634x258 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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  1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Thought they'd be tired so bet on penalty 1-9 being missed.

    L o l

    Glad it was only £0.50 a pop!

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    1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I WON ONE!

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  2. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    They play for the draw and practise penalties 😀

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  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    greece miss

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  4. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Brilliant save

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  5. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What a save!

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  6. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Miss please

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  7. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    If he'd have been any further off his line he'd have collided with the ref

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  8. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Way off his line but most are.

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      ^^

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  9. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Stand still karnezis!!

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  10. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    COSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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  11. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Naval motm!!!

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    1. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      +1

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  12. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Yeeees!

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  13. Pilleri
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    awesome pen!

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  14. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Navas 3 BAPS in Fox 😀

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    1. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      On my bench obviously. Lovely

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    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Nice...

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  15. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Congratulations to the ultra-underdogs Costa Rica.

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  16. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    excellent

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  17. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Cool as you like!!!!!!!

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  18. Keepergirl
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Hup Holland hup⚽️⚽️⚽️

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  19. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    yesssssssssss have some of that greece

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  20. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    awell, holland will beat them next

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  21. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Well deserved Costa Rica.

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  22. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    See England not so bad afterall lol

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  23. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Mitroglou with the best pen imo.

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  24. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Congrats to Karnezis on not making a save the whole day! 😀

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Achievement by Costa Rica - through to QF without the opposition keeper having to make a save. Dutch will make hay

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  25. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    So all group winners have got through so far

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  26. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Did Samaras not take one?

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Hamstring injury - had ice on it

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Ah okay

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  27. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    They looked exhausted. Can't believe they made that many penalties

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  28. Gubbins94.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I love Keylor Navas. What a goalkeeper.

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  29. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Underestimate CONCACAF at your peril, Europe!

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  30. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Play Djabou/ Slimani over Blind (6) and Manolas (5) against Germany?

    Can just bench them if they flop

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