634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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  1. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Higuain replaced...90 mins too late.

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

      how many pts did he get?

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

        3 more than he deserved

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

        3pts

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      3. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        3 probably.

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  2. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    ft bosnia

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  3. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How is everyone doing in McD??

    104 from 10 here so far

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

      111 from 9

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    2. BantamPhil
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      113 from 9

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

      94 from 10

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      1. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        115 from 10

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    4. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      101 from 8

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    5. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      105 from 8

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    6. Pinky and Brain
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      108 points rank 46
      9 played

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

      109 from 10, but that will most likely become 98 from 8...

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    8. Konig Luther
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      77 from 7

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    9. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      73 from 4.

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

      35 from 5.

      Nobody posts bad scores on here. Thought I could help speak truth to power.

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  4. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Essential midfielders in Fox other than Robben and JRod?

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

      Muller

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Muller

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  5. Diego Morethan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Nooo first big mistake, forgot to sub in Rojo!

    Would have brought me to 120 for the round

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

      😯

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  6. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    So the third argentina goal is from lavezzi?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      third assist?

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

        think so

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    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ROJO

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  7. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    @puglife: check page #10 first post

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  8. Funkyav
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Do I stick with Di Marias 6 pts?

    or bring in a 2nd honduran!!!

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    1. Marouane Fellatio
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Di Maria should get an extra point. He delivered the ball into the penalty area twice whilst he was on 6pts.

      If he's on 7 I'd stick.

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      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      who do you have after hondurans?

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

        KDB and bentaleb

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  9. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any line ups for Honduras ?..and and the French bench ?

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

      Is the official lineup for france out yet?

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Oh..just realised we're on 9.00pm kick off....Time to walk the dog..

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  10. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Quiz in five minutes!

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    1. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Don't wait for the new page. 😉

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Just a minute!

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

    France lineup?

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  12. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Lineups?

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  13. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sub in Valbuena for Sanchez, surely? Got Ronaldo, KdB and Bentaleb as cover.

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    1. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No brainer.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        EE

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

    Lineup?

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  15. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is Valbuena playing?

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

    Hey 7shades

    You thought the Mandrills face was scary?

    http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/761/1659/1600/Butt%20by%20Michah.0.jpg 😆

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

      I'm not even sure what part of the body that is 😆

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    2. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      wtf is that???

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        kinda reminded me of that scene in Hangover.

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    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going to guess that this is the arse of a monkey with a coconut rammed halfway up?

      Think Attenborough did a segment on this but it didn't make the final cut of Planet Earth.

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

        😀

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  17. Konig Luther
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    should i ask for france lineup too?

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  18. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    MOTM in two games?

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

      Messi & Dzeko obviously...

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Dzeko confirmed?

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          1. pundit of punts
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            thanks.

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  19. BantamPhil
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    France?

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

    Le lineup?

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

    Ou est le line up?

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

      Bon mot.

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    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You need some French lessons.

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

    Another chance to watch the eventual winners tonight 😎

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

      Every other World Cup for them, right?

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

        Nigeria

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

    K.o is at 9pm, official line-ups might not be for another hour.

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I might log off then, this could get tiersome very quickly

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  24. Marouane Fellatio
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    HAS ANYONE GOT THE FRANCE LINEUP??!!??

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  25. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    quelle est la gamme?

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  26. Ospreylian
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bloody hell, I'm 4th overall in McD's, any advice for next round?

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    1. JT's Dog
        11 years, 5 months ago

        welcome to team portudogal

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      • X T I A N
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nice one Greg.

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      • Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah...Get Lukaku...

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      • Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cartel, seize this man.

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      • 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        yeah, don't listen to me

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    2. JT's Dog
        11 years, 5 months ago

        A
        B
        C
        A

        just getting answer in early

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        1. Blue Lion
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Wrong.Second one is C.

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          1. JT's Dog
              11 years, 5 months ago

              i didnt say which question

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        2. aehii
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Talking about Suarez online, I said that Suarez was one of the best players to ever play the game, someone interjected saying he's not even the best Uruguay player ever and it'd be ridiculous to consider him in the top 5000 players [ever to play the game]. Do people just despise him so much or is he actually overrated ?

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          1. aehii
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            *any higher than top 5000

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          2. GREENDREAMS11
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            the other person is clueless, right now he is one of the best albeit a total crackpot

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

            He's clearly exceptionally talented, I think the only people who claim he isn't have some sort of agenda or blinding hatred against him. He's clearly in the Top 5000 players ever to play the game. However I wouldn't classify him anywhere near the "one of the best players ever to play the game'' bracket just yet.

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            1. aehii
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I'm misquoting the guy a bit, he said 'If you are saying best ever as in top 5,000 or so fair enough, but anything more is nonsense.' But I'd put him in the top 50 or something, I did write a lengthy comment explaining how good he is. This guy who doesn't agree watches a lot of football, bets a lot, like a football historian type, but at the same time isn't effusive about football really.

              I said that Suarez is one of the best ever in the same way Thierry Henry is, based purely on premier league performances, not being a part of a world cup winning team, but just individually special, transforming his team's attack, breaking all time goal scoring fpl records. His performance against Norwich with those goals felt like witnessing something extraordinary.

              Seeing as everyone is obsessed with 'world class' and sometimes 'elite players' whatever they mean, and I think they mean nothing, i feel like there's some players who are the best in their position, best of their generation, best in their league, in the world, but then there are some that go beyond that and do things you've never seen before, who constantly surprise, unique in their focus every moment of every game, and i think Suarez reached that level over the last few years. The level Ronaldinho played at didn't last that long, but in those years he did something special that placed him among the greats regardless of longevity or trophies, and I think Suarez has done the same.

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        3. LewanGOALski
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          shame ADM didn't deliver today, he had SO many opportunities 🙁

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        4. Blue Lion
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Messi,Di Maria,Rojo,Monty,Pjanic...
          What a coup today!

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          1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            ADM and Montezeri didn't do anything to write home about to be honest. I may well end up subbing them

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