[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. crystalpalaceRus
    12 years, 4 months ago

    does anyone actually have him?

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    1. VougieDipond
      12 years, 4 months ago

      some casual in the top 5 probably

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

    You don't save those!

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

    Fantasy points for nobody then

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    1. MJ6987
      12 years, 4 months ago

      No assist?

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

        Hunterlaar

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      2. Konig Luther
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Huntelaar

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  4. r0nh
    12 years, 4 months ago

    That keeper isnt so great when u dont kick the ball straight at him...

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    1. Shels
      12 years, 4 months ago

      bit harsh

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    2. Louis
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I don't think any goalkeeper would have saved that.

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    3. GREENDREAMS11
      12 years, 4 months ago

      nobody saves that Ted,

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  5. Sarin
    12 years, 4 months ago

    This is now Dutch to win

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  6. Gubbins94.
    12 years, 4 months ago

    MCAAAATEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR

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

    Great news extra time more time for DeVrij to keep racking up the points

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    1. The Missing Link
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Score?

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

        10

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        1. The Missing Link
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Wow good score!

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

      Then again 🙁

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

    Who's the assister?

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    1. MJ6987
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Blind

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      1. MJ6987
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Or Robben. Probably

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        1. Bubz
          12 years, 4 months ago

          What are you talking about 😆

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          1. MJ6987
            12 years, 4 months ago

            Hope. Eternal hope.

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    2. crystalpalaceRus
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Huntelaar

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

      Huntelaar

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  9. Wilshere Knowledge
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Ochoa best get down the job centre. Football isnt for him.

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  10. Bubz
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Huntelaar assist

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

    He's been a complete crock but Sneijder didn't half hit that well.

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  12. Mr Sarcastic
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Blind 5 - how dissapointing, even extra time won't be enough to bail him out.

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  13. MJ6987
    12 years, 4 months ago

    No RVP if it goes to pens

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  14. r0nh
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Bouncing boobies 🙂

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

    Do they give free tickets to pretty girls like nightclubs

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  16. Pilleri
    12 years, 4 months ago

    MEX any subs remaining? Or OT with 1 forward only?

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    1. Pilleri
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Nevermind!

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  17. Dr Dream
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Strange world cup this. Turns out recovered balls and second phase set pieces are whre it's at these days

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  18. crystalpalaceRus
    12 years, 4 months ago

    THAT BALL WENT OUT OF PLAY

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

    scenes!!!!

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

    Let Blind take it! 😉

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  21. Ginkapo FPL
    12 years, 4 months ago

    He's no Howard Webb

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  22. tw
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Wow....

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  23. Jimbo123
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Arjen!!x

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  24. Bubz
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Wowwww

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  25. Jafooli
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Peno:shock:

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  26. Jack Frost
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Oh my

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  27. r0nh
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Pencil!!!!

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  28. Siva Mohan
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Robben Assist & Goal

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    1. MJ6987
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

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  29. Wilshere Knowledge
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Shit.

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  30. Buck The Trent
    12 years, 4 months ago

    penalty

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