With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Too bad the refs vanishing spray, which was first introduced in tournament play at 2011s Copa América, is only effective on the grass. We were all left wondering when the football would finally be the focus. All those questions were answered by the Dutch dominance of the World Cup holders yesterday. In the second half alone, Spain conceded twice as many goals as they did through seven matches en route to a first World Cup triumph in South Africa four-years ago. Then for an encore, Chile and Australia played out a highly spirited encounter. Jorge Sampaolis team were very convincing, and certainly would have won over many new admirers, that one of South Americas less glamorous nations, would be the one which punches well above its weight class at Brazil 2014. With Groups C and D taking to the pitch Day 3 provides us with the only quadruple header of the tournament. Where armchair enthusiasts the world over are treated to the prospect of four matches over the course of 11 hours. Todays headliner without question is the rumble in the jungle, as the aptly named Arena da Amazonia plays host to Italy v England. With four World Cup triumphs already to their name, a record which is only bettered by Brazils five, if Italy is the preening peacock of European football, then England is its Hippopotamus. Rare, if ever, has the land of St. George got their heads above the waterline during World Cups. Quite coincidentally the last time that happened was at Italia 90, which was also the last time the two nations met at a World Cup. Courtesy of Toto Schillacis late penalty, Italy prevailed 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. Through the entire history of World Cup quite remarkably, that meeting represents the only time the two nations have met at the tournament proper. They have though met in qualifying twice. The most recent time was for France 1998. Zolas superb strike at Wembley in February 1997 was the difference maker. The return fixture in Rome saw England claim a famous scoreless draw and with it top spot in the group. The iconic image of England captain Paul Inces head swathed in a bloodied bandage typified Englands approach on the day. One which had the current England manager Roy Hodgson assisting Glen Hoddle, officially in the role of interpreter. Hodgson was Inter Milans head coach at the time. When the World Cup Draw took place in Zurich early last December Manaus was chosen as the venue. The Arena da Amazonia, built at a cost of $300M has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as four workers have died during its construction. Brazilian football legend come politician Romario has been outspoken in his criticism. Pictures emerging on Thursday of a sub-standard surface the latest setback for a stadium which will host four group stage games. With Buffon set to miss out due to an ankle injury which occurred in training yesterday, combined with Montolivo fracturing a leg May 31st, the psychological edge certainly goes to England. Not that Prandellis team will need extra motivation this evening - but the only European nation to retain a World Cup [1934, 1938] is still smarting from its inability to emerge from a weak group in South Africa. A tournament they went into as defending champions. With soaring heat and intense humidity factoring, for England to stand any chance they will have to overcome the Achilles heel which has dogged them through the ages. Chasing shadows in the pursuit of a ball they surrender more casually than Andrea Pirlo completes successful passes. Based on statistical evidence and World Cup history, losing your first group stage game almost guarantees elimination. Although Prandelli nor Hodgson would admit it, if the game finishes as it did in Rome back in fall 1997 neither of them will be too upset. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter TSN Radio is an official licensed radio broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. Check www.tsn.ca/radio for the broadcast schedule in your home town. Haloti Ngata Jersey . Advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals should be a formality after Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Dani Alves added a late second to secure a commanding 2-0 advantage over City in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Josh Sweat Eagles Jersey . You can watch all the action on TSN and TSN GO beginning at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. Minnesota dropped the first two tests of this best-of-seven set at Chicagos United Center and was outscored by a combined 9-3 margin in those setbacks. However, the Wild righted themselves at home by taking Game 3 by a 4-0 count before knotting the series at two games apiece with Fridays 4-2 triumph at Xcel Energy Center. http://www.theeaglesfootballauthentic.com/ . Carcillo was a little of both for New York in Game 3. Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and Carcillo scored goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Haloti Ngata Eagles Jersey .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart. Mike Wallace Jersey . "I only want to go through this one more time," Crosby said Friday. The 24-year-old captain hasnt played since the symptoms resurfaced following a loss to Boston on Dec. 5. Doctors allowed him to return to full practice on Tuesday and while Crosby is pleased with the way his body is responding he refuses to put on his return.TORONTO -- It appears the writing is officially on the wall for Toronto FC fullback Richard Eckersley. There is no problem with his play. Far from it. A product of Manchester Uniteds youth system, the 24-year-old English defender is a quality defender who can push up the flank. An afternoon playing against the hard-nosed redhead will likely leave a mark. But Eckersley is simply too expensive under the confines of the MLS salary cap. His salary was listed at US$390,000 last year and $310,000 this season. The actual number was probably higher, with the club using allocation money to buy it down. In 2014, it will be even bigger. Suffice to say that the current TFC regime did not sign him to the deal. The underachieving MLS team has shed salary this season in a bid to pave the way for new talent. Eckersley is seen as one of the last dominos to fall. On Tuesday, manager Ryan Nelsen offered his bluntest assessment when asked about the fullbacks future with the club. "This is not anything to do with Richard, because Richards a fantastic player. Hes a really good player in this league," said Nelsen. "But if you got Dani Alves (of Barcelona), Glen Johnson (of Liverpool), Ashley Cole (of Chelsea) and put them on $5(00,000), $6(00,000), $700,000 contracts here, you wouldnt do it. It makes absolutely no sense to put a left or a right back on that amount of money because it just destroys your salary cap. "So its not the players fault that theyre on this type of contracts. Its just obviously youve got to balance your salary cap to proportion where you want the most amount of money on the field and where it can have the biggest amount of impact. "Thats why I kind of feel really bad for Richard, because hes kind of in that situation where his agent did a really good job for him -- but probably too good of a job." Nelsen said Eckersleys deal was so big -- second only to designated player Danny Koevermans US$1.66 million on Torontos salary list this season -- that renegotiation was out of the question. Koevermans actual hit against the $2.95-million cap is only $368,750 as a designated player. The fact that Eckersley missed 14 games -- almost 100 days -- earlier this season afteer injuring his hamstring celebrating teammate Darel Russells tying goal March 6 against FC Dallas must have made Torontos bean-counters grind their teeth.dddddddddddd Eckersley has not played the last two games. He missed the Sept. 14 defeat in New York with a knock and sat out last Saturdays home loss to Sporting Kansas City as Nelsen rewarded Mark Bloom ($46,500) with another start. Eckersley said diplomatically Tuesday that he was "happy to share the load." And that Bloom deserved the Kansas City start because he "did brilliant" against New York, he added. "When Im recalled and when he (Nelsen) wants me to play again, Im ready," he said. Its the kind of model citizen he has been at the club. But he knows he is a square peg in a round hole, salary-wise in the MLS. "Fullbacks in this league dont get paid a lot of money. But Im not some ordinary fullback," he said matter-of-factly. "But its the clubs decision. Im happy to go with whatever they decide. My futures in their hands, isnt it." His 72 career TFC games (70 starts) are second only to Stefan Freis 81 (81 starts) among active club players. Frei, another faithful servant of the Reds, is also headed towards the exit sign, his $200,000 contract expiring at the end of the season and his job usurped by Joe Bendik. With Eckersley under contract next season, Toronto (4-15-11) has limited options considering his price tag. The team could come to a settlement with him, but the severance cost would go against the salary cap. And a trade or loan within MLS is unlikely under his current terms. There is also the option of an international transfer. The most likely exit strategy is Toronto using its one permitted off-season buyout. The club can use its own funds to negotiate a settlement, which would not count against the salary cap. An MLS official said such a buyout usually leads to the player exiting the league. Asked if he expects to be back with Toronto next season, Eckersley laughed and said: "I dont know. If you ask me that in a months time, I might give you an answer. "But because theres three, four games to go, Ill just say Im going to keep working for now." 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