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rebound in games, which puts intense pressure on the goaltending and defense to keep them close and ho
Michael Chopra admits he has unfinished business in the Indian Super League (ISL). The former Newcastle and Sunderland striker played under ex-England goalkeeper David James for the Sachin Tendulkar co-owner Kerala Blasters in the inaugural edition of the ISL in 2014.But Chopra found it difficult to reach peak fitness after going half a season without playing regularly following an ill-fated spell at then-Championship side Blackpool prior to his move to India. He then suffered an ankle injury while training on artificial turf ahead of a match in Kolkata, forcing him to miss half of the season with the Cochin-based Blasters. Chopra in action against Atletico Kolkata in the 2014 ISL final Chopra signed for Scottish side Alloa Athletic in March 2015, leaving a year later after suffering a recurrence of the ankle injury that plagued his stint in India.India is still a place thats very close my heart, the ex-Cardiff and Ipswich striker told Sky Sports.My dads family is from India and I loved it when I went out there. I would love to go back at some point and show them the real Michael Chopra. Chopra (L) mobbed by his Alloa team-mates after scoring a stunning volley against Rangers When I went there the first time I dont think I fully understood what it meant to be there, and I dont think I gave it my best shot. I thought it would be easier than I expected and it wasnt like that.I feel like I let myself and the club down as well and if I go back next time Ill know what to expect and I will definitely perform to the best of my ability.The 32-year-old, who has also had loan spells with Watford, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley during his 14-year professional career to date, is stepping up his training regime in a bid to come back stronger next season.Im recovering from an operation I had six or seven weeks ago which stemmed from an injury I had playing for Alloa in December, Chopra said. I couldnt really play football again until I had a couple of bones removed from my ankle, so I got them removed and I am on the mend now.Im confident I can recover and come back in much better shape because when I went to India for the first edition of the Indian Super League I injured the same ankle and the surgeon told me it hasnt been the same since.But he has now cleared everything up in my ankle and says I will be able to move around a lot better on a football pitch which is a good thing. I am going to come back firing. Also See: Transfer Centre Latest transfer news Transfer betting Paper Talk Air Jordan 1 Nz Free Shipping . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Discount Air Jordan 1 Nz . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. http://www.airjordan1nz.com/ . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Air Jordan 1 Nz Sale . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Wholesale Air Jordan 1 Nz . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. The World Cup of Hockey begins Saturday in Toronto when Team Europe faces Team USA?in group play at 3:30 p.m. ET?(ESPN2). Here are scouting reports on Team Europe, the Czech?Republic and Russia.Team EuropeThe GoodYeah, Team Europe looked pretty ordinary for most of its twin losses to Team North America to open the pre-tournament schedule -- but things appeared much more promising as it beat up on Sweden in its final tune-up game. So much veteran leadership will come over the boards for this team, including multiple Stanley Cup winners Marian Hossa and Anze Kopitar, who was named captain of the squad. Theres good talent and size on the back end with Roman Josi, Mark Streit and?Boston Bruins?captain Zdeno Chara even though Chara struggled in the first two exhibition games. Team Europe also has some feisty kids, including Leon Draisaitl and Tobias Rieder, who can spice things up on offense. Team Europe may also have the tournaments secret weapon in head coach Ralph Krueger, who lead the Swiss national team into a place at the world hockey head table. He has a history of getting lesser lights to shine in these kinds of tournaments.The BadIn losing Frederik Andersen to injury, Team Europe has fewer options in goal and thats unfortunate.?Jaroslav Halak?was only OK in the first loss to Team North America and?Thomas Greiss, so stellar for the New York Islanders last spring, was worse in the second. Frankly wed go with Philipp Grubauer, the?Washington Capitals?netminding prospect. The defense isnt particularly deep and there are questions about Charas durability; he looked rusty in the first two games against the younger, faster Team North America squad. Apart from the impressive Kopitar, Team Europe wont be nearly as deep down the middle as it will need to be in order to knock off anyone -- let alone Canada or the U.S., which is what it will take to move out of the preliminary round. And unless Marian Gaborik can rekindle some past glory playing with Kopitar -- the veteran Slovak had a pair of goals in the teams second loss -- the offense looks to be overmatched against pretty much everyone else in the tournament.Czech RepublicThe GoodTheres very little pressure on the Czech Republic at the World Cup, as injuries have a team that was already a longshot to win the tournament basically left for dead before things even got going. So the Czechs should be able to play loose. We saw a hint of that as they split their first two pre-tournament games with Russia beefore edging Team North America 3-2 on Wednesday.dddddddddddd Theres still talent up front that could make life difficult for opponents in the form of Jakub Voracek, captain Tomas Plekanec and Ondrej Palat. And we know that both Petr Mrazek and Michal Neuvirth, who beat the Russians in a shootout in the Czechs second game, have the potential to be red-hot. The Czechs just have to hope they get the right red-hot netminder between the pipes at the right time. They draw the Canadians right off the hop on the first night of the tournament (8 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS) so maybe they can catch lightning in a bottle and take advantage of some hometown nerves. Maybe.The BadHow to put this delicately? The Czechs just arent that good. The offense is thin compared to every other team in the tournament and that was before the withdrawal of David Krejci and Tomas Hertl. Meanwhile, the defense is less than thin, especially after the loss of Radko Gudas. If they get behind -- and it seems inevitable that they will fall behind -- the Czechs have little to suggest they can rebound in games, which puts intense pressure on the goaltending and defense to keep them close and hope for a lucky break or power play opportunity.?New Jersey Devils?veteran Patrik Elias (who is not on this squad, by the way) joked that perhaps the Czechs should rejoin with Slovakia to form a new version of the old Czechoslovak teams from back in the day. His Czech countrymen face a difficult challenge in this tournament.Team RussiaThe GoodTake a look at Russias roster and its evident the team could have one of the strongest cores of forwards in the tournament. Its a dynamic lineup with the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Pavel Datsyuk and Artemi Panarin.In net, the Russians have three solid goaltenders with Andrei Vasilevskiy, Semyon Varlamov and Sergei Bobrovsky. Russia is going to compete and if it can figure out its defense, it has the potential to be a tough out.The BadThere are questions surrounding the offense and whether or not superstars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin can produce and lead the attack. The Russians have struggled at the international level and havent earned a medal in the past three Winter Olympics. Its obvious the Russians have the ability to score goals, but the teams biggest weakness is the defense. -- Joe McDonald ' ' '