Allgemeines » the pairing pits a veteran coach against a novi

RIO DE JANEIRO - As England endures its worst World Cup for more than 50 years, Wayne Rooney wants his teammates to remember the pain of this debacle. Less than a week into its Brazil campaign, England is already out of contention after losses to Italy and Uruguay. Not since 1958 had England failed to make it to the second round of a World Cup it qualified for. "Its vital we take the pain we are feeling now and remember that and the next tournament we dont want to feel that again," Rooney said Saturday. "Obviously we are hurting," the striker added. "We are really disappointed to be out of the tournament. I am sure you can imagine its quite tough, a long few days for us." The players will sign off with a Group D finale against surprise leader Costa Rica on Tuesday when Rooney wants the teams pride restored. "These next few days will be tough, but we have to be strong together as a team," Rooney said. "We have to make sure we are positive for the next game." For goalkeeper Joe Hart, Englands 2-1 losses in Brazil are his worst moments in football. "Its a strange empty feeling," Hart said. "This is ultimately really cruel and gutting for me." Roy Hodgson is set to remain in charge going forward, with the Football Association asking the coach to see out his contract to the 2016 European Championship. And Rooney can see progress under Hodgson, who took charge before Euro 2012. "He has brought a great enthusiasm to the team ... Roy is the man to take us forward," Rooney said. "We appreciate what he has done for us. He has changed the way we have played." ___ Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris Cheap Air Max 720 Canada . During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. Air Max 720 Sale Canada . Six years of waiting are finally over for the Dallas defenceman. Daley had a goal and an assist, Kari Lehtonen recorded his fifth shutout of the season, and the Stars clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 with a 3-0 victory against the St. http://www.cheapairmax720canada.com/ . -- Down to 10 men and behind on the scoreboard, Toronto FC displayed its perseverance. Air Max 720 For Sale . Next years tournament is also within sight for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has never played in a World Cup, but Cristiano Ronaldo looks destined for the playoffs with Portugal after a night when the qualifying picture in the nine groups became much clearer. Air Max 720 Discount . The Rays hope to stay alive for the postseason and salvage the finale of this series Sunday at Rogers Centre, where they dropped a 7-2 decision Saturday. Chris Archer lasted 2 1/3 innings in the no-decision, charged with a run and five hits, and Alex Torres suffered the loss in relief.ZURICH, Switzerland -- It will be Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a place at the World Cup. Portugal and Sweden were the first two teams drawn by FIFA on Monday for the European playoffs, though the pairing was talked about as a clash of superstar forwards in a two-leg series scheduled for Nov. 15 and 19. "World-class players like Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, they do something extra to change the game," Sweden coach Erik Hamren said. "I am pleased we have one, too. But we need our team to be really good." Also, France will play Ukraine, with the return game in Paris; Greece was paired with Romania; and Iceland, the lowest ranked of the eight teams at No. 46 in the world, will host the first leg against Croatia, which fired its coach last week. The four winners will complete Europes 13 entries in the 32-team World Cup draw on Dec. 6 in Salvador, Brazil. Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic were consigned to the playoffs after their teams finished second in their qualifying groups behind Russia and Germany, respectively. "They will be evenly balanced and very competitive games," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "Ibrahimovic is an imposing figure, but the Swedes are more than that, they are good collectively." Portugal also had to advance to the 2010 World Cup through a playoff, after twice drawing 0-0 with Sweden in the group. France, the 2006 World Cup runner-up, also makes its second straight trip to the playoffs after defending champion Spain won its group. Four years ago, a notorious handball by Thierry Henry helped France beat Ireland in extra time. "(Ukraine) dont concede many goals and it will be a long away trip for us," France coach Didiier Deschamps said.dddddddddddd "But to have the return leg at home is a good thing." France and Ukraine last met in a 2012 European Championship match which was delayed several minutes after kick off by a torrential rain storm in Donetsk. France eventually won 2-0. Iceland, which has a population of about 315,000, is looking to become the smallest country ever to play at the World Cup. That record is held by 2006 qualifier Trinidad and Tobago, which had about 1.2 million. Though Iceland lacks the recent pedigree of Croatia, the 1998 semifinalist, the pairing pits a veteran coach against a novice. Iceland coach Lars Lagerback will be trying to reach his fourth straight World Cup with a third different team. He coached his native Sweden at the 2002 and 2006 tournaments, and Nigeria in 2010. Croatias playoff matches mark the coaching debut of 42-year-old Niko Kovac, who stepped up from the under-21 team to replace Igor Stimac, who was fired after poor results. "I met Niko a little when he took his (coaching) license," Lagerback said. "He looks like a clever guy." Kovac said he "did not expect this situation" and will work alongside his brother, Robert, another former World Cup stalwart for Croatia. "With him I am never afraid," said Kovac, who will be focusing on teamwork. "There was no team on the pitch. We have some good players but everyone working for himself." Greece coach Fernando Santos said he would have preferred to play the first match in Romania. "My message to the fans is that they should believe in the national team, go to the stadium, fill it, and put pressure on our opponents," Santos said. ' ' '