CUIABA, Brazil -- Nigeria ended a 16-year wait for a victory in a World Cup match Saturday, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 courtesy of Peter Odemwingies first-half goal and knocking the tournament newcomers out of contention.
Discount Balenciaga . Only a point is needed by Nigeria from its last Group F game -- against already-qualified Argentina -- to reach the knockout stage after Odemwingie finished from close range in the 29th minute following one of many powerful runs by his strike partner Emmanuel Emenike. Playing hours after Ghanas plucky 2-2 draw with Germany, Nigeria gave African football another lift following its continents inauspicious start to the tournament. Prior to Saturday, the five African teams had claimed just one win and a draw in seven matches in Brazil. "Its something awesome for Africa," said Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who tipped Edin Dzekos shot onto the post in the final few seconds to preserve the win. "Africa needed that win, something to boost the confidence back home." The Bosnians are sure to go home after the group stage, and will wonder if things may have gone differently had Dzekos goal in the 21st minute not been ruled out for offside. Replays appeared to show the officials may have got the call wrong. "The referee was shameful for this competition," Dzeko said. But Nigeria deserved its win, with Emenike causing all sorts of problems for Bosnia-Herzegovinas defence with his strength and direct running in energy-sapping conditions in the western Brazilian city of Cuiaba. At the other end, the experienced Joseph Yobo was back as captain and marshalled the defence in his 99th international game. Dzeko and the Bosnians technical midfielders carved out few clear-cut opportunities. "They surprised us with their speed and movement," Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic said. "They wanted to win probably that much more than us." There was added motivation for Keshis team, which was seeking to boost the spirits of Nigerians in the wake of a suicide bombing attack at a World Cup viewing site in the northeast of their country. At least 14 people died in the blast. After weathering a bright start by the Bosnians, Nigeria went ahead when Emenike powered past the tame challenge of Bosnia defender Emir Spahic, charged down the right flank and crossed for Odemwingie, who shot first-time through the legs of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic -- his teammate at English club Stoke. Odemwingie is back in the World Cup squad after two years away from the national team following a falling-out with Keshi, and he was starting after an impressive cameo as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Iran. "I couldnt dream of a better comeback in a tournament like the World Cup," Odemwingie said. "I have had to start building from scratch. Everyone had faith in me." After the goal, Nigeria dominated and only a slew of smart saves by Begovic, who denied Michael Babatunde and Emenike, prevented the African champions from going further ahead. Dzeko -- compared with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar by Susic in the build-up to the match -- had a disappointing night, with his finishing off-key and control poor at times. When he did find the target, he was either denied by the officials or by that late, brilliant save from Enyeama. The Bosnians have one game left, against Iran on Wednesday, to try to end their debut World Cup with at least a point to show for their efforts.
Air Force 1 Outlet Clearance . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Cheap Air Max 90 Wholesale . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then.Liverpool, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Adam Lallana scored twice in the second half as Liverpool rolled to a 4-1 win over Swansea City at Anfield on Monday. Alberto Moreno opened the scoring in the 33rd minute for the home side, and Lallana doubled the lead six minutes into the second half. Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled a goal back for Swansea one minute later, but Lallana found the net again in the 61st before an own goal from Jonjo Shelvey put the result away 20 minutes from time. The outcome moves Liverpool level on 28 points with Swansea in eighth place, giving the Reds seven of a possible nine points from the past three matches. Jordan Henderson had another strong game for Liverpool and he set up the opening tally in the first half by getting into the penalty area on the right and crossing the ball to the front of the net for Moreno, who made a nice run through the middle to scoree on a first-time shot.
Wholesale Air Max 90 Cheap. . Lallana made it 2-0 in the 51st with a huge slice of luck as Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski saw his attempted clearance strike the Liverpool man and redirect into the net. Sigurdsson answered immediately for the visitors when a cross from Wayne Routledge was headed into his path by Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, allowing the midfielder to slam home his fourth goal of the season. Raheem Sterling struck the post for Liverpool one minute after that, but the hosts got a bit of relief in the 61st when a clever flick from Philippe Coutinho at the top of the box released Lallana into the area, where he scored on a low shot with his left foot. A corner kick in the 69th then put the game away as Henderson drove his cross to the near post and saw it skip off the head of Shelvey and over Fabianski for an own goal. ' ' '