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. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Karnezis doesnt have a saved shot or anything, just 3pts from playing lol.

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

    Okay feck it. Can't watch this torture anymore. Good night everyone

    *sods off*

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

    Did he just say "the old beater on that man. Bit like you" 😯

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

    Really nice attack for a 10 player team on OT!

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

    5 on 2... Poor

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

    whoooa! what a chance that counter was

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

    5 v 2 ffs

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

    Jeez, the Greek Offense in full flight. WTF

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

    Yeah this Manolas Sokratis combo is solid.

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  10. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Greece is abysmal

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

      Better than England probably.

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

    manolas DID SOMETHING

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

    Even if Karnezis would get points for saving the penalties in the shootout, I doubt he'd amount to much 😕

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

      costa rica would hit them all wide or over if saves counted in s/o

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

    had forgotten costa have ten men

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

    Must be 6 saves for Navas now for extra 2 points in Fox? Hope he gets MOTM.

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

      Depends how he performs in the shootout. If he's the hero should get it.

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

        Yeah that's what I'm hoping. I think he is capable of it

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        1. Werkself
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          He should if Costa Rica win on PK's

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

    Samaras is a strangely decent player...

    He looks like he should be drinking special brew under a bridge at 3 in the morning, but he is food at football.

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

      Mmmm... Food

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

    Gonzalez 10+ pts is the one good thing to come out of this game for me...

    Tejeda 5
    Manolas 4
    Duarte 4
    Diaz 4
    Maniatis 3

    All rubbish...

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

      He is on 10, right?

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

        Yep

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

          4 lucky points in ET. 😉

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

      10? it seems between R.Marquez + Gamboa or Gonzalez + Guardado combo i picked the wrong one

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

      Very happy I picked him over Duarte!

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  17. Damo.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I keep thinking I'm watching Chelsea

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

      To be fair, Torres' finishing is better than Mitroglou.

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

        Not a patch on Samaras though!

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

          True enough!

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

      Chelsea vs Chelsea?

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

    What a terrible shot

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

    Nice one Mitroglu!

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

    ooo manolas, that miroglu is useless cost mano aan assist

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  21. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Who you think will win on penalties?

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    1. Crazy Joe
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Greece.

      Because I have money on Costa Rica.

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      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Haha I have money on Costa Rica too...

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

      Gotta be costa rica with navas in goals

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

    😆

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

    That reminds me of Sunday league football...

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

    yaaaaoooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    useless

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  25. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Navas!

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

    A Leg End is born

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    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      🙂

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

    Cholebas corner for the game winner?

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

      *cholevas

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

    Who is Mitroglue and why is he on a football pitch?

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

      Awful, you've got to laugh at Fulham.

      That saved shot was going wide too.

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    2. 1LHerne
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Exactly. Useless donkey. And what is this with Greece half-heartedly trying to end this on extra time? They want to go to penalties where there is pretty much 50/50. Though if this Motroglou guy shoots, Costa Rica have the edge.

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

    decent goalie

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

    Last two corners from Cholevas have been atrocious

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