Neil Lemons asked:


With gas prices so high, the media is awash with lists of gas-saving tips. Well how’s this for a tip? If you listen to us, you can see hybrid-type savings without having to buy a new car.

By changing your driving habits you can improve fuel economy up to 37 percent right away (depending on how you drive). Combine several tips and perform routine maintenance and you will save real dollars, not just pennies.

A miracle? All we did was take several of the most common tips out there and put them to the test over a remote 55-mile route in the high desert of California. Some of them worked like a charm. Some of them didn’t work at all. We’ll give you the breakdown.

These tests were done under real-world conditions and not in a government lab somewhere. Our results can be matched by anyone and even you.

The wonderful part about what we found is that improving your car’s mileage is just a matter of changing your habits. Stack a few of these winners together and we’ll bet that you’ll see a substantial savings at the pump and without the need for a new car.

The results of each test are summarized directly below, for people with ADD. If you would like to know the details and methods of each of the six tests, keep reading until the end.

Test #1 Aggressive Driving vs. Moderate Driving

Result: Major savings potential

The Cold Hard Facts: Up to 37 percent savings, average savings of 31 percent.

Recommendation: Stop driving like a maniac.

Test #2 Lower Speeds Saves Gas

Result: Substantial savings on a long trip

Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14 percent savings, average savings of 12 percent.

Recommendation: Drive the speed limit.

Lower Speeds Saves Gas: Read the entire test

Test #3 Use Cruise Control

Result: Surprisingly effective way to save gas

Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14-percent savings, average savings of 7 percent.

Recommendation: If you’ve got it, use it.

Test #4 A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down

Result: Nice in theory; not true in practice.

Cold Hard Facts: No measurable difference (unless you open the sunroof, too!).

Recommendation: Please, make yourself comfortable.

Test #5 Check Your Tire Pressure

Result: Important for safety and to reduce tire wear.

Cold Hard Facts: No measurable effect on the vehicles we tested.

Recommendation: Check your tire pressure often, but don’t expect a big savings.

Test #6 Avoid Excessive Idling

Result: More important than we assumed.

Cold Hard Facts: Avoiding excessive idling can save up to 19 percent.

Recommendation: Stopping longer than a minute? Shut ‘er down.

The Tests

Our results are based on two separate fuel testing sessions. On each occasion we took two cars from the Edmunds.com long-term fleet and drove on a 56-mile test loop. Our route circled Owens Lake near Lone Pine, California, at the foot of Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. We chose the route because it was so deserted we could vary our speed and driving style without interfering with the flow of traffic. The only other cars we saw on the route were a caravan of test vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. We drove the loops back-to-back to ensure that we were comparing similar wind and temperatures. We logged our results and later put them on a spreadsheet where the results were averaged.

Test #1: Aggressive vs. Moderate Driving

This is gonna hurt. Our tests showed that the most significant way to save gas is: you. And we’re talking massive fuel economy gains. Think you need a hybrid? Chances are you’ve got hybrid-style mileage in your gas pedal foot. Don’t mash the gas when you start up. Take the long view of the road and brake easy. This tip alone can save you unbelievable amounts of gas. If you slowed your 0-to-60-mph acceleration time down from your current 10 seconds to a more normal city pace of 15 seconds, you’ll feel the savings immediately.

Method: We conducted this test four times. The first time we did the full 55-mile loop once by accelerating aggressively 15 times at 3/4-throttle from zero to a cruising speed of 75 mph. We also applied the brakes hard to come to a full stop. Then, we drove the second loop by accelerating moderately 15 times at 1/4-throttle to a cruising speed of 70 mph. We braked lightly to a full stop. In the second set of tests we drove 25 miles making 25 rapid accelerations to 65 mph at 3/4-throttle. After 1 minute of cruising we braked hard and repeated the cycle up to 65 mph. We then drove the same distance making 25 moderation accelerations to 60 mph at 1/4-throttle. After 1 minute of cruising we applied the brakes easily and came to a full stop.

Test #2 Lower Speeds Saves Gas

Remember a thing called the speed limit? On most highways it is either 65 or 70 mph. How fast are the cars and trucks around you going? From 75 mph to 90 mph. These people are wasting a lot of gas for the chance to get there a little earlier. Factor in safety concerns and a speeding ticket once or twice a year and going fast is a costly proposition.

Method: This test was simple. For 50 miles we drove with the cruise control set at 65 mph. Then, for another 50-mile stretch we drove with cruise set at 75 mph. We repeated this test going in the opposite direction. It is amazing how obvious the difference in gas mileage was. Just think what would have happened if we had slowed down to 60 mph. The only problem is with impatient drivers behind you. One driver became so irate that he tried to run our editor off the road. Still, if you are pinched by gas prices. Leave a little early and drive the speed limit (in the slow lane).

Test #3 Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control is a bit of gas-saving advice frequently on tips lists. We have always agreed with this tip in theory but we hadn’t expected such significant results. First, it smoothes out the driver’s accelerator input by preventing nervous “surging.” Second, it makes the driver take the long view of the road rather than reacting to every change in the traffic around them.

Method: We did this test twice with four different cars each time driving the 55-mile loop. The first time we set cruise control to 70 mph. The second time, with the cruise control off, we varied our speed between 65 mph and 75 mph. We tried to mimic the driving style of a person who is in moderate freeway traffic.

One thing that’s important to note: if you are in a mountainous area you should turn off cruise. It will try to keep you up to the speed you’ve set and will use a lot of extra gas downshifting to lower gears to accomplish this.

Test #4 A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down

This has got to take you back to the days with the family on vacation. Dad says, “Turn the A/C off! It wastes gas!” And Mom says, “We can’t roll the windows down or everyone on the highway will think we can’t afford A/C.” And you’re in the back roasting, hoping someone will win the argument so you can cool off.

Well, family psychology aside, if dads are still saying this, they aren’t necessarily right. While the A/C compressor does pull power from the engine wasting some gas, the effect appears to be fairly minimal in modern cars. And putting the windows down tends to increase drag on most cars, canceling out any measurable gain from turning the A/C off. But this one depends on the model you’re driving. When we opened the sunroof in our SUV, the mileage did decrease even with the A/C off. Still, in our experience, it’s not worth the argument because you won’t save a lot of gas either way. So just do what’s comfortable.

Method: We drove the full 55 mile-loop in two cars at equal speeds both times at 65 mph. The first loop we drove with the A/C on and the windows up. The second loop we drove with the A/C off and windows down. In the second test we drove 20-mile loops. This was far enough to see our gas mileage level off and remain steady on the computer trip meter.

Test #5: Check Your Tire Pressure

No matter how many times drivers hear about the importance of tire pressure, most of them don’t do anything about it. They probably don’t like squatting beside their car in a busy gas station with fumes swirling around them. But is it important? The answer is yes, for a number of reasons. Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at high speeds. They wear more evenly and, yes, they deliver better gas mileage. How much? In this test we saw a modest difference in two of the cars. It might have been more dramatic with different tires on different cars. Experts swear by it; we couldn’t really document it. And we wound up wondering if tire technology, like the design in other areas of the car, had improved.

Eventually, we concluded that each set of tires is different and every vehicle is different. We recommend that you do your own tests to see what inflation setting gives you the best fuel economy.

Method: We drove the 55-mile test loop four times at 60 mph and twice with tires at or above proper inflation. Once, we did the test with the tires 5 psi below the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Since this produced very little difference we enlarged the gap and under inflated the tires by 8 psi. We felt that it was important to make sure the tires were inflated to the recommended level or above.

Test #6 Avoid Excessive Idling

If you turn off a light bulb as you leave the room you’ll save electricity. If you turn off your car you will save gas. Obviously. But related questions are more difficult to answer. If you’re only stopping for only a minute, is it better to shut off the engine or keep it idling? Should I shut off the engine in traffic? How much gas will this save? What rule of thumb do I use when trying to save gas this way?

Method: We took two cars and drove a 10-mile route stopping 10 times for two minutes. We shut down the car each time. Then we drove the same route at the same speed and let the car idle for two minutes.

Conclusions

The good news is that you can drastically improve your gas mileage. The caveat is that you have to change your driving habits. If you are willing to change, you’ll find many related benefits too: no speeding tickets, greater safety, reduced stress and lower repair bills for tires and brake pads. In the long run this will save you money. And who knows? You might like the new you.



Ted

Gina Gray asked:


A common theme: husbands complaining that their wives have lost their libido since they got married. Sometimes it’s a lack of communication that needs working out but many times it is something else. Her libido can diminish simply because of the daily routine, the “rut” and stresses of life. The fresh beginning and infatuation of the young relationship is over; and with it, the butterflies and extra energy. Once married for a while, every day is almost the same and marriage becomes a drag. The more of a rut, the more stress is generated. When she has stress, her libido takes a nose dive.

The fact is, husbands stressed too. Unlike a woman, however, a stressed out husband would love a little *** to release the stress. So on one hand, men need sexual release when they’re stressed and wives don’t want it when they’re stressed. Sounds like a serious conundrum doesn’t it ?

Consider that many husbands lose their desire to romance their wives after the honeymoon is over. After you’re married, the chase is over, and so is the fun , right? Wrong. When stress and the rut takes over, her desire for *** can dwindle over time to almost nothing.

How do you get her desire for you back? Quick response: cut her stress levels and romance her like you did when you first met. Take the reigns and advance from routine and taking your wife for granted to adding spark, passion and appreciation to your marriage.

You can begin by addressing the following areas:

1. Learn more about your wife. Sounds kind of silly: you already know your wife! But how much do you know her likes and dislikes. I’m talking the details. Do you know how she likes her sandwiches made? Do you know her favorite type of food? How does she order her salad? How does she take her coffee? Do you know what she dreams about? Learning these little things will benefit you in a big way. For example: if one morning you bring her a cup of her favorite tea made exactly the way she likes it, she will take note.

2. Be a husband your wife can trust. Never lie , never cheat, be dependable and do what you say you’re going to do. It’s more than the type of trust that comes with dependability – she has to trust you with her deep thoughts. How does one foster this deeper trust? It’s in how you react to her. For example: what do you do when she deals with a sensitive pet peeve she has with you? Do you get defensive and sarcastic, or do you listen and discuss it with her. Anger will foster fear of approaching you – no trust there. She needs to trust you with her inner thoughts and feelings. Then she can be closer to you; which means she will want more of you.

3. Don’t have expectations. When you’re serving her, she’s going to sense the “She better be hot tonight” idea bouncing around in your mind. Let go of that expectation and it will take the pressure off.

4. Serve your wife. Take time to work on giving her breaks and time to re-charge. If she has less stress, she’ll have energy for more intimacy – and more passion.

5. Make connections with her. Your wife needs to feel connected to you on a deeper level. Not enough time? Then turn off the TV, make a drink, turn on some music and kick back and talk. Making this kind of connection will give you great results.

6. Let her know she’s special. Romance and chivalry are not dead. If they are, then so is your *** life – or at least it will be. Hold hands, be sincere and tell her she’s the prettiest woman in the world to you, leave her little love notes – do nice thoughtful things for her.

As you do these things, feel good about the joy you bring her. Love her and she will return love. It will become less like work and more like a passion – and then you’ll see that she has passion and desire you forgot was there.



Delores

John Elton asked:


Car insurance prices have gone up very high and are in the increasing trail. How to get lower rates in car insurance? The oils prices have already reached the scorching levels, touching nearly $140 per barrel; it is very difficult to afford a car. If you have to drive the car for long distances daily, your wallet will become empty within few days and you will be trapped in a very high financial crunch. Now if you think of the car insurance quotes, you will go under high tension.

 

The car insurance quotes are going high and high with the recession in the world economic conditions. The rise of inflations and the insane rise in the commodity prices, added the situation in the Car insurance market a dull atmosphere. Car owners are now looking for ways and means of getting lower quotes. The demands for cheap car insurances are very high from the insurance customers nowadays. There are some excellent tips for you to reduce the car insurance premiums.

 

Age is a main factor deciding the insurance premium. Teenagers have to pay more amounts against the premium simply because they are young. As all of us know teen age is the age in which all are more dynamic and vibrant. The teenagers are more active or I say hyper active and can indulge in rash driving. That will end up with high accident percentages among the teens. So if you are a driver with age more than 25, please make sure that you enter these details in the insurance requisition form. Older drivers are assumed to be expert drivers and matured citizens, looking for very careful driving. The percentages of accidents are less with these age group drivers. So the will get maximum discount based on their age. The driving distance per year is a major factor considered by the insurance providers. If you can limit your average daily covering distance in the car and hence low driving mileage in a year, you are assured of getting cheaper insurance quotes. Less driving distance give less probability of accidents and other damages and hence the company can offer cheap premiums. So think of options to bring down the mileage used in a year. You can try to use public transport system wherever possible or can try to be accommodated in some friend’s vehicle. A perfect driving without any warnings and speeding tickets will get very less premium. Speeding tickets and warnings are imminent pointer to future accidents. Insurance providers will automatically charge high payments for those with many numbers of speeding tickets and warnings. Please avoid speed driving and rash driving so that you are not booked for any such offences. This will save much amount to pay as premium. Attend some defensive driving classes arranged by the driving schools in collaboration with the insurance companies. If you undergo these courses, the insurance providers will give much discount in the insurance quotes.

 

Follow the above four steps you will be getting cheap car insurance quotes.

 



Margaret

Joshua Nestor asked:


Many American states primarily amongst them, Texas and Florida, have pushed the cultivation of defensive driving courses. Those states have put forward incentives for businesses to build these fee based education facilities by offering what amounts to ticket credits. In many areas, this means you can have that ticket wiped out in exchange for completing traffic school. Some of these organizations offer to let you learn on line instead of spending your precious hours sitting in a classroom.

Ticket proceeds are a chief moneymaker for many states. To give a portion of this up in return for education indicates the schools truly work well. There has been mounting pressure for more and better driver education for two major reasons. The mortality rate from automobile accidents has gotten out of hand particularly with drivers under 25. Such accidents as well as the accompanying collision costs, are putting a big dent in insurance companies profitability affecting their ability to offer affordable coverage.

Even if you have only had your driver’s license for a month, you already know what kind of foolishness often heeds warnings on the streets.

Lots of life’s blunders can be easily achieved when we learn to adopt a little healthy pride in ourselves with the objective at hand. You will undoubtedly notice that you drive safer and smoother if you are proud of your driving.

Driving a car is one of life’s less confined freedoms. You can drive almost anywhere. Freedom on the streets is exhilarating even when minding the speed limits. The rush of freedom’s emotion can inadvertently cause some people, more notably in less oriented drivers, to become disoriented in their environment. You should never neglect that there are so many other vehicles on the road with your own one.

Do you worry about staying unhurt and out of a wheelchair or living for that matter? Then recognize that a large portion of the drivers whom you share the roads with is ignorant. This awareness is the criteria for good defensive drivers.

For you to graduate from novice to elite easily and quickly, you simply need to appreciate that bad drivers, possibly including yourself, compounds a real risk to your body and mind. Not to be too dramatic; the representations are a fact and very much include the line between life and death.

Even in the best of worlds, hazards are a part of daily life. Whatever you want to call it – defensive driving, responsible driving, or safe driving – don’t wait for an Act of Congress. Make it a No. 1 priority. Make a decision to get serious about defensive driving today. Your life depends on it.

If you understand the concept, then you are well on your way to being a good driver. Watch everything and everyone around you, from the moment you turn the key to when you stop at the end of the road. Safe drivers achieve longer lives and spend less on auto insurance; two admirable goals to achieve wouldn’t you agree?



Juanita

Ron Victor asked:


Criminal defense lawyers are experts specialized in handling criminal cases of different ranges. Criminal defense lawyers are lawyers whose profession is based on providing essential services to the people who are considered as accuse or criminal under the court of law. The basic purpose of hindering the service of the criminal defense lawyer is that, the criminal defense lawyer will argue the points with regards to various laws and sections created to serve the people against the criminal cases. Criminal lawyers are categorized under different sections and classifications.

people when arrested for any of their criminal actions such as murder, rape, theft, *** crimes, domestic violence, kidnapping, hit and run and many other criminal cases, they will be proceeded under the court of law. Under such case, the criminal defense lawyer will argue for the criminal and provides them services. Criminal lawyers provide more essential services to the people around the world. Criminal defense lawyers are considered to be more important and essential and also fetch more demand among the people.

Nowadays, criminal defense lawyers are required in more number, because the crimes have been increased in large number. The price consideration paid for each criminal defense lawyers will vary as per the popularity and fame and successfulness created for the person. Criminal defense lawyers offers the service to the public for a reasonable price consideration to enable them not be offended by the court without any wrong doings. There are cases were people may be arrested in the court of law for non-performing of wrongful act.

In such cases, the criminal defense lawyers will provides service to the people by attending the case for them in the court and makes argument and enable the people to come out from the case. Today, criminal defense lawyers are required for each and every activity performed by people. Criminal lawyer is someone different from other professionals. Criminal lawyers are one who is specialized in analyzing, inspecting and examining the criminal cases undertaken by him. Criminal lawyer may argue for either the plaintiff or for the defendant.

As per the lawyer interest and request of the people, criminal lawyers precede his functionality in the court of law. The features of each criminal lawyer differ from individual to individual as per their state and county. Criminal lawyers come up with wide responsibility. The involvement of criminal defense lawyer may provide positive or negative result for the criminal case taken. Criminal defense lawyers provide their service either in individuals or in groups or team. The argument of each criminal lawyer may differ as per their statutes and laws of the state court.



Gerald

Mike Pontic asked:


For quite some time, motorists from all over the world have been exposed to the concept of defensive driving. The practice is derived from a kind of training going beyond the usual rules imposed on the road for all motorists.

Actually, for some, defensive driving is more of practicing safety or paranoid measures when driving. Safety practices are implemented significantly. Thus, there is no denying the fact that indeed, defensive driving really helps drivers get on and survive the intricacies and complexities of driving in the modern turbulent highway.

Studies conducted not just in the United States but also in other developed countries where people practice defensive driving show that the driving practice significantly helps further implement safety on the road.

As you all know major roads and highways are usually busied by different types of drivers who have different personalities. Some are careful and responsible drivers while others are bad and are careless. When road accidents happen involving the latter kinds of drivers, even responsible and careful drivers themselves are often dragged into messy situations.

Through defensive driving careful and responsible drivers are made even more protected. If more and more drivers will just adopt the practice, for sure the volume of car accidents and road hazards would be significantly reduced. The roads and major highways would surely be safer and accident free. Moreover, the advantage of practicing defensive driving skills can be more appreciated with the following practical advantages.

? Safer and accident free driving procedures and techniques are instituted. Not only would the highways and roads be made a better place for driving and mobility. There would be less damages and less incidence of accidents and occurrences that often claim lives.

? Responsible actions and road reactions especially during times of emergency are implemented. Thus, further safety during abrupt situations is ensured and the road is made still functional and the traffic moving despite such situations.

? Protection techniques towards road rage and the practice of speed driving are instituted. In the end, less accidents on the road are observed.

? Possible court actions and legal impediments are prevented in the future. The driver will also get to avoid violations and related charges.

? Responsible and safe highway driving, extreme weather driving and night driving are observed. This means that the skills and safety measures practiced on the road are extended and widened further.

? Drivers take advantage of reduction in the drivers’ license points, increasing the possibility of better insurance coverage.

Overall, defensive driving simply is helping make better people out of drivers. By adopting and practicing the driving techniques, people are effectively transformed not just into safe drivers but also into more responsible citizens.

It should always be noted that the road is a public infrastructure. Every hour, there are hundreds or thousands of men, women and children in the busy highways. By helping make the roads safe and accident free, you would be helping save lives though helping prevent incidences that could possibly claim lives.

Defensive driving really helps. In fact, some governments are now proposing to implement proposed legislations that would pave the way for the institutionalism of those driving techniques. Know the basic rules of defensive driving now, or attend classes for you to learn them.



Roland

Colin R Cherry asked:


If you own a sports car, then your auto insurance company probably classes you as high risk. You might have an excellent driving record, you don’t have any speeding tickets, and you certainly don’t have any DUI (Driving Under the Influence) convictions, yet you are still get stuck with high risk auto insurance. Is that fair or what?

Well, nothing is fair in the insurance world and those high risk insurance rates just keep on going up. Is there any way of lowering them? Fortunately yes. Read on.

1. Look for a specialized high risk insurance company

The auto insurance industry is a pretty cut throat business and many insurance companies are looking at markets they wouldn’t have touched not so long ago. One of these is the high risk auto insurance market. Companies big and small are clamoring for your business so grab your mouse, fire up your laptop and get as many quotes as you can online. Its quick, its easy and best of all its free.

2. Join a sports car club

A lot of auto insurance companies offer a sizeable discount if you belong to a recognized national sports car club. This can also extend to employee associations and labor organizations. Even holding a credit card issued by certain banks or finance companies can qualify you for discounts. Check it out.

3. Discounts, discounts

Talking of discounts, check with your current auto insurance company to see if you are eligible for discounts such as low mileage, defensive driving courses and any safety features you car might have like air bags and anti theft devices.

4, Multiple insurance policies

If you have any other form of insurance such as home owners, medical, life, or renter’s insurance, check to see if the companies you are insured with also offer auto insurance. By grouping all your insurances with one company you could make substantial savings overall.

Cheaper auto insurance for sports car owners can be found if you are prepared to carry out some research and trawl the net for numerous quotes. But whatever you do, your premium will never be as low as for a small sedan.

Of course, you could always sell your sports car…….Naaaa!



Gary

Adam Boulton asked:


It is mandatory to get car insurance while buying a car that provides protection against loss occurred in the event of an accident. Generally, the insurance cover is for the insured, the vehicle and third party and the various policies specify the circumstances under which they are covered.

Usually, car insurance is compulsory and a minimum of third party insurance is required to protect against the financial loss, damage or injury caused by a vehicle. When some thorough research is done, it is feasible to get the lowest car insurance quote and the internet is the best place to compare the various quotes provided by the different companies.

The monthly premiums depend upon several factors while going for car insurance like the driving record, age, the location where the vehicle is parked and driven. In fact, the distance for which the car is driven and the purpose for which the car is driven are also accounted for, while assessing the premium of the car insurance.

Of course, there are discounts for anti theft and safety devices, approved defensive driving course and combining multiple policies with the company. With such a diversity of factors that influence the car insurance quotes, it is always better to get free car insurance quotes since it would take a long time to calculate the best possible deal taking into consideration all these factors. But a comparison has to be done to strike the best deal and what else can be more helpful than the internet.

Free insurance quotes are offered by the insurance companies who vie with one another to sell a policy to the prospective clients. Earlier, radio, television and newspaper used to be the media of advertisement but with the advent of internet, it is now possible to offer the various quotes. Another advantage is that internet is available all the time, 24×7 and is far reaching to any part of the world.

In addition, the insurance companies would get the feed back almost instantaneously and can find out their probable clients. This is very helpful for the companies to expand their business and rectify, if there are any flaws. On the other hand, free car insurance quotes are convenient for the clients too, who are in a position to compare and contrast the various quotes from the convenience of the home, without having to drive along, spending gas or waste time and energy to get a comparison for the different car insurance quotes.

Free car insurance quotes online also help get rid of the agents who would try their best to impress and influence a person into falling a prey to one of the car insurance the company offers.



Jesus

Bob Acton asked:


The last and only time that England won the FIFA World Cup was in 1966 and of the obstacles they removed from their path on that journey was Portugal, whom they defeated in the semi finals. With the Brit’s victory over Ecuador and the Portuguese rugged win over the Netherlands, these two will get at it this Saturday.

While a win is a win the play of England was uninspired and it took a free-kick by overrated David Beckham to allow the lads a chance at redemption this Saturday. I say this because most analysts will suggest that Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men in Gelsenkirchen, will need to be a whole lot sharper if they plan on reaching the semi’s!

The midfield of Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole is one of the strongest in the tournament, yet for all their individual talent, is seems that as a unit they are not functioning as strongly as they would hope for.

The performances of the England defence, who kept their third clean sheet in four matches is also reason for optimism. Full-backs Owen Hargreaves and Ashley Cole combined effective runs down the flanks with timely defensive interventions, none more so when Cole blocked a goal-bound effort from Carlos Tenorio in the 11th minute, which ricocheted off the crossbar and out for a corner.

England has gotten by with some very mediocre performances but at the end of the day they don’t give any extra points for style, so they are where they wanted to be. As for Portugal, this is an experienced team that will use every trick in the book to throw a team off their game.

The game ended with the Netherlands and Portugal playing nine aside and the second half was played at a snails pace due to the consistent whistle of the referee.

Although more accustomed to patrolling the middle third of the field, Portugal’s Maniche seems to have taken a liking to more offensive duties. That certainly appears to be his brief at Germany 2006, having now scored in two consecutive games. His cracking first-half strike in Nuremberg was enough to send his team through to the quarter-finals.

The midfielder served notice of his eye for goal against Mexico last Wednesday, and followed that up by stealing into the Netherlands penalty area and firing a powerful right-footed drive past Edwin van der Sar. Incidentally, the goal sealed Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup win.

Bob Acton

Online Sports Betting



Beverly