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

    How long does it take paint to dry on average?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      90mins

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

      90mins.

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

      about the same time as it takes Karagounis to turn

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    4. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      94 minutes, hopefully.

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

      120mins

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

      120 minutes plus pens (22-21)

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

        (0-1)*

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  2. Henry Hill
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I hope Greece win but more so because I like Samaras and the stuff he done for that young lad Jay this year was incredible, a top bloke!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vew6X6p2xFI

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVm3Q4Gn9j4

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

    Duarte move back to CB, you idiot.

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

      Shouldve paid that 0.5 for gonzalez 😉

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

      She looks about 14...

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  5. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Was at the movies watching Transformers.Din't get to see the Holland game.How was it?

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

      Dull

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

      Transformers over the World Cup? 😯

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

      Was that in the UK? Worth a watch?

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        India.Yep,definitely worth a watch.

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

    Just came on to see my two greek defence has only 1pt each, wtfs happening out there?

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

      Manolas did have one RB point but then they took it away.

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

      Nothing...

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

      Nothing, absolutely nothing.

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  7. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Jesus why wasn't that passed to samaras.

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

      exactly

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

      yeah.. what a great shot he just f*&ked up

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  8. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Oooooooo!

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  9. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Save.

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't get into La Liga tots on FIFA for nothing.

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  10. funny money
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    cans someone please tell me what manolas and karnezis are on please?

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

      With all their save points and recovered balls? 1 point each

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      1. funny money
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        yuck

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  11. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    That was close.

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  12. funny money
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    helluva save

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

    Navas is the best keeper left in the WC.

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

      hero for Levante all season as well. Game against Atletico he made wonder save after wonder save

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

    So that's why I had cholebas for first three rounds!

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

    Even if this does end 0-0, we are still all going to have to sub out our players.

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

      we are? 😯

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

        5pts is not enough!

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

          Holebas is on 3 already

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  16. funny money
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    this game is poor

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

      count the unibrows in the crowd..

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      1. funny money
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        entertaining!

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  17. funny money
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    mbohli or bust lol

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  18. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Triumph the Insult Comic Dog 'talks' to football fans in NY (includes greece fans)
    http://digg.com/video/watch-conan-obrien-full-episodes-conan-videos-conan-comedy-clips-teamcoco-com
    😆

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

    Went Gonzales over Duarte for a diff...He's on an impressive 3 pts at the mo, how is Duarte doing ?

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

      -1 now

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

        -1...jeez...

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

      Yellow.

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

      2 points.

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

      Gamboa on 4. what a player.

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

        fail.
        Tejeda.
        What a player 🙂

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

      Gonzalez is the rb magnet. Duarte is the goal threat, still a way to go. Im happy with gonzalez though! 😀

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

      Gamboa 2
      Duarte 3
      Diaz def 2
      Manolas 3

      Maniatis 2

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  20. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Damn.

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

    Duarte yellow. GRRRRR

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

    DUARTE (C) booked 🙁

    FML!!!

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

    The only thing this borefest is missing is 11 Englishmen! 😉

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

      ...and yet, plenty of nations have already lost to these guys

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

    I was going to triple on Costa Rica defence, then it dawned on me that you can't get recovered balls and blocks v a defensive side

    Happy with my Nigerian and Algerian defenders now 😯

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

      Aye. Clean sheet likely, but not many extras to go with it.

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

      Think you spot on!

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

    Cholevas scored!

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

      Phew. Sold him, was scared there!

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  26. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Holebas!!!!

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  27. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    If Greece keep a clean sheet I will be in for a tidy sum of points with triple defence.

    #IfGreece

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Don't you dare steal that

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

    Want Duarte to score badly even if he is in my team.
    After all, most have CRC defence on Fox, and apart from my 3 12+ defenders, I still have Mertesacker and van Buyten.

    So many things. 😛

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

    Say what you like about this game with 11 men on the pitch it's Greece's largest employer.

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

      Unpaid tho

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

      Nice

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

    Awesome shot!

    Throw in

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

      😆

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