Group B kicks off with a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final as Spain will take on the Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova on Friday.
Drew
Hutchison Blue Jays Jersey . Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050
in Toronto, TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, TSN Radio 1260 in Edmonton and TEAM 1410
on Friday at 3pm et/Noon pt. The two countries needed extra time to decide the
winner of the 2010 final, which Spain ultimately won thanks to an Andres Iniesta
strike. And with the majority of the same pieces in place, Spain will be looking
to make history by not only becoming the first nation to claim back-to-back
World Cup titles since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962, but also by becoming
the first European country to win the tournament in South America. Spains 2010
campaign opened with a narrow defeat to Switzerland, so with a much more
difficult opponent awaiting the reigning champions in their 2014 opener, Bayern
Munich midfielder Javi Martinez attempted to take some pressure off the team.
"In 2010 we showed that if you lose the first game its not all over, but we want
to get off to a winning start," he said. "To win the tournament you have to win
as many games as possible, but in the last World Cup we showed that even after
losing the first game, we wanted to get to the final." While Spain remains among
the favorites to win the entire tournament, the Netherlands faces stiff
competition to emerge from a cutthroat field in Group B, which also consists of
Chile and Australia. The Dutch have plenty of experience in attack with the
likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, but the back line
is relatively untested, increasing the concern as to whether the 2010 runners-up
can even make it out of the group this time around. In order to compensate for
the lack of experience in defence, manager Louis van Gaal looks poised to deploy
five defenders in the form of three center-backs and two wing-backs. Ron Vlaar,
who should feature as one of the nations three central defenders along with
Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi, is aware of the perception of Hollands
weak defence, but he was quick to point out the stout performances in qualifying
that saw the Dutch concede just five goals in 10 group games. "We know that. We
work hard to get better as a team and we also know we have our best players up
front," Vlaar said. "But if you look at all the games we played during
qualification and friendlies we didnt concede many goals. "So we have to give
confidence to our forwards to accelerate and make a difference for us. You play
every game to win. You have to be realistic but I really believe we can achieve
something. I look forward to it and I cannot wait." *** Mexico ready to put
sloppy qualifying in the past vs. Cameroon After an absolutely dismal qualifying
campaign, Mexico will get its first chance to put that struggle in the rearview
mirror on Friday against Cameroon in Group A play at the Estadio das Dunas.
Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto and TEAM 1410 on Friday
beginning at Noon et/9am pt. Mexico struggled mightily in CONCACAF qualifying,
finishing fourth and needing a gift from the United States just to reach Brazil.
El Tri was on the verge of staying home before the United States, which had
already qualified for the World Cup, scored in stoppage time against Panama in
the final round of matches to help Mexico clinch fourth place. A fourth-place
finish meant El Tri faced New Zealand in a two-legged playoff, but breezed past
the All Whites, 9-3, on aggregate to avert disaster. Head coach Miguel Herrera,
who was installed as the teams fourth head coach during qualifying, will be
hoping his side can put that difficulty in the past and focus on getting out of
a tough group. Herrera has only been in charge for about six months, and he is
taking a bit of a gamble by pinning Mexicos hopes on 35-year-old defender Rafael
Marquez, who will become the first player to captain his side at four different
World Cups. Javier Hernandez is a familiar face up top for Mexico, but the team
will also rely on some new blood as well with Oribe Peralta leading the team in
goals in qualifying while Carlos Pena carved out a place in the midfield for
himself with some strong performances recently. But El Tri will be without a
pair of players in Luis Montes and Juan Carlos Medina. Medina, 31, figured to
occupy a defensive role in the middle of the field but who will miss the
tournament because of an ankle injury, while Montes will miss the tournament
with a broken leg suffered in a friendly against Ecuador. Cameroon, meanwhile,
will be making its seventh appearance in the World Cup hoping to replicate the
success they had 24 years ago. The 1990 team stunned the rest of the world by
becoming the first African side to reach the quarterfinals at the World Cup as
they were led by the scoring exploits of veteran striker Roger Milla. Head coach
Volker Finkes team will be trying to break a streak of four straight group-stage
exits. The Indomitable Lions are led by 32-year-old forward Samuel Etoo. Etoo
has been in and out of the side in recent years, but enters the World Cup in
fine form after scoring nine goals in 21 appearances for Chelsea last season.
Etoo has netted three World Cup goals in his career, leaving him two short of
Millas record for the national team, and he may need to match that total if the
team is going to finish in the top two in Group A. Vincent Aboubakar and Pierre
Webo will also be expected to share some of the scoring load, while Alex Song,
Stephane Mbia and Jean Makoun make up a quality midfield. With Brazil and
Croatia also in Group A Fridays match is crucial for both clubs. Mexico will be
hoping to get off to a good start with three points, while Cameroon will also
need three points if they hope to escape the group stage. *** Chile has plenty
to prove in World Cup opener vs. Australia Chile will have its first opportunity
to open the eyes of the football world on Friday against Australia in Group B
play at the Arena Pantanal. Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050 in
Toronto, TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, TSN Radio 1200 in Ottawa and TEAM 1410 on
Friday at 6pm et/3pm pt. La Roja arrived on the world football scene in 2010
when they showed the can play as beautifully as any team in South Africa. Under
Marcelo Bielsa, the team was full of vibrancy and vigor, attacking with a
fluidity that not many expected. Chiles squad remains largely unaltered from
2010 and are led by key pieces such as Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel and Alexis
Sanchez. Sanchez has made the jump from promising player to global superstar.
The 25- year-old enjoyed a banner year with Barcelona, scoring 19 goals in
league play. Isla, 25, has gained much more experience since his exploits at the
2010 World Cup, splitting his club allegiances with two seasons at Udinese
before making the switch to Juventus in 2012. The same can be said for Medel,
who was a key defender for Sevilla in a run of a few impressive seasons. The
26-year-old moved to Cardiff City last summer, and while the Welsh club was
relegated from the Premier League, Medel enjoyed a solid campaign on a personal
level. On the offensive end, Esteban Paredes, Mauricio Pinilla, Eduardo Varas,
Jean Beausejour and Fabian Orellana all have a chance to chip in as Sanchez
cannot be expected to carry the team out of a group that consists of Spain,
Australia and the Netherlands. The biggest question for Chile will be whether
midfielder Arturo Vidal is fit for the opening match. Vidal is one of the most
well-rounded central midfielders in the world, but he was a surprising inclusion
on the final roster following a recent knee operation. Chile is more than
capable of making it out of Group B without Vidal, but its outlook would be much
brighter if the Juventus man is able to suit up. Australia, meanwhile, enters
the 2014 event as a huge underdog against stiff competition in the group. And
facing teams like Spain, Chile and The Netherlands with a vastly inexperienced
squad doesnt make the Socceroos task any easier. Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano
are the only two members of the team with more than 50 caps, making them two of
the countrys most important pieces. Cahill has featured for Australia in 2006
and 2010 and even became the first Australian player to score in World Cup play
by netting two goals against Japan on June 12, 2006. Bresciano, also 34, boasts
a great deal of experience in Serie A having represented the likes of Parma,
Palermo and Lazio, but he has not played in Italys top flight since 2011.
Captain Mile Jedinak is another key piece for the Socceroos. He is coming off an
impressive season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and will be tasked
with guiding the team from the middle of the park. Australia figures to struggle
in Group B, but Fridays match represents the clubs best chance to earn a point.
Custom Toronto Blue Jays
Jersey . Jets head coach Paul Maurice made the announcement Saturday
following the morning skate and confirmed Al Montoya will start in goal against
the Dallas Stars on Sunday.
Josh
Donaldson Blue Jays Jersey . -- Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has been
suspended two games for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins.
http://www.teambluejaysprostore.us/Josh-Donaldson-blue-jays-jersey/ . Martin Reway and David Griger both recorded four points with a goal and three
assists each. Mario Lunter, Daniel Gachulinec and Stanislav Horansky also scored
for Slovakia (1-0). Dominik Kahun had both goals for Germany (0-2), who lost its
opening match to Canada 7-2 on Thursday.Boiling Springs, NC (SportsNetwork.com)
- Gardner-Webb has made two adjustments to the non-conference portion of its
2015 football schedule. The Big South Conference university rescheduled its trip
to Wofford to Sept. 26, one week later than originally planned. A matchup
scheduled against Brevard has been replaced by a home game against Virginia
Union on Sept. 19. The Runnin Bulldogs finished 4-8 this past season in coach
Carroll McCrays second campaign.
Jose
Bautista Blue Jays Jersey. 2015 Gardner-Webb Football Schedule Sept. 5 -
at South Alabama Sept. 12 - Elon Sept. 19 - Virginia Union Sept. 26 - at Wofford
Oct. 10 - Liberty* Oct. 17 - at Kennesaw State* Oct. 24 - Charleston Southern*
Oct. 31 - at Presbyterian* Nov. 7 at Coastal Carolina* Nov. 14 - East Tennessee
State Nov. 21 - Monmouth* * - Big South Conference game
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