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Brasilia, Brazil - Costa Rica attempts to continue its Cinderella run at the World Cup when the Ticos tangle with the Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova.Mens Kyle Williams Game Jersey Red Nike NFL Kansas City Chiefs . Listen to the game live starting at 4pm et/1pm pt on TSN 1050, TSN 690, TSN 1200, and TEAM 1410. Costa Rica reached the last eight for the first time after topping Greece in penalty kicks in the round of 16, while the Dutch are attempting to reach back-to-back World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1974 and 1978. The Ticos were viewed as outsiders in Group D, which included Italy, England and Uruguay, but after claiming seven points to win that group, Jorge Luis Pintos team came up against a stubborn Greek side making its first-ever knockout-round appearance. Bryan Ruiz scored early in the second half to put Costa Rica in front, but after defender Oscar Duarte received a second yellow card in the 66th minute, Pintos team spent much of the remainder of the match defending. They almost got over the line, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos scored for Greece in stoppage time, forcing the match into extra time and ultimately penalty kicks. But Costa Rica survived the ordeal to win 5-3 in the shootout, showing the resilience the team has exhibited throughout the tournament. "It was a dramatic match, a very difficult one," Pinto said after the game with Greece. "There were moments when we dominated the match but there were other moments when they did but we were strong and we came through." If Costa Rica is going to continue its journey, the team is going to have to be even stronger against the favored Dutch, who have won all four of their games at this World Cup. The team trailed 1-0 against Mexico in the round of 16 entering the final five minutes, but Wesley Sneijder fired home the equalizer a few minutes from time before Arjen Robben drew a foul inside the penalty area, allowing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to fire home the winning goal from the spot. Louis van Gaals side has made a habit of coming back in Brazil as the team has given up the first goal in three of its four games so far, only to rally for the win each time. "I think we are on a mission together, and when you come to a World Cup its not to enjoy the weather and enjoy the beach in Rio," said Robben, who has tallied three goals and an assist so far. "Youre here to win matches and to go as far as possible. I dont think the expectations were that high before the tournament and, as a result, we can be very proud of where we are." The Dutch found themselves in a tough group with Spain, Chile and Australia, but after winning all three games to sit atop the group, the Oranje have a great chance at making another deep run. Things have come together nicely for the Dutch as the team ended up with a pair of teams from CONCACAF in its first two knockout-round games, making Van Gaals men favorites to reach the last four. But Robben isnt looking too far past the Ticos, especially since the team has already toppled favored sides like Italy and Uruguay. "I think theyre a very strong team. We have to stay focused," Robben told FIFA.com. "Costa Rica have a very good team, they have already proved that in their group, which was very tough, with Italy, England and Uruguay in there. Theyve been really impressive and well have to prepare very well if were going to beat them." One player who wont be available to Van Gaal the rest of the tournament is midfielder Nigel de Jong, who was forced off the field against Mexico after nine minutes because of a groin injury. Costa Rica will be a bit shorthanded in defense after Duartes red card, while Roy Miller is unlikely to be fit in time to face the Dutch because of a foot injury. Pintos team will once again embrace the role of underdogs, and although they have made history already in Brazil, dont expect the Ticos to be content. "We respect the Netherlands, just as we respect all our rivals, but the story goes on and were hungry for more," Pinto said.Red/Gold Fadeaway Derrick Johnson Kansas City Chiefs Jersey Elite . The Arena das Dunas in the northeastern city of Natal sustained minor damage during the protests, but demonstrators stayed away on Sunday and officials said the stadium passed its first test, with only minor adjustments needed going forward. Womens A.J. Jenkins Kansas City Chiefs NFL Jersey White Nike Elite Road . - Alex Gordon went from a bust to busting the bank.London, England - Five-time Wimbledon champion and top- seeded Serena Williams was stunned by Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in a third- round match on Saturday. The 25th-seeded Cornet beat Williams 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to match a personal-best at a Grand Slam by advancing to the round of 16. She also reached the fourth round at the 2009 Australian Open. The win was the second straight for Cornet against Williams, but her first in 14 career matches against Top 20 opponents at a Grand Slam. After the match on Court 1 was halted by rain in the third game, but Williams comfortably captured the first set following a lengthy delay. However, Cornet stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the second and closed it out with a forehand winner. Cornet continued to pressure Williams serve. The American saved four break points in the opening game of the third set, but Cornet converted a fourth break point in the fifth game to go up 3-2. Williams was broken again to trail 5-2 before netting a backhand on match point. Cornet, who also beat the womens world No. 1 at Dubai in February, will next play Eugenie Bouchard. The 13th-seeded Canadian defeated 20th-seeded German Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-4. Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova dodged the rain playing under thhe roof on Centre Court and posted a 6-3, 6-0 win over American Alison Riske. Red Kurt Coleman Home Kansas City Chiefs Jersey Mens Nike NFL Elite. The fifth-seeded Russian, who was 17 when she beat Williams in the 2004 final at the All England Club, got off to a wobbly start, as she was broken in the first game and fell behind 3-1. However, she recovered to claim the final 11 games of the 69-minute match. Sharapovas next opponent is sixth-seeded German Angelique Kerber, who battled back to defeat 24th-seeded Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The wet weather eventually forced two of Saturdays scheduled matches to be suspended due to lack of daylight, including the marquee matchup between 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki and Ana Ivanovic. Lisicki, seeded 19th, was leading the 11th-seeded Ivanovic 6-4, 1-1 when their match was halted. Also stopped was a third-round bout between Yaroslava Shvedova and Madison Keys, with Shvedova holding a slim 7-6 (9-7), 6-6 advantage on the American teen. Both matches will resume on Monday. Third-seeded Romanian Simona Halep did advance with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Switzerlands Belinda Bencic. The French Open runner-up will next face Kazakhstans Zarina Diyas, who beat former Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 6-3. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
