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. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    does anyone actually have him?

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

      some casual in the top 5 probably

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  2. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    You don't save those!

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

      Fantasy points for nobody then

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

        No assist?

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

            Hunterlaar

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

            Huntelaar

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

        That keeper isnt so great when u dont kick the ball straight at him...

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

          bit harsh

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

          I don't think any goalkeeper would have saved that.

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

          nobody saves that Ted,

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      3. Sarin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        This is now Dutch to win

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

        MCAAAATEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR

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      5. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Great news extra time more time for DeVrij to keep racking up the points

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

          Score?

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          1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            10

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

              Wow good score!

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        2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Then again 🙁

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

        Who's the assister?

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

          Blind

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

            Or Robben. Probably

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

              What are you talking about 😆

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

                Hope. Eternal hope.

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

          Huntelaar

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

          Huntelaar

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

        Ochoa best get down the job centre. Football isnt for him.

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

        Huntelaar assist

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

        He's been a complete crock but Sneijder didn't half hit that well.

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

        Blind 5 - how dissapointing, even extra time won't be enough to bail him out.

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

        No RVP if it goes to pens

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

        Bouncing boobies 🙂

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

          Do they give free tickets to pretty girls like nightclubs

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        • Pilleri
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          MEX any subs remaining? Or OT with 1 forward only?

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

            Nevermind!

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

          Strange world cup this. Turns out recovered balls and second phase set pieces are whre it's at these days

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        • crystalpalaceRus
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          THAT BALL WENT OUT OF PLAY

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        • Tony Warner Fan Club
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          scenes!!!!

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

          Let Blind take it! 😉

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

          He's no Howard Webb

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        • tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Wow....

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        • Jimbo123
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Arjen!!x

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        • Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Wowwww

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        • Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Peno:shock:

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

          Oh my

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        • r0nh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Pencil!!!!

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

          Robben Assist & Goal

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

            Nope

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

          Shit.

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        • Buck The Trent
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          penalty

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