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BRISBANE, Australia - Keisuke Honda converted a penalty and hit the woodwork three times as defending champion Japan edged Iraq 1-0 Friday to take the Group D lead and move a step closer to qualifying for the Asian Cup quarterfinals. Cheap NMDs Canada .The AC Milan attacker was successful from the spot in the 23rd minute after he was dragged down in the area amid challenges by Ali Adnan and Saad Abdulameer as he tried to regain possession after Shinji Kagawas close-range shot was blocked.Honda was enterprising in attack, creating numerous opportunities for Japan but lacked the finishing touch, including two occasions from point-blank range.He got into perfect position for a pinpoint cross from Yuto Nagatomo in the 17th but hit the post with his header from two yards out.Honda hit the crossbar with a right-foot strike from the edge of the area two minutes into the second half and he hit the post from close range again in the 65th after substitute midifielder Hiroshi Kiyotake crossed from the left.Thats football, right? I made big chances, so yeah, I am happy to make three chances, he said, but of course I have to score. I have to reflect on that.Japan leads the group with six points, three clear of 2007 champion Iraq and Jordan, which beat Palestine 5-1 in Melbourne earlier Friday. The four-time champions next play Jordan and need a point to ensure they advance from a group where both spots in the knockout round are still up for grabs.I will score next game, said Honda, who was voted player of the match, in his post-match news conference.Japan dominated possession throughout and had 14 shots, forcing Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into four saves. Iraq managed only five shots, with two on target.Today was a very complicated game. Iraq defended well — we could not penetrate, Japan coach Javier Aguirre said. We had two or three chances to make a difference, but didnt score.Aguirre said it was important to win without sustaining any injuries, and was satisfied with the way his team approached the game after its opening 4-0 win over tournament newcomer Palestine.He also commended veteran Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo for his contribution in his 150th game for Japan.Iraqs best opportunities were from free kicks, including one from Adnan that hit the wall and landed on top of the net in the 53rd, and counter attacks. Yaser Kasim and Amjed Kalaf combined on the right and put Younis Mahmoud into good position just before half time but the veteran striker could not get a clean shot and Japan keeper Eiji Kawshima easily handled it.Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishel said Japan was better prepared and his team was still working its way into the tournament, aiming for a big win over Palestine in its last match.Of course our ticket to qualifying for the next round will be from this match, he said. Palestine will want to come up with a positive result to leave this competition. It wont be easy. Buy NMDs Canada . "Right now were kind of looking at him at the end of the rotation right now," said pitching coach Pete Walker. "Not indicative of how hes doing or how hes feeling. Its just, it seems like the spot we want him right now. Ultra Boost Canada Restock . Rockhold." Known as an aggressive striker, Belfort (23-10) instead paced himself as the engaged in the early going and showed restraint by not overcommitting against the larger Rockhold (10-2). But when the opportunity presented itself, Belfort delivered an incredible spinning heel kick that landed flush on Rockholds chin and sent him toppling to the floor. http://www.nmdshoescanada.com/nmd-r1-cheap-canada.html .com) - Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals and Alex Ovechkin notched a highlight-reel tally, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at the Prudential Center.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic both posted 33 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a surprising 121-114 road victory over the Chicago Bulls. Vucevic added 11 rebounds in his fifth straight double-double while Oladipo shot 11-for-17, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc, to help Orlando snap its six-game losing skid. Vucevic finished a point shy of his career-high 34, which was set in Portland last Saturday. Seven Orlando players scored between five and 10 points in support of Vucevic and Oladipo. Pau Gasol continued to dominate in January, though the Bulls fell to 4-3 in the month. Gasol posted 28 points and 14 rebounds, the fourth time this month that hes collected at least 27 and 14. Derrick Rose added 18 points and seven assists as Chicago fell for the third time in four games on the heels of a 10-1 stretch. Strong first and third quarters, which Orlando won by a combined 15 points, gave the visitors a comfortable 15-point margin heading into the fourth. The Bulls made a game of it with six straight points from Nikola MMirotic midway through the period. NMD XR1 Triple Black Canada. Mirotics three-point play, which came 38 seconds after his 3-ball, had the Bulls within six points, 102-96. It was down to five two minutes later following a pair of Gasol free throws, but Chicago never got closer than that. Aaron Brooks missed a 3-pointer, Joakim Noah failed to hit two free throws and Rose was off the mark from deep on Chicagos next three touches. Oladipos layup and a short Channing Frye basket pushed the lead back to nine. Oladipo sealed the win with two free throws with 12.3 seconds to play. Vucevic scored 12 points in the first quarter. Orlando shot 60.9 percent as a team and led 29-21. The Magic then built on a 63-55 halftime advantage behind Vucevic and Oladipo, who combined to outscore the Bulls 25-23 in the period. Game Notes Elfrid Payton had 10 points and seven assists for Orlando ... The Magic shot 48-for-81 (59.3 percent) from the floor ... Orlando outscored Chicago 58-40 in the paint, though the Bulls held a 19-2 advantage in second-chance points. ' ' '