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kaisy
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May 8 2013, 08:28 AM
Post #1
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- Posts:
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YEREVAN, Armenia -- Italy veteran Andrea Pirlo scored one goal and created another as the Azzurri laboured to a 3-1 win over Armenia in World Cup qualifying Friday. Pirlo fired Italy ahead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot following Hrayr Mkoyans handball. But Armenia levelled in the 28th through Shakhtar Donetsks impressive Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Daniele De Rossi headed Italy back in front shortly after the hour mark before Pablo Osvaldo sealed the result with his third goal in as many qualifying matches. "We suffered a bit with a few of their counterattacks and we had a couple of individual problems, but Im happy," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "I wont stop saying it, this is a particularly tricky group, we had a great game and played with a lot of character." It is Italys 33rd match without defeat in World Cup and European Championship qualifying matches. Italy was without Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who -- although initially included in the starting lineup Thursday -- had not recovered from flu in time. He was replaced by Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco. Italy started brightly and could have been ahead in the fifth minute but Armenia goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky did brilliantly at full stretch to keep out Pirlos free kick, which seemed destined for the top right corner. Riccardo Montolivo did well minutes later to carve out some space and cross in towards Claudio Marchisio but the ball was marginally too far away for the Juventus midfielder. Italy was ahead shortly afterwards when it was awarded a penalty. Domenico Criscito -- back in the squad for the first time since being questioned over a match-fixing scandal -- raced down the left flank before putting in a cross that Montolivo sidefooted straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound fell back to Montolivo, whose effort was blocked by Hrayr Mkoyans arm. Pirlo stepped up and sent Berezovsky the wrong way, firing low into the bottom left corner. Armenia levelled almost immediately but Gianluigi Buffon did well to tip Aras Ozbilizs free kick over the bar. It was back on level terms when Mkhitaryan collected the ball near the halfway line, evaded Andrea Barzagli and raced away from Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci before firing into the bottom right corner. The in-form Mkhitaryan is currently the leading scorer in the Ukrainian league, with 14 goals in 11 matches. The Italy players were furious because they wanted the game to have been stopped just before Mkhitaryan got the ball because of a clash of heads between Armenia midfielder Davit Manoyan and Italy defender Christian Maggio. "When two players clash heads, you have to stop the game. The referee didnt do that and thats why I protested," Prandelli said. Armenia could have taken the lead seconds after halftime but Artur Edigaryans fierce effort flew over the bar after a lucky deflection from Criscito. It went even closer moments later when Giovinco turned in the area to carve out some space for himself but fired over. Italy could have had a penalty when Karlen Mkrtchyan appeared to handle in the area but the referee waved play on. Armenia almost took the lead when Mkhitaryan raced down the right flank and crossed towards an unmarked Yura Movsisyan whose volley was brilliantly saved by Buffon. Italy restored its advantage shortly afterwards when De Rossi headed in Pirlos cross off the underside of the crossbar. Armenia battled hard for the equalizer and Movsisyan would have had an almost certain goal after a mistake by Bonucci but for a sliding, last-ditch tackle by Maggio. Italy sealed the result when Osvaldo headed in De Rossis free kick. Beats by Dre Studio . The Italian picked up the injury in Liverpools loss to Manchester United in September, and the problem was aggravated when he was on international duty with Italy last week. Beats By Dre . Defenceman Ryan McDonagh scored with two seconds remaining in overtime to give the Rangers a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. http://www.officielbeatsbydre.fr/ . When competitors started eclipsing him in Paralympic swimming in 2008, Huot refused to concede his race was run. Beats By Dre Pas cher . "You never know here, but its been great," Youkilis said of his reception. "Fans have treated me unbelievable and I cant thank them enough for all the kind things they keep saying from the stands every day and every inning. Not too many opponents get to come in here and have that opportunity. Usually its a little more negative at the opposition." A little? Youkilis isnt just another former Red Sox.PHILADELPHIA - Players were high-fiving and telling jokes in the giddy postgame locker room. It was a rare and pleasant atmosphere for the Orlando Magic, especially on the road. Arron Afflalo and Tobias Harris scored 16 points apiece and the Magic snapped a 10-game road losing streak with a 98-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. "It feels great," said forward Maurice Harkless. "Guys feel good about themselves and it shows what hard work can do. There are a lot of smiles around here for a change on the road." Andrew Nicholson contributed 13 and Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 19 rebounds for the Magic (16-41), who hadnt won on the road since Jan. 12 against the Los Angeles Clippers. ETwaun Moore had 12 points and a career-high 10 assists, while Harkless had 10 points for the Magic. The Magic won for just the seventh time all season on the road while also snapping a five-game skid overall. "I like that we were poised," said Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn. "We didnt crumble." Damien Wilkins scored a season-high 14 points and Jeremy Pargo also had 14 for the 76ers. Dorell Wright had 11 and Evan Turner 10 for Philadelphia, which fell a season-worst 11 games under .500 at 22-33. "I sure didnt see this effort coming," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "Its kind of mind-numbing to me." The Sixers lost their sixth straight game, their longest streak in nearly three years. "I sure hope it cant get any worse than this," Collins said. This latest defeat came against the Magic, who started two rookies and featured five rookies and three second-year players on their roster. Orlando also entered this game having lost 28 of its last 31. "Im not going to sit here and drop my head," TTurner said.dddddddddddd "I dont think the leaders on this team will, either." The Magic opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run and then began the fourth on a 17-3 spurt to go ahead 85-64. "We kept the pressure on," Vucevic said. "We kept attacking and attacking. It was great to see that we were rewarded for our effort." Harkless and Vucevic, who were acquired in the blockbuster four-team, 12-player Dwight Howard trade in the off-season, keyed the two runs for the Magic. The Sixers received centre Andrew Bynum in that trade, but the two-time All-Star has yet to play because of bilateral knee bone bruises. Orlando is also dealing with its share of injuries, but it was hardly evident on this night. It played without guard Jameer Nelson (left knee) and forwards Glen Davis (fractured left foot) and Hedo Turkoglu (NBA suspension). The Magic shot 51 per cent in the first half, led by as many as seven points, and took a 47-42 advantage into the locker room. From there, the Magic pushed the lead to 21 and wound up with a rare road win. "We worked so hard for this and we hoped it would come," Harkless said. "It started with our energy and carried on through the team. We played with great intensity on defence and we made shots. Its just a great win and Im happy for our whole team." NOTES: Magic F Al Harrington made his debut this season and scored nine points. Harrington had been dealing with sore knees. . The Magic have unveiled 19 different starting lineups, tied for the most in the league. . Sixers F Thaddeus Young reached double figures in rebounding for the second straight game since returning from a strained left hamstring. . Sixers G Jrue Holiday had 10 assists. ... Vucevic registered his 32nd double-double. ' ' '
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