Here’s a review of Day 7 which included Australia v Holland, Spain v Chile and Cameroon v Croatia. We’ll cover lineups, match comments, key player performance and Sun Dream Team scoring. We’ll also preview key players for the Day 8 preview in Colombia v Ivory Coast, Uruguay v England and Japan v Greece
World Cup fantasy football tips – Day 7 review Day 8 preview
Australia 2 Holland 3
Goals: Cahill Jedinak/ RVP Robben Depay Assists: McGowan/ Blind Depay De Guzman
Lineups (lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail)
Australia (4-2-3-1): Ryan 5; McGowan 7, Wilkinson 6, Spiranovic 6, Davidson 6; Jedinak 7, McKay 6; Leckie 7, Bresciano 6 (Bozanic 51 6), Oar 6 (Taggart 77 ); Cahill 6 (Halloran 69 6)
Booked: Cahill
Holland (3-4-1-2): Cillessen 6; Vlaar 5, De Vrij 6, Martins Indi 6 (Depay 45 8); Janmaat 5, De Guzman 6 (Wijnaldum 78 6), De Jong 6, Blind 6; Sneijder 6; Van Persie 6 (Lens 87 6), Robben 6
Booked: Van Persie
Lineup comment:
Australia: McGowan and McKay came in for the injured Franjic and dropped Milligan.
Holland: Named the same team and formation as the Spain game
Match comment:
Australia said they would take the attack in this tournament and in this game and they certainly didn’t disappoint. The attacking players pressed the Holland defence high up the pitch with the defence dropping back to avoid the pace of Robben especially. Australia also got numbers forward when they attacked and these were the key features of the game and why they made the game so close. The Dutch defence were particularly unnerved by the pressing and made a number of errors. That committment to attack however was Australia’s undoing. This was no more evident than the Robben goal where he ran virtually untouched to score from inside his half. Holland changed their system at half time and this improved them but they needed a GK mistake to get the win.
Player comment:
RVP
Isolated in the first half as Holland failed to get the ball to him he came into the game in the 2nd and scored with a good finish courtesy of a defence that failed to catch him offside.
Robben
Australia led for decent periods in the match and the back 4 tried to sit back to counter his pace. This meant his counter attacking opportunities were a little limited. However his goal was typical Robben magic. Drifted out of the game towards the end.
The Dutch defence
If you had Blind then you would have got an assist but otherwise the defence was poor and constantly unsetlled by the Australian pressing. Up against Chile’s attack it should be interesting but further investment is questionable
Cahill
Unfortunately a 2nd yellow card will see him out of the tournament in all likelihood but doesn’t take away from his wonder goal in pure Van Basten style.
Sun Dream Team scoring
Holland: 7’s for Cillessen, De Guzman, RVP, Robben and Sneijder. Robben was the Star Man
Australia: 7 for Leckie and Cahill
Spain 0 Chile 2
Goals: Aranguiz Vargas Assists: Aranguiz
Lineups:
Spain: Casillas, Azpilicueta, Javi Martínez, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Pedro, Diego Costa, Silva.
Chile: Bravo, Jara, Silva, Medel, Mena, Aranguiz, Díaz, Isla, Vidal, Vargas, Alexis Sanchez.
Line up comment:
Spain: Pique was dropped for Javi Martinez and Pedro came in for Xavi
Chile: Francisco Silva came in for Valdivia the only change.
Match comment:
A game that started fast with both sides pressing high up the pitch and initially Spain benefitted from gaining possession back in good positions from Chile. However it was Chile who benefitted first and scored the first goal from Vargas. Chile kept up the pressing and work rate and always looked the likely winner. Spain are out of the competition just before they play Australia which could mean mass rotation
Player comment:
Costa
Again another disappointing performance from the man who lit up La Liga this season. Didn’t look sharp at all and touch and shooting were poor.
The Spain defence
Let down again by a GK mistake, the defence didn’t look as poor as it did against the Netherlands but was still prone to errors from pressing.
Vidal
Played further up the pitch and it was a mammoth performance despite their being no return in the form of a goal or assist. Showed little sign of the knee injury sustained at the end of the season.
Aranguiz
A goal and assist from a little known midfielder who plays his Club football in Brazil. Was a box to box sensation. Unfortunately a knee injury forced him off and I would be surprised if he played in the next game or even further. Needs monitoring.
Sanchez
Was nothing short of sensational with his attacking energy. Deserved something from the game. Difficult last game against Holland though
Sun Deam Team scoring
Spain: A 7 only for Iniesta
Chile: Vidal, Diaz and Jara were the only ones not to get at least 7. Isler got the Star Man award and 8. The rest got 7’s. Vidal definitely deserved a 7.
Croatia 4 Ivory Coast 0
Goals: Perisic Mandzukich 2 Olic Assists: Pranjic Perisic
Lineups (lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail)
Cameroon: Itanjde 4.5; Mbia 4, Chedjou 4.5 (Nounkeu 46, 3), N’Koulou 4.5, Assou-Ekotto 5; Song 2, Matip 5, Enoh 5; Moukandjo 4, Aboubakar 7 (Webo 70, 7), Choupo 6 (Salli 5).
Subs Not Used: Feudjou, Djeugoue, N’Guemo, Eto’o, Makoun, Bedimo, Fabrice, Nyom, N’Djock.
Sent off: Song.
Croatia: Croatia: Pletikosa 6; Srna 7.5, Lovren 6, Corluka 6, Pranjic 7; Rakitic 7.5, Modric 7.5, Sammir 6.5 (Kovacic 70, 7); Perisic 8.5 (Rebic 78, 6), Mandzukic 7, Olic 8 (Eduardo 69, 7).
Subs Not Used: Zelenika, Vrsaljko, Vukojevic, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Brozovic, Mocinic, Vida, Subasic.
Booked: Eduardo.
Lineup comment:
Cameroon: Matip came in for Djeugoue and Aboubakar replaced the injured Eto’o
Croatia: Sammir came in for Kovacic and Mandzukic returned from suspension to replace Jelavic
Match comment:
A match that turned into a training exercise once Alex Song got sent off. Cameroon just couldn’t handle Croatia’s attack and Modric’s passing from deep was fantastic. The score could easily have been double the end result
Player comment:
Mandzukic
2 straightforward finishes after the game became a formality shouldn’t diminish his contribution to the Croatian team. Could have won the Golden Boot in this game alone with the chances he had.
Peresic
A goal and an assist in an excellent performance but the Mexico game is win or bust for Croatia. Mexico are a much better defensive team than Cameroon so a transfer is a risk.
The Croatian defence
Personally I dont think the Croatian defence warrants investment. The GK is weak and much as Modric and Rakitic are great players they don’t offer traditional CB protection. Thats even before you take into account Group progression risk.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Cameroon: No one got a 7
Croatia: Pranjic, Lovren, Olic and Modric got 7’s. Mandzukic and Perisic got 8 with Perisic the Star Man
Key Players for Day 8
Colombia v Ivory Coast
T Guttierez
Falcao’s strike partner if he gets the nod again after a reasonable performance against Greece and an excellent qualifying campaign.
Rodriguez
The creative hub of the team with all the set pieces and should have pens.
Uruguay v England
Suarez
Even not fully fit he will be a handful. Sensational qualifying record and domestic record for Liverpool. Some words from the Uruguay coach doubt whether he will start but surely has to.
Sturridge
A very good finisher who showed that with his goal against Italy. Against a far poorer defence than Italy he should get chances
Rooney
Should be back centrally behind Sturridge. Under great pressure and will be desperate to prove his value to the team.
Japan v Greece
Honda
Leader of the Japan team and also pen taker. Scored in Japans first game against Ivory Coast
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World Cup fantasy football tips
World Cup fantasy football tips
