Belgium aims for strong start against Algeria - Noon et/9am pt (TSN 1050, TSN 1200, TEAM 1410) Belo Horizonte, Brazil - Belgium makes its return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years on Tuesday at the Estadio Mineirao as the club opens Group H play against underdogs Algeria. The Desert Foxes took part in the 2010 World Cup and failed to advance past the group stage, and the African side figures to have a tough time reaching the last 16 this time around as well. Belgiums last appearance on the big stage was the 2002 tournament when the team reached the second round before bowing out to eventual champions Brazil. And the Red Devils will expect to reach at least the last 16 as the favorites in Group H this year. Head coach Marc Wilmots was a member of the 2002 World Cup team, and he will be on the sidelines this time around. Wilmots doesnt have an extensive coaching resume, but he brings with him a talented young side that could make some noise in Brazil. Belgium has a number of quality attacking options led by 22-year-old Chelsea star Eden Hazard, while Everton winger Kevin Mirallas figures to play opposite Hazard and provide quality service to striker Romelu Lukaku, who was a teammate of Mirallas at Everton this past season while on loan from Chelsea. That trio should provide plenty of scoring chances for Belgium, but how far this team goes could be determined by how well they hold up in defense. Captain Vincent Kompany will serve as the anchor, and he will be joined by players like Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is coming off a great season with Atletico Madrid. All the ingredients are there for Belgium to make an impact in this tournament, and there is no reason for Wilmots to expect anything less than three points from this opening game. Algeria finished last in Group C in 2010, claiming one point and failing to score a goal in three games. The team will hope for a better showing this year with Sofiane Feghouli at the heart of things in midfield. The Valencia man must provide service for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani, who is Algerias biggest goal threat, while 19-year-old Nabil Bentaleb is another player to watch in midfield after making a strong debut this past season with Tottenham in the English Premier League. Algeria is captained by veteran defender Madjid Bougherra, and he will have his hands full with the plethora of attacking options in the Belgium side. If Algeria is able to take anything from this match, it will be a big surprise and will change the landscape in Group H. Brazil aims to seize control of Group A against Mexico - 3pm et/Noon pt (TSN 1050, TSN 690, TSN 1260, TEAM 1410) Fortaleza, Brazil - After a fairly straight-forward opening victory last Thursday, host nation Brazil will shoot for its second straight win in Group A play against Mexico at the Estadio Castelao. Brazil got its World Cup campaign off to a flying start last week, easing to a 3-1 victory over Croatia at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo despite a less- than-stellar overall performance. The hosts fell behind early after a cross from the left flank by Ivica Olic that was mishandled by Nikica Jelavic, but the ball was directed home by Brazil defender Marcelo for the own goal. Brazil remained patient despite the early hole and grabbed the equalizer in the 29th minute as Neymar ran onto a pass from Oscar following a giveaway in midfield and fired a low strike that trickled past Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. The match then fully turned in the direction of Brazil when the hosts were handed a questionable penalty decision after Fred went down in the area under minimal contact from Croatian defender Dejan Lovren. Neymar converted the ensuing spot kick to give Brazil the lead in the 71st minute. Croatia pushed in search of a tying goal and came close on several occasions only to be denied by a few key saves from Julio Cesar. But Brazils day would not be ruined as Oscar wrapped up the affair in stoppage time, poking a home a shot from outside the box following a counterattack to hand the hosts the win by a flattering score line. Neymar was thrilled with the result following the match. "It was better than I thought," he said.. "I was hoping that wed win, but to be able to debut in a World Cup with a brace is an unmeasurable joy." Mexico is also looking for a second win in Group A after squeezing past Cameroon, 1-0, on Friday in Natal. Miguel Herreras side was hard done early in the match as two goals were disallowed, but they eventually found the only goal of the contest in the 61st minute. Giovani Dos Santos, who had the early goals taken off the board, had a hand in creating the games only tally when he split the defense and fired a low shot on goal that was stopped by Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje, but Oribe Peralta arrived late to tuck home the rebound. "Despite difficult circumstances, we managed to push forward and put on a nice display," Dos Santos said. "Playing at the World Cup is always a unique experience, and Im grateful to the coach for the trust he placed in me. I feel good - Im happy and motivated." Russia squares off with Korea in Group H tilt - 6pm et/3pm pt (TSN 1050, TSN 1200, TEAM 1410) Cuiaba, Brazil - Fabio Capello returns to the World Cup as manager of Russia, and his side will open Group H play against South Korea at the Arena Pantanal on Tuesday. Capello crashed out of the 2010 World Cup as boss of England in the round of 16, which was a big disappointment for the Three Lions. But the Italian is back on the big stage with Russia, a team that is making its first appearance at the World Cup since 2002. South Korea, meanwhile, has become a fixture at the tournament, reaching the World Cup for the eighth successive time. However, if Koreas qualifying campaign is any indication of where the team is at, they could be making a brief stay in Brazil. South Korea endured a poor qualification cycle that saw the side lose twice to Iran as well as once to Lebanon. But now that Korea has come through it, the Taegeuk Warriors are hoping for a fresh start. Hong Myung-Bo has since taken charge of the team and the former player will try to get the most out of a young side that is in a bit of a transition period. Hong is the most-capped player in South Koreas history, and he was a member of the 2002 side that reached the semifinals of the World Cup, so he knows a thing or two about winning. However, it is tough to see the Koreans having the same kind of success this year, although a favorable draw in Group H gives them a good chance to finish second. The strength of this team is in the midfield with Sunderlands Ki Sung- Yueng and Cardiff Citys Kim Bo-Kyung pulling the strings, and this match with Russia will go a long way toward determining who goes through to the next round. Capellos side has plenty of experience, but the question in this match will be whether they have the legs to keep up with the youthful Koreans. Veterans Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski will hold things down in the back for Capello, while Alan Dzagoev controls the midfield. Two players to watch for Russia up top are Aleksander Kokorin and Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who will need to play well for Russia to have a chance at reaching the knockout round. Mike Matheny Cardinals Jersey . The Boston Celtics hadnt played since the All-Star break. So the Suns 100-94 victory over Boston Wednesday night was an uphill affair, with Phoenix relying on balance rather than its trademark high energy. Gussie Busch Cardinals Jersey . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson. https://www.cheapcardinalsonline.com/ . - Kobe Bryant and LeBron James traded hugs, big shots and verbal jabs all night with warmth and humour. Ted Simmons Cardinals Jersey .J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players. Rogers Hornsby Jersey . Although the deal cannot be made official until the free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 10, Patterson has agreed to a three-year, $18 million extension to remain in Toronto, sources confirm to TSN. MIAMI -- LeBron James delivered his message loud and clear, without actually saying a word. Hes willing to leave Miami, if thats what it will take to win more championships. And what happens next will likely be up to not just the Heat, but Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as well. Through his agent, James informed the Heat on Tuesday that he has decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract, a move that means he becomes a free agent on July 1. He will be able to sign with any team, including Miami, and Heat President Pat Riley said he "fully expected" James to take advantage of his early termination option. "We look forward to sitting down with LeBron and his representatives and talking about our future together," Riley said. The Heat have been preparing for this for some time. James, Wade and Bosh all got six-year contracts when they teamed up in Miami in July 2010, the last time free agency was accompanied by the sort of frenzy that will envelop the league over the next few weeks. But each of those deals came with options to leave either this summer or in 2015, in part to allow both the players and the team to have financial flexibility. James -- who averaged 27.1 points this past season -- was owed $42.7 million for the next two seasons, though that seems irrelevant in the sense that hell be getting plenty of money from the Heat or someone else for years to come. If he stays with Miami, he could sign a deal that would give the team room to manoeuvr within the structures of the salary cap and luxury-tax threshold. So could Wade and Bosh, if they choose to opt out as well -- and if both do, Miami would potentially have plenty of cash to spend on roster upgrades. Neither has announced their plans, though both have previously said they want to remain in Miami. "No news here yet," Wade said Tuesday. James stayed silent as well, with agent Rich Paul being the one who informed the Heat of the four-time NBA MVPs plan. But last week, while still dealing with the sting of losing the NBA Finals to San Antonio, James expressed how enticing the idea of flexibility is to him. "Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, thats what we all would like," James said last week.dddddddddddd "Thats in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that. ... Theres a lot of times that youre not in control of your future as a professional." Hes in control now. He turns 30 next season. He might just be entering his prime. James said last week that he, Wade and Bosh owed it to one another to have a conversation before deciding where to play going forward. It is unclear if those discussions have taken place. And while James opting out was largely expected, the ripple effect of the move was seen all over the sports world. The NFL, on its Twitter account, posted a photo of James dunking a football over the crossbar at the stadium his beloved Dallas Cowboys call home, light-heartedly asking him if he wanted to pass some time in a training camp while making his decision. And U.S. Soccer, also in a tweet, said it has a new team for him -- then attached a photo of mens national team jersey bearing James name and No. 6. Even hockey got into the act. "You know, youd be 6-10 on skates," someone posted to the Carolina Hurricanes Twitter account, in a message to James. For now, all that seems certain is James sticking to basketball. What team, thats now up for debate. Hes been with the Heat four seasons, been to the NBA Finals in each of those years, winning two championships and winning more games than any other team over that span. He seems to have largely recovered from the hit his image took when he left Cleveland for Miami in 2010, often saying hes much happier now as a person than he was then. Plus, his life has changed. He married longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson last year, and the couple is expecting their third child. "Players have a right to free agency and when they have these opportunities, the right to explore their options," Riley said. "The last four seasons have been historic and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Erik Spoelstra have led the Miami Heat to one of the most unprecedented runs in the history of the NBA." ' ' '