634x258 Dugout Discussion
18 June 2014 2465 comments
Paul Paul
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Fantasy managers will be looking for an improvement from this evening’s three fixtures after yesterday’s schedule served up just five goals. The first match on our agenda bodes well for Fantasy returns as Holland square up to Australia on the back of a stunning 5-1 triumph over defending champions Spain last time around:

Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, De Guzman, Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben

Australia: Ryan; McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; Jedinak, McKay, Bresciano; Leckie, Cahill, Oar

Unsurprisingly, Louis Van Gaal names an unchanged side after last week’s humbling of Spain. Holland are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation once again, then, with Daley Blind and Daryl Janmaat handed the wing-back role, while front two Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will be hoping to maintain the form that saw both score twice in their Group B opener.

Australia make a couple of alterations from the side that lost to Chile. Ivan Franjic is out with a hamstring injury, allowing Ryan McGowan the chance to deputise at right-back, whilst in central midfield, Matt McKay comes in for Mark Milligan. As always, Tim Cahill carries the main threat as the former Everton man looks to get amongst the goals again, having netted in last week’s 3-1 loss.

Following that one, Spain square up to Chile in a must-win Group B match. Their humbling by the Dutch, allied with the South American’s opening win over the Aussies, means Vicente del Bosque’s side have it all to do – if Holland win in the earlier match, a victory for Chile would send the Spaniards tumbling out after just two games. Diego Costa’s starting role looks under threat in light of a poor display against the Dutch, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping del Bosque’s side can replicate the resilience that made their defence such strong options in the previous couple of international tournaments. Chile will look to Alexis Sanchez to maintain the form that saw him produce a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Australia, though Jorge Valdivia and Eduardo Vargas are also in form, having served up a goal and assist respectively last time around.

The late 11pm kick-off sees Croatia take on Cameroon as both sides attempt to bounce back from Matchday 1 defeats. Suspended for the loss to Brazil, Mario Mandzukic is available once again and is expected to lead the line – with Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic supplying the guile from midfield, Niko Kovac’s side may well prove too strong for their opponents. The Africans are sweating on the fitness of Samuel Eto’o ahead of tonight’s game – the veteran’s potential absence could afford Vincent Aboubakar his first start of the tournament in a reshuffle up top.

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  1. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Australia not as bad as we were expecting. Quite tidy anyway.

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      We're certainly not the worst team in the tourney.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Take a bow Honduras.

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        1. The Hound
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Hate watching them, surprised they don't end every match with 9 men!

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      2. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Not by a long way!

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    2. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I like this aussie team, not going to get intimidated by the big guns

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Seems not...may struggle towards the end of the match though, we'll see.

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I imagine being drawn in the group we have means no one has any expectations at all so they can all just go out and play.

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  2. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    aussies up for this game, though they do know the dutch the best out of any other team

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  3. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Bresciano what a miss!

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  4. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Flipping hell! The Aussie's are up for this!

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  5. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    OH. MY. DAYS.

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  6. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    bresciano miss

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  7. Leeroy Jenkyns
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Couldn't been a good goal as Cahill plays club ball in the MLS. :cough:

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  8. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Almost a goal from Aussies!!

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  9. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Lekkie is the Aussie Lennon.

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  10. FPL Touches
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Which bookies can I get MOTM bets?

    William Hill had them on a couple of games but can't seem to find them for tonight's matches

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      We broke it 😉

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  11. Shakshuka
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Bet 3-2 netherlands at 60/1 Lets go 😀

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      That's bold.

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  12. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Spiranovic what a miss!

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Miss Brazil, what a Miss! 😉

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  13. Gubbins94.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Van Persie is in a goalscoring position every time the Dutch cross the half way line. When Holland get going he could get a few.

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  14. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    blind assist in fox?no assist i thought

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    1. Shakshuka
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Blind headed it down to robben

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      1. Beavis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Thought Robben intercepted it from the Aussie player?

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        1. LOCO ABREU
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          this

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          1. LOCO ABREU
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            well blind assist given everywhere now

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            1. Evs
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Not McAssist ?

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              1. LOCO ABREU
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                don't have him so no idea

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                1. Shakshuka
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 6 months ago

                  Yeah no assist in McD yet. Guess we'll rewatch it now, but looked like one first time around. But im biased 🙂

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    2. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Given the assist in the Mirror game.

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  15. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Cahill vs De Jong in a Fight who wins ?

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Cahill

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      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        one does boxing the other does kick boxing 🙂

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😆

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  16. happy-boys
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Predicted Spain lineup?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      The official one is out.

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      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Link?

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        1. Beavis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Pique > Martinez, Xavi > Pedro apparently.

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        2. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/7446511

          Not sure where he got it from.

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          1. Demí
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers. Looks about right. Was hoping Koke would start

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  17. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I really hope sneijder goes to united 😆

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  18. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Will Holland ever get to wear Orange?

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    1. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      after the 90 they should have a decent tan

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    2. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Chile next possibly not!

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    3. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      It's the future...

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  19. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Mexico-Cameroon and England-Italy have all the scores in.

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    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      🙁

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    2. Gilbo88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Absolute hammering

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Your margin of victory is going to take some beating.

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  20. Marouane Fellatio
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Pique not starting, gutted.

    Should have gone with Ramos.

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  21. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Cahill YC

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Will miss the match against Spain

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        It´s a shame he has to say farewell to international football without even playing the last game...

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        1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          🙁

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    2. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      tough guy

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  22. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    No assist for Robben goal ?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      blind it seems

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    2. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Blind if there is one, don't know if it's been given in McFantasy.

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Solo run.

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      1. kim don juan
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Shouldn't matter in McD's

        "An assist is awarded to a player who plays the final successful pass which leads to a goal."

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  23. Ludo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Cahill out against Spain - that's a clean sheet for them, then.

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  24. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Martins Indi stretchered off

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  25. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Walcott:

    Robben, Congrats for beating my clocked speed but thought it looked a bit downhill. #SpeedMatters

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😆

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    2. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😆

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    3. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Wind was on his back too

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  26. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    My faith in humanity has been restored... away from home and sitting in a pub and was struggling to hear my wife and kuds on skype on my phone and some random bloke taps me on the shoulder and gives me some headphones... that man deserves a beer

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Kids*

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Top bloke.

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Absolutely

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    3. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      ....but did you buy him one?

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      1. Michaelangelo
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        of course not

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        1. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😆

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        2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Ermmm think again... just did

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          1. Michaelangelo
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            you deserve a beer

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            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              ...did you buy him one?

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              1. Billy Gilmore
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                lol

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Your wife's voice was probably annoying him, but fair play.

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        My wifes in your wifes league... he probably wanted her to stay on skype for longer

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        😆

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  27. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Depay coming on, 4-3-3.

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  28. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Depay on

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  29. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This isn't going well.

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    1. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      433 will be more effective

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    2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      rvp has been very quiet, but now with 4 3 3 he is the focal point

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  30. The Hound
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Good effort so far from Aussies. Surprised, thought it would be a walkover.

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    1. Jack Frost
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      RVP out of next match

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