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TORONTO -- Italian soccer fans in Toronto didnt get to experience the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to see one of soccers greatest talents, Roberto Baggio. They were, however, treated to a 2-0 Italian victory over Portugal in Mondays legends match at BMO Field. Simone Barone scored late in the first half and Marco Del Vecchio scored early in the second securing the victory for Italy. The event was focused around the opportunity to see Baggio, who was relegated to participating in a pre-game ceremonial first kick due to a knee injury. "It was very disappointing because I wouldve liked to play here," Baggio said through a translator. "It has been 10 years since Ive played here, but unfortunately (last) Wednesday I suffered an injury in my knee." Barone got Italy on the board in the 32nd minute as he put his strike in the area up and over Portuguese keeper Paulo Santos. Then in the 52nd minute, Del Vecchio got past a challenging Paulo Santos in the area and put the loose ball into an empty net. Portugal would continue to press in the second half and Meira had an excellent chance in the 61st minute with a header in the area, but a diving Giovanni Galli managed to deflect it wide. "I was very happy to be here," continued Baggio. "The energy and the warm welcome was incredible. Especially in the Italian community, they gave a lot of emotion and the first thanks is going to them. It really was incredible to come here and feel at home." Baggio also addressed the on-going rumour that he will replace out-going Italian national coach, Cesare Prandelli. Baggio said it was just a rumour, but added changes need to be made at the top first. "Its important now to change the head of the federation because as you know, we have to change the president, first," he said. "After, well see what the new lay of the land is." Both sides exchanged numerous chances in the early going, but neither was able to find the back of the net. Portugal had an excellent chance to open the scoring in the eighth minute as Maniche put his strike from the right side of the goal wide right. Del Vecchio had two chances early. In the 10th minute he put his strike off the left side of the goal. Then in the 11th minute, alone in the area, Del Vecchio struggled with a pass before finally putting his shot just wide of the goal. Looking to even the score in the 32nd minute, Italian keeper Giovani Galli managed to stop a Fernando Meira header from just outside the area. "Its a big pleasure any time you get a chance to play for your national team, it was really cool to play in front of so many fans especially with such a big Portuguese community here in Toronto," said Portuguese striker, Pauleta. "The Italians played really well. They always have really good defenders. "For me, I think their goalie was the best player on the field. It wouldve been nice to score of course." Mondays event is part of a weeklong attempt to cure soccer fans World Cup withdrawal. In addition to the Italy-Portugal legends match, on Wednesday Toronto FC will play host to the English Premier Leagues Tottenham Hotspur. Current TFC striker Jermaine Defoe appeared in 274 games for the Spurs on two separate stops with the club. Then to close-out the week, Serie As AC Milan will kick off against Superleague Greeces Olympiacos on Thursday. Despite just returning from World Cup appearances, Italys Mario Balotelli, De Sciglio and Abate, Japans Honda and Ghanas Essien are all expected to participate. Nike Air Huarache Cz .Y. - Sitting behind a microphone in his New York Mets uniform, Bobby Abreu couldnt help but get choked up as he bid goodbye to the game he loves. Adidas Stan Smith Dámské . Laughton, a centre with the Ontario Hockey Leagues Oshawa Generals, is representing Canada internationally for the third time. http://www.superstarshopsleva.com/nike-air-huarache.html. -- San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver has been arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run and reckless driving after he drove a car into a bicyclist and fled, police said. Nike Huarache White Cz . He probably didnt envision this. The Bears waited out a long rain delay and put in extra time to come away with a much-needed win. Adidas Superstar 2 Černé . -- Milos Raonic and Aleksandra Wozniak continued successful injury comebacks as each advanced into the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday to next face reigning Grand Slam champions.JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Captain Richie McCaw is "looking strong and ready to go" against the Springboks at Ellis Park, assistant coach Ian Foster said on Tuesday, boosting the All Blacks hopes of clinching the Rugby Championship title at a ground where they havent won in 16 years. Its also a venue where the 119 times-capped McCaw has surprisingly never played a test, but where he could add another significant achievement to a colossal career. McCaw, missing for the All Blacks last two matches -- the home win over South Africa and away victory in Argentina -- is on course to recover from a knee injury to start in Saturdays decider, Foster said. Having travelled and trained with the team last week in Argentina, McCaw will have to come through full contact sessions in Johannesburg to prove his fitness. "Hes done well. He had a really good week last week in terms of his preparation and training," Foster said. "Clearly we have got a couple of runs this week where he will be tested but hes looking strong and ready to go." The experienced and canny flankers expected return comes as the top-ranked All Blacks look to seal a 12th title in 18 seasons in style at a ground South Africa treasures because of its 1995 World Cup final win over its archrival. But its also a stadium where the New Zealanders are especially motivated to succeed at. "t;In the sheds after the (Argentina) game there was a sense that the boys are pretty excited for this challenge," flyhalf Aaron Cruden said.dddddddddddd "We know its going to be a massive one, the Springboks at Ellis Park. Yeah, theres been a bit of talk about it." While the famous 95 final often forms the backdrop for tests at Ellis Park, New Zealands record at the intimidating 65,000-seat cauldron is not great. It last won there in 1997 and has lost three out of four since the 95 final. The Springboks have always drawn inspiration from their achievements at Ellis, yet New Zealand has overcome almost every challenge and every big game it has faced since winning the World Cup two years ago. "Yeah, we keep having lots of those (big games). The media keep telling us its the next one, the big one," assistant coach Foster said. "Im not going to debate it. You can call it what you like. Quite frankly it is a big game. Theres a title on the line, theres a whole lot of things on the line. Weve had a few of those and weve just got to keep climbing the mountain." Despite the All Blacks needing only a losing bonus point to win the Rugby Championship, Foster said there was no question they would still go for a sixth win from six in the competition: "We like getting the ball and playing. Thats what we train for," he said. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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