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

    Mesbah CS gone 🙁

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  2. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    kombarov assist?

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

      Yes

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

    Kokorin and kombarov trying to save team Nigeria!! 😀

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    1. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Does my opponent have Kokorin?

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

        You better hope not 😀

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        1. Zombie
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😆 my match gonna be closer than we thought

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

            We've definitely lost 2 and there 3 games that ate virtually tied 😀

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

    Bentaleb shots off target ... Does it affect ? 😉

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

        No

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

        Mowgli lost his CS
        Baloo won't be happy

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

          They're a mess at the back without Bagheera

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

            I Khan see what you did there

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

              Excellent response

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

                Shere Brilliance

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

                  🙂

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                2. Open Controls
        2. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Woooo Kombarov

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

          as predicted by me russia win easy.. need another now.. but capello manager

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

            'Win easy' 😀
            There's 10minutes gone FFS!

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

              -_-

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

          That cross was like 3,5 points for Kombarov, one delivery more and we get another point 🙂

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

            🙂

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

            6.5

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

              ?

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

                6 points assist in mc'd

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

                  yeah I saw 🙂

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

                    deserved 6, first time cross

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

          We all know who the general obvious targets are for the next round. Anyone got any hunches on differentials that might come in handy?

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          1. Zombie
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            The differential will be to pick as many as obvious targets possible

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

            Yes. I have. 😉

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

              I am going to go for a couple of chillies
              Might get burned but worth it

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            • Why Always Me
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              keep calm and pick fred

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

              DiMaria shhhhhhhhhhhhhh
              keep it under your hat

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          4. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Why does Kombarov have 6 points for assists?

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

              So good it counts for 2.

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

              oh, well can't deny it was a beutiful cross

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

            Many keep Kokorin on the bench? I have 5 players in the Russia-Algeria game 😕 couldn't decide who to bench so I played everyone 😀

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

              i kept my algerians on bench

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

              I played Medjani over Kokorin 😡

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          6. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Whoo hoo....

            Kombarov assist and Kokorin goal for team Iran...

            In other news...WTF !!

            Benched Aurier for his assists in Fox...Benched Rodriguez for his assist in Fox...benched Kombarov for his assist in Fox.....How wrong could it be ?....

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

              Life is just a bench - and then you die.

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              1. Zombie
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                I have a box of chocolates. You want?

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

                  😀

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

              gw1 aurier benched,gw2 cuadrado benched,gw3 kombarov and pjanic benched. 🙁

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              1. Dr Dream
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Damned annoying...

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

                  went for a solid 15 squad to avoid the early wc and hits,that's how it worked.

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                  1. Dr Dream
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    Where are you OR

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

                      283,courtois still playing

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            3. Zombie
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Benched Djabou and today benched Kokorin

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          7. King Kohli
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Robben: "The manager has made me an offer to go with him to England next season. I will consider it after the world cup."

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

              wow

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            2. Freshy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              is he out of contract
              sounds like tampering

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

              😯
              Would love that! United could be challenging for the title again next season at this rate! 😀

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              1. elkunaguero
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                RVP is already the first name on my team next season, Robben might be the second

                #ByeByeRooney

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            4. Dr Dream
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Super sub would be my guess in case Ashley Young or Fellaini get injured.

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              1. Mavric Marco
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                😀

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              2. King Kohli
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                That's only if Cleverley has not won the game after coming on himself!

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          8. Messiah Hazard
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Kombarov given 6 points for an assist in McD... Good news...

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

              corrected now

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

                a fook

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          9. elkunaguero
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            so, Belgium would only lose top place in the group if they lose tonight and Algeria wins... They can be pretty relax for now...

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

              Bit of a shame that Algeria might go out and crap like Greece go through

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

              If Bentaleb, Mbolhi and Mesbah can get me 5 points each I'll be delighted.

              Will break even for my subs along with Kombarov/ Kokorin.

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            • Zombie
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Bentaleb on 2 points already...Wooohoooo

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            • VougieDipond
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Kombarov > everyone. what a ball that was

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

              I can smell penalty coming for Russia tonight.....

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

                can you smell him scoring it

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

                  no, there comes the fear factor - can only hope!

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

                Let's hope so because I put money on Komabrov anytime goalscorer @ 9/1

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

                  Well don't start using money yet 🙂

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              1. Mavric Marco
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                😀 Seen that a while ago, something to get his teeth into...

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            • Mavric Marco
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Herrera & Shaw, LVG has already done better then Moyes!!! That's a good start, keep em' coming!

              We need another CM and a winger…

              James Rodriguez
              Alexis Sanchez
              Robbin
              Kevin Strootman
              Gündoğan

              …any/all of the above will do 🙂

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

                Old trafford would need remortgaged to afford that lot.

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                1. Mavric Marco
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  🙂 Just one or two would do

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

                JRod and strootman would do!

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

                  And a CB of course!

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                  1. Mavric Marco
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    Hummels 🙂

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            • Shels
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Kombarov on 5 now (+2 more incoming with 60+min played)

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

              Algeria not risking Bouguerra is going to knock them out, strange decision

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            • GREENDREAMS11
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              dear oh dear

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            • PKB
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Miss of the tournament! 😀

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            • GREENDREAMS11
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              ffs Mertens

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

                I feel ya.....

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

                  lol. I've had a decent day tbf, Gyan and Muller fgs came in.

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

              1rb kombarov

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            • MJ6987
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Are there any good Chile players to go for apart from Sanchez and Vargas?

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

                I doubt I'll have any of them.
                Just noticed we can have 5 players from same team, but can't see myself getting more than max 3 of any.

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

                isla ? i think he scored well

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

              That should've been the Mertens anytime goal up! 🙁 might not get a chance like that again

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