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

    Good pen.

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

    So unfair no McD points for shoot out saves and goals

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

    Greece will lose because they have Fulham players in their team

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

      Another fail

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

        Fulham relegated may be a sign that Greece fails

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

        So what did I just say?

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

    the ref has been pretty good.. for an ozzie 😉

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

    Metafictional pk by Borges.

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      1. Tiote on Peyote
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Were you saving that waiting for someone to somehow mention the man?

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    1. Tiote on Peyote
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Nice

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

    mini pirlo

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

    He's left footed?

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

    What a pen!

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

    Holy fek MItrolglou

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

    Some lovely penos

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

    Funny how some players can hit an unsaveable pen when others are under so much pressure that we can never know how hard it is..

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

    3great pens so far!!!

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

      Make it 4

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

    awesome pens! no chances for GKs!

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

    Someones gonna hit it over if they all go top corner 😀

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

    and another good pen

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

    Costa Rica hit their penalties hard and straight...

    Karnezis has to stand up for the next one...

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

      he didn't

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

      Down the middle again, when will he learn...

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

    The trick to penalties is making sure you have no English ancestors.

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

      unless they go back to Le Tissier

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

    These are nice. Why didn't they skip the match and just have a shootout?

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      🙂

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

    Karnezis hasnt made a save in about the last 3 hours 😀

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

    impressive stuff

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

    Looks like they finally realised keeper rarely save a pen unless it's a low one

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

    someone miss please

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

    shit goalkeeping.. that's 3 that have been in the central third

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

    My god this is a shootout!

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

    oooh joel next

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

    Joel to shank it?

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

    If either team gets to pens vs Netherlands, things look bad for Orange

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

    penalties is going to be as long as the match I'll see you guys in a couple hrs 😉

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

    Class Joel! 😀

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  30. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Costa Rica & Greece > Brazil and Chile on pens

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

      +1

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