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

    Get in!!!!!!!

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

    Huntelaar(C) 😎

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

        🙁

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    1. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      said no one 🙂

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

    3x Amazing top 16 matches so far! Great world cup!

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

      Greece Costa Rica is going to bring that to a halt

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Let's hope so. £110 resting on 0-0.

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

          b.ruiz scoring

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          1. Woy of the Wovers
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Don't mind if it stays 0-0.

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

    No extra time for De Vrij to rack up ridiculous points, shame.

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

    I always knew Ochoa was overrated

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

    Kung Fu kick on the corner flag 😎

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

    LVG tactical genius. 😎

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

      😀 😛

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

      Bottom right is keepers Achilles heel

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

        Anywhere but center really.

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    • rk007
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Are points awarded during extra time?

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

        are you watching on +1

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

        No need to worry 🙂

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

        wtf?

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    • Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      haha sucked in rvp owners and robben passing it off lol major troll

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    • pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      This is cruel.

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

        and wrong. Hope Robben gets a retroactive red for diving.

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

          He should be put in a room with a hungry Suarez as punishment.

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        2. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          If they gave those, he would play every second game

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

      Happy Huntelaar captain here 🙂

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

        yea sure

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

          Your right, stuck with Ya-mez Rodriguez

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

            Ya-mez? Lol

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

      Fergie-esque last minute goal 😉

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

        Van Gaal-time

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    • chanvoodoo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Marquez kick me in a..ss, penalty + yellow card arghhhh

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

      Robben in the box.. Three fouls, three dives, one pen. Overall came off worse than he should have done 😉

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

      Cillessen stays in the iTeam! Phewwww

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    • Judas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Does Robben get that assist for the pen?

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

        on McD's

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

        He gets 1pt

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    • Marouane Fellatio
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cillesson has to be a twist at 7 points?

      Actually that might be another save and up to 8, hmmmm.....

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

        Assuming everyone has the Greek keeper coming up and mbohli, can't decide either! What are y'all doing?

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

          yes, but i have nuerer aswell

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

          +1

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

        That's my take, stick at 8.

        At 7 I get to cheer the next one up as GK.

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      3. Cristi@no R7
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        He is on 9 pts..
        Sticking...

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    • crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Time for the Greek wall

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

        You must mean the CRC wall. 😉

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

          Both 😉

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

            3x CRC def, 1x GRE def and GK coming up! The first time in my life I hope for a match of 90 + 30 minutes no goals and nothing happens! 😀

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

        😯

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

      Have to feel sorry for Mexico 😐

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        But happy for our work betting syndicate. If Brazil had ended 2-1 we'd be rolling in money - and have something like £800 on the 0-0 in Greece - Costa Rica.

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

          GL it has a good chance imo

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          1. Woy of the Wovers
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers.

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

      I'd rather lose 6-0 over the course of 90 minutes than lose by a penalty in the 92nd minute.

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

        You'd rather be Spain than mexico?

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

      Well perfect reminder of the EPL fantasy season,.......successive goals which help no one ( except relatives of Sneijder/Huntelaar and screws everyone with a Defender. Can't wait for the new season. LoL

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    • MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      No one expected this Holland team to do anything at this World Cup. Incredible achievement by Van Gaal.

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

        United supporter? 😀

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

          Maybe 🙂

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      2. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        really ? they're always expected to do something

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          erm the odds were 33-1... the bookies disagreed...

          i have a ew wager on them

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          1. Studgie G
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            well I didn't think they can win it but they weren't going to get knocked out early

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

        He deserves at least one more trophy as a manager before he retires I suppose.

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    • Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Don't thank god mexico didn't get a cleanie but -1 is even better now

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    • tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Mexico so close 🙁

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

      Cillesen 7 points, stick or twist to Karnezis?

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      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        twist methinks

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

        shouldnt he get one more save and save bonus too?

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

          bonus in McD's?

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

            yup there is 1 pt bonus for over 80% save rate

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

          I thought the same

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

        this. tough one. think I'll twist.

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      4. Fresco
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        wait for an hour to see any changes in his points and if it's still 7, we can all twist to Karnezis, given that the Greek starts

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

        The real question is, stick Cillessen/Karnezis or twist to MBolhi? He's bound to get a lot of saves

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

      Marquez on for 11 points with 2min to go, ends on 4 😀

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

        lol @ Marquez owners

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

          Nice sportsmanship 🙄

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    • Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Robb(in)ed !!

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      1. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        (en)

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

      Herrera major fail

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