[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
29 June 2014 3432 comments
Paul Paul
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Sunday evening brings us another couple of World Cup fixtures to focus on after the knockout stages got underway last night. Louis Van Gaal’s free-scoring Holland are bidding to join Brazil and Colombia for a place in the last eight but face a tough task in the 5pm kick-off – opponents Mexico conceded just once in the group stages and have already stopped Neymar and co from finding the net:

Holland: Cillessen; Vlaar, De Vrij, Blind; Verhaegh, De Jong, Wijnaldum Kuyt; Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben,

Mexico: Ochoa; Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun; Herrera, Salcido, Guardado; Dos Santos, Peralta,

The Dutch welcome back Robin Van Persie from suspension after their skipper served a one-match ban against Chile in the previous match. Van Persie is one of only two changes to the XI that beat the South Americans, with Paul Verhaegh replacing Daryl Janmaat on the right of the midfield four – Dirk Kuyt keeps his place on the opposite flank, with Daley Blind utilised in the back-three once again by Van Gaal. The United striker will be hoping to continue the form that has seen him score in both his appearances thus far, whilst Arjen Robben owners will also have high expectations after the Bayern man served up three goals and an assist over the group stages.

Mexico make just one enforced alteration from the side that won 3-1 against Croatia in the final match of Group A, with former Fulham man Carlos Salcido handed his first start of the tournament. Up front, Giovanni dos Santos will be desperate to open his account for the campaign, whilst his fellow forward Oribe Peralta – along with skipper Rafael Marquez – has already chipped in with a goal and assist over the opening three fixtures.

Later this evening, Costa Rica and Greece go head-to-head after both sides exceeded our expectations to reach the last 16. Jorge Luiz Pinto’s side cannot be underestimated after topping the so-called “Group of Death”, with wins over Uruguay and Italy underpinned by a defensive resilience that has served up two clean sheets in three matches. Pinto is understandably expected to keep faith in a 5-4-1 formation, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell carrying the main threat further up the pitch.

Despite a last-gasp win over Ivory Coast, Greece have failed to impress. That 2-1 triumph was the only time Fernando Santos’ side found the net in the group stages and, even then, they had to rely upon defensive mistakes from the Africans to make a breakthrough. With a converted spot-kick and assist to his name, Giorgos Samaras has been the main up top for the Greeks – once again, we can expect Santos’ side to keep it tight at the back and look for a goal on the counter.

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3,432 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nomar
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Get in!!!!!!!

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  2. Piggs Boson
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Huntelaar(C) 😎

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      1. Piggs Boson
        12 years, 4 months ago

        🙁

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    1. Studgie G
      12 years, 4 months ago

      said no one 🙂

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  3. Pilleri
    12 years, 4 months ago

    3x Amazing top 16 matches so far! Great world cup!

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    1. VougieDipond
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Greece Costa Rica is going to bring that to a halt

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Let's hope so. £110 resting on 0-0.

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        1. Konig Luther
          12 years, 4 months ago

          b.ruiz scoring

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          1. Woy of the Wovers
            12 years, 4 months ago

            Don't mind if it stays 0-0.

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  4. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    12 years, 4 months ago

    No extra time for De Vrij to rack up ridiculous points, shame.

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  5. crystalpalaceRus
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I always knew Ochoa was overrated

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  6. Jafooli
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Kung Fu kick on the corner flag 😎

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  7. MJ6987
    12 years, 4 months ago

    LVG tactical genius. 😎

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      12 years, 4 months ago

      😀 😛

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  8. JT's Dog
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Bottom right is keepers Achilles heel

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    1. Oflow
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Anywhere but center really.

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  9. rk007
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Are points awarded during extra time?

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    1. VougieDipond
      12 years, 4 months ago

      are you watching on +1

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      12 years, 4 months ago

      No need to worry 🙂

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    3. crystalpalaceRus
      12 years, 4 months ago

      wtf?

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  10. Studgie G
    12 years, 4 months ago

    haha sucked in rvp owners and robben passing it off lol major troll

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  11. pundit of punts
    12 years, 4 months ago

    This is cruel.

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    1. Heels_Over_Head
      12 years, 4 months ago

      and wrong. Hope Robben gets a retroactive red for diving.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        12 years, 4 months ago

        He should be put in a room with a hungry Suarez as punishment.

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      2. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        12 years, 4 months ago

        If they gave those, he would play every second game

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  12. Fpl Old Guard
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Happy Huntelaar captain here 🙂

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    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      12 years, 4 months ago

      yea sure

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      1. Fpl Old Guard
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Your right, stuck with Ya-mez Rodriguez

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Ya-mez? Lol

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  13. Piggs Boson
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Fergie-esque last minute goal 😉

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Van Gaal-time

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  14. chanvoodoo
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Marquez kick me in a..ss, penalty + yellow card arghhhh

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  15. THE Wild Rover
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Robben in the box.. Three fouls, three dives, one pen. Overall came off worse than he should have done 😉

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  16. Tony Warner Fan Club
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Cillessen stays in the iTeam! Phewwww

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  17. Judas
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Does Robben get that assist for the pen?

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    1. Judas
      12 years, 4 months ago

      on McD's

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    2. tw
      12 years, 4 months ago

      He gets 1pt

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  18. Marouane Fellatio
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Cillesson has to be a twist at 7 points?

    Actually that might be another save and up to 8, hmmmm.....

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    1. LSONG
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Assuming everyone has the Greek keeper coming up and mbohli, can't decide either! What are y'all doing?

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      1. Shels
        12 years, 4 months ago

        yes, but i have nuerer aswell

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      2. Sif
        12 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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    2. Jack Frost
      12 years, 4 months ago

      That's my take, stick at 8.

      At 7 I get to cheer the next one up as GK.

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    3. Cristi@no R7
      12 years, 4 months ago

      He is on 9 pts..
      Sticking...

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  19. crystalpalaceRus
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Time for the Greek wall

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    1. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      You must mean the CRC wall. 😉

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      1. tw
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Both 😉

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        1. Pilleri
          12 years, 4 months ago

          3x CRC def, 1x GRE def and GK coming up! The first time in my life I hope for a match of 90 + 30 minutes no goals and nothing happens! 😀

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    2. OPTA FPL
      12 years, 4 months ago

      😯

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  20. Fifa las vegas
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Have to feel sorry for Mexico 😐

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      12 years, 4 months ago

      But happy for our work betting syndicate. If Brazil had ended 2-1 we'd be rolling in money - and have something like £800 on the 0-0 in Greece - Costa Rica.

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        12 years, 4 months ago

        GL it has a good chance imo

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers.

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  21. Tony Warner Fan Club
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I'd rather lose 6-0 over the course of 90 minutes than lose by a penalty in the 92nd minute.

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    1. tw
      12 years, 4 months ago

      You'd rather be Spain than mexico?

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  22. Jack Frost
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Well perfect reminder of the EPL fantasy season,.......successive goals which help no one ( except relatives of Sneijder/Huntelaar and screws everyone with a Defender. Can't wait for the new season. LoL

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  23. MJ6987
    12 years, 4 months ago

    No one expected this Holland team to do anything at this World Cup. Incredible achievement by Van Gaal.

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    1. The Missing Link
      12 years, 4 months ago

      United supporter? 😀

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      1. MJ6987
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe 🙂

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    2. Studgie G
      12 years, 4 months ago

      really ? they're always expected to do something

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        12 years, 4 months ago

        erm the odds were 33-1... the bookies disagreed...

        i have a ew wager on them

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        1. Studgie G
          12 years, 4 months ago

          well I didn't think they can win it but they weren't going to get knocked out early

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    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      12 years, 4 months ago

      He deserves at least one more trophy as a manager before he retires I suppose.

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  24. Studgie G
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Don't thank god mexico didn't get a cleanie but -1 is even better now

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  25. tw
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Mexico so close 🙁

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  26. Buck The Trent
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Cillesen 7 points, stick or twist to Karnezis?

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      12 years, 4 months ago

      twist methinks

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    2. Kostja
      12 years, 4 months ago

      shouldnt he get one more save and save bonus too?

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      1. Tomlette Greggs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        12 years, 4 months ago

        bonus in McD's?

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        1. Kostja
          12 years, 4 months ago

          yup there is 1 pt bonus for over 80% save rate

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      2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        12 years, 4 months ago

        I thought the same

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    3. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 4 months ago

      this. tough one. think I'll twist.

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    4. Fresco
      12 years, 4 months ago

      wait for an hour to see any changes in his points and if it's still 7, we can all twist to Karnezis, given that the Greek starts

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    5. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      The real question is, stick Cillessen/Karnezis or twist to MBolhi? He's bound to get a lot of saves

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  27. The Missing Link
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Marquez on for 11 points with 2min to go, ends on 4 😀

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    1. Fresco
      12 years, 4 months ago

      lol @ Marquez owners

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      1. 4vets
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Nice sportsmanship 🙄

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  28. Debauchy
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Robb(in)ed !!

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    1. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      12 years, 4 months ago

      (en)

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  29. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Herrera major fail

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