Magicgames II » ve the Suns a 21-17 lead moments late

NATAL, Brazil -- With torrential rain pouring down and two goals already contentiously disallowed, tens of thousands of soggy but boisterous Mexico fans were getting nervous. They had already started chanting for Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, the striker benched in favour of Oribe Peralta, to come on and deliver a game winner. Seconds after the chant began, Peralta scored in the 61st minute to help Mexico to a 1-0 victory Friday and the three points it needed to have any chance of advancing from a tough Group A at the World Cup. Peraltas goal gave Mexico its first win over an African team at the World Cup and justified coach Miguel Herreras faith that he could deliver on the biggest stage in the world. A non-factor most of the first half, Peralta broke the deadlock with his left foot after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje parried Giovanni Dos Santos attempt from the edge of the area. The goal relieved the pressure that had been building steadily after Dos Santos had two goals disallowed in the first half, frustrating the Mexican team that was controlling the game with its speed and ball possession. "We could have scored more, but unfortunately were not used to these conditions," Herrera said. "Frankly, the refereeing took away two clear goals, but at the end of the day youve got to work for it, and we get to the next match with three points and very high spirits." Tournament host and favourite Brazil leads the group after a 3-1 win over Croatia in the opening game. Mexico plays Brazil on Tuesday in Fortaleza. While the heat was expected to be an issue in this balmy coastal city, rain soaked the field at the new Arena das Dunas starting about four hours before the match and never let up, creating a cool day but a slick surface. Mexico players said the field held up well and the conditions favoured their style of play. "We are ready to play in any type of circumstances," Dos Santos said. "We worked the ball well and it was extraordinary to have the rain." The rain never dampened the spirits of the Mexico fans who arrived hours early, dominated the announced crowd of 39,216 and kept up their cheers and taunts throughout the match. "They made us feel like locals," Herrera said, comparing the atmosphere with Mexicos home stadium. "It felt a little bit like Azteca." Those cheers were sounding nervous as the game remained scoreless deep into the second half. Dos Santos had twice put the ball in the net in the first half only to have both efforts called back. He was ruled offside in the 11th minute and his header from a corner in the 29th was denied when referee Wilmar Roldan apparently called a foul in front of Itandje. His work done, Peralta was taken off in the 74th minute for Hernandez, who nearly doubled Mexicos lead minutes later. But Hernandez misfired a volley and sent it over the net. While a tough shot, the miss punctuated Hernandez scoring drought. Peralta, on the other hand, is growing in confidence and keen to add to the gold medal he picked up with Mexico at the London Olympics. "I want to score as many goals as possible," Peralta said, "to take advantage of every opportunity that I get because I want to be a world champion again." Cameroon seldom tested Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa until forcing him to make a late victory-clinching save with a dive to his left to stop a header by Benjamin Moukandjo. The save was yet another big payoff for Herrera, who started Ochoa after the keeper had been a reserve at the last two World Cups. At the final whistle, Herrera kneeled, crossed himself and pumped his right fist. Cameroon coach Volker Finke stood with his arms crossed, scowling as the rain dripped off his face. For Cameroon, the lacklustre performance will only magnify controversies back home over a player bonus pay dispute that delayed their arrival in Brazil, and will raise more questions about whether theyre a fractured team. The loss also leaves Cameroon needing a victory over group rival Croatia before closing first-round play against Brazil. "We have five days to recover," Finke said. "We will analyze this together because the match against Croatia is very important if we want to stay alive". Authentic New Orleans Saint Jerseys .J. -- Rampage Jackson scowled, howled, then bellowed to the crowd: "Im back! Im back!" With rebuilt knees and a new promotion, Jackson might have one more act left in MMA. Wholesale New Orleans Saint Jerseys . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. http://www.cheapsaints.com/. Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break. New Orleans Saint Jerseys Outlet . 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. Custom Saint Jerseys . - First-timer Chris Harris Jr.Phoenix, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Goran Dragic finished with 21 points and eight assists as the Phoenix Suns cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 110-99 victory on Friday. Gerald Green scored 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, Eric Bledsoe chipped in 16 and Alex Len pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds for the Suns, who have won five straight home games. Mo Williams netted 26 points, half of his career-high output from Tuesday, Andrew Wiggins scored 17 and Thaddeus Young finished with 13 points, eight boards and six assists for the Timberwolves, who were unable to build upon their 107-100 win over Cleveland on Tuesday that ended a 15-game skid. Minnesota started out shooting 8-for-8 from the field, but Dragic scored seven straight points to give the Suns a 21-17 lead moments later and the score was 32-27 going into the second quarter. Wiggins and Robbie Hummel hit consecutive treys during a 14-44 flurry, but Bledsoe and Green scored eight straight points for the Suns to go back in front.dddddddddddd Zach LaVines layup capped a string of six straight points as Minnesota pulled within, 59-56, heading into halftime. Phoenixs lead swelled to 13 points late in the third quarter as Mason Plumlee and Marcus Morris each score four points during a 10-1 run as the Suns held an 86-75 advantage heading into the final frame. Green drained back-to-back triples for a 100-86 Phoenix lead with 7:08 to play and the Suns led comfortably the rest of the way. Game Notes Phoenix is 15-5 in its last 20 games against Minnesota ... The Suns are 2-0 on an eight-game homestand which continues against the Lakers on Monday ... The Suns shot 48-of-87 from the field (55.2 percent), while the Timberwolves were just 42-of-91 (46.2 percent) ... The two teams will meet again on Feb. 20 in Minnesota. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '