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Looking to avenge the result of the 1950 World Cup when it hosted the tournament and lost in the final, Brazil has been handed a difficult route to the promise land in 2014. After being pushed all the way to penalties in the round of 16 by a stout Chilean team, Brazil must now face a Colombia side that has emerged as one of the front-runners to win the competition. Listen to Brazil vs. Colombia LIVE today at 4pm et/1pm pt on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto, TSN 690 Montreal, TSN 1200 Ottawa and TEAM Vancouver 1410. While Brazil has the star power of Neymar, David Luiz and Oscar, Jose Pekerman is hoping that Colombias team-first approach can carry the nation to the semifinals, where it would face either France or Germany. "Sometimes a team with a lot of potential, if they dont find the result and they need to win, they cant play so brilliantly," Pekerman said of Brazil after beating Uruguay in the round of 16. "So the competition becomes interesting because a team with less individual stars can disturb the balance of the other team." Of course, Colombia is not void of stars itself. James Rodriguez has been the toast of the tournament thus far, producing stunning bits of play and coming up with five goals to sit atop the race for the Golden Boot. Brazil, though, has not hit its top gear just yet, and the host nation is looking forward to Fridays continental battle. "Theres no doubt that being continental rivals has a huge impact," Brazil defender Dani Alves told FIFAs official website. "Emotionally, theyre very tough games, because unlike European nations, we come up against each other all the time - in the Copa America, in World Cup qualifying. "In technical terms too, its a different style of football, though that side of things is changing. Football has evolved a lot and nearly all the best South American players are in Europe. Thats made the national teams here get even better and stronger. The games are still intense, with that South American flavor, but with more players used to always playing at the very highest level." The Brazilians see themselves as a team of destiny, and while many of the teams supporters are disappointed in the lack of beautiful football on display, Neymar has stressed that advancing beyond each round is whats truly important. "You cant always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5-0," the Barcelona forward said in a press conference. "Football nowadays is so difficult, so even, that the team who is most committed on the pitch ends up winning. I dont want a show. Thats the last thing we are trying to do. We are not necessarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the end, until we are tired, and come out as winners. "I would be happy to do nothing in this game if Brazil won 1-0. That would be marvelous." Mark Fayne Jersey . The Detroit Tigers slugger fell short in his bid to become the first player to win the Triple Crown in successive seasons. Grant Fuhr Jersey . "Well over 50 (per cent)," coach Claude Noel said Tuesday after practice, where the Jets were looking at ways to cut down the scoring chances theyve been giving away. http://www.officialoilersfanstore.com/authentic-mark-messier-oilers-jersey/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Paul Coffey Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Andrew Ference Jersey . 31-Feb. 2. While organizers havent decided if itll be red or green clay, they feel their choice of surface will give the Americans an advantage over Britain, which is expected to be led by defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.HOUSTON -- Right-hander Jerome Williams and the Houston Astros have finalized a $2.1 million, one-year contract. The 32-year-old was 9-10 with a 4.57 ERA in 25 starts and 12 relief appearances last year for the Los Angeles Angels, including a 4-0 record in five September starts. He has a 42-47 record and 4.35 ERA in eight seasons with San Francisco (2003-05), the Chicago Cubs (2005-06), Washington (2007) and the Angels. The deal was completed Thursday, two days after the sides reach the agreement. In addition to the guaranteed salary, Williams can eaarn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses -- receiving the greater amount he earns either for starts or innings.dddddddddddd He would get $200,000 apiece for 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 starts, and $100,000 each for 120 innings and every 10 additional innings through 210. To make room on the roster, the Astros designated infielder Brett Wallace for assignment. The 27-year-old, a first-round draft pick by St. Louis in 2008, had spent four seasons with the Astros and hit .221 last year when he set career bests with 13 homers and 36 RBIs. ' ' '