634x258 Dugout Discussion
29 June 2014 3432 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Recovered ball Karnezis

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

      ??

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

        2ND OF THE MATCH -_- I WANT A POINT DAMNNNN

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

    they should dock him points for that headed touch

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

    Everyone loves the underdog.......until you get a game like this

    Open Controls
    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      underdogs need an overdog.

      Otherwise its just shit.

      Open Controls
  4. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    FFS Navas...

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

    Holebas 8pts

    Open Controls
    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      good job i sold him for manolas...

      Open Controls
  6. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Navas YC for time wasting...

    Open Controls
  7. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    One more YC...This match is nuts

    Open Controls
  8. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Shite

    Open Controls
  9. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    SCENES!

    Open Controls
  10. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    FFS Navas...again..

    Open Controls
  11. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

    Open Controls
  12. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    GOALLLLLLLLLLL

    Open Controls
  13. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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

    Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

    Open Controls
  15. Pards Against Humanity
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    GREECE YOU SLUGGERS!!!!

    Open Controls
  16. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Lol

    Scenes

    Open Controls
  17. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Another 30 minutes, ffs.

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

      ^this^

      Open Controls
  18. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    F************

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

    Greece late show again.

    Open Controls
  20. Pilleri
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    WHAT IS THIS, I DON'T EVEN!

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

      "Greece does what the Greek always do - again!" - Finnish commentator

      Open Controls
  21. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    another half hour yeaaaaaaaaaaa...............

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

      easyJest

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

    Balls 👿

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

      We'll be seeing them!

      Open Controls
  23. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    oh FFS another 30 mins.. 🙁

    Open Controls
  24. Keepergirl
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Shit! 30 more minutes of this!

    Open Controls
  25. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    why is it not manolas?????

    Open Controls
  26. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Waawaaweewaa

    Open Controls
  27. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Get in Greece mwwwahhahaha

    Open Controls
  28. Demí
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    And that's why you never write off United.

    Open Controls
  29. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Pappadappadopolous...

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

    Who said he wants Greece to score? If you're not a Greek, I'm gonna kill you -_-

    Open Controls