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SEATTLE -- Canadas mens soccer team is looking to regroup after an upset opening loss in the first game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, but Thursdays game against Mexico offers little room for error. Canadas rebuilding squad suffered a last-minute 1-0 loss to tiny Martinique, which only has a population of 400,000, in the first game last weekend in Pasadena, Calif. But the Canadians also have a chance to take advantage of two-time defending champion Mexicos unexpected loss to Panama in Game 1. "I think we have a lot to prove for this next game -- for the team, for the country, for ourselves," Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran said Wednesday. The Canadian squad is experimenting with several young players and battling illness, as interim coach Colin Miller prepares to give way to new field boss Benito Floro after this tournament. While the players get used to each other, Canadas style of play is also in transition as Miller attempts to implement a possession-oriented offence that emphasizes passing, in the form of through balls, rather than long lead passes. Miller "disagreed wholeheartedly" with a suggestion during a conference call earlier Wednesday that Canadas passing skills are weak. "I may have a Scottish accent, and I may be tied to the British mentality of trying to play the long ball," said Miller. "But we dont coach that theory. ... Ive never coached anyone to just smash the ball up the park." But Miller and defender David Edgar said Canada will have to be more disciplined against a Mexican side that also likes to keep the ball on the ground -- a different style than that deployed by Martinique. Discipline means strong defence that Miller said his successor must carry on in wake of Canadas talent level. The problem, said Miller, is that Canada has never had a Lionel Messi-type player who can break open in the pitch and is a "real gem." "Weve never had that. We didnt produce it," said Miller. "So until we do that, we will always have to be fairly well organized and fit, and then disciplined, as (Edgar) said. I dont think its necessarily the system. I think its about recognizing the mindset of where were at in that transition and recognizing that we all have responsibilities to make sure that we give our players the best opportunities to win a game. If that means doing certain things defensively first, as well as we can do, its the rock that we will be built on." When it comes to beating Mexico, he and Nakajima-Farran contended, Canada must also show its character. Canadas mens program has struggled to recreate itself in wake of a humiliating 8-1 loss to Honduras in World Cup qualifying last year that prompted former coach Stephen Hart to resign and led to a months-long search for his replacement. "Its definitely a difficult moment for the whole national team and staff," said Nakajima-Farran, who is a Japanese-Canadian born in Tokyo and plays for a First Division club in Cyprus and has been with the national program since 2006. "But weve still a job at task, and we still have a lot to prove. With that in mind, I think we really have a good shot at this. ... Really, its a matter of passion and laying our country on our shoulders." Although this is a difficult time for Canadas national team staff and players, they still have a task at hand. "Mexico had a very bad result also," said Nakajima-Farran. "They seem pretty vulnerable also. Its just a matter of who wants it more. Really, its a matter of passion and laying our country on our shoulders." He said players are much hungrier than they were heading into the game against Martinique. But some players have had trouble digesting food. Captain Will Johnson, a Toronto native who plays for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, is suffering from what has been described as an illness after he came off early against Martinique, and has returned to his club. He is questionable for Sundays game against Panama in Denver. Meanwhile, Rusell Teibert, 20, of Niagara Falls, Ont., may not get to perform before a large contingent of Vancouver Whitecaps fans who are expected to head south for the game. The Whitecaps midielder has also come down with an illness and missed practice Wednesday. As a result of the health woes, Kyle Porter, a 23-year-old Toronto native, has been called in from his MLS club, D.C. United. Miller acknowledged that both Mexico and Canada are facing pressure to win after their early losses. He also noted Mexico will be favoured in its last pool game while Canada must battle against Panama, making Thursdays test all the more important. Note -- Miller declined to say whether he will go back with goalkeeper Milan Borjan following the late loss to Martinique. ... Striker Simeon Jackson of Mississauga, Ont., left the Canadian camp to pursue a club commitment in Europe, while fellow forward Randy Edwini-Bonsu of Edmonton also left due to injury. ... The first two teams in each of the three pools qualify for the next round along with the two third-place clubs, regardless of their pool, that have the best records. Vapormax Plus Wholesale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Nike Air Max Plus Clearance . 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The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. PHILADELPHIA -- The Grizzlies proved again they can win close games. It didnt hurt that they didnt have to face Joel Embiid in the second overtime.Marc Gasol scored 27 points, Mike Conley had 25 and the Grizzlies beat the Philadelphia 76ers 104-99 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.Conley added nine rebounds and nine assists for the Grizzlies, who came back from an 11-point, second-half deficit for their eighth consecutive win against Philadelphia.Most of the games we play are close, so were used to it, Gasol said. We feel very comfortable in those situations.Ersan Ilyasova had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Philadelphia, which was looking for its first three-game winning streak in nearly three years. The 76ers had their four-game home winning streak snapped.Embiid had 12 points and 11 rebounds but didnt play in the second overtime. The rookie center is on a minutes restriction after missing the last two seasons with a foot injury. He finished with 27 minutes.Theres a human side to all of this, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. There it is 10 feet from you. Its tempting but not wise. Thats the discipline we have to have.Embiid lobbied to enter in the second overtime but was denied.It was frustrating but those guys care about me and are looking out for me, he said.Asked if he was looking forward to having free rein with his minutes, Embiid said, I cant wait for that day to come.Zach Randolph scored the first four points of the second overtime to give Memphis a 95-91 lead. Philadelphia cut it to 99-98 after Jerryd Bayless layup with 23 seconds remaining. Conleys two free throws pushed Memphis lead back to three and Philadelphia never got closer.When you get to April, these are the games you look back on, Memphis coach David Fizdale said. You preach to your team they have another level to go to. It becomes habit.The teams were a combined 1 for 11 from the field in the first OT before Randolph put Memphis ahead 91-88 with 49 seconds left when he converted over Embiid on a drive.dddddddddddd Bayless tied it with a 3 from the top of the key with 43 seconds left before Conleys turnover gave Philadelphia the ball back.Bayless misfired on a midrange shot that wouldve won it, and Embiid couldnt convert on a baseline jumper after an inbounds play with 1.3 seconds left.Embiid had the final shot of regulation, but his over-the-head try against the defense of Gasol went off the backboard.I dont know if Im going to get fined for this but I thought I got fouled, Embiid said.RESPECT GIVENThe Grizzlies lauded the play of Embiid and the 76ers, who dont resemble the sad-sack bunch that won 47 games combined the previous three seasons.You know youre going to have a tough night, no matter what, because they dont stop playing until that final whistle, Conley said. They scrap and claw for every little bit. Were thankful to get away with a win tonight.Of Embiid, Fizdale said, The whole league will have to deal with him a long time. Hes a special, special talent.BEEN AWHILEThe 76ers last three-game winning streak came Dec. 29, 2013-Jan. 4, 2014.TIP-INSGrizzlies: Chandler Parsons (knee) and James Ennis (calf) didnt play. . Memphis scored 69 points in the first half of Mondays 105-90 win over Charlotte but managed just 43 against Philadelphia. ... The Grizzlies streak of three straight games leading by 20 or more points ended.76ers: Embiid wont play on Friday night against the Bulls as part of his rehab plan. ... Richaun Holmes and Gerald Henderson both were out due to illness. ... Philadelphia committed 27 turnovers.UP NEXTGrizzlies: Host Miami on Friday night. Fizdale is a former Heat assistant.76ers: Host Bulls on Friday night. ' ' '