SPORTS
SIDELINE CONFIDENTIAL: Wood likes the Dutch to prevail at World Cup
By BLAKE WOOD
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is a little past the midway point now as the group stage winds down.
The United States men’s national team is competing in Group G, also known as the “Group of Death” with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. The Americans are currently 1-1-0 with a crucial match against Germany tomorrow in Recife.
The U.S. opened World Cup play with a big 2-1 win against Ghana, a team who ended their previous two World Cup appearances. The Yanks, as they are referred to, entered their next game against Portugal with a wave of hope. Portugal entered the game 0-1 after a tough 4-0 loss to Germany. The team also had injuries to contend with, including one to Cristiano Ronaldo, considered by many to be the greatest player in the game right now. Ronaldo did play in the match, but it was clear he was not 100 percent.
The two teams met in Manaus, in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest. Conditions were hot and very humid.
The game got out of hand fast for the U.S. as Nani took advantage of a defensive lapse early in the match to put Portugal ahead.
It was all America in the second half however. Jermaine Jones netted his first career World Cup goal, using excellent spin on the ball to put it past the goalkeeper. Soon afterwards in the 87th minute, the captain Clint Dempsey ended a spectacular sequence of events to give his team the lead. For more from Wood’s column, read the mid-week edition of The Bowie News.
Sports columnist Blake Wood (News photo)
The old adage concerning where it’s better to start or finish strong was answered by Nocona’s boys basketball team Feb. 24.
Both.
The Indians opened Class 2A bi-district play against Anson with a strong start and finish to move on in the postseason with a 70-31 win.
Nocona Coach Brody Wilson said the intensity shown early was a must.
“We knew we need to bring the intensity early tonight,” Wilson said. “In the playoffs you take nothing for granted.”
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Bowie’s baseball team got out to an early lead in their ACS Tournament opener against Muenster Feb. 26 but the Hornets used timely hitting and took advantage of Jackrabbit miscues to post a 10-2, five-inning win.
Bowie Coach Jason McCoy said he was pleased with how his reserve players came through hitting wise but not much else.
“We didn’t locate our pitches well. We didn’t finish an inning well as they rallied with two outs. We didn’t hit the ball,” McCoy said. “Our reserves were the bright spot here.”
The Hornets had three hits in scoring a first inning run off Bowie pitcher Braylon Hardy but the Rabbits took advantage of Muenster miscues in the bottom of the inning.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Saint Jo took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter of its area round matchup with Avery Feb. 26 in Denison.
Avery put together its biggest offensive quarter of the game late and overtook the Panthers, ending their season with a 61-56 setback.
Saint Jo Coach Jacob Nockltonicksaid Avery just got hot when it counted.
“We came back from a 10-point deficit,” Nocktonick explained. “Fourth quarter rolled around and they just didn’t miss. They hit four 3-pointers in a row. They are a great team that just couldn’t miss.”
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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