Crazy Rebel(l)s
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10.01.2019 02:54
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Twice now, Belgium has relied on a late revival boosted by stamina and its bench to turn desperate situations around at the World Cup. On Sunday, it was teenager Divock Origi who turned a listless Belgian performance into a late 1-0 win over Russia, enough to qualify for the next round. Belgium barely contained a reinvigorated Russia for most of the match, yet struck with a blistering late spurt of class and opportunism to turn a bad situation into a wild, fist-pumping celebration for coach Marc Wilmots and his team in the 88th minute. "Why were we good in last 10 minutes? Simple, the others were tired," said Wilmots. "The Russians were so tired they looked at their feet, and it offered us chances to counter." After its dour 1-1 draw with South Korea, Russia produced the kind of sparkle and dominance that most had been expected more from Belgium in front of 73,819 increasingly restless fans at Maracana stadium. With Belgian King Philippe looking on, substitute Kevin Mirallas hit a freekick against the post in 84th minute, setting off the amazing turnaround. At first it appeared as if late flashes from Eden Hazard would only camouflage a dismal performance. But then the playmaker made a move into the area on the left and spotted Origi free in the centre. A pinpoint pass from Hazard and cool right-foot finishing from the 19-year-old Origi gave Belgium the victory. "Nobody could have thought this possible," said Origi, who was only called into the squad because No. 1 striker Christian Benteke injured his Achilles in April. Most of Belgium barely knew of the talented young player developing quickly for Lille in the French league. Belgium didnt play with any real authority for most of the game on a bright, sunny afternoon in Rio, confounding predictions that it should be one of the teams to watch at the World Cup. Instead, it was Russia applied most pressure in the second half and was let down by its blunt finishing touch. That helped give Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois his 100th professional clean sheet at age 22. "We got the last pass wrong, or shot too quickly," Russia coach Fabio Capello said. "The result was unfair, but the fact is we lost." Belgium moved to six points with the win, five ahead of Russia and South Korea -- the Koreans were playing Algeria later Sunday. "Now we will build a party, but then it is back to work as of tomorrow," Wilmots said. Belgium could be considered lucky to go to halftime at 0-0, escaping a penalty in the 26th minute when German referee waved on play after defender Toby Alderweireld was late with a challenge on Maksim Kanunnikov in the area. While most critics had been expecting a defence-oriented Russia against Belgium, Capello decided otherwise and the addition of 22-year-old Maksim Kanunnikov gave some zip to the team that it so badly lacked against South Korea. Wilmots promoted his two substitute goalscorers from the 2-1 win over Algeria to the starting lineup and while Dries Mertens thrived on the right wing, Marouane Fellaini was sloppy and ineffectual in the centre of midfield. Once Russias central defence of Sergey Ignashevich and Vasily Berezutskiy worked out how to control the Belgian passing combinations, momentum changed. And after the early massive cheers for Belgium from the crowd, shouts of "Ro-ssi-ya, Ro-ssi-ya," took over. Belgium captain Vincent Kompany recovered from a groin strain to play a polished first half, but the surprise call-up of defender Thomas Vermaelen to start the game backfired and forced a first-half change. The Arsenal defender injured his knee in the warmup and lasted only 31 minutes before limping off. "That was my only big setback today," Wilmots said. Air Force 1 Cheap Australia . Toronto announced the deal with the restricted free agent on Saturday. The terms were not disclosed. Air Force 1 Australia Sale .com) - Jimmie Johnson won Sundays AAA Texas 500 while championship contenders Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski as well as their teams were involved in a post-race fight on pit road after the two clashed in the closing laps at Texas Motor Speedway. http://www.airforce1cheapaustralia.com/ .com) - After Tom Brady added to an already illustrious legacy, Malcolm Butler established his by leaving the Seattle Seahawks, well, deflated. Air Force 1 Cheap Wholesale . He even addressed his group of relievers Sunday morning. Dustin McGowan made those worries a nonfactor, at least for a day. McGowan pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, Colby Rasmus hit a grand slam and Melky Cabrera added a two-run homer as the Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. Air Force 1 Cheap Outlet . He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th. The 34-year-old Laval, Que. native has played six seasons with the Penguins.WINNIPEG - Shawn Coates, who worked as a media relations director for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and later with the CFLs head office, died Friday night. He was 52.The cause of death wasnt immediately known.Coates worked for the Bombers from 2000 to 04 before becoming the CFLs director of football operations. He held that post until 2007.During his time with the league, Coates established its instant replay program, developed a digital video exchange infrastructure and implemented a cardio-vascular screening program for players and coaches. He also created the CFLs code of conduct, dress code and sideline policies.Shawns passion for Canadian football ran as deep as you will find, CFL president/chief operating officer Michael Copeland said in a statement. He brought energy, enthusiasm and a winning smile to those around him.The league has lost a great friend, and he will be missed.Coates was well respected in football circles for his professionalism on the field and infectious sense of humour and pleasant demeanour off it.A native of B.C., Coates workked initially as a sports journalist, which brought him to Manitoba in the 1980s.ddddddddddddAnd although he went to Toronto to work at the CFL head office, Winnipeg remained home for Coates.He returned there following his CFL tenure to become the director of marketing and communications at the University of Winnipeg.Former rush end Daved Benefield, a 13-year CFL veteran who spent the 02-03 seasons in Winnipeg, tweeted his condolences after learning of Coates death. 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