remains close with many former teammates at Whitten Oval.It seems a fitting tribute to be able to play against the Dogs this week to celebrate not only my 250-game milestone but also celebrate the carreer

Germany has made a flying start to its mission to become the first country in more than 50 years to defend its World Cup title.With an emphatic win in Norway, the Germans got Julys European Championship semifinal loss to France out of their system Sunday.Even Thomas Mueller has regained his confidence, putting his perplexing Germany goal drought behind him by scoring twice in the 3-0 win at the start of World Cup qualifying.Mueller scrambled in the opener in the 15th minute after his first attempt was blocked by Even Hovland and Havard Nordtveit before heading in his second on the hour. For good measure, Mueller also set up Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich for his first international goal.With Thomas Mueller Id rather he had scored a few goals at the European Championship, Germany coach Joachim Loew joked of the forward who hadnt scored internationally since October 2015.Not since Brazil in 1962 has a team won back-to-back world titles. For now the priority is qualifying for Russia and only the group winners automatically gain a place at the tournament in 2018. Eight of the nine best runner-ups from the groups contest playoffs.---GROUP CAlso in Germanys group, Ruslan Gurbanovs first international goal gave Azerbaijan a 1-0 win in San Marino, which had defender Cristian Brolli sent off early in the second half. Northern Ireland held the Czech Republic to a goalless draw in Prague, where Karel Jarolim endured a frustrating debut in charge of the hosts.---GROUP FAdam Lallana pounced in the fifth minute of stoppage time to ensure Sam Allardyce made a winning start as England manager, clinching a 1-0 victory over Slovakia.England had a man-advantage from the 57th minute when Martin Skrtel received a second yellow card for another foul on Harry Kane but the visitors left it late to break through Slovakias resistance. Sloppy goalkeeping helped Lallana score his first England goal in his 27th international after his shot went through Matus Kozaciks legs.Everyone back home was waiting with bated breath and we scored the winner, said Allardyce, who never featured for England as a player and has only previously managed modest domestic clubs. We dominated the game and finally got what we deserved. The result did us justice in the end.Wayne Rooney became Englands most capped outfield player, surpassing the record he held with David Beckham, by making a 116th appearance. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton made a record 125 England appearances between 1970 and 1990.Englands next group opponent in October is Malta, which was routed 5-1 by neighbor Scotland. Robert Snodgrass scored a hat trick, with the opener a cross that flew over backtracking goalkeeper Andrew Hogg. Two Malta players -- Jonathan Caruana and Luke Gambin -- were sent off in the second half for fouling Snodgrass.Surprise starter Chris Martin and substitute Steven Fletcher also scored for Scotland, which is looking to qualify for its first tournament since the 1998 World Cup.Slovenia staged a late fightback to draw 2-2 at Lithuania.---GROUP EDenmark is setting the early pace after Christian Eriksen sealed a 1-0 win over Armenia.Poland threw away a two-goal lead, secured by Bartosz Kapustka and captain Robert Lewandowski, to draw 2-2 in Kazakhstan. Two quick goals in the second half from Sergei Khizhnichenko ensured Kazakhstan opened qualifying with a point.Romania was held to a 1-1 draw by Montenegro with Nicolae Stanciu missing the chance to win it for the hosts when he missed a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time.---Ciaran Fahey in Berlin contributed to this report.What is a good website to buy sports jerseys . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. What is the best site to buy team jerseys from China . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. https://www.wheretobuycheapjerseys.com/ . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Where to Buy Cheap Jerseys . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Where Can Buy Cheap Jerseys . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization.Adam Cooney has announced his retirement, joining unwanted yet esteemed company in winning the AFLs highest individual honour but not a premiership.The Essendon midfielder said on Tuesday the 2016 season would be his last, fittingly confirming his future before a milestone match against former club Western Bulldogs.Cooney was taken with pick No.1 in the 2003 draft and won the 2008 Brownlow medal.But a degenerative knee injury meant he never hit those highs again, even after seeking a fresh start with the Bombers in 2014.Preliminary final losses in 2008 and 2009 are the closest Cooney came to pocketing a premiership medallion.Pretty unsatisfied. Its bittersweet I suppose, Cooney said on the eve of his 250th match.Early on when I won the Brownlow I was only 22 and I injured my knee, I probably wasnt able to play the sort of footy that I wanted to after that.You play footy to win a premiership. Its a little bit disappointing to not be able to play in a premiership.Cooney featured in 219 games for the Bulldogs and at his best was one of the leagues most influential players, burning sides with his speed and skill.The 30-year-old remains close with many former teammates at Whitten Oval.It seems a fitting tribute to be able to play against the Dogs this week to celebrate not only my 250-game milestone but also celebrate the carreer I have enjoyed at both clubs, he said.ddddddddddddIm looking forward to the opportunity to also say thank you to the fans from both clubs who have showed me enormous support.Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was full of respect for Cooney, saying the on-baller had enjoyed a great career.Well acknowledge that after the game and send him out on a good note, Beveridge said.Cooney contemplated returning for the 2017 season but recent performances convinced him otherwise.Halfway through this year I was actually playing some OK footy and was weighing up whether to go on, he said.But towards the end of the season I probably started to slow down. It would probably have been a little bit selfish of me to decide that I wanted to play on.Bombers coach John Worsfold lauded Cooneys leadership during the clubs difficult 2016 campaign, when 12 senior players have been suspended.Adams experience, leadership and team care has been really vital, Worsfold said.ADAM COONEYS AFL CAREER* Draft history: Pick No.1, 2003 National Draft* AFL Debut: Round 1, 2004 against West Coast at Etihad Stadium* Bombers Debut: Round 1, 2015 against Sydney at ANZ Stadium* AFL Games: 249* Brownlow Medal: 2008* All Australian: 2008. ' ' '