PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Algerias players are being left to decide whether or not they observe the Ramadan fast during Mondays World Cup game against Germany, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic saying its not a divisive issue. Marshall Faulk Colts Jersey . Observant Muslims avoid food and liquids from dawn to dusk during Ramadan but can, and often do, skip it if travelling or doing hard physical labour. Some devout Muslim athletes choose to fast during training or competition, but it can create selection difficulties for the coaches in team sports. Halilhodzic, who has testy relations with sections of the Algerian media and its football association, threatened to leave a news conference Sunday if questions persisted on the topic. He said critics were using the issue to "try and raise hatred of me and my family. This is really disgusting." The national football association released a statement denying a report in Algerias leading football newspaper suggesting that Halilhodzic, a Muslim, had ordered players not to fast. Its a potentially sensitive allegation in the mostly Muslim country. The federation said Halilhodzic had been "very respectful" of the religion in his three years at the helm of the national team. The veteran coach, a French-Bosnian, said fasting was a "private issue and players will do exactly as they wish." "When you ask this question you lack respect and ethics. I would like this to stop. Stop this controversy. Talk about football," he said, in response to repeated questions at the official pre-match news conference. "And stop asking me about Ramadan, otherwise I will get up and leave." The match Monday kicks less than an hour before sunset in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre. The Algeria lineup has been impressive in its three group games, and had its best attacking display so far in a 4-2 win over South Korea. Halilhodzic started that match with five new players following its opening 2-1 defeat to Belgium. They followed that up with a 1-0 win over Russia to reach the knockout rounds for the first time. "We will do everything we can to try and win this match, but (the Germans) are of a higher quality, more experienced and basically better than us," Halilhodzic said. "We shall prepare for this game as the most important in our career. We will give it our all." Algeria shocked West Germany 2-1 in the group stages of the 1982 World Cup, in what was a colossal upset at the time. But the team didnt make it through to the qualifying rounds after the Germans and Austria played out a mutually advantageous result in their last group match in one of the most infamous World Cup episodes. The build up to Mondays match has focused on whether this is now the opportunity for Algeria to avenge what has become known as the "Disgrace of Gijon." But Halilhodzic and Germany coach Joachim Loew downplayed that Sunday, noting that the vast majority of players were not born when it occurred. "This is history. There are many things that occur in football. I would like this wonderful championship to finish in a different way," Halilhodzic said. Quenton Nelson Jersey . A player confirmed to TSN on the condition of anonymity that he received his ballot yesterday. Another confirms hes been told to expect his shortly. "The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position. Kemoko Turay Colts Jersey . 3. Trevor Ariza left them talkin about 40. Ariza made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 40 points to help the Washington Wizards win their sixth straight game, 122-103 over Philadelphia on Saturday night. http://www.authenticfootballshopcolts.com/authentic-ryan-grant-jersey.html . Last year, Islanders forward Colin Mcdonald released a "Do It For Colin" campaign to promote his teammate and friend John Tavares for the EA sports honour:The most popular sports voting video ever has to go to Chris Bosh who showcased his comedic abilities in his effort to get fans to vote him into the 2008 All Star Game:You can vote for TJ and other star players for the NHL 15 cover vote here.OAKLAND, Calif. -- A warm day helped Brandon Moss reach another milestone and it helped Jeff Samardzija enjoy even more run support. Moss hit a grand slam and the Oakland Athletics gave Samardzija more run support than he has had all season in a 13-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. "I didnt realize it went over the fence," Moss said. "I thought it was going to be a sacrifice fly. Then I saw it bounce around and was shocked. Thats not a home run at night. Being a day game, the ball carries better." Jed Lowrie had three hits and drove in a run for the As, who have the best record (63-38) in baseball and are a season-best 25 games over .500. Chris Carter hit a home run for the Astros, who fell to 2-4 since the All-Star break. Samardzija (2-1) gave up a leadoff single to Jose Altuve and then retired 10 straight before Carters 20th home run put Houston on the board. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. He retired 12 of 13 following Carters blast. Carter was the lone Astro to get past second base against Samardzija, who received a combined 13 runs of support over his final six starts with the Cubs. "I was just trying to get quick innings and not keep the defence out there very long," Samardzija said. "I wanted to keep them in hitting rhythm. When you get a lead like that, you just take a deep breath." Samardzija was 2-7 with the Cubs despite a 2.83 ERA. He entered with the third-lowest run support in the majors at 3.05 runs per outing. "Im having a lot of fun playing here," Samardzija said. "I just attacked the zone and threw a lot of fastballs." Scott Feldman (4-8) lost his straight start, lasting 5 1-3 innings. He allowed six runs and nine hits, walking five and striking out four. "He battled but at the same time they did a tremendous job of hitting with runners in scoriing position," Astros manager Bo Porter said. Nyheim Hines Colts Jersey. . "Thats pretty much what was the difference in the ballgame." Feldman allowed at least six runs for just the third time this season but for the second time in three starts. He has allowed 16 runs and 27 hits over his last 17 2-3 innings. "It was a battle for him all day," Porter said. "Early in the game he really had his breaking ball working, and they started laying off and made him come back into the zone." The As were ahead 4-1 entering the sixth inning when Moss hit his third grand slam of the season. "You want to cash them in with runners on base," Moss said. "It was a situation where the guy had to make a good pitch and I hit it. I had the bases loaded in the at-bat before and ended up hitting a weak grounder to first." Stephen Vogt added a three-run double in the eighth. Josh Reddick, who had two doubles, added a sacrifice fly. Donaldson and Derek Norris, who had three hits, each drove in runs in the third. Sogard scored on a wild pitch. Crisps sacrifice fly in the fourth put the As ahead, 4-1. NOTES: RHP Jim Johnson was designated for assignment before the game, ending a short, tumultuous relationship with the As fans, who have booed him since opening day. ... As OF Yoenis Cespedes (sprained right thumb) could return to the starting lineup on Friday. ... As INF Alberto Callaspo (right hamstring strain) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday. .. RHP Jason Hammel (0-2, 9.00) is scheduled to make his third start for the As against the Rangers in Texas on Friday. ... LHP Dallas Keuchel (9-6, 3.29) starts for the Astros at home against Miami, which begins a 10-day, 10-game homestand, the longest of the season. ... Samardzija improved to 21-3 lifetime when receiving at least three runs of support. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '