634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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  1. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pug life, you around?

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Woof.

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Notorious' answer to the last question on quiz #15 was correct. I see you should check the question again

      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/06/24/world-cup-2014-playon-player-picks-matchday-3-groups-c-h/?hc_page=2#hc_comment_7471110

      He posted 6,3,4,2,5,1 which is EXACTLY in the order in which I posted the answer

      - Chelsea putting 8 past Villa
      - Arsenal putting 7 past newcastle
      - Nigel Adkins sacked as Southampton manager
      - Hazard ball boy incident
      - Kagawa hat-trick vs Norwich
      - Paulo Di Canio appointed Sunderland manager

      Here is the original question

      - Paulo Di Canio appointed Sunderland manager
      - Nigel Adkins sacked as Southampton manager
      - Hazard ball boy incident
      - Arsenal putting 7 past newcastle
      - Kagawa hat-trick vs Norwich
      - Chelsea putting 8 past Villa

      Are you trying to imply that by saying 6,3,4,2,5,1 he wanted to say that the hazard incident happened before the arsenal match? I think you should understand that he meant

      6
      3
      4
      2
      5
      1

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      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nah mate. You've linked where you've ordered them how Noto did. Here is where you posted the correct answer in order.....

        http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/06/24/world-cup-2014-playon-player-picks-matchday-3-groups-c-h/?hc_page=2#hc_comment_7471110

        Look closely at your above post bud (the correct answer) For example - you have (4) Arsenal EARLIER than (2) Adkins & (3) Hazard. (4,2,3 in that order) Notorious put (3,4,2)

        Look at this and spot the difference. 🙂

        http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/06/25/world-cup-2014-scout-notes-matchday-3-day-2/?hc_page=4#hc_comment_7475390

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        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Top link is wrong. It's supposed to be the post that starts the thread.

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          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I understand where the confusion is coming from. But you've got to realise that he meant

            6
            3
            4
            2
            5
            1

            rather than 6,3,4,2,5,1. See, there is a difference in the way in which the answers are presented!

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        2. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          The first dot point was the 6th event, the second dot point was the 3rd event, the third dot point was the 4th event, the fourth dot point was the 2nd event, the fifth dot point was the 5th event and the final dot point was the first event.

          Notorious answered 6, 3, 4, 2, 5, 1 which is the correct answer...

          How is that difficult to comprehend?

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          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            This!!

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          2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            6, 4, 2, 3, 5, 1 is correct, actually...

            http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/06/25/world-cup-2014-scout-notes-matchday-3-day-2/?hc_page=4#hc_comment_7475390

            Couldn't be any clearer. How is that difficult to comprehend?

            Anyway, Pug's bored. Ends.

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            1. BigManBakar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              6,4,2,3,5,1 is correct but

              6
              3
              4
              2
              5
              1

              is also correct!

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              1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                😆 No it isn't. It's 'earliest to latest' .....If they're in a different order to your own 'correct' order, then how can it be right?
                Wrong order = wrong answer....... Not rocket science.

                And you might wanna show your little friend here the actual order/numbers from the original question. It's in my link anyway...

                http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/06/25/world-cup-2014-scout-notes-matchday-3-day-2/?hc_page=4#hc_comment_7475390

                He keeps quoting Noto's order as the correct order. 😆 Which is why he's finding it difficult....

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            2. Billy Gilmore
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              They're both write depending on whether you answered the question as it asked, which Notorious did. The question asks you to give a 1 to the earliest and 6 to most recent, which is exactly what he did.

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              1. Billy Gilmore
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                *right

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              2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Look up. 'kin ell...

                Stick to Golf. 🙂

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Also I haven't a clue as to why Christina is questioning the integrity of the quizzes without any proof that 'I am biased'

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      1. JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

          you are biased, you never give me points for wrong answers

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          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            :O

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            1. BigManBakar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              😯

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    4. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Reminder, quiz in half in hour!

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I'm washing my hair

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        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          And your beard?

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            That's not actually me. I've never had one 🙂

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            1. 7shadesofsmoke
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              you can wash mine 😉

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    5. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Lavezzi clearly paying a lot of attention to Sabella - https://t.co/Mh4YpM2NoU

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    6. NERONALDO
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      How do you think..Potential clean sheats in Round of 16?
      A) Brasil
      B) France
      C) Germany
      D) Holland
      E) Greece
      F) other

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      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Costa Rica and Germania

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    7. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Benfica announce Ezequiel Garay has been sold to Zenit while he's actually playing a match for Argentina at the World Cup.

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

        Why would any player go to Russia? 😯

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        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Wonga.

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        2. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          money?

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

            You can get good money elsewhere without moving to a crap league, in a country that looks like the remnants of a nuclear apocalypse.

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      2. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. Missed opportunity for United. 12 or 15 million. Bery good business IMO.

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          *very

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Good business for Zenit that is. Not for United or Garay himself 😉

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      3. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Horrible, uninteresting, soulless move

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      4. Konig Luther
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        announcement was made something like 30 min before Argentina match... was posted by King Nil Miss

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    8. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cute.

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    9. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Great defending from Zabaleta

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    10. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why was tht clown dancing about instead of passing to higuain

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        for da lolz

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      2. tm245
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        To be fair he looked like a wayward grandfather squirming in the box waiting for the ball.

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    11. Gubbins94.
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Higuain has done a stellar job as Nigeria's defensive mid so far.

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    12. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Another Di Maria assist squandered.

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    13. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ADM could easily have a brace and a couple assists in this game. Frustrating!

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    14. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Livescore has given Dzeko also assist, any chance it to be correct?

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    15. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is that the keeper squealing like a pig? Getting on my nerves

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    16. Atwood
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm keeping Di Maria. Think he's been unlucky not to have a few goals/assists in this tourney. It's been frustrating owning him, but I'm keeping the faith.

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    17. JT's Dog
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hard to decide if I should keep di Maria for knock outs
        He has looked so threatening

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        1. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          he and Higuain are must haves. they have worked so hard and provided so much

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            *so little

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        2. bondsdw
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I agree, but he costs so much (in McD, at least). There are enough other options producing that its difficult to keep so much invested in potential, especially with how important a full squad has been. I'm probably getting rid.

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      • King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Reza goal

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      • LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        goal iran

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        1. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          please have heydari involved so he scores more than Higauin

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        2. Woy of the Wovers
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Need two more.

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      • Damo.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone who's had a chance from a di Maria pass. I hate them.

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      • King Nil Miss ✩
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Goal Bosnia

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        1. King Nil Miss ✩
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Vrsajevic

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      • LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        goal bosnia lol

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Need three more

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      • GunsnRoses
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Who scored for Iran and who is that #2 for Bosnia ?

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        1. Louis
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Reza and Vrsajevic

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        2. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Ghoochannejha, but I bet you guessed it.

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      • Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        ffs.

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      • Louis
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Dzeko off for Visca

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      • SW6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Fernandez up to 9, the guy is a recovered ball king.

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      • Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Is Hummels supposed to be back for their next match??

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      • LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        dzeko assist i think

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      • Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Di Maria you twonk

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😀

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      • The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Di maria, as an owner you just have to laugh 😀

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      • Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Just won't happen for Di Maria 😕

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      • Atwood
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Di Maria should have the golden boot won by now

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