Brisbane Roar will be forced to travel to secure their place in next years AFC Champions League partly because of the Socceroos recent downturn in form.The Roar were planning for a one-off, win-and-youre-in match at home on February 7, but they now face a far more arduous task to qualify after China overtook Australia in the latest annual member associaton rankings, released last week by the Asian Football Confederation.The member association rankings system was introduced in December 2014 by the AFC, and is used to determine how many slots each country is allocated for competitions like the Champions League.The system accounts for both the nations FIFA ranking as well as performances of clubs in the AFCs competitions over a four-year period.However, because the system is only two years old, more weight is given to the FIFA ranking.Last month, the Socceroos dropped eight places to 48th in the FIFA rankings after World Cup qualifying draws against Saudi Arabia, Japan and Thailand.It means the Roar will play at home on January 31 in the preliminary round, against either Filipino club Global FC or Singapores Tampines Rovers.But to ensure their spot in the tournament proper, theyll need to also win a play-off the following week away to Chinese powerhouse Shanghai Shenhua.The AFC is yet to officially confirm the fixtures but its understood the Roar has already contacted Football Federation Australia to ask if their February 3 home A-League clash against Sydney FC can be postponed.If there is a silver lining to the news, its that the Roar will be able to stage their match on January 31 at Suncorp Stadium.The club had been scrambling to find somewhere to play on February 7, with Suncorp booked out that week because of the Brisbane Global Tens rugby tournament.The RNA Showgrounds and Ballymore Stadium were being investigated as possible alternatives but its unlikely either would have been up to AFC standards. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Sylvester-Williams-Draft-Jersey/ . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Frank-Ragnow-Draft-Jersey/ . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Anthony-Zettel-Draft-Jersey/ . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Deshawn-Shead-Draft-Jersey/ .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Taylor-Decker-Draft-Jersey/ . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles powered their way into the postseason with a one-dimensional offense and a flawed starting rotation.Those shortcomings proved to be their undoing in a bitter, season-ending defeat.Baltimore hit a major league-leading 253 home runs to finish 89-73 and reach the playoffs for the third time in five years. That would be the takeaway from a surprisingly successful 2016 season if not for the circumstances surrounding Tuesday nights 5-2 loss to Toronto in the AL wild-card game.Mark Trumbo, who led the majors with 47 home runs, hit a two-run drive to give Baltimore a 2-1 lead. But the Orioles didnt get a hit after the sixth inning and ultimately succumbed in the 11th when Ubaldo Jimenez yielded a three-run homer to Edwin Encarnacion.Jimenez began the season as a starter and was twice exiled to the bullpen. On the final night of Baltimores season, the right-hander finished what Chris Tillman started -- and neither of them did it effectively.Though Tillman (16-6) led the team in wins, he didnt make it out of the fifth inning.It may take some time before Baltimore fans get over seeing Jimenez in the 11th instead of closer Zach Britton, who converted all 47 of his save chances and owned an 0.54 ERA.Manager Buck Showalter deserves to be second-guessed, but only after being lauded for guiding the Orioles to the playoffs. Who could have possibly done more with a slow-footed team that finished with 19 steals? Or with a starting rotation that included Jimenez (8-12, 5.44 ERA), Yovani Gallardo (6-8, 5.42) and Wade Miley (2-5, 6.17)?Going into spring training you have a goal to make the playoffs, said catcher Matt Wieters, who may have played his last game in Baltimore. We had our share of great times and our share of adversity this year.Some things for the Orioles to think about this offseason:FOR STARTERS: Young right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman got their first taste of steady work as starting pitchers in 2016, and it went well.Bundy went 10-6 and Gausman won six of his last eight decisions after a 3-10 start. With Bundy, Gausman and Tillman back, the Orioles have a solid foundation from which to build their starting rotation in 2017.Were proud of the way both Gausman and Bundy handled new things they havent experieenced before, Wieters said.dddddddddddd. More than anything, they have learned theyre going to have different situations thrown at them, and the best way to move forward is to keep working and keep getting better.Tillman should start on opening day against Toronto, but who knows?Every one of us wants to be that ace, Gausman said.FREE AGENCY: Trumbo signed a one-year contract and will likely take his potent bat elsewhere this winter.The Orioles could make a run at signing him, but they shelled out big money to retain Chris Davis and already have enough players who can bash the ball.Pedro Alvarez likely wont be back, either, and Baltimore might not be inclined to again make a qualifying offer to Wieters.Executive vice president Dan Duquette would be wise to turn his attention toward obtaining players whose specialty is getting on base.Thats what the Orioles thought they got in Hyun Soo Kim, who finished with a .382 on-base percentage. Instead, his two biggest hits were game-deciding home runs in the final 10 days of the season.BULLPEN SOLID: Britton was nothing short of outstanding, Brad Brach made the All-Star team and Darren ODay was solid despite battling shoulder and hamstring injuries.If theres one thing the Orioles dont have to worry about this offseason, its the back end of the bullpen.YOUNG BLOOD: A couple young players made an impression in 2016, and the hope is that they continue their progression next season.Joey Rickard hit .268 before a thumb injury ended his year and Trey Mancini finished with three homers in only 14 at-bats.Rickard showed speed at the top of the lineup and Mancini appears to be a perfect fit for Camden Yards.THE NEXT STEP: Following a run of 14 straight losing seasons, the Orioles under Showalter have established themselves as one of the best teams in the AL.They havent had a losing season over the past five years, but only once in that span have they advanced to the AL Championship Series.We need to find a way to be more consistent, said Jimenez, who included himself in that broad statement.I think we have a pretty good team, he said. Guys like me, I didnt do the job Im supposed to do. Cheap Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Stitched Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys 2019 Black China NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 ' ' '