😯

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  13. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    He tripped on his own boot... lol

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Not quite.

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  14. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pen Greece

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  15. Espi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Scenes

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  16. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Not a penalty

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  17. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Justice says he misses this...

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  18. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Penaltyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy greeceeeeeeeeeeeee

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

    Samaras kicked the defenders standing leg

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

      Exactly

      Defender didn't even move . Ridiculous!

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

    Never a pen

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm with you here. Kicked the defenders leg.

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  21. PKB
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Oh God, why didnt he start the game..Would have captained him..34pts

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He's on 17??

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      1. PKB
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        16 now

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    2. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      same 🙁 ... and thought he would play just 10 min

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    3. meerlight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      James(c) 😎

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  22. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Greece!!!

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  23. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Absolutely disgrace from referee

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  24. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Brutal.

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  25. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Many have J.Rod? I didn't have a clue Colombia were this good so went without any of them 😕

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Same here

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Jrod was first name on my team sheet

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      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Same here after Benzema and Neymar

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

      1/2 and 1/2 him and Cuadrado. Some have both

      They were always my dark horses.

      Seriously

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    4. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      have James in all games

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  26. PKB
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a joke ref

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  27. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I wonder how many World Cups and how much bad refereeing we have to see for something to change

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  28. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Talk about undeserved....

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  29. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mondragon MOTM

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  30. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Didn't see the game but sounds like JRod absolutely tore it up in his 45 minute cameo

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      2 assists and a goal

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Amazing goal plus 2 assists.

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    3. Gilbo88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Fair. Glad I forked out the extra 2m to get him over Cuadrado

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