NEWCASTLE, Australia - Japan forward Keisuke Honda is uncomfortable with his teams status as favourites at the Asian Cup.Honda and his Japan side play their first match Monday against a fledging Palestinian team considered a huge underdog against the defending champions.It should provide a comfortable start to the Blue Samurais title defence, but Honda rejects the pre-tournament hype and the short odds on offer for Japan winning back-to-back Asian Cups.The Milan forward says we are expecting some very difficult games at the Asian Cup ... all teams, are strong and said complacency is the great enemy.Javier Aguirre, hired in August to replace Alberto Zaccheroni as Japan coach, has since become embroiled in a match-fixing investigation from his time in the Spanish league.Aguirre denies any wrongdoing, and Japan defender Maya Yoshida says the team hasnt been distracted by the allegations against its coach.When we started the training camp the manager and the training director explained about this issue to the players but I came here a little bit late because of my English competition, said Yoshida, who plays for Premier League side Southampton. I understand the situation and I feel very comfortable with him so its nothing at all. We should just focus on football.Japan (52nd) is just behind Iran (51st) in the FIFA rankings but has a wealth of Asian Cup experience — and silverware — winning the trophy four times in 1992, 2000, 2004 and in 2011.Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawasima was more optimistic than some of the players in front of him on the pitch.Our minimum aim is to win the Asian Cup, we have to get victory, Kawasima said Thursday. To be the best team at this tournament we have a long, hard road ahead. We have to forget about the 2011 victory if we want to overcome the challenge of winning here.Japan plays its second match in Group D against Iraq on Jan. 16 in Brisbane and its third against Jordan at Melbourne on Jan. 20, the final day of group stage competition.The final is scheduled for Jan. 31 at the former Olympic stadium in Sydney. Authentic Mike Hughes Jersey . But the young forward is more than willing to shed a little blood if thats what it takes to make the team this season. "It caught me pretty good, dazed me for that shift, but I didnt want to be off the ice for too long," he said after practice, his lip still bleeding a little despite the plastic stitches holding it together. Authentic Nick Easton Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. http://www.cheapvikingsjerseysauthentic....arkenton-jersey. The top-ranked Spaniard won his fourth Madrid Open on Sunday after Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw with a hip injury when trailing 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in the final. And Nadal, who is coming off to uncharacteristic quarterfinal losses on clay, said his mental strength is still lacking just two weeks ahead of the French Open. Authentic Chuck Foreman Jersey . -- New York Yankees centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was sent for an MRI Thursday of his ailing right calf, which was negative. Authentic Kai Forbath Jersey . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont.SAGINAW, Mich. - A Tuesday funeral is planned in Toronto for 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward Terry Trafford. Ward Funeral Home says visitation is Sunday and Monday in Toronto. Saginaw Spirit President Craig Goslin tells the Saginaw News the team plans to travel to the visitation Sunday. Police have said Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation inside his car parked outside a Wal-Mart store in Michigan. The Toroonto natives body was found March 12.dddddddddddd He disappeared eight days earlier after receiving discipline from the club. The Ontario Hockey League team says its home game with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that was postponed from Wednesday because of Traffords death will take place Monday, ending its regular season. Saginaw visits the Greyhounds on Friday, then Saturday hosts the London Knights. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '