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)
Nocona and Saint Jo opened their respective district play with convincing road wins.
The Lady Indians needed four games but outlasted Archer City, 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16). Paige Davis and Sy Parker each had 12 kills to pace Nocona with Davis adding 12 digs defensively. Maddyn Bowles led the way with 17 digs, 11 assists and served up three aces.
Setter Kasi Castro had 24 assists and 13 digs with Sophia Gaytan adding 12 assists and eight digs. Saint Jo went into Bellevue and posted a 25-15, 25-14, 25-22 sweep over the Lady Eagles.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After a tough loss to open District 10-A volleyball play, Bellevue’s squad used the two-day break to refocus its efforts. The break worked as the Lady Eagles evened its record at 1-1 with a 3-0 win over visiting Midway Sept. 24 (25-17, 25-22, 25-20).
Bellevue Coach Jamie Hickey said working on game scenarios in practice has begun to pay off. Keeping focus was key to the victory as well.
“I think our key tonight was our mindset and just staying together,” Hickey said. “Letting mistakes go and focusing on the next play. We’ve been working on scenarios in practice and being intentional with each possession and attacking the ball more. I think we did tonight.” The Falcons played gutsy all night long, staying in each game after Bellevue had taken a good lead but the Lady Eagles, playing before a large crowd, held their own.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Forestburg opened District 10-A action with a road win at Gold-Burg Sept. 22, beating the Lady Bears in a three-game sweep (25-8, 25-9, 25-6.)
Forestburg’s Madi Wadsworth started game one with a five-point run, including two aces. Brenna Briles kept the drive alive with a kill. Gold-Burg broke serve and Zara Andrade’s serving point cut the deficit to three.
Yareli Aguirre cut the lead to 5-7 with another single point. Jocelyn Rich later countered for Forestburg with another five-point string to extend the lead to 13-5Back-to-back aces by Rich forced Gold-Burg Coach Cheryl Cromleigh into a timeout.
Sophomore Addy Conway rolled off four aces amidst a six-point run for the Lady ‘Horns to give the squad a 20-6 lead. Jocelyn Rich’s kill kept things moving along for Forestburg.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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