Here’s our review of Day 2 of the Round of 16 which consisted of Holland v Mexico and Costa Rica v Greece. We’ll be covering lineups, key player performance, match comments and Sun Dream Team scoring concentrating on those teams going through. We’ll also preview key players for day 3 of the Round of 16 in the France v Nigeria and Germany Algeria games.
World Cup fantasy football tips – Round of 16 – Day 2 review Day 3 preview
Holland 2 Mexico 1
Goals: Sneijder Huntelaar/ Dos Santos Assists: Robben Huntelaar
Lineups (lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail):
Holland (3-5-2): Cillessen 6; De Vrij 5.5, Vlaar 5.5, Blind 5.5; Kuyt 7.5, Verhaegh 6 (Depay 56mins 6), De Jong 5 (Martins Indi 10mins 6), Wijnaldum 6, Sneijder 6 Robben 7, Van Persie 5 (Huntelaar 75mins 6.5)
Subs not used: Vorm, Janmaat, de Guzman, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Lens, Fer, Krul.
Mexico (4-4-2): Ochoa 8; Rodriguez 6.5, Marquez 7, Moreno 6.5 (Reyes 45mins 6.5); Aguilar 7, Layun 7, Salcido 6.5, Herrera 7, Guardado 7; Dos Santos 7.5 (Aquino 60mins 6.5), Peralta 6 (Hernandez 74mins 6)
Subs not used: Corona, Fabian, Jimenez, Pulido, Ponce, Brizuela, Pena, Talavera.
Bookings: Aguilar, Guardado
Lineup comment:
Holland: RVP returned from suspension to replace Lens. Verhaegh was preferred to Janmaat
Match comment:
A game played in sweltering conditions. The first half was played at a snails pace with little forward passing although Mexico had the edge as far as it could. Both teams matched 3-5-2 which didn’t help the situation. This changed after Dos Santos’ goal early in the 2nd half. Holland were then forced to attack and had many chances. Huntelaar’s entrance changed the game as Holland were able to use his aerial strength as a plan B. Holland won with 2 goals in the last minutes
Player comment:
Robben
Was the driving force in the team constantly running at peole and making chances. Proved he doesn’t need to play only on the break. Was probably more effective on the right in the 2nd half when Holland went to a 3 up front when Depay came on.
RVP
Isolated and lacking service. Subbed when Van Gaal decided on plan B with Huntelaar
The Dutch defence
Did not look solid at all and the goal was no surprise. If anything it was a good example of how poor they defended. It’s a good thing Blind is cheap and it’s Costa Rica next.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Holland: De Vrij and Sneijder got 7’s. Robben was the Star Man with 8.
Costa Rica 1 Greece 1 (Costa Rica won on pens)
Goals: Bolanos/ Papastathopoulos Assists: Bolanos/Gekas
Lineups lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail:
COSTA RICA 3-4-2-1: Navas 8.5; Duarte 5, Gonzalez 6, Umana 6; Gamboa 6 (Acosta 76 min, 6), Tejeda 6 (Cubero 66, 6), Borges 7, Diaz 6.5; Ruiz 6.5, Bolanos 7.5 (Brenes 84, 6); Campbell 6.5.
BOOKINGS: Duarte, Tejeda, Granados, Ruiz, Navas.
SENT OFF: Duarte.
GREECE 4-3-3: Karnezis 7; Torosidis 6, Manolas 6, Papastathopoulos 7, Cholevas 7; Maniatis 6.5 (Katsouranis 78, 6), Karagounis 7.5, Samaris 6 (Mitroglou 57, 6); Salpingidis 6 (Gekas 69, 7), Samaras 6, Christodoulopoulos 6.5.
BOOKINGS: Samaris, Manolas
Lineup comment:
Costa Rica: Umana came in for Miller. Bolanos came in for Brenes
Match comment:
A match involving a team that wanted to counter attack vs a team that don’t want to attack at all had a predictable slow start. Although Greece tried to press more than ususal the first half was dull as dishwater with Greece probably edging the chances. However a Costan Rican goal and the sending off of Duarte changed it all. Greece pushed forward to get the equaliser and with Ruiz showing no interest in defending Cholebas he ran riot on the left and was constantly free and providing dangerous crosses. Pinto changed it with a sub and Ruiz swapped over to then watch Torosidis have the run of the flank. After a lot of pressure and some brilliant goalkeeping it all got too much and Greece equalised. However the deadlock wasn’t broken and the game went to pens. Unsurprisingly the player to miss was Gekas who looked like he couldn’t hit a barn door in the tournament. After a dull 1st half the game couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Player comment:
Campbell
The striker ran himself into the ground and by the end was out on his feet. Didn’t really make a contribution as was isolated after the sending off.
Ruiz
Was invisible in the first half although provided the key contribution to the game with what looked like a miss kick.
The Costa Rican defence
Given the nothing first half and the sending off it’s hard to make a judgement but the GK was absolutely superb. He’ll need to be for Holland next.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Gonzalez and Ruiz got 7’s. Bolanos and Umana got 8’s. Navas was the Star Man with 8.
Key players in the Round of 16 Day 3
France v Nigeria
Benzema
The obvious player to have. 3 goals and great form. Should still keep pens despite a miss. High ownership across all formats if you don’t own him
Griezmaan
A good option if he starts although don’t bank on any gametime security for the future
The French defence
Should be a decent chance of a clean sheet. Sakho if fit is the cheap option
Germany v Algeria
Muller
Another high ownership player in great form with 4 goals. Ignore him at your peril
Gotze
Check the lineups as may not start although with Podolski out he maybe more secure
The German defence
Another good clean sheet prospect. Howedes is the budget option
That’s it good luck today
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World Cup fantasy football tips
World Cup fantasy football tips
