Brazil, Ivory Coast clash in Group G

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06/19/2010 - Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The schedule gets no easier for the Ivory Coast as it gets ready to face Brazil in its second Group G match at Soccer City on Sunday in the FIFA World Cup.

A 0-0 draw against Portugal in the opening game has left the Ivorians with one point, while Brazil survived a surprisingly tough match with North Korea to win 2-1, leaving it on top of the group.

"Every team has to play efficiently, in attack and in defense," said Brazil manager Dunga. "Overall we played well, especially in the second half, because in the first half we didn't get our game together and didn't manage to pass the ball quickly."

Brazil's first-half performance was less than impressive, but it did enough in the second half to win and can now take control of the group with another victory on Sunday.

There were few chances for either side in the Ivory Coast's game with Portugal, but manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that his Ivory Coast team played well enough to take all three points.

"It was a very tense match, but honestly I think that if one team was going to win it, it should have been us as we had more chances," said Eriksson. "I'm satisfied with our performance, our discipline and our organization throughout the 90 minutes. I would have preferred to take three points, but Portugal are a great team and holding them to a draw is satisfying in itself."

Much of the focus leading up to the opening game was on star striker Didier Drogba, whose status was uncertain because of a broken arm suffered on June 4.

"As for Drogba, he told me that he'd prefer to stay on the bench, but that if I needed him I could count on him," Eriksson said. "That's exactly what I did."

Drogba didn't start the game but he entered it in the 66th minute, although his impact was minimal.

It has yet to be determined how much Drogba will play against Brazil, but if the African side wants to take anything from this game, they need to be better in attack.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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