Öffentliche News » aim to be the best and fall short, I

SALVADOR, Brazil -- Neymar and Mario Balotelli will be attracting most of the attention when Brazil and Italy play to decide the Group A winner at the Confederations Cup on Saturday. The strikers are two of the tournaments biggest stars and have played up to expectations so far, scoring two goals each in the first two matches. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said Friday it will be "nice to see them together" when the teams play in the northeastern city of Salvador. Brazil and Italy have already secured a spot in the next round. The group winner will probably avoid Spain in the semifinals of the warm-up tournament, although both coaches are downplaying the significance of delaying a matchup against the World Cup champions. There was a lot of hype surrounding Neymar and Balotelli ahead of the Confederations Cup, and they have been decisive for their national teams so far. Balotelli scored a remarkable winner when Italy defeated Mexico 2-1 in its opener last Sunday, then converted a penalty kick that helped the Italians edge Japan 4-3 on Wednesday. "Balotelli is a great player and he has been showing his qualities when plays for the Italian national team," Brazil defender Daniel Alves said. "We will need to stay on alert the entire match to be able to defend well against him." Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari also loudly praised the Italian striker. "He is a very good player, very good," Scolari said. "We are preparing ourselves to play against him, we need our defenders to be on alert. He is extraordinary, I would love to have him playing with us here in Brazil." Neymar netted an outstanding goal from outside the area to open the scoring in Brazils 3-0 rout of Japan in the tournaments opening match last Saturday, then had another remarkable strike to put the hosts on the board first in the 2-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday. The newly signed Barcelona forward also set up the second goal against Mexico after a nifty move past two Mexican defenders inside the area. "The problem with Neymar, as with all great players, is that you cant stop him just by marking well," Prandelli said. "You need to do a good job limiting the spaces." Neymar said he became friends with Balotelli after Brazil played Italy to a 2-2 draw in a friendly in Geneva earlier this year. Brazilian media even reported that the players are planning to travel together in Brazil after the end of the competition. "Im a fan of Balotelli," Neymar said recently. "He is one of the greatest in the world. Ive always watched him play. He is a great person and Ive always admired his moves." Brazil and Italy have won nine World Cup titles together. Two of the five Brazilian titles came in finals against the Italians -- in 1970 and 1994. Friday marked 43 years of the 1970 World Cup title. "Its a classic in world football," Brazil midfielder Hernanes said. "These are two of the most traditional national teams in the world. Its always a match with a lot involved, with a lot of tradition." Brazil and Italy are tied with six points atop Group A, but the hosts are ahead on goal difference and can secure first place with a draw on Saturday. Italy has to beat Brazil to likely avoid Spain, which is leading Group B. "We are not thinking about Spain at all," Prandelli said. "If we have to play Spain, we will talk about it later." Although Neymar and Balotelli are set to start on Saturday, both teams will be without key players for the match at the Arena Fonte Nova. Italy will miss star midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who is nursing a strained right leg muscle, adding to Prandellis problems in midfield. The coach also wont be able to count on Daniele De Rossi, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards. Scolari will be without defensive midfielder Paulinho because of a left ankle sprain sustained in the match against Mexico. Doctors said the injury is not serious but the player will be left out so he can fully recover ahead of the semifinals. Chelsea defender David Luiz sustained what the Brazilian federation called a "minor fracture" in his nose after being hit in the face against Mexico, but he is set to play on Saturday despite the injury. Scolari said he may replace Daniel Alves and captain Thiago Silva because they already have received yellow cards, and theres also a possibility the coach will rest playmaker Oscar, who has played a lot with Chelsea this season. Fake NBA Jerseys . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. NBA Jerseys Outlet . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Clearance NBA Jerseys . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. NBA Jerseys Store .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Odell Beckham Jr. has clear understanding of what it means to be the go-to receiver for the New York Giants.When Dallas comes up with a game plan for Sundays season opener, he is going to be the receiver who draws the most attention. He is also the player who is going to take that extra shot if the Cowboys can find a way to deliver it legally.At home, Beckham is the hero for Giants fans. Away, he is the villain: the bleached-haired player who is going to be booed whenever fans get the chance, and they love it when he loses his cool, as he did against Josh Norman last season.For those with no rooting interest, Beckham is simply the player noted for his one-handed touchdown catch against the Cowboys in his rookie season.Talk to the 23-year-old Beckham and there is a lot to be learned. While he would love to have another 1,300-or 1,400-yard season and added another 12 or 13 touchdown receptions, its more important to win.The Giants have posted consecutive 6-10 records in his two seasons and missed the playoffs.The numbers mean something in a sense, but the 6-10 number, flip that around, 10-6 means a lot more, Beckham said Wednesday after the Giants practiced for the opener in Dallas.I just hate losing. Im cool with other people being open, were scoring. Theres no better feeling than being on the field and everything is clicking and were winning games.Beckham said his freshman year at LSU was fun. The team went undefeated and he made his contributions in other ways.I wasnt going for 120 yards a game, he said. It was 50 yards, five catches, the blocks that you made to spring a running back. Its really about winning. I hate losing.Beckham would like to see the Giants get off to a good start for new coach Ben McAdoo. New York has not won a season opener since 2010, and it has not made the playoffs since 2011.The Giants went 2-2 in the preseason and the offense did not play well.Beckham hesitated when asked if he felt more pressure to produce after having 187 catches for 2,755 yards and 25 toouchdowns in his first two seasons.ddddddddddddI dont like the word pressure because it is not something I feel in a sense that I have to do this and I have to do that, Beckham said. Its football. This is what I have done all my life. I love it and I give it my all. Hopefully, thats good enough.Beckham admits to having his own expectations. He does not care what others expect from him. He believes this season will offer him more opportunities to get better, and he hopes playing with Victor Cruz and rookie Sterling Shepard will help him, or them.You cant worry about whats ahead of you, Beckham said. Its predetermined and destined for you. You just have to stay the course and it will take you right to where you are supposed to be, whether it is good, bad or indifferent.Beckham said the one thing he enjoys is studying other receivers, and stealing stuff to add to his game.You want to be the best, Beckham said. If you aim to be the best and fall short, I think you will be in a good position.Dallas did a good job against Beckham last season, limiting him to nine catches for 79 yards and no touchdowns.They feature him, he is the go-to guy, and he is one of those guys where you have to know where he is every time he breaks the huddle, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.We understand the challenges he presents as a downfield receiver, as a receiver who they throw the ball to underneath, who can make plays after he catches it -- his run after catch is outstanding, he has been a huge playmaker for them ever since he got there.Game notes McAdoo said that Randy Bullock will kick in the opener for the suspended Josh Brown. ... Recently signed OT Will Beatty hopes to play on Sunday. Thursday will be his first practice in pads in a year. ... McAdoo refused to say whether he or offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan will call plays Sunday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '