Cup star Thomas Pieters is five shots off the pace after a

SALVADOR, Brazil -- Italy was left battered and bruised after losing two starters to injury in a 4-2 loss to Brazil at the Confederations Cup. And the Azzurri have just five days to recuperate before probably facing World Cup holder Spain in the semifinals. Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo exited in the 26th minute Saturday due to dizziness after a knock to the head and fullback Ignazio Abate walked off gingerly two minutes later with an injury to his right shoulder following a collision with Brazil standout Neymar, ending his tournament. "Abate has a serious problem with his shoulder. His Confederations Cup is finished," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "We can only wish him the best of luck to heal quickly and eventually come back. "Riccardo was hit with the ball in the first minute and was a bit nauseous so we had to take him off but he seems OK now," Prandelli added. However, team physician Enrico Castellacci said that Montolivo would undergo a scan at a local hospital. Italy was already without midfield star Andrea Pirlo, who sat out the game with a strained right leg muscle. Making matters worse, the Italians have struggled with the heat and humidity in their last two matches and now travel to the tournaments hottest venue of Fortaleza. "Were hoping Andrea comes back and that the rest of the squad can recuperate over these four-five days so we can play a good match," Prandelli said. Italy finished second to Brazil in Group A and will next face the winner of Group B. Spain leads Group B with a full six points ahead of its final group game against Nigeria on Sunday. Uruguay and Nigeria are next with three points each, with Uruguay facing Tahiti -- which has zero points -- in the other group game Sunday. Italy last faced Spain in the final of last years European Championship, when the Azzurri were beaten 4-0. Prandelli and his players cited fatigue as the cause of that result, having opened that tournament by drawing 1-1 with Spain. A bit of positive news for Italy was that Stephan El Shaarawy has recovered from a bruised foot. The AC Milan forward came on for the final 18 minutes against Brazil. Also, midfielder Daniele De Rossi will be back from suspension, having missed the Brazil match after picking up two yellow cards. Italy also let in four goals in their previous match, but Prandelli was not concerned with his defence. "Brazils fourth goal came when we were pressing forward attempting to equalize, so thats nothing to worry about," he said. "I was very encouraged by how we played and reacted in the second half." Italys two goals Saturday came from Emanuele Giaccherini, who came on for Montolivo, and from centre back Giorgio Chiellini. Giaccherini set up Mario Balotellis winner in Italys opener against Mexico and forced an own goal in the win over Japan. Balotelli returned the favour this time with an acrobatic setup for Giaccherinis second goal in 12 appearances with the national team As for Chiellini, it was his third goal in 60 appearances. Sale Custom College Jerseys . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Custom College Jerseys China . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. http://www.customjerseyscollege.com/ . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Custom College Jerseys Store . JOHNS, N. Clearance Custom College Jerseys . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Englands Ross Fisher has already set his sights on helping Europe regain the Ryder Cup after being a frustrated spectator for last weeks defeat at Hazeltine.Fisher, who carded a second round of 68 to claim a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Friday, was part of the winning team at Celtic Manor in 2010, but failed to qualify for any of the last three biennial contests.The juices were definitely flowing, Fisher told Sky Sports. I watched quite a bit Friday, a fair amount Saturday and then watched it until unfortunately the Americans won the cup on Sunday. That was a bit upsetting and I was a bit cheesed off so I went to bed.It was probably a good thing that they won it. For us to win four in a row it would have been a bit of sour grapes and they would have said we dont really think that much about the Ryder Cup and value the Presidents Cup more.Im sure all the Europeans will be fighting to make the team for Paris National in 2018, including myself. I would love to be there. Having experienced one they always say you never want to miss it.Ive missed a few and Ive always been really gutted but the form is feeling good and I just have to keep it going through the Ryder Cup [qualification] period and hopefully Ill be on the team with some great guys and we can win the trophy back.Fisher, who lost a playoff to Alexander Levy in the Porsche European Open a fortnight ago, carded seven birdiees and three bogeys on the Old Course at St Andrews, one of the three venues used for the pro-am event.ddddddddddddt 11 under par he enjoyed a one-shot lead over Swedens Joakim Lagergren, whose 68 came at Kingsbarns, where first-round leader Alex Noren shot a 71 to finish nine under.Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters is five shots off the pace after a 68 at Kingsbarns, but was left to regret a double bogey on the 17th after six birdies in the previous 16 holes.Just a shame to finish with a double but I was going along nicely and making a few putts, said Pieters, who claimed a record four points from five matches on his debut at Hazeltine. That three-putt on 17 hurt but I am looking forward to playing St Andrews tomorrow.I didnt play a practice round on it because I was too tired, but I know the course. Ive been here two or three times, so really looking forward to playing the Old Course.European teammate Martin Kaymer was a shot behind Pieters after his own 68 at Kingsbarns, but Lee Westwood -- who failed to win a point from three matches at Hazeltine -- was propping up the leaderboard on 13 over par after slumping to an 82 at the same venue.Masters champion Danny Willett and compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick face a battle to make the 54-hole cut after rounds of 73 left them two and six over par respectively. ' ' '