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. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Now thats commentry

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

      i'm watching a canadian stream.. it's actually quite cool.. relaxed down to earth no over hype
      and scathing of both teams..

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

        ITV played the Columbian commentry of the Hames wonder strike

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

          now that IS commentary 😉

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

          Hames is still halfway between James and Hammez.

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

    Boooooooringgg!!! Come on Rohn post that naked selfie already

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

      It's been half-time for 15 minutes. Hard to tell.

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

        BOOM!!!

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

        😆

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

        Got my hopes up there. 🙁

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

        *faints*

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

          So that is what Berbatov is doing these days 😆

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

    Colombia get that commentator and we get Philip Neville....WTF...

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

      I really rate the Mexico commentators too:

      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrSPLJCCcAAFAQL.jpg:large

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

        HOLA! 😛

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

        ines sainz gallo hmmmm let me just....

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

      they're still using phil.. he's a weapon of mass desperation

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    3. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      You would seriously want that? I have a headache now.

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

        I'd prefer to Neville definitely..

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

    Ian wright bahahhaahahhahahahaha 😆

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

      Apart from the b, that's United's record from last season.

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

        I think it's their fixtures, no? Away, home,away, home, home, etc.

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

    Samaras Samaras give us a goal

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

    The poor locals who bought tickets expecting to see England, Italy or Uraguay 😀

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

      😀

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

        In all honesty though, I doubt they were expecting to see England.

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

      😆

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  7. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ronh's my favourite animal EVER!

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

      A teddy is not areal animal though...

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

        they were in the sixties..

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

    Grav check

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

      Not yet

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

      Same as always....

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

    Tejeda YC

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

      Bum

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

    Wakey,

    The Tour is coming through Rochdale where I work on 6th so hoping to be there 😎

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

      Avoiding potholes rather than all out speed will be the key to victory

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

      The tour starts 5 minutes from my house 😎

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

      Yeah but Skipton is nicer...Gonna take the Missus and kids and Skipton is one of her fave places at the end of the M65...I'm sure the cyclist around Lancashire will have picked a viewing spot.

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

    Some of the Greek fans are easier on the eye than this match:

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq7AGzqCAAAcPjz.jpg:large

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq7Emy1CYAEuNyO.jpg:large

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

      Nice Greek salad

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

      Stop trying to make us horny 😉

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

      I do quite like chavvy girls.

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

    Greece looking the more likely at the moment

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

      indeed.. 😆

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

    I'd happily surrender all my 3 CS to get a better game now. 😐

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

      Don't lie

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

      Speak for yourself 😛 I'll take a boring 0-0 or 1-0 Greece for those sweet points!

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

    Gone with the crowd and got myself a shiny new JRod grav

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

      😆

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

      😀

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  15. Lord Dragon
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    The most exciting part of this match so far is the prospect of having my gets refunded for a 0-0

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    1. Lord Dragon
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Aw

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

        😆

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

    Blatter is present at this borefest, or is this a borefest due to him being there?

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

    RUIZ GOAL!!!!

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

    Balls balls balls balls balls balls balls

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

    Slow-mo.

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

    Told you 😎

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

    OHHHHH RUIZZZZ

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  22. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Crap

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

      Nice user name!

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

    RRUUUIIIIZZZZ

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

    goooooooooooooooooooooal

    should have bought ruiz, I knew it!

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

      Did you really?

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  25. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol Gol

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

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

      You that Colombian guy?

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

    how soft was THAT! haha 🙂

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

    Everyone got Ruiz now anyway

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

    Ruiz doing his best Hulk impression

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

    That ball stopped to get a ticket.

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

    Boom... Ruiz on Fox team

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