RIO DE JANEIRO -- Despite all the talk at the Olympics about Brazils talented strikers, its the defense thats holding the team together as the host tries to win the soccer gold medal for the first time.
Custom Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys .Brazil has yet to concede a goal entering Saturdays final against Germany at the Maracana Stadium, helping keep the pressure off an offense led by Neymar and youngsters Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus.We are just doing our part, said defender Marquinhos, who on Wednesday scored a goal in the 6-0 rout of Honduras in the semifinals. We know that if we keep playing well back there and dont concede any goals, the attack will guarantee us the victories.Brazil is the only team with a clean sheet at the Olympic tournament, outscoring opponents 12-0 after five matches. Germany enters the final with 21 goals scored and five against.The entire team has been helping, and thats important, said central defender Rodrigo Caio. The strikers have been coming back when needed. That makes our lives easier. If we can remain scoreless one more game, Im sure we will be able to reach our goal of winning the gold.Rodrigo Caio and Marquinhos are the leaders of the defense. Rodrigo Caio, 23, plays for Brazilian club Sao Paulo but soon will be on his way to Europe. The 22-year-old Marquinhos plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, where he is often a starter.Gifted right back Zeca, from Brazilian club Santos, where Neymar used to play, helps both on offense and defense, while 22-year-old Douglas Santos, who has played for small clubs in Spain and Italy, is solid on the left flank.There used to be concern about the goalkeeper, Weverton, who was added to the team just before the tournament after regular starter Fernando Prass was dropped due to injury. But the 28-year-old Atletico Paranaense player has been doing well when needed. Despite Brazils comfortable victory Wednesday over Honduras, he made two great saves in the second half to keep the sheet clean.He also excelled in the first two games of the tournament, when the attack failed to score and Brazil was held to scoreless draws against South African and Iraq.We have found a good balance, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. We have been doing well both on offense and on defense, and thats key for a team that wants to win a competition. We fully trust our defenders, just like we trust our strikers.Brazil was the main favorite to win the Olympic gold, the only significant trophy it hasnt won in soccer. The five-time World Cup champions have won the silver medal three times and the bronze twice. Brazil lost to Mexico in the final four years ago in London, when Neymar also played.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter:
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http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni Brian Propp Flyers Jersey . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker.
Scott Laughton Flyers Jersey . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3.
http:///...xtall-flyers-jersey/ . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Janoris Jenkins is humble enough and smart enough not to call himself the best cornerback in the NFL.So let Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher speak for the former free agent whom the New York Giants signed in the offseason to a five-year, $62.5 million contract.In discussing Sundays game between the Giants (3-3) and Rams (3-3) in London, Fisher was glowing when asked about Jenkins, who played his first four seasons with Fisher in St. Louis.Fisher wanted Jenkins back with the Rams this season, but it seemed the team could not match the Giants offer, which included a $10 million signing bonus and a $28 million guarantee.He played really well for us. He overcame a couple of injury things, Fisher said. Im just saying to reiterate, but I think youd be hard pressed to find a corner in this league whos playing better than he is.When asked to man up and cover, hes a shutdown corner. When asked to match up with the top receivers, he does it, he plays both sides. When asked to be patient and play zone and play within the scheme, he does it. Im happy for him, but not happy for us.Jenkins has not only played well for the Giants, he has been indispensable because of injuries to first-round draft pick Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.Apple has been inactive in two of the past three games with hamstring and groin injuries, while Rodgers-Cromartie missed the Minnesota game with a groin injury and has gutted his way through the past two games against Green Bay and Baltimore.Jenkins has the Giants only two interceptions this season, and he played the shutdown role on Dez Bryant in the season-opening winn against Dallas.
Travis Sanheim Flyers Jersey. .I am just playing football and doing what I do, Jenkins said after practice Wednesday when asked about Fishers comments. That is a nice compliment, but I am just going to stay focused and continue to play football.Jenkins said he lets other people worry about where he ranks among cornerbacks.I think I have played good. I can play better, he said. Nothing major, but just keep improving every week.If Jenkins is asked to match up on Sunday, he will probably cover Kenny Britt. The former Rutgers receiver ranks fifth in the NFC with 492 yards receiving. He has 30 catches and two touchdowns.Kenny, he is physical, he is big, he is going to give you a lot of pushing and shoving, but we just have to go out there and play football, Jenkins said.Giants receiver Victor Cruz said Jenkins has a knack for understanding routes and playing the ball well.He understands the ball in the air, he really can play it while it is in the air, whether it is a breakup or an interception, he knows how to close that gap, Cruz said.He has that speed to close that gap and get to the football. I am happy that he is on our team, happy he is making plays and doing some really great things.Fisher remembers walking into a defensive meeting with the Rams and always seeing Jenkins in the front row.Hes a student, he studies, he competes, quietly, Fisher said. Hes got great ball skills and hes playing really well.---Online: AP NFL website:
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