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. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Class

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

        The look of fear in their eyes.

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

          "What do we do now"

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

            🙂

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

          "Who gave HIM the ball? Not me."

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        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Same thing happens when gerrard is on the ball now. Only difference it's his own team mates in fear he will slip up and nake a mistake

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  1. Fpl Old Guard
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Currently rank 399 in McDonalds game but have no Mexican players, think I am going to plummet!

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

      Im in the 500's now, its up and down, i was 167th yesterday and been 70th before

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

    who assisted?

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

      Noone

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

        Didn't know Craig was Mexican

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

          Beat me to it....

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

            If it's any consollation: helping me pick Gio is kinda making my day 🙂

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

              No prob, just wish I had the guts to back him 🙂

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

        Noone? He's English I think

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    2. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku

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

    Great goal for Utd fans. Persie restes and LvG back home early

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

    Lessons learned. Double Utd defense in FPL and quadriple in McShit.in the 1/4 finals

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

    The goal came at a great time, the Shakira sybian post I was just about to make in response to that gif was probably ill advised 😛

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

      Nah, post it anyway

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

        🙂

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

    bye bye Cillessen, I bet M'Bolhi does it better. At least he gets something saved.

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

      Hello Karnezis

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

        Is this risky considering costa rica are good?

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

          Saves

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

            Gotcha

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  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Big test for lvg

    Awful tactical change since first game. Got too clever. Who the fck ppays kuyt lb.

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

    C'mon Depay, my only Dutch player.

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

    This game needs another cooling break.

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  10. LSONG
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Though no clean sheet, it's safe to assume both Blind and Cillessen will get decent numbers 8at least I think. Twist them for 2 Greeks?

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

      Id always stick on 8 with a defender

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

      Twist unless they on 10 for me

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  11. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    ochoa

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  12. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    De Vrij 😯

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

      How many points?

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

    ochoa has been outstanding

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  14. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Gloves!

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

    Ochoa vs Cillessen 1-0

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  16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ochoa 😯

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  17. palace ash
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What.A.Save!!!!!!!!

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

      Reminds me of Speroni the way he makes saves.

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

    What ever happened to Strootman. He was epic for me in the Euro's

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

      Injured. Huge blow for the Dutch.

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

      Injured.

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

      Injured

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  19. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ugh Ochoa saves from De Vrij. What a ridiculously clutch save.

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

    Great save, or got hit with the ball?

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

      The latter

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    2. crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Isnt a goalkeepers job to be in the way anyway?

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    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Great save. Even if it's hit at him, he has to parry it away or it goes in anyway.

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

      Positioning

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

    Made a last minute change from Ochoa/Herrera to Cillessen/Gustavo 😐

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

      you could have also gone with Enyeama - Gago

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

    Netherlands finally in the formation which has been successful for them in this tournament

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  23. copps
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Keeper is so good he doesnt even need arms to make saves

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

    His positioning, right in the middle of the goal.

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

    Well on the plus side, thats there first shot on target 😀

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

    And Afellay. 4 years ago he was the next big thing

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

      Didnt he move to barcelona and never play?

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

      Riddled

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

    OO Ochoa and Ospina !!!

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

    Who got that BS for Mex?

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

      Its sad when you see people asking this, dont lower your standards 😀

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

        2 bloody points! Almost as important as an assist!

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