634x258 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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  1. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Come on Oranje!

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  2. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Cillisen looks awful 😀

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    1. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      he is very average goalkeeper from what I've seen so far in this tournament

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      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Looks like an amateur keeper. So unsure about everything

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        1. Pilleri
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          What do you guys expect from an Eredivisie GK? If he was any better, I bet he would be in a larger league. Even though he plays for Ajax.

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    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Well, he is on 5 points already 😛

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  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Mexico absolutely running the show

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    1. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I really hope they will make it, especially after Chile defeat yesterday

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    2. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Very confused what the netherlands plan is here. Pray rvp does something miraculous is my guess...

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      1. Ben Mee Over A Table
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        They were similar to this in the first half against Australia and ended up winning 3-2.

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        1. The Missing Link
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          This is the most boring match this world cup, the dutch are just walking around

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          1. Pilleri
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Mexico has the best defense in the tournament so far.

            That's why I only bought Cillessen from this game. Mexico CBs would have been my second choice, but that's a bit too risky.

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      2. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Van Gaal has been outfoxed here it seems

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        1. The Missing Link
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Where the united fans? 😀

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    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Because the Dutch are choosing to sit back.

      If they didn't Mexico wouldn't leave their penalty area, they're usually a very defensive team. At least this give Holland an opening.

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      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        They waiting for penalties? In this heat the longer it goes the more of a disadvantage the dutch are at.

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          I mean they plan to hit them on the counter.

          Glen Hoddle just said the same on the commentary as I was typing!

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          1. The Missing Link
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Ok we'll see, the mexicans are running the show though. Doesnt seem to be working

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      2. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Doesn't seem like the wisest of strategies. Defence look in a complete panic everytime Mexico attack.

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        1. The Missing Link
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          It's like sitting back against stoke, cant wait to see that 😀

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        2. Pilleri
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Netherlands defense looks like in a complete panic everytime, period. As in every game so far. 😀

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    4. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yep, well timed break from Holland's point of view. Very tactical.

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  4. KipperRSA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    de Vrij on 4 points now in McD

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    1. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Marquez will get me nothing the way the dutch are attacking

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  5. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I bet Vela regrets turning down a call up.

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  6. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Not fun to have only cillesen, blind for this match and still would like to cheer for mexico!

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  7. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Time out

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  8. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    😎 ing break

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  9. JT's Dog
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Ok what do you all want I'm buying

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      1. Ben Mee Over A Table
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Can I get a...litre-a-cola?

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      2. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Double bacon and cheese burger

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      3. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Pint of Toilet Duck for me please.

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    • Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully they bring on RVP in the 2nd half.

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        He'll come on in the first half

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    • MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      These temperatures must favour Mexico as the game goes on? Especially if it goes to "overtime".

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    • potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      how many points has Blind got?

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        1

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    • FPL Blues
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cooling break? What is this, american football?

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        🙂

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      2. Jack Frost
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Common in South America and Mexico to have cooling breaks. Can't wait for Qatar... 10 min on 10 min off, unless they AC the entire stadium and play at midnight local.

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    • Saniul
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Go Oranje. 😀
      Make Dennis Bergkamp proud.

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Robben and Bergkamp at his peak. That would be scary.

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Stop the game for 3 mins, 3 times a match, YES
      Introduce tv* replays which would take 30 odd secounds NO

      makes no sense

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      1. LewanGOALski
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        #mafiaFIFA

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

      the World Cup has gone IPL.

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      1. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        😆

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    • LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      during WC in Qatar, will there be a cooling break every 15mins or sth..? 😐

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      1. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        In Qatar, it will be a winter world cup or not at all

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      2. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Or shiting break?

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      3. GTS
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I expect an air conditioned pitch.

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    • JT's Dog
        11 years, 7 months ago

        RVP FGS only coming from pen I think

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      • JT's Dog
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Jack Carlton would have been happy with that water break

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        • Jafalad
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          If the Grecians score, I'm up the crican 🙁

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            *Greeks

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        • Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          And that gentleman is the start of mid half adverts 😕

          Won't be long now before Sepp Twatter and federations etc see's a new revenue stream.

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          1. iCon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Was thinking the exact same thing!

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            1. Jafooli
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              Even without heat.

              Will just creep into the game now. Five years time will be the norm.

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        • MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Are the managers allowed to talk to the team during the drinks breaks? So they can change tactics, etc.

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        • r0nh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          How come they are still shooting in the same goals?

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        • Chu Young Ping Pong
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Sneijder sucks

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        • The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          This is looking like a game of three thirds 🙂

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          1. Ben Mee Over A Table
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Funny, I counted 11 tirds 😉

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        • Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Looks like there's going to be some serious bus parking next season.

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        • r0nh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          If it's too hot, maybe they should play skins 🙂

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I don't think watching a teen drama on the big screen is going to help with the heat

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            1. r0nh
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              😆

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            2. 4vets
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              You get hot over teen dramas? 😯

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        • JT's Dog
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Think Martin will still claim to have invented this system at half time?

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          • GREENDREAMS11
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Who takes pens for Mexico folks?

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            1. Ben Mee Over A Table
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              I suppose you want the order for when this game ends up 0-0 at the end of extra time.

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          • FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Dutch r terrible. This 5 3 2 clearly isn't working

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