With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Too bad the refs vanishing spray, which was first introduced in tournament play at 2011s Copa América, is only effective on the grass. We were all left wondering when the football would finally be the focus. All those questions were answered by the Dutch dominance of the World Cup holders yesterday. In the second half alone, Spain conceded twice as many goals as they did through seven matches en route to a first World Cup triumph in South Africa four-years ago. Then for an encore, Chile and Australia played out a highly spirited encounter. Jorge Sampaolis team were very convincing, and certainly would have won over many new admirers, that one of South Americas less glamorous nations, would be the one which punches well above its weight class at Brazil 2014. With Groups C and D taking to the pitch Day 3 provides us with the only quadruple header of the tournament. Where armchair enthusiasts the world over are treated to the prospect of four matches over the course of 11 hours. Todays headliner without question is the rumble in the jungle, as the aptly named Arena da Amazonia plays host to Italy v England. With four World Cup triumphs already to their name, a record which is only bettered by Brazils five, if Italy is the preening peacock of European football, then England is its Hippopotamus. Rare, if ever, has the land of St. George got their heads above the waterline during World Cups. Quite coincidentally the last time that happened was at Italia 90, which was also the last time the two nations met at a World Cup. Courtesy of Toto Schillacis late penalty, Italy prevailed 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. Through the entire history of World Cup quite remarkably, that meeting represents the only time the two nations have met at the tournament proper. They have though met in qualifying twice. The most recent time was for France 1998. Zolas superb strike at Wembley in February 1997 was the difference maker. The return fixture in Rome saw England claim a famous scoreless draw and with it top spot in the group. The iconic image of England captain Paul Inces head swathed in a bloodied bandage typified Englands approach on the day. One which had the current England manager Roy Hodgson assisting Glen Hoddle, officially in the role of interpreter. Hodgson was Inter Milans head coach at the time. When the World Cup Draw took place in Zurich early last December Manaus was chosen as the venue. The Arena da Amazonia, built at a cost of $300M has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as four workers have died during its construction. Brazilian football legend come politician Romario has been outspoken in his criticism. Pictures emerging on Thursday of a sub-standard surface the latest setback for a stadium which will host four group stage games. With Buffon set to miss out due to an ankle injury which occurred in training yesterday, combined with Montolivo fracturing a leg May 31st, the psychological edge certainly goes to England. Not that Prandellis team will need extra motivation this evening - but the only European nation to retain a World Cup [1934, 1938] is still smarting from its inability to emerge from a weak group in South Africa. A tournament they went into as defending champions. With soaring heat and intense humidity factoring, for England to stand any chance they will have to overcome the Achilles heel which has dogged them through the ages. Chasing shadows in the pursuit of a ball they surrender more casually than Andrea Pirlo completes successful passes. Based on statistical evidence and World Cup history, losing your first group stage game almost guarantees elimination. Although Prandelli nor Hodgson would admit it, if the game finishes as it did in Rome back in fall 1997 neither of them will be too upset. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter TSN Radio is an official licensed radio broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. Check www.tsn.ca/radio for the broadcast schedule in your home town. Authentic Eric Bledsoe Jersey . It was a loss. But it was also a learning experience. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson had 24 points each to lift Brooklyn to a 94-87 win over the Raptors, making their first playoff appearance since 08. "I thought we played a little bit as expected as it is our first playoff game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. Cheap Bucks Jerseys Free Shipping . - Vince Wilfork has played only two career games in Kansas City. http://www.cheapbucksjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-ray-allen-jersey . UCI President Brian Cookson said Wednesday the commission will investigate allegations "that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past -- allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport. Wholesale Bucks Jerseys Authentic .com) - Many people at Eastern Washington are waiting to see if star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. Cheap Bucks Jerseys .com) - Mike Conley scored 20 points with five assists to help the Memphis Grizzlies remain unbeaten with a 91-89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.ORLANDO - Its been a rewarding season for Kyle Lowry, the Raptors most important player, but its also been a long one. The eighth-year point guard played in his 500th career game on Sunday, a 98-93 win over the Orlando Magic. Does he feel like hes played in that many games? "No," he said initially, before reconsidering. "I mean, this season, yeah." "This is a game I love to play," the 28-year-old continued. "Ive probably played 500 more in street ball games growing up. So this is a great accomplishment for me to say Ive made it that far." After missing 14 games last year, his first in Toronto, Lowry is the Raptors only starter to suit up in every game this season. Hes 10th in the NBA in minutes played and is fighting through a number of ailments, but with fewer than 10 contests remaining before he makes his first playoff appearance in five years, Lowrys still the engine that drives his team. Despite taking a 19-point lead into third quarter - their largest halftime advantage of the season - the Raptors began to come apart in the second half. The Magic, down by as many as 21 points, hit 22 of their final 33 shots and tied the game early in the fourth. With his team up by two, Lowry misfired on a long three-point shot, absorbing a fair amount of contact on the play, immediately turning to give official Eli Roe the trademark Lowry scowl. Scorned after the no-call, Lowry would get the ball back off of an Amir Johnson offensive rebound and drain the same shot he had just missed, shooting another look at Roe on the way down the court. Weve seen this before. Lowry was fired up. The Raptors point guard scored nine of his 16 points in the final quarter, holding off the Magic, who were coming hard. Dwane Casey continues to seek passable opportunities to manufacture rest for Lowry, but theyve proven few and far between. As he and DeMar DeRozan sat to end the third and begin the fourth, the lead dwindled down and in came Torontos star backcourt. Lowry logged 35 minutes while DeRozan - who scored 15 of his 28 points at the line - played 38. "Its tricky," Casey admitted. "Its tricky to make sure we cut their minutes and not give up leads. Its something we have to learn to do, but I thought the second unit did their job. They built a lead. Now its up to the starters coming back in. I wasnt going to play them a lot the second half, but they kept chipping away at it so I couldnt wholesale sub the second unit in." After a quiet first half, Lowry - to his own admission - began the second half lacking the "energy and effort" hes become synonymous with.dddddddddddd The wear and tear of a long season has taken its toll and he, understandably, has to pick his spots, but there he was when his team needed him most. The Raptors needed this win with games against the Heat, Rockets and Pacers on deck. "Were happy about the win but we cannot be satisfied about the way we got it," Casey said. "“The hardest thing to do in this league is to play with a lead and thats something we have to learn to do." Big night for JV In a tough matchup against the Magics Nikola Vucevic, Jonas Valanciunas did not back down and more than held his own. The Raptors sophomore centre got off to a hot start, scoring 10 of his 20 points in the first quarter. "They are two good, young players that are coming up in this league," Casey said of Valanciunas and Vucevic, who led Orlando with 22 points and 10 rebounds. "So you will see them go at each other a lot in the future." Bench comes through in second quarter Without Patrick Patterson - who could return Monday in Miami, but missed his 13th straight with an elbow injury - the Raptors second unit has under-performed. Beginning the second quarter with an unconventional lineup that included Nando De Colo running the point and Landry Fields, who hasnt played much since a spot-start early in March, the reserves gave Toronto a lift that ballooned the lead going into intermission. "They really gave us a great boost," Lowry said of the bench. "They pretty much won the game in the second quarter." Vasquez gets stitched up After getting hit in the face early in the game, Greivis Vasquez required five stitches to close a gash below his left eye. He return late in the first half with a bandage covering the wound and finished the game with five points in 15 minutes of action. The stat Toronto matched a franchise record with its 20th road win of the season Friday, one shy of finishing the season above .500 away from home for the first time in team history. They have four road games to go, three against losing teams. The quote "I thought he did a heck of a job of initiating the offence, being in attack mode," said Casey on De Colo, who played the point for the first time as a Raptor in the second quarter. "We know he can pass the ball but what he did tonight was get to the rim. He grew on us as a coaching staff tonight... not that he wasnt there in the beginning." Authentic Nike Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Tennessee Titans Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Washington Redskins Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Arizona Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Denver Broncos Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Green Bay Packers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike New England Patriots Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Seattle Seahawks Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Carolina Panthers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Cleveland Browns Jerseys Cheap Cheap Throwback Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Atlanta Braves Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Baltimore Orioles Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Boston Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago Cubs Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago White Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cincinnati Reds Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cleveland Indians Jerseys ' ' '