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

    I have absolutely no doubt Robben is a 'Utd player'

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

      Thank you

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

        Np

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

      I have absolutely no doubt you are an ABU

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

        Lol, of course

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

    sorry actually 225 quid... nice.. about time my luck turned onthis WC

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

      😯 Jesus, you put a lot more on than me 🙂

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

        thank you my friend

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

      And you only did it at the last minute 😆

      Congrats!!

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

        cheers Rohn... if FIFA LV hadnt have asked me I wouldnt have bothered

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

    did the ref call the penalty because he didn't want another 30 minutes in the heat?

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

      Probably because it was a foul in the area. But read into it what you want.

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

    Diver of the year, Arjen Robben.
    Massive talent, Gigantic tw@t.
    +1? 🙂

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

      +2

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

      Gets my vote!

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  5. Sir Atej
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Who do you think is more handsome?
    Arjen Robben or Jason Statham?

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

      Statham FTW

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

      The old one from Steptoe & son, is that Statham? 🙂

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

      I would turn for Statham.

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

      How about Robben vs M'Bolhi vs Vanden Borre?

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

    How many points did Blind and Guadrado get?

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

      blind 6

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    2. Sir Atej
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Guardado 2
      BR 1
      GC -1
      PM 3
      YC -1

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

    Poor poor show ITV, referring to Netherlands as Holland.

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

      HOLLAND

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

        Pffttt.

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

        Netherlands

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

      ITV always dumb it down.

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

        Hup Holland hup

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

          Really, we don't mind it when you call it Holland. We do. Relax.

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  8. Tuchap - Lurker
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ochoa, Marquez, Herrera all on 4. Not what I was expecting.

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

    And the Oranje spirit shows up, we will never give up.

    We may not have the quality, but we surely have the spirit this time. 😉

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

      Love the Dutch, but still don't think they have the defence to win the WC

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

      + millions , denied penalty 1st half , evens up

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

        You should never be allowed to be awarded penalties if you a serial diver.

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

          never heard of such a rule

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

            Its called cheating mate, you shouldn't condone it. Theres no place for it in football

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

        Where is Mexico's to even theirs up?

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

          Mexico never had a legitimate pen , which one??

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

            Where he got booted in the head.

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

              u can't be serious??

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

                Did you not see it? You must have some sort of other agenda? Are you Dutch?

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

            You just being a biased knob in all honesty

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

      *cheat not spirit

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  10. UKG
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Cillessen 7 points stick or twist for the Greece keeper?

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

      he should end up on 9

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

      Cillessen is on 9, tough call.

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

      He is now showing 9 so will stick!

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    4. AC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      9 stick

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

    Hup Hup Holland , thats the way to do it

    Stick it up those Lations

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  12. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Very harsh

    Feel really sorry for Mexico 🙁

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

    Since your on good form Old School, what do you fancy in the next? 🙂

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

      i feel a close game either 1 or 2 nil to CR

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

        going 2-0

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

          😯 really? Not think Greece will keep it tight?

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

            nah i think 2-0.. just put 40 quid on it

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  14. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I think I'm sticking on Cillessen's 9pts now

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

      I think I will stick too.

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

      cosign

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    3. Jebus Saves
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      ya

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

    Herrera 4 points 😡 Utter rubbish.

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

    Guardado 3 pts
    Herrera 4 pts

    Oh myyyy, twist for tejeda guys?

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    1. Sir Atej
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      my Guardado has just 2 points

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

      Definitely twist!

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

    Well done everybody on Fox for picking Robben..everybody now has five points more than they did before.

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    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Fox ever going to update the round 3 sub scores?

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

        They did on mine

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

    Cillessen on 9pts 😎

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

    Cillesson up to 9

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

    Well, Karnesis is going to take a lot of shots.

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  21. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Cillessen>Karnezis>Mbolhi??

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

      I've got the same 3, I'm sticking on 9pts

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

        me 2

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      2. El Reagano
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        +1

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

      But I will stick on 8 and hope the 9th point doesn't disappear

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

      I suppose 9 is ok?

      Costa Rica won't make many shots I guess? So not many saves available,though a CS may be doable?

      Ahhh, I'm going to twist. Mbolhi is hoping to get 10 saves v Germany

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  22. Walrus Eggs
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Where was Janmaat?

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

      Injured I beleive

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  23. JustWatching
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What did Robben score in that game?

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

      In Fox he scored 5, 🙁

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

      diving = 10p

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  24. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Drop Cillesen for Kanezis?

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    1. Sir Atej
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn`t.
      9 pts is decent

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  25. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    kept RVP as Captain... what a waste...

    changing to Karnezis...

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

    Robben should have been sent off with the amount of times he dived. Cheaters prosper.

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

      He hasn't dived a single time this WC , show me a clip from the Group stages

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

        I was only joking. Robben is the most
        honest, humble, fair sportsman at the world cup. He hasnt dived at all in his career, and he is a player young fooballers should aspire to be like.

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

          😆

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

      You must be an abu, apparently. Mustn't speak out about diving.

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

        To be fair, I am an ABU! 😆 😉

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

          😆

          Oh go on then, seeing as how you're owning upto it I'll confess that I am too 😀

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

      He rode one challenge before being fouled for the PK, and rode one earlier when he could've got a PK. I don't think you'll find many players who wouldn't have gone down, and it was a foul.

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  27. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ochoa MOTM.

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

    And now for the round of 16 match nobody except fantasy managers is looking forward to!

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

      ha ha 2 Costa Rica defenders

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

        QUINTUPLE Costa Rican defence here 😆 all in!

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  29. gart888
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    so consensus on 9 points of cillessen vs. karnezis and mbolhi?

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

      Most are sticking, I think twist.

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

    Silly Son (c) to Tejeda , Gonzalez or Duarte

    Thinking Gonzo

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