CURITIBA, Brazil - Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimanis headed equalizer giving his team a 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday and enough competition points to move into the second round. Brandon Jennings Wizards Jersey . Algeria was the last team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 when it placed second to Belgium in Group H. Its progress means Africa has two representatives in the second round for the first time — Nigeria qualified on Wednesday. The Algerians next play Germany on Monday. The victory prompted mass celebrations on the pitch among the players, and had coach Vahid Halilhodzic shaking his head in apparent disbelief. "I think Algeria played a heroic match and our qualification is perfectly deserved," Halilhodzic said. Russia, needing a win to advance, went on the attack from the start and dominated the first half with its intricate and swift passing movements through midfield. The Russians took the lead in the 6th minute when Alexander Kokorin powerfully headed in a left-foot cross from Dmitry Kombarov. Slimanis 60th-minute equalizer came after Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev failed to catch a swinging left-foot free kick from Yacine Brahimi. That was the second costly error that Akinfeev has made in the tournament for Russia. However, there were indications on the TV broadcast that a green laser was being shone toward the goalkeeper just before the free kick was taken. As well as bemoaning the match officials, Russia coach Fabio Capello said his goalkeeper was "blinded by the laser beam." Failure to advance put pressure on Capellos position, although he said it was up to the Russias football federation to decide whether he was the right manager to lead the team when the country hosts the World Cup in 2018. Capello recently signed a contract extension that would see him at the helm through the 2018 World Cup. Asked whether he would stay, he said: "If they still want me, yes." Halilhodzic said he told his team at halftime not to panic after Russias strong start to the game. "During the first half Russia used its experience .... my players were a bit naive," he said. The team has shown signs of progress during the tournament and Halilhodzic thought they could compete well against Germany. In the second half, Brahimi troubled the Russia defence consistently until his substitution late in the game. Along with midfielder Sofiane Feghouli and man-of-the-match Slimani, he helped neutralize much of Russias attacking intent through the second half. Before Algerias equalizer, Russia had chances to double its lead, notably in the 26th minute when Oleg Shatov weaved through the Algeria midfield but his right-foot shot drifted wide of the Algeria post. Algeria came closest to qualifying for the second stage at the World Cup in 1982, but West Germany and Austria played out a result that suited both of those teams. The European teams, meeting a day after Algeria had won its last group game, knew that a 1-0 win for West Germany would put both through to the second round at Algerias expense. It remains one of the most contentious group games in the tournaments history. Now that it has qualified for the second round, Algeria can look at the tournament from a different perspective. After all, it beat West Germany 2-1 in one of the great World Cup upsets in 1982. Marcin Gortat Wizards Jersey . - Rookie Kyle Larson will start from the pole position Saturday night in the NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway after a thunderstorm arrived just in time to wash out qualifying. Michael Jordan Wizards Jersey . -- Arizona coach Sean Miller rose from his seat every time Roberto Nelson touched the ball and yelled "Shooter!" He could have been talking about his own team, too. MONTREAL -- Its time to see how the Montreal Impact respond to this weeks front office shakeup. The last-place Impact (3-12-5) face rival Toronto FC at Saputo Stadium on Saturday evening in its first game since owner and president Joey Saputo removed his friend Nick De Santis as sporting director and gave head coach Frank Klopas full control of the squad. Toronto (7-7-5) is looking to snap out of a mid-season funk that has seen it go 0-2-2 in its last four games and 2-3-4 in its last nine as it struggles to hold onto a playoff spot in Major League Soccers Eastern Conference. Catch the coverage live on TSN at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. You can also listen live on TSN 1050 Toronto and TSN 690 Montreal. "When you dont have good seasons, you have to expect a lot of things," Impact captain Patrice Bernier said this week. "We have 14 games left to save pride for ourselves, the team and the fans. "We need to show that (while) were having a bad season, were a quality team with quality players." The scheduling change makes it TFCs third game in an eight-day span, including last weeks 2-1 loss at home to Kansas City and a 3-0 road setback to D.C. United on Wednesday. Beset by fans and media as the losses piled up this season, Saputo acted on Wednesday, giving Klopas full power over personnel decisions through the end of the 2015 season. It will be up to the former Chicago Fire boss to shape the team and get positive results over the last three months of the regular season games and in the Champions League. "Its about taking one game at a time now; its difficult to talk about the goals we had early on because you have to reassess," Klopas said. "This game obviously means a lot. "Its a big rivalry. Its a derby. But were excited. Were at home. Theres a certain incentive." Klopas was surprised to see De Santis moved to an administrative job. The former Impact player, coach and manager was a big supporter when former U.S. international forward Klopas was named Montreals third coach is as many seasons last winter. Klopas had already made a few moves this season, including one in May that sent midfielder Collen Warner to Toronto for midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran. It remains to be seen if Warner will start in his return to Saputo Stadium. Another move came Tuesday, when midfielder-forward Sanna Nyassi went to Chicago for midfielder Dilly Duka, a Klopas favourite who was little-used by new Fire boss Frank Yallop. The 24-year-old Duka arrived just afterr Saputos announcement to a team still digesting the De Santis news. Michael Jordan Jersey. He seemed bewildered, but he was glad to play for Klopas again. "Our relationship was good in the past," said Duka. "Coming back and playing for him will be a good transition, and Im looking forward to working with the players Montreal has." The deal had been in the works for several weeks, but could not be completed until Nyassi was ready to return from an ankle injury. Klopas describes Duka as an attacking midfielder who can play on the left side, in the middle or just behind the striker. "Hes a kind of player in the final third that I wanted to bring here," said Klopas. "Hes young, so we can have continuity. We dont have to make changes every year. "Hes a very good player off the dribble. Hes dangerous in the open filed. He shoots with both feet and hes dangerous around the box. He brings another dimension with his pace and his ability to beat players." New designated player Ignacio Piatti, who is set to join the Impact from Argentina next week, is also an attacking midfielder, so it will be interesting to see what affect that will have on the minutes played by those currently in those positions, like Felipe Martins and Andres Romero. But the Impact has five league games and two CONCACAF matches in August, so depth will be tested and they should all get playing time. Toronto also has depth issues with right back Mark Bloom (knee) and centre back and captain Steven Caldwell (quad) out of the lineup. The team led by U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley and former Tottenham star Jermain Defoe had 14 shots but failed to score against D.C., while a young defence conceded three goals. It is the second of a four-game road string for Toronto, which is tied with New England and Columbus on 26 points with two games in hand on each. But sixth-place New York is only one point back in a tight race to finish in the top five and make the playoffs. They could breath easier with three points against a last-place team. As coach Ryan Nelsen put it after the loss at D.C.: "Montreal has become a must-win game for us now." Montreal, which has lost five in row, is less concerned with the playoffs now as it is about turning around a disastrous campaign.The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, but was moved up a day to allow Montreal a breather ahead of its CONCACAF Champions League match Tuesday night against FAS of El Salvador. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
