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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Well that was total kak. Van de Vrij on 7 pts for me so far..!!!..what for ?...rubbish.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Scoring well.

      The match is oak, though. I will give you that.

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

      Apparently it's all part of the plan...

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    3. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      You tell us what for ? Play time 2
      Passing 1
      RB2
      BS2

      ?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        1RB
        2BS
        1%
        1 BiB
        2 MP

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        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          It's a lot of points in a poor game..it's not even like he's stood out as a great defender really. I'll take them though.

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    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      That's half way to Rodriguez's pts yesterday...???

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

      I got marquez instead because I thought the dutch would attack more, how wrong I was 😀

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

    Turn over to the Holland match and watch the replay of the penalty shout Fifa Las Vegas

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

      Sound, will do. Have to a link handy? I'm still in the Stone Age, don't know what a TV is, and am not watching the match ye are watching, I'm watching the locals vs the enemies (The Stones vs The Sledgers) 😉

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  3. pompeyfan
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    That was pretty much 2 penalties.

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

      50/50 on the Mexico one I reckon. Either of the tackles on Robben could and should have been awarded

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      1. pompeyfan
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah i mean 2 just for the robben challenges. Mexico one, no way.

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

    Why all the controversy about this one and none for the Mexico one? Both sides should have had a pen.

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I feel there's a little trolling going on here 🙂

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

        Really? A kick to the head not resulting in a pen?

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    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed, if you kick someone in the head at chest height you can expect to have a foul given against you regardless of where you are on the pitch.

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

        My thoughts exactly, GreenWindmill.

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

      The Mexico one is open to interpretation, ie was the foot up or the head down? Bit of both imo. Robben was fouled twice with neither getting even a little piece of the ball

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

        The Robben one was indisputable. But so was the Mexico one for me. He's barely ducked at all. That has to be a dangerously high foot.

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

        But Robben lost the ball...
        If two men are running at full speed at you to tackle the ball, and you push the ball away, what happens?

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    4. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Agree

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    5. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Because we've all got RVP and he's on pens!

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

        Now I see! 😆

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

      Mexico manager looks like inter city bus driver

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    • Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      OMG DE VRIJ is a bigger legend than Zapata.

      But more importantly, anyone else think this is really a 4-3-2 with Ron Vlaar in a "free" role? Cant wait for Phil Jones to rip it up for United next season.

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

        Zapata was on 8 at halftime then did nothing 🙁

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      2. Damo.
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        The only thing he'll be ripping is his hamstring. Again & again.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          😀 Why the anger Damo?

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          1. Damo.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come/type out as spite. More of a piss take really

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

      5 3 2

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        NSFW

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          I work in a brothel.

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

            🙂

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          2. Konig Luther
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            😀

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      2. Reedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Colombia's finest export

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

        There we All go...

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

          🙂

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

      Could, probably should have been a penalty to both teams in first half; admittedly I wouldn't have called either on first viewing.

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

      #ParkTheBus

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

      LvG #TacticalGenius

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Wait till the end of the game before declaring that.

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

        Anyone know how Herrera's playing? Feel like taking out Guardado was a mistake.

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    • Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      38 degrees!! 😯

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

        You only find that out now? Your link must be slow. Therefore it must have been a different game you were watching when you thought it was a penalty 😉

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    • Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      What actually happened to De Jong?

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      1. Alan The Llama
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Get in

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        1. Alan The Llama
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Oops. Not much, was quickly subbed,

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        2. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Nice answer ;P

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      2. Reedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        God knows. Another great pick for me there

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

      Manchester Bus United juuuhuuuuu 😀

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

        Cleanies all-round!

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

          Or not

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

        I'm seeing a pattern: http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/profiles/daniel-mf/

        Why the obsession with United?

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      3. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        He probably won't play 532 with United, he plays the system that suits the players at his disposal.

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      4. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Ok before this gets way too out of hand. Can I just ask if I am correct in my assertion that it is in fact a Jose "18th Century football" Mourinho fan giving Van Gaal abuse for being defensive?

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

      Can someone explain something for me.
      Cillessen got clean sheet in the last round,
      he made 1 save, he wasnt required to save any others.
      thats a 100% save rate yes?
      so where is his >80% bonus 1pt.

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    • Gubbins94.
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Get the impression this game will be decided by a mistake.

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      1. Gubbins94.
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Or not

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Lol

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      2. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Or not

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    • Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      gooooooal!

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    • Louis
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      GOAL DOS SANTOS!!!!!! MEXICO 1-0

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    • Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      GIO goal

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    • Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Meckico goal

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

      Knew dos santos would score, never backed him 🙁

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    • Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cmon Co

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    • Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Game on

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    • Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Feck sake

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      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        This^^^^^^

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      2. Spike ⚽️
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        You say the same thing every time a team score !

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

          Yeah against a team whos defenders I have obv

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    • GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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    • Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cillessen shows why he costs only 3M

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      krul wda saved that

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    • Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      selected Dos Santos in my local league 😎

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        fgs. £55 from a £5. thank you Dos Santos

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    • Prime
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for the help earlier FIFA 😎

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

      It's a latin america thing this world cup

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