SYDNEY - Australia qualified for the 2014 World Cup by beating Iraq 1-0 on Tuesday, with Josh Kennedy heading home the winner in the 83rd minute to reward a bold substitution by coach Holger Osieck. Osieck made the surprising decision to take off veteran Tim Cahill and replace him with Kennedy, and the decision paid dividends when Mark Bresciano chipped a cross into the box, where the tall striker took advantage of lax marking to head past Noor Sabri in the Iraq goal. The goal sparked euphoria among the sodden but exultant home crowd of 80,523, curing the heightening anxiety among fans as the minutes ticked by without Australia being able to find a way through Iraqs defence. A draw would have left Australia at the mercy of the outcome of the Jordan-Oman game later in the day, with a likely relegation to third place in the group and a further playoff round. Jordan beat Oman 1-0 to finish third in the group and book its place in the Asian zone playoff against Uzbekistan. Kennedys goal meant Australia qualified directly for its third straight World Cup. "Im proud of everybody," said captain Lucas Neill. "Its been a really tough campaign. Weve stuck at it, showed mental strength. "Sorry, it wasnt pretty. But weve beaten what was in front of us and pushed ourselves on to a very exciting tournament." The Socceroos won just one of their first six games in the final stage of Asian qualifying, putting their Brazil ambitions in jeopardy, but home wins over Jordan and Iraq delivered a place in Brazil for the veteran squad, which includes Bresciano, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Cahill in the twilight of their careers. "The boys did really well in the final stage of the campaign, it was a great effort," said Osieck. "We really grew together as a team, we presented ourselves as a unit, and the reward today was that we could qualify for the World Cup." "It gave me a beautiful feeling and I must admit that Im proud to be part of this. "I know theres going to be a tough year ahead but tonight we have the right and privilege to enjoy our qualification." Australia started the game positively and had the first good scoring chance in the third minute with Cahill stinging the palms of Iraqi keeper Abbas Noors goal from 10 metres, after some clever build up play from winger Robbie Kruse. In the 15th minute Sasa Ognenovski spurned a good chance when he headed over the bar from fellow central defender Neills chipped cross. Cahill too had a good chance when Matt McKays cross from the left floated over the defence to the back post, and Cahills acrobatic effort to hook the ball over his left shoulder went just wide. Iraq, missing several of its best players, managed just one shot in the opening half which failed to test Schwarzer. The former Asian champions qualifying hopes ended last week in a defeat to already-qualified Japan in Doha, and they missed captain and striker Younis Mahmood and veteran midfielder organizer Nashat Akram, who didnt travel to Australia. The visitors started the second half brightly with midfielder Saif Salman forcing Schwarzer to dive to his left to stop his low drive from 25 metres. In the 57th minute, Bresciano shot narrowly over from just outside the box as the hosts looked to up the pressure on the Iraq backline. Australia named an unchanged lineup for the third successive game after an impressive 1-1 draw away to Japan and a 4-0 rout of Jordan in Melbourne last week. On the hour Australia coach Holger Oseick brought on Glasgow Celtics Tom Rogic for Brett Holman and the change almost paid immediate dividends with Rogic bursting into the box, but he miscued his shot. Australia put the ball in the net in the 65th minute, but Kruses volley from outside the box was disallowed by Iranian referee Faghani Alireza who saw a foul by Ognenovski in the lead up. Australia continued to press but couldnt find the breakthrough, prompting Osieck to substitute Cahill for Nagoya Grampus striker Kennedy. Cahill was less than impressed with the decision, storming past the German coach to take his place on the bench, but the substitution proved inspiring. "You have to understand that no player wants to come off but its my prerogative as a coach to substitute players," said Osieck "You can see that after the game he was one of the happiest players, he even sat on my shoulders. But hes a lightweight, if it had been (Sasa) Ognenovski it would have been a different matter." The hosts survived some nervous final minutes as Iraq pressed forward and created opportunities, but some last-ditch defending preserved the famous victory. Iraq coach Vladimir Petrovic paid credit to Australia and was pleased with the efforts of a largely second-string young team. "I want to say well done to Australia for qualifying for the World Cup," he said. "We have young players that proved today that they can do the job. The luck wasnt with us." Air Max 720 Sortie . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Air Max 720 a Vendre . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. http://www.pascherairmax720.fr/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Grossiste Air Max 720 . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Air Max 720 France . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). If youre a Hawthorn fan, the thought of four-in-a-row is now a distant dream. If youre member of the Moir family, you might want to look away now. If youre a Queenslander, youll be cheering this hero who is well on his way to becoming kick-arse legend.That all might seem to be an odd mix of what ifs but they come together with one horse: Buffering. Winning three of anything is a great achievement, but winning the same race four years consecutively? Its rarely done but Buff, as he is affectionately known, is shooting for his fourth win in the Group 1 A.J. Moir Stakes over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley on Friday night.He faces a smart field of eight other sprinters including six-time Group 1 winner Chatauqua. That Melbourne-based racing star will carry the fortunes of punters as a $2.20 favourite, but Brisbane-homed Buffering will be the Western Bulldogs of this event - and only the hardest of characters will begrudge him winning it.Without a doubt it is the underdog status that he carried for so many years, Bufferings trainer Rob Heathcote told ESPN.He has stepped into the ring against the heavyweights of world sprinting: Black Caviar, Hay List, all world-class sprinters. He got knocked out a few times but he kept getting up. Testimony to that, he had 18 goes at winning a Group 1 and at his 19th try he managed to win Manikato Stakes in 2013.I think that never say die attitude is what endears him to the public and, unbelievably, hes won seven Group 1s in his past 14 runs. Its quite extraordinary. I also think that it is because hes the last link to that Black Caviar era.In 53 starts, Buffering has won 20 and placed on 17 other occasions. At nine-years-of-age, hes hardly showing any signs of slowing. Of his seven Group 1 victories, the most significant came not in Australia but in Dubai in the Al Quoz Sprint over 1200m -- against top international opposition -- last March.He beat most of the best sprinters in the world that day. Admittedly Chatauqua wasnt there but I hazard a guess to say that with Chatauquas last-to-first racing pattern that he still may not have beaten Buffering in that race. It was an on-speed dominated race.Seemingly, pride in being a Queenslander far outstretches the sentiment that any other Australians appear to outwardly feel about their state of origin. Like Wally Lewis in rugby league and others, Queenslanders are outwardly proud of Buffering. A Facebook video of his journey from Brisbane to Melbourne under darkness for this Moir assignment achieved thousands of views within hours and well wishes aplenty.Hes represented Queensland so well on the national and international stage for seven years, Tasmanian-born Heathcote said. I think the biggest legacy that Buffering will leave wont be just his ability and toughness, it will be his longevity. Hes competed against the best for such a long period of time,Heathcote trains out of the Brisbane racing hub at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Many horse trainers have often worked their way towards their vocation after gaining experience at stable after stable, but his story is certainly different. Prior to 1997, his business card didnt read Rob Heathcote, Group 1-winning horse trainer; it was Rob Heathcote, Contiki Tour guide.If you told me at the time what was going to happen, Id have had you committed, Heathcote told ESPN.The change just happened with circumstances presenting themselves.I traveled the world for 15 years but spent the last year in Englandd working with my brother, who was a passionate racing man.ddddddddddddHe had horses stabled with a number of trainers in Australia, but when I relocated with my wife back home I became his racing manager and then six months later his private trainer. We tossed a coin where to live -- it could have been Auckland -- but we chose Brisbane because of the weather.I said to him give me a go, Ill have a go at anything. I was fortunate to have him as a benefactor because I defy any young trainer to start off from scratch nowadays without some heavy financial support. I was lucky and Ive been fortunate to have had some bloody good horses. Buffering is just one of those that every trainer dreams of.Despite having trained other steeds to wins at the highest level, Buffering appears to be the most special. If you see a car driving around Brisbane with the number plate G1 BUFF, Rob Heathcote will be behind the wheel.For Friday nights race, Buffering has drawn barrier number six and is at $6 with UBET. Heathcote believes the conditions will suit his charge.Were not kidding ourselves, this is one of the toughest editions of the Moir weve seen for the last few years, Heathcote said.Chatauqua is clearly the number one sprinter in the world, Extreme Choice is coming off a brilliant Blue Diamond [Stakes] win; theyre quality horses. Lucky Hussler with Darren Weir training, too. Gee, Buffering though, the signs hes shown us at home have been as enthusiastic as weve seen from him in the last couple of years.Despite finishing last in a field of 14 in a Group 1 contest in Hong Kong in May (sensationally won by Chatauqua), Heathcote still maintains a very strong faith.He got gassed, Heathcote said of the Hong Kong race. It was run at a suicide pace. It was an insane speed and the run did affect him.We know the horse is good enough when hes at his best. That win in Dubai was only two runs ago. That race in Hong Kong was run at a breakneck speed. For now, though, he looks great, hes got a real sparkle in his eye, a gleam in his coat.Hes got a bit of kick-arse attitude which, for him, is a wonderful telltale sign for us, and he passed that [impression] onto Damien Browne [(jockey] when he rode him in his last two trials.The winners share of the Moir Stakes $Aus500,000 prize is a very attractive carrot. But the Heathcote stable, particularly Bufferings handler, Mel Sharpe, have another goal in sight.The race has been so good to us and if Buffering was to win it for a fourth time, Id be so proud. Id be more than happy for the race name to stay the same; but if the Moonee Valley Racing Club decided to rename it the Buffering Stakes, I can see the merits behind it. If they didnt Ill still be very proud of him.There is a precedent.The grand campaigner Zipping won the Sandown Classic on four occasions, from 2007-2010, and the Melbourne Racing Club has since re-named the race in his honour. Manikato won the William Reid Stakes five times (1979-1983) and the MVRC re-named another race, the Freeway Stakes, to the Manikato Stakes, which now features as a part of the Cox Plate Carnival.There are so many other important questions that could be asked about this weekends racing, but one could overrule in so many curious minds.Is it true what they say happens on Contiki tours?Yes. Its a tough job and someones gotta do it. ' ' '