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. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    maniates off

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

      lol i had him at one point

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  2. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Where does it say in the rules that you can't sub a red carded player from your team?

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

      Doesn't

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

      It doesn't, therefore you can...

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

        Yeah but the panic was amusing. I've subbed him out because 8 is not enough for a defender. Manolas to go unless he scores.

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

      Depends on which game you play.

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

      People are just scaremongering.

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

    Duarte will end up on 8 if it stays the same, and you can sub out players with a red so no idea what people are doing...

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

      This!

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

        Stupid mistake though surely there'll be negative points for the red?

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

          There are, and it's already been added.

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

          2 yellows are -2

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

      I panicked

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

      Yes, but 8pts is distinctly average, especially with Hummels etc waiting in the wings...

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

        It is, but you don't take 8 pointers out this early just in case.

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

    Bolanos on 8 with 1 point for CS in the balance, not a bad pick

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  5. Pards Against Humanity
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Diaz - crap, Maniatis - crap.

    Duarte - Dont even go there

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

      You should take 8!

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

    I'm not playing any WC fantasy games, so why am I watching Costa Rica v Greece?

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

      Let me think !!

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

      I play fantasy football so that I dont have to watch such crap.

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

      Because after watching this, your regular Monday morning will feel like paradise

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  7. Keno
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Can someone please tell me how many points Gonzalez is on now before CS?

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

      6

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

      6

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

      He's on 6 right now

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

    lol that free kick

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

    ffs this is not rugby kara

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

    great play by samaras

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

    C'mon Gonzalez!!!!!

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  12. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Does anyone know if you get clean sheet points in the mirror game if you get sent off? Like in FPL?

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

    Benched Gonzalez and played Duarte in Fox...

    Swings and roundabouts...

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

      i did in other way

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

    Too bad the winner on this match is not up against Mexico for another 0-0 / 0-1...right? 😛

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

    Old Balls off

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

    I really hope Greece dont score I cant suffer anymore

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  17. Abrakadabraaaa
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Mitroglou has not attempted a pass since coming on.Talk about SHIT

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

    Manolas 2pts... Worst Defender i ever had

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

      worst player I have had

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

        I already had giroud with 1pt...

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

      Same

      Can't believe I Sold Cholevas

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

        same

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

      Joins Lukaku on my list...THE LIST !!

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

    C'mon Greece!

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

      ...so I can justify taking out duarte 😉

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

    djfoheqoupfhedhfuilew ffs

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

    Diaz CRC DEF 3pts, still worse than Duarte despite no red card

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

      😀

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

    Hope Costa Rica score just so I don't look stupid taking Durate off

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

      *greece?

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

        Yeah 😆

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

      This! And the fact everyone has other CRC defenders in the fox game which would hurt

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

    "He just got there in time but couldn't keep the ball in play" 😆

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  24. Rinseboy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    8 points for a red carded player is pretty good. I mean neymar got 5!

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

    costa rican def too much too early, greece will SCORE

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

    When England leave the EU next year, what competition will they play in summer 2016?

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

      THE SAME ONE SWITZERLAND AND NORWAY PLAY IN

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

      -_-

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

      😯

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

      for the 2nd time today I'm going to ask - you ain't that stupid, are you 😆

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

    Have Lahm and Bentelab on my bench
    Have Tejeda (5) and Cuadrado (9) on the pitch
    Lahm for Tejeda is an easy decision.
    Bentelab for Cuadrado? Or stick?

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    1. Pards Against Humanity
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I think the game will pass Bentaleb by, and I really can't see them scoring. Cuadrado @ 9 points is a STICK for me.

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

      sticking Cuadrado.

      If you can, change formation mid-round to add more MID players to get Bentaleb in.

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

    That was scary!

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

    If one team in this World Cup is capable of winning this it's Gree.........oh hang on

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

      Greenland?

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  30. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    My score went down 4 times in last 20 minutes 😯

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

      McSHIT for you !!

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