Forenpartner » nter the game until the fourth quarter because

NATAL, Brazil -- Rock-solid defenders who constantly chase, tackle and bully their opponents have been the key to Greece tactics ever since they became European champions in 2004. A decade ago, that team conceded a miserly four goals at Euro 2004 and its successor only conceded four in qualifying to secure its place at the 2014 World Cup as Greece stayed true to its reputation for hard work and ruthless discipline at the back. That all changed when the squad arrived in Brazil. The teams much-vaunted defence was torn apart in a 3-0 defeat by Colombia, whose display of speed and style sometimes left the Greeks standing around like statues. Greece now faces Japan in Natal on Thursday in a game that could very well put either team out of contention. Japan lost to Ivory Coast 2-1 in its opener, meaning neither team can really afford another defeat if they hope to advance out of Group C. Japan advanced to the round of 16 four years ago but lost to Paraguay on penalties. Greece has bowed out in the group stage in its previous two World Cups. For Greece, the need to rebuild its solid back line will be all the more important at a World Cup that is so far seeing crowd-pleasing flair in attack and plenty of goals: 44 in the first 14 games. Colombia scored in the fifth minute, forcing Greece out of its comfort zone right from the start and attacking with speed on the flanks. Greek frustration was reflected in two of its players drawing yellow cards in the second half. "That wasnt what people expected," Greece forward Andreas Samaris said. "I know what everyone expected of Greece though: that we would have 11 men behind the ball, defend, defend, defend and give everything to keep a clean sheet. "We went out to win against Colombia, and that philosophy will not change. We just hope it brings a better result for us because Japan is now a must, must-win game for us." Like Colombia, Japan is likely to attack at speed through the Europe-based trio of Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo and Keisuke Honda. Against Ivory Coast, Japan had the better of the first half but ultimately struggled as the game got more physical in the second half. The arrival of the Ivorians star striker Didier Drogba as a second-half substitute also raised his teams performance and there was only a muted response from the Japanese. AC Milan midfielder Honda said that the team was determined to bounce back against Greece. "Nobody feels good about losing and obviously it was a shock," Honda, who opened the scoring with a powerful first-half strike, was quoted as saying. "But its not a shock that we lost, the thing that shocks me is we lost because we could not play to our strengths. "We gave our opponents front line too much respect. Mentally we were weak but that is not a problem that cant be fixed. A little bit more spirit can turn things around ... of course we still have an opportunity to get through the group phase." Ed Davis Jersey . They know how difficult it is to beat the San Antonio Spurs. George scored 28 points and Indiana defeated San Antonio 111-100 on Saturday night, snapping an 11-game skid against the Spurs. Kenneth Faried Jersey . -- The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday. http://www.cheapnetsjerseys.com/. Bale has had a successful debut season in Spain, and Ancelotti appears ready to reward him with a starting role on Saturday. Ancelotti says "Gareth had some problems at the beginning (of the season) but when he found good physical condition he scored a lot of goals, he had a good impact on the team. DeMarre Carroll 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. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Jersey . -- Chad Labelle scored the winner 17:36 into the third period to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday and lift the Tigers into the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Dak Prescott rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in overtime to lead Mississippi State past Mississippi 17-10 in the Egg Bowl on Thursday night. Prescott didnt enter the game until the fourth quarter because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder that caused him to miss the past two games. But the sophomore led the Bulldogs (6-6, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) to their tying drive in the fourth quarter and the game-winner in overtime. Ole Miss overtime drive ended when Bo Wallace fumbled and Mississippi States Jamerson Love recovered in the end zone. Mississippi State freshman Damian Williams, the third-string quarterback, made his first career start because of injuries to Prescott and Tyler Russell. The Bulldogs are now bowl eligible for a fourth straight season, the longest streak in school history. Ole Miss (7-5, 3-5) didnt have an offensive touchdown, scoring only on a field goal and blocked punt in the end zone. Prescott completed 11 of 20 passes for 115 yards. His game-winning touchdown came on a gutsy call by Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, who opted to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the 3 instead of kicking a short field goal. The Bulldogs have won four of the last five Egg Bowls and five in a row at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi States Evan Sobiesk missed a 38-yard field goal wide right at the end of regulation that would have won the game. Both teams struggled to move the ball in the chilly conditions -- especially through the air. The Rebels had one good early drive but it ended with nothing after Andrew Ritters 27-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. Wallace threw three interceptions before halftime and the final one was costly.dddddddddddd Mississippi States Justin Cox grabbed it at the Ole Miss 30 and the Bulldogs subsequent drive ended with Josh Robinsons 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead with 1:32 remaining in the second quarter. Ole Miss did nothing on its next possession and quickly punted back to Mississippi State, which looked as though it would ease into halftime with the lead. But a mistake on special teams hurt the Bulldogs when Collins Moore burst through the line and blocked Baker Swedenburgs punt after the snap was bobbled. It was recovered by little-used senior Terrell Grant in the end zone to tie the game at 7. Ole Miss grabbed the lead for the first time early in the third quarter after Ritters 22-yard field goal gave the Rebels a 10-7 advantage. The points were certainly welcome for the Ole Miss offence, but it was the teams fifth straight trip to the red zone without a touchdown, dating back to last weekends loss to Missouri. That lack of efficiency came back to haunt the Rebels. Williams played decently for the Bulldogs and avoided any major mistakes, but with the offence struggling early in the fourth quarter, Mullen turned to Prescott, who had missed the past two games with a nerve injury in his non-throwing arm. Mullen said earlier in the week that Prescott wouldnt play in the Egg Bowl, but he looked plenty healthy as he led the Bulldogs down the field on his second drive, completing several impressive passes. The drive ended with Sobiesks 36-yard field goal to tie it at 10. It was a tough night for Wallace, who completed 26 of 40 passes for 182 yards but threw three interceptions and coughed up the fumble in overtime. ' ' '