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. Mavric Marco
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Herrera & Shaw, LVG has already done better then Moyes!!! That's a good start, keep em' coming!

    We need another CM and a winger…

    James Rodriguez
    Alexis Sanchez
    Robbin
    Kevin Strootman
    Gündoğan

    …any/all of the above will do 🙂

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

      Old trafford would need remortgaged to afford that lot.

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      1. Mavric Marco
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        🙂 Just one or two would do

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

      JRod and strootman would do!

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

        And a CB of course!

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        1. Mavric Marco
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Hummels 🙂

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

    Kombarov on 5 now (+2 more incoming with 60+min played)

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  3. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Algeria not risking Bouguerra is going to knock them out, strange decision

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

    dear oh dear

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

    Miss of the tournament! 😀

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

    ffs Mertens

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

      I feel ya.....

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

        lol. I've had a decent day tbf, Gyan and Muller fgs came in.

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

    1rb kombarov

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

    Are there any good Chile players to go for apart from Sanchez and Vargas?

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

      I doubt I'll have any of them.
      Just noticed we can have 5 players from same team, but can't see myself getting more than max 3 of any.

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    2. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      isla ? i think he scored well

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

    That should've been the Mertens anytime goal up! 🙁 might not get a chance like that again

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  10. Mavric Marco
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hope Hazard comes on at HT and does a James Rodriguez!

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

    Are there any good Chile players to go for apart from Sanchez and Vargas?

    To clarify, this is for TFF so just CSs, assists and goals count!

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

      valdivia

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

        He's only started one game though.

        What about Aranguiz?

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

        Rotation risk. Vidal is an okay pick but wouldn't get any besides from the forwards.

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

          Beavis aren't you from Cyprus? Any news on Karnezis?

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

            He claims that he should be back for the Costa Rica game.

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

              Thanks.

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

          Cheers.

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

      vidal also

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    3. Il Gladiatore
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'd say only Sanchez is worth it in TFF. He's more likely to be involved in any goals Chile score, especially with the points for key contributions.

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

    Slimani :'(

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

      Offside 🙂

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

      Akinfeev played very well

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

    South Korea's GK is just awful.

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

    Kombarov 6 and counting.

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

      Bentaleb 3 & counting

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

        🙂
        Maybe I should have changed Montazeri for him then.

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

          Well, life teaches us in hard ways 😉

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

            last round I changed and lost one point 🙁

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

              last round I benched Djabout for Kokorin

              This round I benched Kokorin for Djabou 😆

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      2. PGR
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Looks like he'll be outscoring Mesbah 🙁

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

    Didn't know Bentaleb was only 19 years old!

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

      was or is

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

        is 😛

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

          😉

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

    Hi everyone,

    I'm currently in a unique position of actually being in the top handful of players over on the Mirror game. I've got there mostly thanks to wild luck -- Rodriguez, Rojo, Shaqiri, Benzema, picking the right captains at the right time, etc.

    However, I'm totally clueless as to what to do next. Really, I'm not a pro!

    My current team for the 2nd Round is

    Lloris (Cesar)
    Lahm Rojo Duarte (Blind, Rodriguez)
    Muller J Rod Cuadrado Oscar (Di Maria)
    Neymar Messi Benzema

    Any suggestions? My logic behind Duarte is that I think he'll be a crazy differential for Costa Rica, who I think might keep a clean sheet against Greece. My biggest nightmare is whether or not to play Di Maria -- he's been knocking at the door. But out of him, Oscar and Cuadrado, which two would you play?

    Thanks for all the help. Like I say, I'm an accidental leaderboard leader (well, top 20), and I'm really out of my comfort zone. But loving the bragging rights. 😛

    Cheers!

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      There's a game on.

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

        there is 😯

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

        or two

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

    err does the korean GK have no fingers under that glove

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

        arghhh thatll haunt my nightmares

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    1. Mavric Marco
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Kim Jong un dont allow fingers 😉

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

        Wrong Korea, but nevermind

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        1. Mavric Marco
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😉 Joke

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  18. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Another dull Belgian game, a pattern forming

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    1. Mavric Marco
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      …until Hazard comes on at HT 😉

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      1. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Doesn't seem to make a difference. Belgium rank alongside Iran for entertainment in this WC

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        1. Defcons are for Kinnear
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Oi. If watching Sadeghi making all those clearances isn't entertainment then I don't know what is!

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          1. Fray Bentos
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Sorry please don't cut anything off

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

      Get the russians on. Decent enough. Russia playing well

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      1. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Way ahead of you 🙂

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

      its quite strange, they were really strong in qualifying when we played them, but they had big Benteke then

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

    here we go Fifa las Vegas

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

    eff off Vertonghen

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    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      What's he done?

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

        taking the f/k off Mertens. bets on

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    2. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      he's so bad, the guy thinks he's wclass

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

    Benched Mesbah and Shatov.

    Played Kombarov and Bentaleb.

    BOOM 😎

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

    Mesbah is gonna get sent off 😕 utter crap he is

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    1. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He really is

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

    Mesbah yellow 🙁

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  24. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mesbah RC this game, no doubt

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

    Bentaleb on 5 😎

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

      uuuuurrrrrrgggghhh

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    2. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      nice

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

    Kombarov down to 5 🙁
    Played minutes 3 and no assist atm - how are the able to do this, someone must be really bored!

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

      there's also slight possibility that some idiot looked round 2 points and forgot to move back to round 3, I'm sorry Ronald.

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😀

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  27. Shakshuka
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Gonna be though to pick 3 out of Neymar, Messi, Muller, RVP, Benzema...

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    1. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Don't forget robben...

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pick them all.

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

    Mesbah was horrendous in the last game no way he was getting near my team this round.

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

    Wow red card Defour

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

    Disgusting challenge Defour

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