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Brasilia, Brazil - Costa Rica attempts to continue its Cinderella run at the World Cu
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Brasilia, Brazil - Costa Rica attempts to continue its Cinderella run at the World Cup when the Ticos tangle with the Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova. Raiders Jerseys From China . Listen to the game live starting at 4pm et/1pm pt on TSN 1050, TSN 690, TSN 1200, and TEAM 1410. Costa Rica reached the last eight for the first time after topping Greece in penalty kicks in the round of 16, while the Dutch are attempting to reach back-to-back World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1974 and 1978. The Ticos were viewed as outsiders in Group D, which included Italy, England and Uruguay, but after claiming seven points to win that group, Jorge Luis Pintos team came up against a stubborn Greek side making its first-ever knockout-round appearance. Bryan Ruiz scored early in the second half to put Costa Rica in front, but after defender Oscar Duarte received a second yellow card in the 66th minute, Pintos team spent much of the remainder of the match defending. They almost got over the line, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos scored for Greece in stoppage time, forcing the match into extra time and ultimately penalty kicks. But Costa Rica survived the ordeal to win 5-3 in the shootout, showing the resilience the team has exhibited throughout the tournament. "It was a dramatic match, a very difficult one," Pinto said after the game with Greece. "There were moments when we dominated the match but there were other moments when they did but we were strong and we came through." If Costa Rica is going to continue its journey, the team is going to have to be even stronger against the favored Dutch, who have won all four of their games at this World Cup. The team trailed 1-0 against Mexico in the round of 16 entering the final five minutes, but Wesley Sneijder fired home the equalizer a few minutes from time before Arjen Robben drew a foul inside the penalty area, allowing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to fire home the winning goal from the spot. Louis van Gaals side has made a habit of coming back in Brazil as the team has given up the first goal in three of its four games so far, only to rally for the win each time. "I think we are on a mission together, and when you come to a World Cup its not to enjoy the weather and enjoy the beach in Rio," said Robben, who has tallied three goals and an assist so far. "Youre here to win matches and to go as far as possible. I dont think the expectations were that high before the tournament and, as a result, we can be very proud of where we are." The Dutch found themselves in a tough group with Spain, Chile and Australia, but after winning all three games to sit atop the group, the Oranje have a great chance at making another deep run. Things have come together nicely for the Dutch as the team ended up with a pair of teams from CONCACAF in its first two knockout-round games, making Van Gaals men favorites to reach the last four. But Robben isnt looking too far past the Ticos, especially since the team has already toppled favored sides like Italy and Uruguay. "I think theyre a very strong team. We have to stay focused," Robben told FIFA.com. "Costa Rica have a very good team, they have already proved that in their group, which was very tough, with Italy, England and Uruguay in there. Theyve been really impressive and well have to prepare very well if were going to beat them." One player who wont be available to Van Gaal the rest of the tournament is midfielder Nigel de Jong, who was forced off the field against Mexico after nine minutes because of a groin injury. Costa Rica will be a bit shorthanded in defense after Duartes red card, while Roy Miller is unlikely to be fit in time to face the Dutch because of a foot injury. Pintos team will once again embrace the role of underdogs, and although they have made history already in Brazil, dont expect the Ticos to be content. "We respect the Netherlands, just as we respect all our rivals, but the story goes on and were hungry for more," Pinto said. Doug Martin Jersey . The time off didnt slow them down. Tyler Zeller scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds, Kyrie Irving added 14 points and the Cavaliers pushed their winning streak to five games Tuesday night with a 114-85 victory over the skidding Philadelphia 76ers. Howie Long Jersey .com) - The San Antonio Spurs will try to even their series with the Dallas Mavericks Monday night when the two teams collide at American Airlines Arena for Game 4. http://www.cheapraidersjerseyschina.com/ . Dumont, a fifth round draft pick of the Canadiens in 2009, has four assists and 20 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Bulldogs this season. The 23-year-old split last season between Hamilton and Montreal, recording 16 goals and 15 assists in 55 regular season games with the Bulldogs.WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkins goal was no surprise. But when defencemen Nate Schmidt and Karl Alzner scored, it was an unexpected bonus for Washington. Braden Holtby made 34 saves and Ovechkin scored the second of three goals by the Capitals in the first 17 minutes of a 5-2 victory over the Predators on Saturday night, extending Nashvilles losing streak to five games. Troy Brouwer and Eric Fehr also scored for the Capitals. Ovechkin got his 22nd goal this season and ninth on the power play, both NHL highs. Nicklas Backstrom and Mikhail Grabovski each had two assists. Schmidt, a 22-year-old rookie, got his first NHL goal. Alzner, a six-year veteran, got his first career goal in 148 home games. "Thats what Im here for. Im a game-closer. The finisher, they could call me," joked Alzner, who has six career goals and said he had been aware of his failure to score at home since his rookie season. In the dressing room, Schmidt had a wide smile as he posed for pictures with the puck. "Ive been used to previously having more points," he said. "Being a first-year defenceman, its going to come." Roman Josi scored the Predators first goal at the end of the first period and fed Eric Nystrom for their other one with 16:08 left. Nashville defenceman Shea Weber, playing for the first time since getting hit in the face by a puck on Nov. 28, also had an assist. "We couldnt find a way to score. Obviously, we didnt have many power plays tonight (one) to try and build momentum," Weber said. "Same story, weve just got to find a way to put it in." Washington took the lead after Nashville goalie Marek Mazanec (28 saves) failed to control a slap shot from the wing by Fehr. Battling a Predators defender, Brouwer got enough of his stick on the puck to trickle a backhand pastt Mazanec for his sixth goal. Brandon Parker Jersey. . Less than 7 minutes later, Ovechkin scored 3 seconds into a power play, firing a slap shot off a faceoff feed from Backstrom. Alzner made it 3-0 with his first regular-season goal since Feb. 12. In addition to winning a draw that led to the goal, Backstrom played a role on the shot. He obstructed the view of Mazanec, slow to react on a drive from the defenceman that came from just inside the blue line. Alzner has often been criticized for a lack of aggressiveness with the puck. "When its his turn, we need a goal from him, or a good play, and we got one tonight," Washington coach Adam Oates said. "Every little touch he makes benefits us big picture." The teams traded goals early in the third period. After Schmidt scored the first of his career, Nystrom retaliated 23 seconds later in transition. With 5:10 left, Fehr got the clincher, scoring for the fourth time this season. He has six points in six games. "I think we were getting a little bit too fancy, looking for that perfect tap-in, backdoor play," Fehr said. "We talked before the game (and said), just get pucks to the net and crash and get some rebounds and try to get a greasy one. It worked out." NOTES: Ex-Capital Matt Hendricks faced Washington for the first time since he was signed by Nashville as a free agent. ... The losing streak is the longest for Nashville since it dropped eight straight in April. ... Nashvilles frustration showed as Rich Clune picked a fight with Washington rookie Tom Wilson, but got the worst of it after his helmet came off in the tussle. ... With the 136th power-play goal of his career, Ovechkin moved within one of Peter Bondras franchise record. ... The goal for Alzner was his first in 148 regular-season games at home. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '
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