Kristensen has a reasonably clean injury record and believes he h

Brisbane Roar have added much-needed steel to their midfield by signing former Danish international Thomas Kristensen for the upcoming A-League season.Kristensen, 33, is a direct replacement for the Roars reigning player of the year Corona, who made a surprising return to Spain earlier this month despite having a year left to run on his contract.Much like Corona, Kristensen brings a wealth of experience to Brisbane, having played seven seasons for top Danish club FC Copenhagen before spending the last two years in the Dutch Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag.But unlike the diminutive Spaniard, Kristensen is a more defensively-minded player who is not afraid to put his imposing 188cm frame on the line - a bonus for coach John Aloisi, who believes his side were often bullied by bigger-bodied opponents last season.His ability to play the ball will suit our style, but hell give us that balance defensively we need as well, Aloisi told reporters on Wednesday.Kristensen said he knew little about the A-League, but his interest was piqued when former international teammate and good friend Morten Nordstrand signed for the Newcastle Jets midway through last season.Despite his advancing years, Kristensen has a reasonably clean injury record and believes he has plenty of football still left in him.From what I see, (Brisbane) is a club thats usually in the top. Hopefully we can play for the championship, he said.Kristensens contract with the Roar does not officially begin until August 1, meaning he wont be involved in Fridays behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. Cheap Custom Hockey Jerseys . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Custom Hockey Jerseys China .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. http://www.customjerseyshockey.com/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Custom Hockey Jerseys Outlet . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. Clearance Custom Hockey Jerseys .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans.PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ten-man Italy escaped with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier Friday after star striker Mario Balotelli was sent off in the second half. The draw still allowed Italy to pull four points clear of second-place Bulgaria in Group B with four more games to go. The Czechs are third, five points behind Italy and still have hopes of reaching next years tournament in Brazil. Balotelli was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving his second yellow card. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made two good saves to keep the game scoreless. He raced off his line to deny Petr Jiracek in the first half and did the same in the second to prevent Libor Kozak from netting. "The point is of great importance for us," Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli said through an interpreter. "Its clear. Without (Buffon), we would have lost, he was our best player. ... We were not able to find our rhythm. We were very slow." The Czechs went on the attack after the Italians were reduced to 10 men and captain Tomas Rosicky had his goal-bound shot blocked in the 75th minute. Six minutes from time, Jiracek beat Buffon but hit the post from Jaroslav Plasils free kick. "Its a huge disappointment," Jiracek said. "I wasted such big chances." Substitute Daniel Kolar fired just wide in injury time when left unnmarked in the area, while Lazio striker Kozak tested Buffon again with a shot from the edge of the area following a flowing Czech move in the 67th.dddddddddddd "We played a great match," Kozak said. "We just didnt score." The Czechs looked rejuvenated by the presence of Rosicky, who missed most of the campaign due to an injury. Ignazio Abate almost netted an own goal 11 minutes into the game by diverting a pass from Tomas Hubschman to Kozak and the ball just went wide of the left post. Oother attempts by Rosicky, Jiracek and Michal Kadlec missed the target while Buffon dived to his right to save a shot from Kozak from outside the area. Prandelli started Balotelli alongside Stephan El Shaarawy in attack but the Milan star forwards failed to make their presence felt. Although the visitors gradually gained composure later in the first half, they were unable to pose a threat to goalkeeper Petr Cech, with Balotelli more engaged in arguing with the opponents, fellow Italians and the referee. "Balotelli was nervous," Prandelli said. "It is his problem and he has to cope with that." El Shaarawy was replaced after the first half by Sebastian Giovinco. Next, the Czech Republic hosts Armenia on Sept. 6 while Italy plays Bulgaria at home. Italy now travels to Brazil for the June 15-30 Confederations Cup. ' ' '