634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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  1. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    no Kdb tonight, right?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😥

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        cheers

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

            How many you got playing tonight?
            Ghana match is close
            Could be it goes down to their new guy if he plays

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            1. The Shadow
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I wish it was close but I think you have it in hand with or without the Irish one.

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

                  Worked it out with league updates, think depends who has players tonight
                  We were all unlucky we ran into the german machine

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                  1. The Shadow
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    The Ronaldo assist nipping us in the end will become the stuff of legend.

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

                        Best thing about that is I wasn't impressed with so many of our team having him

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                • Konig Luther
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  i think the decision is between me and sean...

                  3 players left... bentaleb, slimani, kombarov (100pts)... he had some more today

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

                      Not sure how accurate butI have it
                      Steve 105 TFF 86
                      You 104 Sean. 108
                      Me 104. Cp crunch 94

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                      1. Konig Luther
                        • 13 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        steve winning.. good, will help for sure..

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

                            I have three tonight
                            Bentaleb, dajbou and kombarov

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

                just about right 😉

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            2. Pinky and Brain
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Belgium vs Korea or Algieria vs Russia. Which game should I watch?

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              1. Shels
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                ALG-RUS

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

                  No Chiles

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                  1. Pinky and Brain
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    Not UK citizen so it doesn't matter.

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              2. Les Bleus
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Watch one and stream the other

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            3. Studgie G
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              is everyone getting ready for Lukaku troll thats going to happen for sure... He'll probably get a 20min hattrick 😉

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              1. Shels
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                if game is not wrapped up ya -__- if wrapped up different story

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            4. Amateur Pundit Zan
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Mesbah worth 6 pt twist?

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              1. PGR
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                nah

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

              Вперед Россия!

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              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                +1

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

                Algeria and Russia teams with real footballer haircuts

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

                  Anyone who plays sport should have short hair. Keeps the brain cool

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

                      Didn't they say other way about couple of nights ago?
                      Bald players suffer from heat more

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

                        There is a difference between bald and short.

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

                            Appropriate comment for Brazil

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                  2. Buck The Trent
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    If you are John Henry, would you take Sanchez + 30 mil for Suarez?

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

                      I'd do a straight swop right now

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                    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 16 Years
                      11 years, 5 months ago

                      I would bite your arm off.

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                      1. GREENDREAMS11
                        • 16 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        🙂

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

                      I can't see Sanchez wanting that move.

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                    4. GunsnRoses
                      • 14 Years
                      11 years, 5 months ago

                      No

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                    5. GREENDREAMS11
                      • 16 Years
                      11 years, 5 months ago

                      no for me as well.

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

                    If Algeria win tonight it will be the first time in their history they've made it through the group stages 😉

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

                        You are doing us proud in USA game

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

                          Always wanted to get you guys through with us 😉

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

                              Not sure what we do if we get through with 4 players
                              Sure one of the cartel can create a Portuguese passport

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                      • Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 16 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        Got 4 playing tonight ...

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

                          Victory to me then. I only have to risk 2.

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                          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 16 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            You speak too soon! 😀

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

                              Whats your score atm?

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                              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 16 Years
                                11 years, 5 months ago

                                Buggerall.

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                      • GREENDREAMS11
                        • 16 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        mertens ags it is, he must be getting some support, his price has dropped by a point on bet365 in the last half hour or so,

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

                          Same here. GL! 🙂

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                          1. GREENDREAMS11
                            • 16 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            cheers man, you too

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

                        Are we supporting Algeria?

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                        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 16 Years
                          11 years, 5 months ago

                          YES!!! 😀

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                          1. Shels
                            • 11 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            meh more russia kinda.. kombarov only 1 in... don;t mind algeria tough good game...

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

                            It would be great if they could finally get revenge on Germany after all this time 😎

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                        2. Pinky and Brain
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 5 months ago

                          #TeamAlgieria

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                        3. Reedy
                          • 15 Years
                          11 years, 5 months ago

                          I think I've been cheering for Algeria more often and enthusiastically than for England.

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                      • Shels
                        • 11 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        ok guys mejiani and beteleb staying on bench for me

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                      • Bubz
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        Why did he just say Van Buyten is captain? Thought it was Vertonghen?

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                        1. Pinky and Brain
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 5 months ago

                          Vert is captain.

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                      • Shels
                        • 11 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        fs 2mins into match contact lens falls out

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

                        #IfAlgeria

                        I believe.

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

                          Ah jeez.

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                      • Shels
                        • 11 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        ASSSIST

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

                            Shatov
                            He he

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                            1. Shels
                              • 11 Years
                              11 years, 5 months ago

                              was kombarov :/

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                          • Shels
                            • 11 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            SHATOV ASSIST OR KOMBAROV FS 🙁

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                            1. Shels
                              • 11 Years
                              11 years, 5 months ago

                              FS STUPIT COMMENTATOR

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

                            Russia score

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                          • Declan
                            • 15 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Kokorin(C) 😎

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                            1. Declan
                              • 15 Years
                              11 years, 5 months ago

                              Kombarov assist 😎

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                          • GREENDREAMS11
                            • 16 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            1-0 russia

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                          • GunsnRoses
                            • 14 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Kokorinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

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

                            Kombarov - BOOOOOOM!!!!
                            I knew it, this is the night!!

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

                            Booooooo. Nice goal though

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                          • Studgie G
                            • 14 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            yes kokorin lifesaver

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                            1. Studgie G
                              • 14 Years
                              11 years, 5 months ago

                              he even told us to calm down 😉

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                          • GREENDREAMS11
                            • 16 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            nice finish btw

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

                            Kokorin goal, Kombarov assist 😎

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                          • NERONALDO
                            • 13 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Combarov assist

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                          • Pinky and Brain
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Koko goal Kombarov assist.

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                          • GunsnRoses
                            • 14 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Kombarov assist ?

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                          • Camzy
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 15 Years
                            11 years, 5 months ago

                            Ugh. I knew Kokorin would come good, but the one game I want to put him in all my other strikers are on double figures...

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                          • JT's Dog
                              11 years, 5 months ago

                              Tv said shatov
                              Who is left back

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                              1. Shels
                                • 11 Years
                                11 years, 5 months ago

                                see fkn commentator 🙂

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