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. Air Max 270 Womens White . 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. Air Max 270 Flyknit . Not that he was complaining. Davis had 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans emphatically snapped a three-game skid with a 135-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Cheap Air Max 270 Rose . The top-ranked Williams carried her winning momentum from 2013 into the new season, beating No. 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-5 on Saturday to defend her title at the Brisbane International and set the tone for the Australian Open. http://www.cheapairmax270online.com/cheap-air-max-270-all-blue/ .The seventh-seeded Raonic was scheduled to play U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan, but was replaced in the Group B pool by Spanish substitute David Ferrer.Raonic, who was 0-2 at the year-end event, said he suffered the injury late in the first set of Tuesdays 6-3, 7-6 loss to Murray.LONDON -- Manchester United has brought the "Class of 92" back together. Renowned graduates of Uniteds most successful youth team have been put in control of a team in turmoil following the abrupt dismissal of David Moyes. A notable absentee is David Beckham, who has never expressed a desire for team management. If theres anyone who can unite what appears to be a disenchanted squad it is Ryan Giggs, assisted by retired former teammates Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. "It will certainly be a different atmosphere in training and at Old Trafford and the fans will buy into it," Eric Harrison, the youth team coach who developed the "Class of 92," said Wednesday. "As soon as Ryan walks out the tunnel, the place will erupt." Even though Giggs is the oldest of the quartet at 40, the clubs most decorated player is the only one to feature in teams of both Ferguson and Moyes, who was fired after just 10 months on Tuesday. "I think for togetherness and getting the results and playing a certain way, a brand of football that is more eye-catching, the Man United way, I feel that Ryan Giggs is the right person," former United teammate Dwight Yorke said. With United searching for a more experienced successor for Moyes, Giggs has just four games to prove that the same football nous that enabled him to outwit opponents on the pitch for so many years also extends to the dugout. "Youve got to be natural as much as you can as a manager, find your own style, not try and be somebody else," Giggs told The Guardian newspaper during a recent Football Association coaching course. While cutting his teeth in the youth team, the Welsh winger was seen as setting the highest standards by the teammates now on his coaching staff. "Ryan Giggs was probably the one I looked up to the most," Neville told the BBC as a "Class of 92" documentary was released last year. While Giggs is yet to comment since being appointed interim coach, Harrison said the Welshman was delighted with the chance to manage alongside his "musketeers." "I used to call him a football nut because he took everything on board," Harrison told Talk Sport radio. Giggs, Scholes, Butt and Neville made 2,453 appearances in total for United and were iinstrumental in the exceptional success under Alex Ferguson, who retired last year after 26 trophy-filled years in charge. Cheap Air Max 270 Grey. Scholes, whose retirement coincided with Fergusons, has returned to United to help out Giggs, while Butt had been coaching with Uniteds under-19 and under-21 teams, and Neville was already part of Moyes staff. Even if they dont stay on at United when an experienced successor is hired as Moyes full-time replacement in the summer, the quartet already have another football club to occupy themselves with. Along with another former teammate, Nevilles brother Gary, they are buying Salford City, a non-league club in the Manchester area. Gary Neville and Giggs have also gone into business together, opening the "Cafe Football" next to Londons Olympic Park and "Hotel Football" is under construction opposite Old Trafford. The next game at Uniteds ground is against Norwich on Saturday as the 20-time English champions look to complete their pitiful season with just pride intact. Not only did they fail to defend the Premier League trophy, but the team is unable to finish in the top four Champions League places, currently sitting in seventh place. Failure to qualify for Europes top club competition ultimately cost Moyes his job. The ousted manager broke his silence on Wednesday to accept that results "have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect." "I both understand and share their frustration," he said in a statement released by the League Managers Association. Moyes was troubled that he first learned about his impending firing in the media rather than directly from the American-owned clubs hierarchy. "Throughout his time at United, David, as he always does, has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism, values that he believes in and that have been strongly associated with the club and its rich tradition," LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said. "It is therefore sad to see the end of Davids tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner." Louis van Gaal, who is leaving his position as Netherlands coach after the World Cup in Brazil and has previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is the favourite to succeed Moyes on a full-time basis. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '