NEU » Commodores beat the Vols -- 41-18 in

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- The roar of "Tahiti" from 20,000 fans was as inspiring as it was unsettling for a group of footballers who struggle to attract 100 fans to their matches usually. Never before had they played in front of such a big crowd. Never before had they even made it to an international football tournament watched by millions around the world. But this was the tiny island paradise of Tahiti, more accustomed to the isolation of the Pacific Ocean, taking on Nigeria at the Confederations Cup. The record books will show a 6-1 drubbing by Nigeria, the four-time World Cup participants ranked 31 in the FIFA rankings that have Tahiti at 138. But in the Mineirao Stadium, Tahiti not only avoided humiliation by scoring that single goal but provided moments of menace to trouble the African champions. It wasnt even the teams only professional player who scored the Tahiti goal. Jonathan Tehau headed into the net from a corner early in the second half to reduce the teams deficit to 3-1. "Its just huge," Tehau said. "Already, coming here to Brazil, and then scoring the goal, Im very happy for me, for my family, my friends and my teammates." "My first thoughts are for my family and my parents because they give me the opportunity to play football when I was a kid and today I scored," he added. The team then gave its rowing boat "Paddle" celebration its biggest audience yet, with 20,187 in the stadium, and millions watching on television including Tahitis government, which interrupted its weekly cabinet for the game. "Its not easy for us," defender Nicolas Vallar said. "We needed to be supported by all the world and all the supporters in the stadium. "Its very, very exciting to hear Tahiti, Tahiti. Its not usual because in Tahiti we usually play with 100 people and 20,000 today -- thats amazing." Even more amazing is the fact Tahiti landed among the eight teams at the 2014 World Cup warm-up event despite having just one professional player in the squad: striker Marama Vahirua "Weve shown the world theres some real quality in Tahiti," said Vahirua, who is currently at Greek club Panthrakikos. "Just our presence here is a victory and it was fantastic to be adopted by the Brazilian public." The expectations were that Tahiti would be overawed but it managed to claim the first shot on goal after just two minutes, when defender Vincent Simon struck a low effort. But a mix-up in the defence allowed Nigeria to go in front three minutes later. A shot from Uwa Echiejile from 20 yards pinged off Alvin Tehau, and took a final deflection off Nicolas Vallar which wrong-footed goalkeeper Xavier Samin as the ball landed in the net. A misplaced Tahiti pass allowed Nigeria to double its lead in the 10th, with Nnamdi Oduamadi beating two players before scoring. Oduamadi was on target again in the 26th after Samin spilled Ahmed Musas cross. Nigeria appeared to be taking the game too casually, missing a succession of chances. And although there was never any threat of anything but a Nigeria victory, Tahiti showed adventure throughout, managing five shots. The goal came in the 54th minute when Vahirua floated a corner in and Tehau rose above Efe Ambrose and headed in home at back post. "They came out to fight like lions and it was a little bit difficult to up our game when you know you are playing against them," Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said. "You think everything is easy but they showed us they can play football and ... I was worried because we had clear chances, 100 per cent chances and you need to bury the goals." But having avoided conceding again, Nigerias nerves were steadied in the 69th when goal-scorer Tehau turned the ball into his own net from Oduamadis cross. Oduamadi completed his hat trick when he turned in the ball from close range from Brown Ideyes cross and Echiejile slammed in the sixth in the 80th. "The last 15 minutes were really difficult for us physically because weve never experienced such a tough game before," Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said. It will get even tougher. Tahiti has Spain and Uruguay still to play.Mike Shannon .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Matt Wieters .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-alex-reyes-jersey-large-1431q.html . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Tyler ONeill . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Paul DeJong . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off.NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Coach Derek Mason is embracing what a win Saturday night would mean both to his Vanderbilt Commodores and the program hes been building for three seasons.No clich?s about trying to go 1-0, though his Commodores proved Tuesday theyve learned that talking point well from their coach. No, when talking Tuesday about the game in both teams regular season finales, Mason referenced the quote from the late John F. Kennedy about why settle for second when first is available.Were going to make sure for us we go get everything there to get, Mason said. Were not going to leave any meat on the bone. Its time for us to go eat. Its time for us to grow up. Its time for us to put down the little boy toys and pick up the big boy toys, and lets play football and lets try to find ourselves in the midst of doing something great.Masons Commodores have a high enough APR, Academic Progress Report, that they just might head to a bowl with the five wins they already have this season with more bowl slots than six-win teams . Beat in-state rival Tennessee, and academics will take a backseat to what the Commodores do on the football field.This Tennessee-Vanderbilt rivalry has been lopsided for decades with the Volunteers dominating. In the past 10 years, Tennessee is 8-2. Each time the Commodores beat the Vols -- 41-18 in 2012 and 14-10 in 2013 -- they went bowling and finished 9-4 under coach James Franklin.When Franklin went to Penn State, Vanderbilt hired Mason away from Stanford where he was defensive coordinator as a first-time head coach. Vanderbilt still is looking for both its first bowl berth and first vvictory over Tennessee.ddddddddddddIn his third season, the Commodores (5-6, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) are having their best season yet under Mason.Beating Mississippi 38-17 last weekend marked the most points Vanderbilt has scored against an SEC opponent under Mason. That also got the Commodores their fifth win, and their SEC-best APR could have their bowl eligibility secured before kicking off against Tennessee.Mason said winning not only means a sixth win for the Commodores but taking the next step in being relevant in the SEC.And to me right now thats where were moving, Mason s