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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. Yeezy Boost Uk Shop . A night later, he was back to help lead a rout of the Detroit Pistons. John Wall had 20 points and 11 assists, and Beal scored 10 of his 15 points during the second quarter as Washington pulled away for a 106-82 victory on Saturday. Adidas Yeezy Uk Online . 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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Suspended Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has been arrested in Oklahoma on a complaint of marijuana possession. Blackmon, a former standout at Oklahoma State, was arrested Wednesday evening in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. Police said they noticed his sedan go around stopped traffic in an attempt to get into a turn lane. Police spokeswoman Jenny Monroe said an officer detected a "heavy smell of marijuana" coming from the car, and that Blackmon admitted had smoked "a blunt" while driving and had another in his vehicle. Blackmon was arrested and booked into the Edmond jail, where he posted $657 bond. Blackmon was suspended without pay indefinitely last November for repeated violations of the NFLs substance-abuse policy. The Jaguars have been hesitant to cut the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft. "I know our policy right now, I believe, is its not putting us in a difficult situation having him still be part of our organization in this capacity," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Thursday. "Its really hard by not having conversations with him. I really dont know how hes doing, where hes at. And then when we receive news like this, it creates more discussion. So Im sure those will be conversation well have (about) the direction well go." General manager Dave Caldwell and owner Shad Khan were scheduled to talk at a kickoff luncheon later in the day. Teammates seemed hardly surprised by Blackmons latest transgression. "Its just a difficult situation," quarterback Chad Henne said. "Its kind of ongoing. All we can do is pray that he finds a way to get on the right track and save his life." Added linebacker Paul Posluszny: "This is no longer a football issue. As his teammates, you hope he can do everything he can to get his life squared away. We feel for him and we obviously want the best for him because hes a good kid at heart. We want the best for him.dddddddddddd We hope that he can come out of this. ... Hes a good guy. Hes fighting through some things now and hopefully hes able to fix that and get his life back on the right." Blackmon was suspended the first four games of last year for violating the leagues drug policy. He played four games before getting suspended again -- at least for a year. NFL rules prohibit the team from having any contact with Blackmon -- aside from texts -- during his suspension. With Blackmons uncertain future, the Jaguars drafted receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in the second round of Mays NFL draft. Both could get on the field right away, especially with fellow receiver Ace Sanders suspended the first four games of the season for violation the leagues drug policy. Blackmon has been involved in three substance-related incidents in three years. He was arrested on a misdemeanour DUI charge in Texas in 2010 after officers caught him speeding on a suburban Dallas highway. The charge was later reduced to an underage alcohol possession charge. A little more than a month after the Jaguars drafted him, he was arrested during a traffic stop in Stillwater, Oklahoma, after a breath test allegedly showed his blood alcohol content to be three times the legal limit. A subsequent violation landed him the four-game suspension. Another one got him the indefinite suspension. Blackmon caught 29 passes for 415 yards and a touchdown in the four games he played last season. He was the teams leading receiver during that stretch. While Blackmon sat out the first four games, the Jaguars averaged 224 yards of total offence. In the four games he played, Jacksonville hiked its offensive output to just over 350 yards per game. He has 93 catches for 1,280 yards and six scores in 20 games -- all since Jacksonville traded up to draft him in 2012. "Right now, all I can say is Im just praying that he can get the help that he needs," Bradley said. ' ' '