Kritik und Lob » Nobles testimonial on Easter Monday I tell him:

SAO PAULO -- The last time Brazil played a major soccer tournament at home, Neymar was stretchered off the field and then missed an embarrassing loss against Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinals.Two years later, the Barcelona star looks to rebound from that disappointment at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Although the Olympic soccer tournament doesnt have the same importance of a World Cup, the Rio Games have a special meaning for the Brazilian striker. Neymar will be one of the games biggest stars and will carry the responsibility of leading the five-time world champions to their first soccer gold medal.Its a unique opportunity, he said. Not only for me, but for everyone on the team. We know how important this medal is.All eyes will be on the 24-year-old striker, who opted to play in the Olympics instead of the Copa America earlier this year. Brazil was eliminated in the group stage of that tournament, a result that prompted the firing of coach Dunga.Because its not an official FIFA tournament, teams are not required to release players for the Olympic tournament, but Neymar and the Brazilian soccer confederation negotiated with Barcelona so he could play in Rio.I know that this gold medal has eluded Brazil so far, and we will do everything to try to win it, Neymar told Brazilian television recently. Its rare that a country like Brazil, considered the land of football, still hasnt won this gold.It will be the second time Neymar will play for Brazil at the Olympics. He led the team that lost the 2012 final to Mexico in London, where the Brazilians were the heavy favorites. Brazil was runner-up twice before, in 1984 and 1988. It also won the bronze in 1996 and 2008, the last time with a squad that featured Ronaldinho and future stars like Marcelo and Thiago Silva.Neymar is special, one of the best players in the world, said Rogerio Micale, who replaced Dunga as coach of the Olympic team. Any team can benefit from a player like him. He will mean a lot to us. I think that he will be able to lead the youngsters in the squad.Neymar will be one of the three over-23 players each nation is allowed to add to its roster. The other two are 38-year-old Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass and 28-year-old Beijing Guoan midfielder Renato Augusto, who have far less international experience than Neymar.No other player will attract as much attention -- from fans, media and opposing teams -- as Neymar.Im honored to be in this team, because I know how difficult it is to win an Olympic medal in any sport, he said. With football its even more difficult because if you are not the champion, people see it differently.Neymar is facing extra pressure after Dunga was fired for the second time from the national team. Without the experienced coach by his side, Neymar will carry the fate of the team, and the striker can become a national hero if he wins the gold, or join a long list of stars -- Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, among others -- who have failed in the pursuit of the gold.I never run away from the responsibility. Im used to it, Neymar said. We have another great opportunity to win an Olympic medal, and hopefully this time it will be the gold.Neymar also had a prominent role at the World Cup in Brazil two years ago, when he played up to expectations until breaking a bone in his back in the quarterfinals against Colombia and missing the rest of the tournament. Brazil eventually was eliminated after an embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals.I dont compare tournaments. I just like winning every tournament that I play, Neymar said. All of them are important for me. Each has its own history, its own characteristic, but they are all important.Brazil had a favorable draw and will face South Africa, Iraq and Denmark in Group A, making its debut Aug. 4 against South Africa in Brasilia. In the quarterfinals, the hosts could face Colombia or Nigeria, two youth powerhouses.The final will be played Aug. 20 at Maracana Stadium in Rio.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoniJurrell Casey Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Bruce Matthews Titans Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. http://www.titansstoreonline.com/Black-64-Corey-Davis-Womens-Jersey/ . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Jeffery Simmons Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Amani Hooker Womens Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check.Paolo di Canio feels Antonio Conte would be a good fit for the Premier League if he is confirmed as Chelseas next manager.Conte is stepping down from his role as Italy manager after Euro 2016 and he has been widely linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge, with Guus Hiddink ready to leave in the summer after taking over from Jose Mourinho in December.Di Canio says he has spoken with Conte over the specific differences of managing in England, admitting the one person he would not want his former Juventus team-mate to copy is himself. I have spoken to him, not about Chelsea, but about English football. We had a chat about it, but not about Chelsea - two months ago, Di Canio told Sky Sports News HQ.He is a good guy and a good coach. He is a manager with the right mentality and work ethic and can help Chelsea change their direction.This year was incredible, if you think what Chelsea did last year. After three or four months it was clear the team didnt have the same mentality, energy and desire. Incredible. Di Canio thinks Conte could succeed in the Premier League and has spoken to him about English football This is the magic of football. One year you think Manchester City can win the league easily, or Arsenal, because City and Chelsea are out, and you see Leicester there. Fantastic this sport!Di Canios experiences in English management were mixed, with a successful spell at Swindon Town followed by a short-lived stint in charge of Sunderland.ddddddddddddBut he said he learned enough during those three years, as well as his time as a player with West Ham among other clubs, to know that communication and overcoming the language barrier will be key if Conte joins Chelsea. Di Canio was speaking after playing in Mark Nobles testimonial on Easter Monday I tell him: Be careful of the media, because if you start talking like me, they say, ah hes Italian, hes too theatrical, too much, hes screaming, Di Canio added after playing in Mondays testimonial for West Ham captain Mark Noble.I am joking! But I say be careful, try to learn the English mentality straight away. Sometimes words put into a sentence come out differently.Sometimes you can have the stamp of the donkey because you say something you didnt intend. So try to learn (the language) and put next to you a good guy, an English guy, with good experience that can help you...Its important to have a member of the club who understands everything of English football. Not only in the way you deliver your methodology or your tactics, but also in the way you need to deliver the words at the end of the game, before the game, the message during the week.Dont do it like Di Canio!Also See:Pelle backing ConteWho is Domingos Quina?Conte eyes Vidal reunionNoble enjoys Testimonial ' ' '