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BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Defying all the doubters, Costa Rica came through perhaps the toughest group of the World Cup unbeaten and on top. Costa Rica followed up its wins over Uruguay and Italy by holding England to a dour 0-0 draw on Tuesday, enough to finish first in Group D. Quite an achievement for a team that was seen as the rank outsider in the first ever World Cup group that contained three former champions. "It wasnt the death group after all -- at least not for us," Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. He dedicated the qualification to "those who believed in us and those who didnt." "People started believing after the game against Italy," he added. Uruguay also advanced from the group after beating Italy 1-0. Costa Rica only needed a draw to top Group D and played that way, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation against England. The result gives Costa Rica its best World Cup performance. While Los Ticos reached the knockout stages in 1990, they finished second in a weaker group. Costa Rica will now play the runner-up in Group C in the second round. "We will have to keep fighting," Pinto said. "Whatever happens we are willing to fight." England lost its first two matches to Italy and Uruguay and was already eliminated. England goes home from Brazil without a win after striker Daniel Sturridge missed a number of chances Tuesday. But coach Roy Hodgson thought his team showed spirit against the Costa Ricans, trying to break down a stubborn defence. "We showed today what a good team we can be," England coach Roy Hodgson said. "Apart from the first 10 minutes, I thought we dominated." One of Sturridges best opportunities came in the 65th after a nice one-two with midfielder Jack Wilshere. But the forwards curling shot from the right just missed squeezing inside the far post. Costa Rica had started the match brightly, passing the ball around midfield with ease and making England chase them around. Forward Joel Campbell had an early chance, but his shot from inside the area deflected off Gary Cahill and went just wide in the second minute. Costa Ricas best chance came in the 23rd minute when Celso Borges curling free kick was tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner by England goalkeeper Ben Foster. But that was about it in terms of attacking for the Costa Ricans and they were happy to absorb England pressure, especially in the second half. Pinto defended his team defensive tactics, saying Costa Rica was also out to attack. "Some people said we would only defend," he said. "No, thats not true. You have seen it. We have been able to attack as well. That is why we are very proud," With nothing to play for, Hodgson made nine changes to the England team, fielding a slew of younger talent, including Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw. Englands backup players looked disjointed in the first half, giving the ball away easily and finding it difficult to break through Costa Ricas setup. Wilshere made a fine run down the left in the 12th, setting up Sturridge just outside the area, but the forwards curling shot just missed wide. Wayne Rooney came on as a substitute late in the second half and made an instant impact for England. He found space just outside Costa Ricas area in the 80th, but the backpedalling Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas was able to tip it over the bar and out for a corner. While England showed improvement in the second half, the team just couldnt find a way a through Costa Ricas rearguard. A hardcore group of about 150 England fans stayed in the stands long after the final whistle in an otherwise empty Mineirao Stadium, chanting loudly and jumping up and down. About 25 armed riot police with shields and batons formed a line behind stewards who were urging them to leave. Singing "England Till We Die," the fans eventually left the stands peacefully. ------ Lineups: Costa Rica: Keylor Navas; Giancarlo Gonzalez, Roy Miller, Oscar Duarte, Junior Diaz; Cristian Gamboa, Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges (Michael Barrantes, 78), Bryan Ruiz (captain); Randall Brenes (Christian Bolanos, 59), Joel Campbell (Marcos Urena, 65). England: Ben Foster; Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw; James Milner (Wayne Rooney, 76), Frank Lampard (captain), Jack Wilshere (Steven Gerrard, 73); Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana (Raheem Sterling, 62), Daniel Sturridge. Air Force 1 Just Do It Norge . -- Kenneth Faried made a turnaround hook shot over Draymond Green with a half-second remaining, and the Denver Nuggets made Golden State wait at least one more game to secure a playoff berth with a stunning 100-99 win over the Warriors on Thursday night. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Norge . Brad Malone had the other goal for the Monsters (1-1-0), while Elliott chipped in an assist for a three-point night and the games first star. Bryan Lerg also had two assists. Corban Knight and Max Reinhart scored for the Heat (1-1-0), who opened their season Friday with a 5-2 win over the Monsters in Cleveland. http://www.airforce1norge.com/ . JOHNS, N. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . She was a pioneer. She did things on skis that made the birds take notice. Nike Tanjun Norge .com) - Demario Richard posted four touchdowns and Kweishi Brown came up with a key late interception as No.TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays were swept in the Bronx last week and will try to return the favour Wednesday versus the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays lost all three games at Yankee Stadium from June 17-19, but have taken the first two installments of this set, including Tuesdays 7-6 win courtesy of a throwing error by Yankees third baseman Yangervis Solarte in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jose Reyes started the inning with a double and came around to score after Melky Cabrera placed a bunt toward Solarte, whose throw to first base was off the mark. Reyes made up for a throwing error that plated two runs during a five-run seventh inning for the Yankees. Brian Roberts hit a two-run homer in the seventh to help New York tie the game at 6-6. "I tried to make something happen after that mistake," said Reyes. "They tied the game there in that situation. I have to make a better throw than that. It is what it is. Like I said, when I came up in the ninth inning I just tried to make something happen." Dioner Navarro hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and both Reyes and Edwin Encarnacion had two hits and two runs scored for the Blue Jays, who have won three of their last five games, and sit 2 1/2 games ahead of Baltimore and 3 1/2 games in front of New York for the AL East lead. Mark Buehrle started for the Jays and was looking for his 11th win, but did not figure into the decision after he allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings. Casey Janssen threw a scoreless top of the ninth for the win. Toronto, which prevailed despite committing three errors, will also host the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers on this homestand and is 22-17 at Rogers Centre. Toeing the rubber for the Jays tonight will be Drew Hutchison, who is 5-5 with aa 3.dddddddddddd86 earned run average. Hutchison was shaky in his last outing, a 6-4 loss at Yankee Stadium in which he walked four batters and allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings of work. Hutchison is 1-2 in his last three starts after going 3-0 in his previous four trips to the hill. The right-hander is 1-3 in five home starts and 1-2 with a 7.24 ERA in three career starts against the Yankees. The Yankees failed to finish off last nights rally and lost their fourth straight game in the process. Solartes error was a costly one and reliever Adam Warren was pinned with the loss. Derek Jeter homered, while Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Roberts all ended with two hits and a run scored. David Phelps started for the Yankees and was reached for six runs and eight hits in five innings. "That was an ugly game to watch, and if youre a fan, you should probably get your money back," said Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who went 0-for-5 and had hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games. New York will return to the Bronx for an upcoming homestand versus Boston and Tampa Bay, and hopes to improve its 22-19 road mark Wednesday. Its been almost a month since Hiroki Kuroda won a start and he will take the mound Wednesday for the Yankees. Kurodas last win was May 28 at St. Louis and he is 0-2 in four starts since. He did not figure into the decision of a 5-3 win over Baltimore last Friday and gave up two runs in six innings. The righty carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Kuroda is 4-5 with a 4.23 ERA and 1-3 in seven road starts. He has faced the Blue Jays eight times (all starts) in his career and is 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA. Kuroda made five starts against Toronto last season, going 2-2 with a 3.34 ERA. The Yankees are 5-3 against the Blue Jays this season. ' ' '
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