634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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

    wd to all Ronaldo ATG !

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

    Okay guys. Bentaleb option deleted. Now,

    Slimani OR Lukaku?

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

      why is Bentaleb not starting?

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  3. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    It would be funny if Suarez announced that he is retiring from football.

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

    There will be no quiz held today lads

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why?

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

        Sorry mate, have to leave due to an emergency

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          OK, hope everything OK!

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

            Thanks for the concern mate, appreciate it

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      True!

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        1 point.

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Harry Kewell
      Mark Fish

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      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nope. Wrong order.

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        1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          🙁

          Half a point? Go on.

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

    ronaldo terrible miss

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

    Ronaldo should've had a hat-trick.

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

      For once I am glad he doesn't

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    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is Messi the best player in the world again now then?

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Someone was trying to tell me he's the best player in the world earlier.

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

    Bentaleb or 6 pts?

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

    Any team news for the later games yet? I didn't see any stickies on this post

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

      Belgium: Courtois, vanden borre, van buyten, lombaerts, vertonghen, witsel, dembele, fellaini, januzaj, mertens, mirallas

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

        thanks

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  9. Kostja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Need 1 more german goal for free kebab 🙂

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

      Donner und Blitzen?

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

        Double donner with fries 🙂

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    2. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      My hopes are with you!

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  10. Jimbo123
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bring in for Giroud......KDB or Lukaku?

    Who's more likely to come on?

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

      Kaku

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  11. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    none right so far, as of 6:45

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      41

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      23?

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      44

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  12. Keno
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bring on, Lukaku or Djabou the Algerian Striker today?

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  13. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How come according to FIFA site Portugal has 15 attempts and Ghana goalkeeper has only 2 saves. 6 on targets and 0 woodwork. I don't get it

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Blocked shots?

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It counts blocked shots as on target as well. So some Ghana defenders have some bs points incoming.

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

      Maybe blocked shots in front of goal count too

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  14. BellsOfFreedom
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How many points for Ozil in McD, anyone?

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    1. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      6

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

    ozil subbed

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  16. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Congratulations to Ginkapo Forlan on winning tonight's quiz 😉

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

    4 mins till qualification

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  18. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That Boye fella always try to score in his own goal

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

    other miss ronaldo

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

      and other

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        *another

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  20. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can't bring in hazard or Kdb for two players that have 7 points .... Can I?

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Both arent starting anyway

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Thus the question

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        1. r0nh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I wouldnt do it

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ta

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

    How the f**k has Ronaldo only got 1??

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

      Dunno. Should / could have been 4 at least.
      🙁

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

    Ohhhh my god USA so close

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

      Almost for the Captain

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

    Mesbah or Bentaleb if both starting?

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

      Mesbah

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

    Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport 6m
    I understand Luke Shaw's move to #mufc is getting closer & that he's due to have a medical in North-West very soon

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      For 34m? Absolutely incredible.

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

        ridiculous price imo

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        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          It's a ridiculous price in anyone's opinion, but it's expected.

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

    Slimani OR Lukaku?

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

    Really fancied Ronaldo to come good in that match...but..just wasn't to be. Shame because he might have added a bit of spice to the last 16 picks.

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

      He had 5 golden opportunities.

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

        Just wouldn't go in for him....Would have been good to have an alternative to the template.

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

      twas the german thrashing that did for em

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

    I'm 5th overrall in the McD's league but have to to work soon, getting Valbuena and Benz out but any Belgian team news lads?

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  28. palace ash
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Haghighi (6), Montazer (6), Durm (0) and Özil (6)

    to

    MBolhi, KdB, Bentaleb and Slimani?

    Worth sacrificing 18 points?

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

      Ozil will get 1 more point for the CS.

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      1. palace ash
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Forgot about cs. Won't pick KdB if he doesn't start.

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

      kdb aint starting and i havent seen the algeria lineup

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

    Phew!

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  30. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Well done Ginkapo and BOG, i have to actually go run the quiz now, i'll do some more when i can. bye for now

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