[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. Prime
    12 years, 4 months ago

    How did he get to 2 minutes added?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Navas wasting time

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    2. Epic Fail
      12 years, 4 months ago

      The keeper was 'injured' for a while.

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    3. 1LHerne
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Should've been 5 minutes

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  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    12 years, 4 months ago

    This is funny/painful/great

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    1. Zep
      12 years, 4 months ago

      This is f̶u̶n̶n̶y̶/̶p̶a̶i̶n̶f̶u̶l̶/̶g̶r̶e̶a̶t̶/exhausting...

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  3. tm245
    12 years, 4 months ago

    That miss sums this up nicely.

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  4. Gubbins94.
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I highlighted Keylor Navas as one of the players to watch this summer in an article. He's a brilliant keeper, you're about to see why.

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    1. Epic Fail
      12 years, 4 months ago

      ...

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      1. Gubbins94.
        12 years, 4 months ago

        He's going to take it to a new level.

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

      Problem was he was priced accordingly at 5m in the McDs game; good call all the same!

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    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I think he's a bit weak in the air for the PL though.

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  5. Shels
    12 years, 4 months ago

    let me guesss

    arsenal linked with vanas now

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  6. Pilleri
    12 years, 4 months ago

    some of the most tired players I have ever seen o_0

    so long on 10 players in Brazilian heat

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  7. VougieDipond
    12 years, 4 months ago

    14/1 to miss first pen why not 😀

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    1. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      seems legit 😀

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  8. Captain Shirokov
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Penalties started yet?

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    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Starting now in a few seconds

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  9. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Had 1-0 Costa Rica w/ Ruiz FGS & Costa Rica to win

    Lost in the last minute. Grr

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    1. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Should have bet for Greece to score in extra time.

      They always do.

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  10. Jack Frost
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Finally..... it's over except for more misery. The Game of Constant Sorrow.

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    1. Vote Joke
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Ha ha ha. I love this.

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  11. Bubz
    12 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Navas

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  12. The Missing Link
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Did Karnezis make a save in the match? 😀

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think so 🙂

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  13. HuttonDressedasLahm
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Navas to win this

    Karnezis is not in the game

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  14. Saniul
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Ah, the Gago ➡ Fernandinho made me do two downgrades.
    One, Gonzalez to Duarte. Has already hurt me.
    Two, Hummels to Mertesacker. Hope that one doesn't bite me in the ass as well. 😐

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks
      I have Gago Hummels and Fernandez 🙂

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        12 years, 4 months ago

        **Gonzalez

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      2. Saniul
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Don't do that to me. 🙁

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  15. Vote Joke
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I thought Cholevas would have more balls in the box due to all the corners and crosses, but I guess corners don't count.

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    1. Declan
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Hopefully more points added later

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Not with that terrible delivery

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    3. little_wizard123
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Need to be won by a Greek player. Corners do count.

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      1. tw
        12 years, 4 months ago

        *terrible corners like that do not count

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    4. Vote Joke
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Ha ha ha. All good stuff. The corners were won by friggin' Costas

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  16. Pilleri
    12 years, 4 months ago

    wut? coach out?

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  17. tw
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Predictions

    Greece 3-2 in the shootout

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Costa Rica 3-1

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

      Karnezis in a tough spot not having seen any real work for 2 hours.

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  18. Yome
    12 years, 4 months ago

    That summarizes well the arrogamce of the Netherlands, KLM trolling Mexico!
    http://lockerdome.com/footyjokes/6169472553726017/6750779700823569

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      12 years, 4 months ago

      That's not arrogance that's REALLY funny

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      1. Yome
        12 years, 4 months ago

        A lack of respect to Mexico after winning on a controversial decision, the Netherlands are too noisy

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        1. THE Wild Rover
          12 years, 4 months ago

          It's probably not even real. But it is funny

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          1. Yome
            12 years, 4 months ago

            It is real, KLM tweeted that after the game but removed it afterwards

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            1. THE Wild Rover
              12 years, 4 months ago

              Yep, that's what this site says

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  19. Wilshere Knowledge
    12 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Costa Roca!

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  20. VougieDipond
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Even the shootout will be 0-0

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      The game was 1-1 though

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    2. Zombie
      12 years, 4 months ago

      You..me...outside. Right now

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    3. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      What happens after 11 shooters have tried?

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      1. tw
        12 years, 4 months ago

        You go back to the first shooter.

        But after 10. So one Greek player wouldn't shoot

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Manager next, then subs, then fans 😉

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        1. Zombie
          12 years, 4 months ago

          When do the strippers shoot?

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      3. Crazy Joe
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Then the fans get a shot.

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  21. THE Wild Rover
    12 years, 4 months ago

    What a wimp, the snakes wouldn't have put me off 😀

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Arent you supposed to suck out snake venom? Two birds...

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    2. Bubz
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I would have just shown her my snake

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    3. Epic Fail
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I would have used the snakes.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        12 years, 4 months ago

        😯

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  22. Jack Frost
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Well Costa Rica played man down for 60 minutes... so I agree.

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    1. Epic Fail
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Eh?

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      1. Jack Frost
        12 years, 4 months ago

        I am for Costa Rica. Guess it was to a reply far above

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  23. Keno
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Did Gonzalez get 9 or 10?

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    1. Zep
      12 years, 4 months ago

      down to 9 again.. lost his passing bonus

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

      9 for me

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  24. HuttonDressedasLahm
    12 years, 4 months ago

    If start with the keeper. He's not tired

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    1. Epic Fail
      12 years, 4 months ago

      They just need to gather the energy for a few seconds. Best pen takers first for me, no matter how tired. One last effort.

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      **I'd

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

    Manolas on 5 no longer my lowest scorer 🙂 that honour belongs to Hector Herrera

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 4 months ago

      The lottery guy?

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    2. VougieDipond
      12 years, 4 months ago

      same

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    3. Sif
      12 years, 4 months ago

      RVP... 4

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  26. Bøwstring The Carp
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Karnezis --? Mbolhi yeah?

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  27. Zep
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Mitroglou to sky his penalty over the bar...

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  28. Saniul
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Mitroglou to miss.

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  29. The Sarjeant
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Giroud's in goal for Greece!

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  30. Pilleri
    12 years, 4 months ago

    great pen!

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