Josh McGuire's NRL season-ending injury hits Brisbane Broncos hard

<div class="first" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Inspiration was all around after Brisbane forward Josh McGuire suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the Broncos' 44-22 win over Newcastle at Lang Park on Friday night.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> McGuire, on crutches, was quickly comforted after the victory by Broncos team-mates Justin Hodges and Darius Boyd, who had both come back from the same injury.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> And spirits in the Broncos dressing room were lifted by a surprise visit from ex-Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon, who suffered an on-field spinal injury last year.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> But it seemed nothing could soften the blow for Broncos captain Hodges, who feared McGuire's injury might dent the NRL ladder leader's title push.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Broncos coach Wayne Bennett <strong style="color: #310099; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;">laid the blame for McGuire's injury on the NRL's scheduling of State of Origin</strong><span style="color: #310099;">, highlighting both Queensland and New South Wales have been hit hard this year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> McGuire put on a brave front after the injury not only cut short his season but also the Maroons' forward's maiden Origin campaign.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Maroons' team for July 8's Origin decider in Brisbane will be named on Monday.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "A few of the boys have done a few (Achilles) in the past so I am in the best hands - I am excited about getting stuck into rehab," McGuire said.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "It's very disappointing (missing Origin III) but it is also disappointing leaving the (Broncos) boys a front rower down for the rest of the year. That's heartbreaking as well."</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Asked if it was also disappointing to miss out on a potential title tilt, McGuire said: "I will be at the club a long time so there is plenty of time to win premierships but I hope the boys get it this year."</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Hodges admitted McGuire's injury would impact on the Broncos' season, saying they would feel his absence more than Queensland.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "He's a bigger blow for us here," Hodges said of McGuire.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "He's one of our number one props."</div> <h2 style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: ProximaNova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 2em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.625em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"> Hodges has belief McGuire will bounce back</h2> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Hodges had successfully come back from two Achilles tendon injuries, while Boyd returned in time this year to earn Origin I selection.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "It's devastating for him. It's a big injury," Hodges said.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "But he's a guy who works hard and takes no short cuts - he will be back. I have got back from two and I am a lot older than him. He'll be right."</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> McGuire appeared on crutches with team-mates on the field after the thumping of the Knights and was quickly consoled by Hodges and Boyd.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "I know what he has to go through," Boyd said.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "It's a tough journey but I am sure he will be ready next year. I spoke to him quickly about the rehab but it will take him a few weeks for it to soak in.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> "It's sad but I am sure he will be right."</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Meanwhile, Broncos Jordan Kahu and Dale Copley were both cleared of serious injury after leaving the field on Friday night with concussion.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jecIjzK1Y1Q/VY5gD8aqzCI/AAAAAAAAEHY/0YJAMjI53cw/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jecIjzK1Y1Q/VY5gD8aqzCI/AAAAAAAAEHY/0YJAMjI53cw/s400/39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div>

Josh McGuire's NRL season-ending injury hits Brisbane Broncos hard

Inspiration was all around after Brisbane forward Josh McGuire suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the Broncos' 44-22 wi...

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Hawthorn trounces Essendon by 38 points in AFL thanks to blistering second half at MCG

<div class="first" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Paul Puopolo and Jack Gunston have fired Hawthorn back inside the AFL top four with a 38-point win over Essendon.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Hawks' engine coughed and spluttered during the first half before roaring into life as the reigning premiers claimed a 16.18 (114) to 11.10 (76) win at the MCG on Saturday.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Essendon brought strong effort early against its traditional rival, shutting down the Hawks trademark fast ball movement.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> After half-time the Hawks were able to break the disciplined Bombers down, kicking clear through Puopolo (4.1) and Gunston (3.4).</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The win was not without a cost.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> James Frawley dislocated his shoulder shortly after quarter-time in his second serious injury this season against the Bombers.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> But led by Liam Shiels and Sam Mitchell - and with Josh Gibson a standout in defence - the Hawks regained bragging rights over their arch-rivals after losing earlier in the year.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Hawks' final margin was built entirely off their second-half domination.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Essendon set up well early to frustrate the Hawks, forcing them wide and backwards at every turn.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Merrett and Shaun McKernan surged Essendon to an early lead which would have been greater if not for inaccuracy.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> In a first-quarter slog, Jobe Watson and Joe Daniher both hit the post, allowing Hawthorn back into the contest.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Hawks were reduced to opportunistic goals by Puopolo and Gunston.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Despite dominating the hit-outs, Hawthorn failed to have a centre clearance in the first half.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Gunston's sharpshooting allowed the Hawks to sneak a one-point half-time lead but it felt like Essendon's half.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Then it all changed.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Hawthorn's midfield changed gears to win the contested ball and clearances, repeatedly laying siege to the Bombers' goal.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> A pair of high tackles allowed Puopolo to kick two goals from either pocket, with the tiny forward capping a six-goal Hawks term with a fine long-range set shot.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> After ceding ownership of the corridor during the first half, the Hawks seemed to push forward with ease.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> The contest was over when Luke Breust and Will Langford kicked goals inside the final term's first three minutes.</div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> Key forward Jarryd Roughead, kept goalless in his last seven quarters, looked a relieved man to break his streak late in the match, condemning the Bombers to a fourth-straight loss.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvM8WYEsHhg/VY5fVmMLdwI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/8wFaKBPG11I/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvM8WYEsHhg/VY5fVmMLdwI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/8wFaKBPG11I/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #111111; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.3334; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div>

Hawthorn trounces Essendon by 38 points in AFL thanks to blistering second half at MCG

Paul Puopolo and Jack Gunston have fired Hawthorn back inside the AFL top four with a 38-point win over Essendon. The Hawks' engine c...

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Arturo Vidal set to leave Juventus this summer

<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juventus have completed a deal with an unnamed European club regarding the sale of Chile international Arturo Vidal, with an announcement set to be made after the Copa America.</span></div> <div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is according to talkSPORT, who cite Spanish newspaper Marca as claiming a deal has been agreed.</span></div> <div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report also explains that Vidal has accepted the opportunity to leave Juventus after four years with the reigning Serie A champions.</span></div> <div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vidal has been strongly linked with both Manchester United and Arsenal, whose supporters will be hoping the unnamed European club in question is their team, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid.</span></div> <div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 28-year-old has proven over recent months, including in Chile at the Copa America this summer, that he is still one of the best central midfielders in world football.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr3kNwp3yr8/VY5emdQa2RI/AAAAAAAAEHE/Z2yg_WhaZQg/s1600/vidal%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr3kNwp3yr8/VY5emdQa2RI/AAAAAAAAEHE/Z2yg_WhaZQg/s400/vidal%2B1.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div>

Arturo Vidal set to leave Juventus this summer

Juventus have completed a deal with an unnamed European club regarding the sale of Chile international Arturo Vidal, with an announcement s...

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Copa America quarter-finals: Brazil battle surprise package Paraguay

<div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> When Neymar received his ban earlier in the Copa America campaign, Brazil could have easily folded without their reliant star forward, but instead the Samba Boys have actually looked a more balanced side as they prepare for a quarter-final clash against Paraguay.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Without a doubt, Barcelona’s Neymar is the most gifted Brazilian in Dunga’s squad, but other young starlets and experienced heads have come to the fore for the eight-time winners of this prestigious competition.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Brazil are <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">4/1 with Coral to secure victory</span></span> in 90 minutes with both teams getting on the scoresheet, and Dunga will hope his talented roster can finish off their opposition in normal time, with the lottery of a penalty shoot-out looming rather than extra-time following a stalemate.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Paraguay have been somewhat of a surprise package this summer in Chile (4/1 to win), but Brazil attacking midfielder Willian claims his side are already looking forward to a potential semi-final showdown with close rivals Argentina.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> “Undoubtedly it is always great to play for Brazil against Argentina, and if it happens it will be really cool. Everyone dreams of playing against Argentina. We are getting ready for the possibility of that happening, but we must not get ahead of ourselves,” stated the Chelsea attacker.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Although, Brazil can expect a tough test from their South American counterparts, who managed to beat Dunga’s men on penalties at this stage of the competition in 2011.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> “Paraguay are competitive opponents, and it will be a fight for the full 90 minutes,” Willian added. “But as a national team we know well how to play against these sides.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> “In the last Copa America we were eliminated by Paraguay but I hope it can be different this time. Hopefully we can play the game the way we like, with joy and responsibility and can eliminate a tricky opponent.”</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> With Neymar out of action through suspension, new Liverpool signing Firmino has risen to prominence, becoming an integral part of Dunga’s side having struck in the earlier 2-1 triumph over Venezuela. The new Anfield arrival is <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">3/1 to fire Brazil to victory</span></span> in 90 minutes in this quarter-final encounter.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Paraguay possess the firepower capable of causing Brazil an upset, but it will be an uphill battle, and their top scorer so far in the competition Lucas Barrios is sure to be a threat. The frontman, who is nicknamed ‘the Panther’ for his clinical instincts in the box, will have added motivation to knock out Brazil, having been born in Argentina. He is<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">11/4 to score anytime</span></span> in 90 minutes.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Two-time champions Paraguay face a daunting task of thwarting Brazil’s in-form attack, with a resurgent Robinho and Liverpool menace Philippe Coutinho having run riot against Venezuela. Dunga will aim to lift his country’s first Copa America since 2007 and are 5/1 third-favourites to do so on Chilean soil.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhG_WuFaRp4/VY5dnkOtFxI/AAAAAAAAEG8/nzQufBJRhGk/s1600/copa14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhG_WuFaRp4/VY5dnkOtFxI/AAAAAAAAEG8/nzQufBJRhGk/s400/copa14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div>

Copa America quarter-finals: Brazil battle surprise package Paraguay

When Neymar received his ban earlier in the Copa America campaign, Brazil could have easily folded without their reliant star forward, but ...

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European U21 Championship Tips: Don't write off Portugal U21

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Portugal U21 v Germany U21</span><br />Saturday, 17:00<br />Live on BT Sport 1</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Match Odds: <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Portugal U21</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span>, Germany U21 <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.24</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.45</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Portugal U21 haven't quite performed to their full potential yet at the European U21 Championship, but this writer suspects that they are the best team at the tournament if they get to that level.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Even though they haven't quite been as impressive this month as they were in winning all ten of their qualifiers, thrashing Netherlands U21 7-4 over two legs for the big finish, they have still been very accomplished in Czech Republic.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Rui Jorge's kids won Group B, the trickier of the two, by beating England U21 and holding Italy U21 and Sweden U21. They are the only participants yet to trail at any stage and didn't concede a goal until the 269th of the 270 first-round minutes that they contested.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Even more enticingly, Portugal U21 haven't lost a European U21 Championship qualifier or finals fixture since October 2011, winning 14 and drawing four of their 18 encounters in the ensuing three years and eight months.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> For that reason, the opportunity to lay Germany at not too far shy of evens appeals immensely. They didn't top their group on account of being held 1-1 by two sides that didn't get through, Serbia U21 and Czech Republic U21.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Recommended Bet: <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Lay Germany U21 to win @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.26</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /><span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Denmark U21 v Sweden U21</span><br />Saturday, 20:00<br />Live on BT Sport 1</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Match Odds: <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Denmark U21</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="5/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.28</span>, Sweden U21 <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.65</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="12/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.40</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Germany U21, England U21, Portugal U21 and Italy U21 were the four frontrunners at the start of the tournament, but one of Scandinavia's finest will be gatecrashing Tuesday's final at the Eden Arena, competing to claim the trophy for the first time.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Again, this columnist's inclination is to take on the favourites. Throughout the past two years, Sweden U21 have shown exceptional fortitude to dig out results in moments of adversity.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> From the injury-time winner that sunk Turkey U21 in their final group qualifier to the 88th-minute strike that saw off France U21 in the play-off to the triumph from behind with ten men against Italy U21 on arrival in the Czech Republic to the 89th minute goal against Portugal U21 that sealed their semi-final spot, they have consistently refused to be defeated.</div> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> This clash shouldn't daunt them after what they achieved against France U21, Italy U21 and Portugal U21. Though Denmark U21 finished first in Group A, they flopped in their toughest test against Germany U21, slumping to a 3-0 loss, hinting that they aren't as formidable as appearances suggest.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3MIrs_Kuag/VY5cfttNFjI/AAAAAAAAEG0/S-nBN1ErjMo/s1600/u21%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3MIrs_Kuag/VY5cfttNFjI/AAAAAAAAEG0/S-nBN1ErjMo/s400/u21%2B10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /></div>

European U21 Championship Tips: Don't write off Portugal U21

Portugal U21 v Germany U21 Saturday, 17:00 Live on BT Sport 1 Match Odds:  Portugal U21   3.60 , Germany U21  2.24 , The Draw  3.45 Por...

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England v Canada: Lethal Lionesses won't be silenced by the hosts

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">England v Canada</span><br />Sunday, 00:30<br />Live on BBC One and British Eurosport</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br />England</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> If you focus exclusively on the results - which some would suggest isn't a bad idea from a punting perspective - then England have over-delivered in Canada.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> They kept the score down to 1-0 when beaten by third favourites France, who eliminated them in 2011, in their opener, then rallied with 2-1 successes over Mexico and Colombia to take second in the group, before defeating former champions Norway by the same scoreline in the round-of-16.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Indeed, this is statistically the Lionesses' greatest ever World Cup already. It is the first one in which they have won three games, and they achieved all of those in a sequence. Even if England exit in the quarters for the third World Cup in a row, they will depart with a 60% win rate - their best yet.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> However, it hasn't felt like the breakout tournament that those numbers depict. Instead, there is a similar vibe to the one around the men's squad in 2006, when they kept progressing but without inspiring much belief that they could go the distance. Their ceiling proved to be the quarter-finals.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Mark Sampson's side surrendered very meekly against a France team that would lose 2-0 to unremarkable Colombia in their next outing and haven't confronted a FIFA world ranking top-ten opponent since, while they were largely outplayed by Norway in the previous round.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br />Canada</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> The positive for the Lionesses is that this isn't a superpower like USA, Germany or Japan that they are up against. Canada are good, but certainly not unbeatable, which is why they are two places below England in the world rankings.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Their progress has been serene thus far, though that owes an assist to their seeding advantage as hosts ensuring that they haven't had to face anyone fearsome. China, New Zealand, Netherlands and Switzerland are ranked 16th, 17th, 12th and 19th respectively, so England are their first top-ten adversaries.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Additionally, the past two World Cup hosts were eliminated in the quarter-finals by teams that had failed to reach the semi-finals at the edition four years earlier, so there is a precedent.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Then again, another precedent that England backers won't want to hear is that they lost 1-0 to Canada in a pre-tournament friendly four weekends ago.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br />Match Odds: <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">England</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span>, Canada <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="11/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.38</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="11/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.20</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Canada probably deserve to be favourites having gone undefeated this far into the competition on home soil and triumphed over England last month.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Yet there are enough doubts - the calibre of their conquered, England winning the four prior head-to-heads (one as recently as March) and the Lionesses' flair for grinding out victories - to inflate the outsiders' chances and persuade us to avoid a match outcome punt in favour of the following...</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /><span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Canada Clean Sheet? No</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Canada have conceded just once in four fixtures to date, though it is again worth noting that they haven't been challenged by a particularly taxing attack.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> England are far more of a threat, striking not once but twice in each of their latest three encounters. Nobody else in the competition can rival that streak.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> Yes, they didn't net in the aforementioned tune-up clash with Canada, yet that was their first blank in five showdowns with them since March 2013.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> The extent to which a low scoreline is anticipated means that <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">you can find appealing odds of</span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="7/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.40</span> on both teams scoring but, because the seven scraps between these sides this decade have all been won to nil, the safer option is to simply <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">oppose the Canadian clean sheet at odds of around</span> <span aria-describedby="qtip-5" class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="8/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.75</span>.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x57k_eQGvuI/VY5cQ7zdgKI/AAAAAAAAEGs/6jWn_-9VP6w/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x57k_eQGvuI/VY5cQ7zdgKI/AAAAAAAAEGs/6jWn_-9VP6w/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <br /></div>

England v Canada: Lethal Lionesses won't be silenced by the hosts

England v Canada Sunday, 00:30 Live on BBC One and British Eurosport England If you focus exclusively on the results - which some would...

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Oscar to Juventus 'completely impossible' - agent Kia Joorabchian

<div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oscar's agent, Kia Joorabchian, says there's zero chance the Brazilian will land at Juventus this summer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The agent for Chelsea midfielder Oscar says a move to Italian champions Juventus is "completely impossible."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 23-year-old Brazilian is tipped to be a top target of the Champions League runners-up this summer, but the player's representative Kia Joorabchian has told calciomercato.it a deal is out of the question.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It's completely impossible and there is no truth to it at all," Joorabchian said on Thursday.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oscar will not be leaving Chelsea."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oscar moved to London from Porto Alegre side Internacional for £25m in the summer of 2012, and has been a regular contributor in the side ever since.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has been a constant for the Brazilian national team since scoring a hat-trick in his country's Under-20 World Cup victory over Portugal in 2011, but was left off Dunga's Copa America squad this summer because of fitness concerns.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAC0DnAwZ0c/VYy8Oa9z4OI/AAAAAAAAEGU/FJYqnoNQFgo/s1600/oscar%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAC0DnAwZ0c/VYy8Oa9z4OI/AAAAAAAAEGU/FJYqnoNQFgo/s640/oscar%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div>

Oscar to Juventus 'completely impossible' - agent Kia Joorabchian

Oscar's agent, Kia Joorabchian, says there's zero chance the Brazilian will land at Juventus this summer. The agent for Chelsea m...

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Firmino: I’m at Liverpool to win titles

<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Liverpool midfielder Roberto Firmino says he joined the Reds to win titles, claiming it was time to leave Hoffenheim, per the Daily Star.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firmino, 23, was a target for Liverpool’s fierce rivals Manchester United this summer, but he completed a £29million move to Anfield this week. It came as quite a shock considering their lack of Champions League football.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the midfielder, who is currently on international duty with Brazil at the Copa America, says he believes he can have success under boss Brendan Rodgers next season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">''It is time to leave Hoffenheim for a bigger club to fight for titles,” he told Kicker as reported by the Daily Star.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">''But for now I am concentrated on the Copa.”</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firmino was a vital player for Hoffenheim last term, almost inspiring them to Europa League qualification. In 33 Bundesliga games, he scored seven goals, creating 69 chances and registering 10 assists.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will likely replace Raheem Sterling at Anfield, with the England winger refusing to sign a new contract at Anfield.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With two years to run on his current deal, the club may choose to cash in on their star man now, with Manchester City having already seen two bids turned down (Daily Mail).</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firmino will give Liverpool more creativity and he’ll be very effective in transitions, having completed 140 take ons with a success rate of 57% in the Bundesliga last season. He joins up with fellow countrymen Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva at Anfield.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ueH5lqwpnYI/VYy8Ar5NEBI/AAAAAAAAEGM/A4Zqe3L1oTU/s1600/firmino%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ueH5lqwpnYI/VYy8Ar5NEBI/AAAAAAAAEGM/A4Zqe3L1oTU/s640/firmino%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;"> <br /></div>

Firmino: I’m at Liverpool to win titles

New Liverpool midfielder Roberto Firmino says he joined the Reds to win titles, claiming it was time to leave Hoffenheim, per the Daily Sta...

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Fremantle holds on for seven-point win over gallant Collingwood in thrilling AFL clash

<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Collingwood answered some critics over matching it with the AFL's top teams but couldn't quite finish the job against Fremantle with the Dockers winning a thriller by seven points at Domain Stadium.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Collingwood have only beaten one team in the top eight this season, an undermanned GWS, but had the measure of the Dockers for much of the night in a terrific contest.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">The 'Pies threatened to break the game open in the early stages of all four quarters, but the Dockers continued to fight back and ended up winning 12.8 (80) to 11.7 (73) to consolidate top spot and an 11-1 record while Collingwood slipped to 8-4.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">It wasn't a good night for the key forwards with Collingwood's Travis Cloke and Jesse White, and Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and Jack Hannath, all goalless.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Dynamic Fremantle small forward Michael Walters proved the difference, kicking four goals, while Alex Fasolo was Collingwood's only multiple goal scorer with two in the first half.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Nat Fyfe was again superb for Fremantle with 32 possessions and two goals while Lachie Neale had 32 disposals (14 clearances), Stephen Hill 24 (two goals), Garrick Ibbotson 23, Chris Mayne 22 and Clancee Pearce 22. Aaron Sandilands had another 50 hit outs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury worked hard for 25 possessions, but 17 came in the first half while Taylor Adams finished with 29 disposals, Dane Swan 26 (10 clearances), Ed Langdon 24 and Marley Williams 22.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Travis Varcoe was outstanding in his 150th AFL game, not only shutting down Hayden Ballantyne but having 15 creative disposals.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Fremantle trailed by just two points at the main break with a late goal to Walters.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">It continued to be goal for goal in the third term with Walters' third goal with six seconds left levelling the scores at the last change.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">After substitute Paul Seedsman put Collingwood five points in front at the 13-minute mark of the last term, Fremantle took control with the last two goals to Michael Barlow and Walters to win by seven points.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was relieved to get the win but saw areas that the Dockers still to improve to remain on top of the ladder.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">"You're always relieved and pleased to really bank another four points but you don't want to just get seduced by ladder positions so we know we need to improve," Lyon said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was happy with what his team showed against the leaders despite the loss.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">"The effort was excellent. Freo had to play pretty well to withstand our pressure and get the result," Buckley said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">"Not many teams can withstand that onslaught of pressure for that long. It's a strong effort on our behalf to continue to put that on and obviously by Freo to be able to buffer it enough to be able to get the win."</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKxcgKCnEX0/VYy0VeM1vtI/AAAAAAAAEF8/L7bI4noLynE/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKxcgKCnEX0/VYy0VeM1vtI/AAAAAAAAEF8/L7bI4noLynE/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /></span>

Fremantle holds on for seven-point win over gallant Collingwood in thrilling AFL clash

Collingwood answered some critics over matching it with the AFL's top teams but couldn't quite finish the job against Fremantle with...

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Kurtley Beale ruled out of New South Wales Waratahs' Super Rugby semi-final against Highlanders

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New South Wales has lost Kurtley Beale to a quadriceps injury ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Highlanders at Sydney Football Stadium.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Beale was ruled out on Thursday afternoon after it was reported he would undergo a fitness test on Friday, having sat out the Waratahs' training session.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">The injury forced Beale out of the final regular-season match against Queensland a fortnight ago.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Matt Carraro was named to replace Beale at inside centre.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Beale was restricted to light duties on Thursday, with the number 12 having a brief jog while coach Michael Cheika pushed the Waratahs through a tough session at Moore Park.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">It is believed Beale was initially expected to have a couple of fitness tests leading up to the match, but this latest setback looks to have ruled him out of the clash with the Highlanders.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">"He had a little run around today and it might be a precautionary thing he held off that last bit," Waratahs lock Will Skelton said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">In some good news for the defending Super Rugby champions, Rob Horne looks to have overcome a calf injury, with the Wallabies outside back training strongly before being named on the named on the wing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Waratahs half-back Nick Phipps tipped an expansive game against the Highlanders, arguably the most exciting team in Super Rugby.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">"They are a bit like us, they like to throw the ball around and have a crack and it should be entertaining for the crowd to come and watch," he said.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--h3aayGj1a0/VYy0BD-YS-I/AAAAAAAAEF0/6mPFz4OBrIA/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--h3aayGj1a0/VYy0BD-YS-I/AAAAAAAAEF0/6mPFz4OBrIA/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;"><br /></span>

Kurtley Beale ruled out of New South Wales Waratahs' Super Rugby semi-final against Highlanders

New South Wales has lost Kurtley Beale to a quadriceps injury ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Highlanders at Syd...

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Copa America quarter-finals: Argentina attack will win Colombia clash

<div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Argentina have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Colombia, winning five, and that pattern looks set to continue with Coral making the 2015 Copa America favourites odds-on at 10/11 for a quarter-final victory in 90 minutes.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Regular punters will need no introduction to the stellar names on show in these nations’ respective attacks, but the Coffee Growers’ outside price of 7/2 is based on the fact their strikeforce has been missing in action in Chile.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Colombia are surprisingly the lowest scorers still active in the competition with just a single strike during the group stage. That came courtesy of Inter Milan-bound centre back Jeison Murillo, who is a remote 16/1 to repeat that feat of netting anytime.</div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20.8000011444092px;"> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Manchester United loan flop Radamel Falcao, Porto poacher Jackson Martinez and marquee Real Madrid signing of last summer James Rodriguez, who features in <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">a massively enhanced 11/1 matchday special wincast (in 90 minutes)</span></span>, must all do better.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Jose Pekerman, a native Argentine given Colombian citizenship, plots to bring down the country of his birth here, but must do so without suspended striker Carlos Bacca.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> In stark contrast to Coffee Growers goal-machines lacking pep, key La Albiceleste trio Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero have all scored at least once at the Copa America.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Featuring in his own <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">enhanced 11/4 wincast, Messi’s matchday special</span></span> is must more believable than El Clasico foe Rodriguez, as the Argentina captain has two career goals against Colombia.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> Aguero, meanwhile, has grabbed the opener on his two Copa America appearances at this tournament so far, so looks fantastic value to score first at 4/1.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> This tale of two strikeforces notwithstanding, recent encounters between La Albiceleste and the Coffee Growers have been tight affairs. Two of the last three head-to-heads have ended 0-0, which makes a draw in 90 minutes at 23/10 worthy of consideration.</div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> A single goal has decided the other three of the previous encounters, however, twice in Argentina’s favour, so backing a 1-0 win for them at 17/4 looks a superb shout in the correct score market.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWY3Fqtga7Q/VYyy3xADRiI/AAAAAAAAEFs/PL3Cyi_ARmo/s1600/messi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWY3Fqtga7Q/VYyy3xADRiI/AAAAAAAAEFs/PL3Cyi_ARmo/s640/messi1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24.5454540252686px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div> </div>

Copa America quarter-finals: Argentina attack will win Colombia clash

Argentina have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Colombia, winning five, and that pattern looks set to continue with Coral ma...

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Qualifying round draws: best of the reaction

<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UEFA.com rounds up the best of the reaction from the teams involved after the UEFA Champions League first and second qualifying draws were made in Nyon, Switzerland.</span></span></span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Denis Rassulov, FC Milsami Orhei defender</span>This will be our debut in the UEFA Champions League and we understand there are no easy draws. Maybe it could have been be a bit easier, but in the end we have got Ludogorets – the strongest opponents from the possible options, in my opinion. They are the strongest side from Bulgaria in recent years. We have a chance in theory, but we'll see if we have the same chance on the pitch.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Boban Grncarov, FK Vardar defender</span>We're paired with the most difficult club we could have faced. I played for APOEL and I know very well they're a club with a great tradition and a lot of Champions League experience. APOEL have a special place in my heart as the club with whom I played in the Champions League group stage for the first time [in 2009/10]. I want to repeat that with Vardar. APOEL have very good players, but they're weaker now than they were three or four years ago. It's good we are playing away from home first.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glen Riddersholm, FC Midtjylland coach</span></span><span class="mceNonEditable" id="mceNonEditable_2125080" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have to be honest; this is an extremely fortunate draw [against the winner of Lincoln FC v FC Santa Coloma]. Those are two teams we should be able to defeat, and this should enable us to reach our peak at the right times in the long autumn season. The character of the opponents also gives us the chance to settle new players in our team and to get stronger.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jurģis Pučinsks, FK Ventspils coach</span>HJK [Helsinki] have been Finland's strongest team for many years, their class is beyond doubt. Ventspils played HJK in the UEFA Cup back in 2001. My assistant Maris Smirnovs and our sporting director Andrejs Butriks played back then so they have something to remember. Ventspils have just one option; seriously prepare for tough games.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liam Walker, Lincoln FC midfielder</span>We have to be happy with the draw: playing Santa Coloma with the first leg at home. Now we can start working in training, and start looking at their strengths and weaknesses so we can go into the game knowing what to expect from them. There's no doubt it will be a tough task but we will give it our all and hopefully get through.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dženan Uščuplić, FK Sarajevo coach</span><br />We have got very strong opponents [KKS Lech Poznań], maybe the strongest possible. But we have the strength and quality to progress. The role of the favourites we leave to the Polish team.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Branko Nisevic, Hibernians FC coach</span></span><span class="mceNonEditable" id="mceNonEditable_2245017" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it is not an easy opponent at all! Maccabi Tel-Aviv have been competing in the UEFA Champions League for quite a good number of years now and are very experienced in this competition. They are also the club with most titles in Israel so everything points to a very difficult opposition. They will start as firm favourites but we do have the ability to give our opponents a very good challenge over these two legs.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aleksandr Yermakovich, FC BATE Borisov coach</span>Dundalk are an unknown quantity for us. I struggle to guess their level because it is not easy to follow the Irish league closely from Belarus. BATE played Irish club Bohemians in 2003. I did not take part but I know how difficult it was for us in their stadium. The fans got behind their team with great passion and put serious pressure on us.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Stephen Kenny, Dundalk FC manager</span><br />BATE Borisov is about the toughest draw we could have got. They have the highest coefficient of all the teams we could have met because they have been in the Champions League so often. We're high on confidence on the back of our domestic form – we have had only one defeat in 20 games this season – and we learned a lot from our good experience in the UEFA Europa League last season where we won three out of our four games.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Daníel Laxdal, Stjarnan defender</span><br />We have mixed feelings. It is great to meet Celtic but I think they are the most difficult team we could have met. We saw them against KR last year and know it will be hard work in defence. Last season we showed anything is possible if we are at our best [Stjarnan beat Motherwell FC en route to the UEFA Europa League play-offs] so hopefully we can do something similar. Celtic will start their season against us and that might help a little but we are up against a great team.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Zoran Mamić, GNK Dinamo Zagreb coach</span>CS Fola Esch are champions of Luxembourg which means they have a habbit of winning and taking trophies. But, it's clear that we are a better team and we are the favourites. Of course, I am not expecting them to give up already. We have to be at a high level, need to play two quality matches and show that we are better not only on paper, but also on the pitch.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Helmuth Duckadem, Steaua president</span>I would have been happy to play against a weaker team in order to have time to integrate the new players. But if we want to reach the group stage we have to overcome such a situation and defeat strong teams. Anyway, we can qualify with the current squad. We have to be optimistic.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Deividas Šemberas, FK Žalgiris Vilnius captain</span><br />We don't have to fear anyone or anything. It would be something else if reached the group stage. But for now I believe we can fight [Malmö FF] for a place in the next round. It would be even better if our opponents underestimate us.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nedjeljko Vlahović, FK Rudar Pljevlja captain</span>Qarabağ are favourites, but they have to prove that on the field. We will be ready to play well and we'll see what happens. It would not be a first time that the underdogs makes a surprise in UEFA competitons.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="mceEditable" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Domingos Paciência</span></span>, APOEL FC coach</span>In football there are no such things as easy games. We need to find out as much information as we can about our opponents [FK Vardar]. Like us, they are still in pre-season mode so we need to begin keeping an eye on them. We are APOEL which means that we have a great history and a great duty to achieve our target; sealing our place in the next round. </span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Marko Kristal, FC Levadia Tallinn</span>We have to progress past one qualifying round even though we are drawn against the strongest of possible teams. Now we will start to gather information and see what they are capable of and how we should play against them. As for our next possible rivals [KF Skënderbeu in the second qualifying round], Albanian football is on the rise at the moment. All-out attack would do us no good.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stanimir Stoilov, FC Astana coach</span></span><span class="mceNonEditable" id="mceNonEditable_2216900" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maribor would be the favourites in any pair and of course they are favourites in our pair as well. They played in the group stage last year competing with Chelsea, Sporting and Schalke. We should hit the peak of our form and try to play our football. Of course Maribor are favourites, but everything is possible.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eydun Klakstein, B36 Tórshavn coach</span>It was a relief to avoid a long journey but we did not get our dream draw, which was to play against Santa Coloma from Andorra. Of the four clubs we could draw today, New Saints were the strongest team. New Saints are probably just a little bit stronger than Faroese clubs, but not so strong that we cannot beat them. The goal is to make progress from the first qualifying round. That is of course a big and demanding task, but we have high hopes and will prepare as well as we can for these matches.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Roland Juhász, Videoton FC defender</span>In the Champions League there are no easy matches and the teams are getting increasingly better at this level. Our task will not be easy. We don't have much time now to put together a team for the new season with new players and a new coach, but we will do everything we can to be successful in progressing to the next round.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1R7YnnjY7pY/VYu71FR86SI/AAAAAAAAEFY/HL40WgxX4ZY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1R7YnnjY7pY/VYu71FR86SI/AAAAAAAAEFY/HL40WgxX4ZY/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Sans Narrow'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>

Qualifying round draws: best of the reaction

UEFA.com rounds up the best of the reaction from the teams involved after the UEFA Champions League first and second qualifying draws were ...

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AFL 2015: Ross Lyon concerned about in-form Travis Cloke

<div class="story-intro" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: LiberationSerifBold, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon knows the Collingwood forward line, led by in-form spearhead Travis Cloke will provide a huge test for his under-manned Dockers’ defence this week.</span></div> </div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Fremantle threw everything at recruiting Cloke before he re-signed with the Magpies in 2012, and now the Dockers are focused on trying to shut him down this Thursday night.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Dockers are without key defenders Michael Johnson (hamstring), Alex Silvagni (hamstring) and Zac Dawson (hand) meaning Luke McPharlin will get first crack at Cloke with fourth-gamer Alex Pearce the next option.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Both teams come into the contest fresh after a week off, with Fremantle sitting atop the AFL ladder with a 10-1 record, while Collingwood is fourth at 8-3.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Fremantle have pulled a surprise at selection dropping creative half-back Tendai Mzungu after just his second game of 2015 along with struggling forward Matt Taberner. Matt de Boer returns after strong WAFL form with Peel Thunder and Chris Mayne returns from illness.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Collingwood have made just the one change with small forward Jarryd Blair returning to replace Ben Kennedy, with Jarrod Witts left to contest the ruck against Aaron Sandilands, in the absence of Brodie Grundy.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Lyon is not taking for granted that the Dockers will return to their best, particularly with Cloke in a forward-line that also features Jamie Elliott and Jesse White.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “They’re obviously consistent with their effort, they put good pressure on the opposition and I think they’ve got a really strong blend,” Lyon said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> They’ve got tall forwards, Cloke’s a power forward and the world wanted him, didn’t they, and you can see why. He’s a great player really,” Lyon said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “And then (Dane) Swan and (Scott) Pendlebury have been proven over a long period of time to be two of the best mids in the competition and they’ve got a lot of bounce.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “We strike them confident in form and with a lot of belief. So it’s a big challenge.”</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley is looking forward to finding out if his team can challenge the top teams in the AFL this season on Thursday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> The Dockers won their opening nine matches before a hiccup at home to Richmond and then beat Gold Coast prior to their bye. The Magpies are looking good but they have only beaten one team inside the top eight, GWS.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “It’s a great challenge for us and for anyone when they come up against Freo, especially travelling over that way,” Buckley said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “We’re refreshed from the bye, so are they and we feel like we are playing some pretty good footy ourselves,” Buckley said.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “We’re looking forward to that next opportunity against the next opponent, it just happens to be Fremantle away and I reckon you do find out a little bit about your footy and how it stacks up when you play the best teams. We get a test this week.”</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjtw2yzdvDg/VYteXLHRuGI/AAAAAAAAEFI/6DzgHE9ShxI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjtw2yzdvDg/VYteXLHRuGI/AAAAAAAAEFI/6DzgHE9ShxI/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div>

AFL 2015: Ross Lyon concerned about in-form Travis Cloke

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon knows the Collingwood forward line, led by in-form spearhead Travis Cloke will provide a huge test for his under...

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