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. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    +BANG!

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  2. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    MOUSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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  3. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Would have preferred Di Maria to stick it in

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

      assist in Fox?

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

        Don't think so

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

    my CS gone smh

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  5. Sir_Dunc
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Di Maria assist?

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No.

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  6. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo CS gone, don't even care.

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

      At least he got a RB already

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

    Higuain you tool 😀

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

    Messi is surely going to get a huuuuuge score in this game

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

      I am happy as long as it's 16 or bellow

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

        Same opponent has Messi C

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

      I'd hate to be Innsie right now.

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

      Why didn't Argentina take aguero to world cup

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I´m wondering this too, Sabella doesn´t know a thing.

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

        He has been cão shite.

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    • Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      maria better get me some points this time..........shakes fist

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    • Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      is valbuena benched tonight?

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Every source says so.

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          bum sticks 😕

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    • King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Montazeri already on 2 Woohooo

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

        What a legend.

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      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        im holdin him if they get through

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

          I'm holding him either way.

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

        Player of the tournament so far

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    • Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      really didnt see italy bowing out too.......... what with englands performance and suarez taste for human flesh, group d should be the group of shame

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

        At least Italys manager had the decency to quit.

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

        *England's result not performance

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          shirly the result is dependant on their performance......

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

            Not always, I thought we played very well vs Italy

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

              we played OK against a very average Italy side.

              and we lost.

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

      Assist for the Messi goal?

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

        doesnt look like there was one as it came back off keeper.

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

        no assist. Off the keeper's head, then onto the post and deflected to Messi.

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

        Cheers both.

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

        None, was off the post then Enyeama's head then the post again.

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

          Should still be an assist as only hit keeper no other players. Might get added

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    • Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Any ideas on the Honduran lineup for later?

      Got me a couple of those bad boys - hope they are in!

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        ive got montes n palacios.......... not been great picks thus far

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

          Ive got Garrido and Boniek Garcia.

          Garrido got me 9 pts first phase. But they are no Iranians!

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      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        what is your grav by the way...looks like a buddah crossed with timmy mallet

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

          Thats exactly what it is!!!

          I was looking for a Gold Buddha with Pink Sunglasses and found one on Timmy Malletts mantlepiece!

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          1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            mind....blown

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    • Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I just know Di Maria will do something today when I've taken him out! 🙁

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hope you´re right.

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    • Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Montazeri at 3 points now...Woot woot!!!

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        CS gone though

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

          still gonna touch double digits 😎

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    • The Sarjeant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Džekooooooo

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

      Dzeko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

      1-0 belter from Dzeko 🙁

      Double CS gone

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    • JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Only 7/8 more to go Edin

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    • #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      who the assist? Di maria?

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        no-one

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

        no assist for the Messi goal

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    • A Defender's Nightmare
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pjanic assist?

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    • The Sarjeant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      OMG!!!!! Iran should have scored then!

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    • Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Iran hit the bar

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

      Iran miss a sitter 😯

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      fs dzeko

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    • King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😯

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      im watching Argentina game, tough call today.. might go to iran match tough.. want iran to go thru.. don't mind Nigeria tough.. if only dzeko dient flop in that last match, bosnia still be in it...

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    • Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      GET IN DZEKO!

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Get da fu*k out!

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😉

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