RECIFE, Brazil -- On a hot and humid tropical evening, Italy sweated out a 4-3 victory over Japan. And by their own account, the Azzurri were fortunate to come out on top. Italy rallied from a two-goal deficit Wednesday to overcome a passionate Japan squad coached by one of their countryman and reach the Confederations Cup semifinals. First-half substitute Sebastian Giovinco scored the winner in the 86th minute of a wild match at the Arena Pernambuco, pounding home a cross from Claudio Marchisio. After a dismal start for the Azzurri that saw Japan score twice in the opening 33 minutes, Daniele De Rossi pulled one back with a header in the 41st, Japan defender Atsuto Uchida scored an own-goal in the 50th and Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 52nd to give Italy a 3-2 lead. Japan had taken the lead with a penalty from Keisuke Honda in the 21st. Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa made it 2-0 in the 33rd after a defensive error. Shinji Okazaki later made it 3-3 in the 69th. In all, Japan produced 17 shots, 11 of them on goal and three off the wdwork. "That shows how fortunate we were tonight," Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon said. "We won a match we probably shouldnt have won." Italy put seven of its 12 shots on goal. "They had fewer opportunities but they were better at scoring," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. "The difference in international experience was clear." The offensive outburst was surprising considering the stifling conditions. On an evening with intermittent rain, the temperature hovered at 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) but it felt much warmer with the humidity ranging from 75 to 100 per cent. "The climate was incredible," De Rossi said. "This was one of the toughest matches of my career." Italy moved level with Brazil at the top of Group A with six points each. Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 earlier Sunday and has now also advanced courtesy of Italys win. In the final round of group matches, Italy will face host Brazil in Salvador on Saturday and Japan meets Mexico in Belo Horizonte. Buffon suggested that Italy play some reserves against Brazil. "We usually go down to the 90th minute of the third match," he said. "This is one of the few times we have this advantage and we should take advantage of it." Compared to 2009, when Italy was eliminated in the first round of the Confederations Cup in South Africa, this tournament is already a success. "Tonight we really, really struggled," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "We need to deal with the climate, its really difficult. ... But I liked the way we suffered. We could have felt satisfied with ourselves but instead we wanted the win." Making things more difficult for Italy was that most of the fans inside the stadium, which was about three-quarters full with mainly Brazilians, were supporting Japan. For the first half hour, Italy struggled with defensive errors while Japan controlled the majority of the play. "We fell behind 2-0 because we didnt understand what we should have done," Prandelli said. "We didnt have any energy." Zaccheroni, an Italian who tk over as coach of Japan three years ago, seemed to know just how to contain Italy. "They ran three times as much as we did," Italy defender Andrea Barzagli said. First, Mattia De Sciglio made a pr backpass to set up Hondas penalty. The pass forced Buffon to tackle Okazaki inside the area. Buffon protested vehemently that it was a clean tackle but Argentine referee Diego Abal thought otherwise and pointed to the penalty spot and showed Buffon a yellow card. Italy also struggled with penalties in its last two matches, allowing Mexico an equalizer in its tournament opener and a late penalty in its 2-2 draw against Haiti in a warm-up game last week. Next, Giorgio Chiellini mistimed a clearing attempt on a bouncing ball inside the area and Kagawa tk advantage by firing in an acrobatic strike. The 24-year-old Kagawa is quickly becoming Japans most talented player. In March, he became the first Asian to score a hat trick in the English Premier League when he led United to a 4-0 win over Norwich. Italy didnt really threaten at all until De Rossi scored by meeting a corner from Andrea Pirlo with a textbk header. However, De Rossi will miss Italys next match after picking up his second yellow card in two games. The goal energized Italy and Emanuele Giaccherini nearly levelled the score when his shot hit the post in first-half injury time. The own-goal that made it 2-2 came when Giaccherini attempted to pass to a wide open Balotelli and Uchida intercepted and knocked it into his own net. Italy went ahead 3-2 from Balotellis penalty following a hand ball by Japan captain Makoto Hasebe. Using his usual stutter-step technique, Balotelli easily fled the Japan goalkeeper and improved to 18 for 18 on penalty kicks in his career, both with clubs and Italy. Okazaki then shocked the Italians when he beat Riccardo Montolivo to a header to make it 3-3. Even after Giovincos goal, Japan refused to give up and got the ball in the net in the 89th only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.Larry Fitzgerald Jersey Cheap . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Brandon Williams Color Rush Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. http://www.arizonacardinalsshoponline.com/ . The 18th player to sht 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-ft birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. Josh Rosen Cardinals Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Kurt Warner White Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day.Lords, 1982. Pakistans target to win the Test is a simple 76. Pakistan dont do simple. They do complex and unfathomable. Its the final session of the Test and rain clouds rush towards St Johns Wd. Pakistan last won a Test in England 28 years earlier - Fazal Mahmds match at The Oval. This win can shape history, be a catalyst for Imran Khans new age. A win at Lords, to follow humiliation in 1978 - and if there is one thing Imran cant stomach, its humiliation. His every cell has pride stamped on it. This win will be a manifesto for pride-branded cricket. Yet the rain clouds are gathering and only 15 overs remain.Pakistans opener Mudassar Nazar holds the record for the slowest Test hundred. He doesnt appear, left in the pavilion to be satisfied with his surprise six wickets in the second innings. Imran places history in the hands of Mohsin Khan, to follow his dashing double-hundred in the first innings, and Javed Miandad. The rain clouds are in a rush, but Miandad and Mohsin are more urgent, scampering singles and thrashing boundaries. Pakistan win by ten wickets. Javed kisses the turf and runs for the pavilion. We are in the time of pitch invasions, and where better to sprint in triumph than at Lords? Imran smiles for his statement victory.England are back at full strength at Headingley to narrowly take the series. But nothing takes the edge off that first win at Lords. Nothing. Lords is the home of cricket and the ground to make history for Englands opponents. Pakistan will never lk back.****A decade later, another chase at Lords. It is important. Pakistan are the ODI world champions. Winners over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March, an iconic final in the history of one-day cricket. Wasim Akrams final, where he scores quick runs and conjures incredible wickets, blowing a hole in Englands soul. In these undifferentiated days, the status of world champions in one-day cricket somehow implies superiority in Test cricket t. Pakistan feel the pressure of tackling their vanquished rivals so sn, of defending their world standing. In any case, this is England. And this is the home of cricket. Thats pressure enough. Pakistans captain, Miandad, knows all this and he has his pride t. The pride of Karachi, of never taking a backward step.Pakistan hunt a second series win in England, after winning their first in 1987. An unlikely alliance of Headingley and Saleem Malik, backed up by Imrans ten wickets, delivered that series. But Imran is now gone, a victim of age and a feud about the World Cup spoils. Miandad is captain on the team sheet rather than by proxy. Its the fourth day and Pakistan require a simple 138 to win. Nothing is simple in Pakistan cricket. They find themselves at 95 for 8, with Wasim and Waqar Younis at the crease. The two Ws believe theyd won the match once, sharing 13 wickets as we fall in love with reverse swing - and England possess the might of Gch, Stewart, Hick, Smith, Lamb and Botham. Now the two Ws must win the game again, with the bat this time. Loves labours lost. This match decides nothing except first bld in the series. But every match for a former colony at Lords is a judgement, on how we are and how far weve come. And weve come down to this, 43 required with two wickets in hand. Only Aaqib Javed to come. At the ground, people are frozen rigid in their seats. At home, people are sucked into their televisions. The fate of the world hangs on this, at least it seems to. Pakistan dont lose another wicket. Pakistan dont lose. Wasim crashes a lavish four to the cover boundary, grabs a stump and sprints for the pavilion. Hes met halfway by team-mates, and ecstatic fans, carried aloft like the King of Lords.England play a perfect game at Headingley, but Pakistan decide the series at The Oval. Pakistan almost win by an innings and no Pakistani scores more than 59. Fifteen wickets to the lords of reverse swing. Pakistan arent just world one-day champions. They are more than that - and Lords plays its part.****By 1996, England are no longer feared. It is Pakistan who are feared, with their world-class opening bowlers and mystery spinners. They can bat t. This is the most complete Test team Pakistan cricket have ever known. Nothing is simple, for sure. They are successful but not quite as successful as they might be. And there are reasons, some that only emerge later, for why the chaos keeps boiling over, why the genie loves to escape the lamp.The fiirst Test is at Lords and Pakistan dominate.dddddddddddd Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar are formidable in a team at its peak. Nothing is simple, though, for Pakistan cricket. They dominate at Lords but the result is in doubt. England are holding on, rather t easily, at 168 for 1 on the final day chasing 408, with Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart at the crease. The game is a draw, a nailed-on draw.And then it happens, the deep magic fills the ground. Waqar charges down the slope, Mushtaq Ahmed skips and twirls his variations. Extreme pace from one end, swinging in at the stumps, a legspinner casting his spell at the other, the battle rhythm of Pakistan cricket is scattering Englands senses. With each wicket, Waqar charges in faster, bowls it quicker, swinging it more and later. Each war cry from him is louder and more victorious. The stumps are his. England are gone for 243 and Pakistan win again at Lords, this time by 164 runs.The Oval seals the series. A fine win by nine wickets. This Pakistan is t strong for this England. And Lords played its part, settling the md, making it three wins out of four for the men of Pakistan.****Two decades later, the world is changed. The revolution a distant memory. The heroes gone; 2001, 2006 and 2010, the intervening England tours, produce no wins at Lords, and only a decline in standards. The year 2001 is the twilight of the idols, a drawn series through luck and the weight of history. Then 2006 brings a team that can bat in parts but betrays its bowling traditions. It also brings the rule of Inzamam, with the assistance of the Bob. It brings The Oval and Darrell Hair and the forfeit. But 2010 is worse. A batting side of horrible inexperience, a camp of distinct immaturity, and the scandal of no-balls. Cricket is finished in Pakistan, perhaps Pakistan cricket is finished? Yet this is Pakistan, and nothing is simple or easily fathomable. Pakistan is not weak. This Pakistan team is strong, save for its openers. The strongest, hungriest Pakistan team to visit England since 1996. The most complete Pakistan team to visit England except that team of 1996. How they did it is written in these pages. The will of Misbah-ul-Haq and the grit and guile of Younis Khan. The discovery of Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, two of Pakistans most accomplished players in their respective positions. The pace of Wahab Riaz, that wild, raging power that summons the magic of reverse swing. The revelation of Yasir Shah, a legspinner in the tradition of Abdul Qadir and Mushtaq, perhaps better than both, and in tandem with the pace bowlers beating the battle rhythm of Pakistan cricket to scatter Englands senses. And then at Lords, the resurrection of Mohammad Amir, the bearer of the flame, the next great Pakistan fast bowler.Nothing is simple in Pakistan cricket. This isnt the wild, electric, ill-disciplined Pakistan of yore. This is a new Pakistan, a second revolution. This is a revolution of patience and discipline, of dot balls and bt camps. A Pakistan that stokes wildfire and electricity but confines them within a calm embrace.This is Pakistans fourth Test win at Lords. Each win is the stuff of legend, but that is the nature of Lords. It would be t simple to say each win matters as much as the others. Nothing is so simple in Pakistan cricket. Up until now, Imrans 1982 victory was the greatest, but it was coming, Pakistan were a team whose moment was about to arrive. In 2016, 34 years later, Pakistan cricket has given us unparalleled highs and bottomless lows. No series victory in England for 20 years. So many bad times that the gd times were almost forgotten and unimaginable. A Pakistan team has never approached a Lords Test under such scrutiny, this unsure of its worth outside Asia, and against an opponent flying so high. What to expect was hard to fathom. Yet Pakistan mastered the pressure. They mastered the circumstances. They delivered the greatest Lords win, but they didnt sprint off the pitch. They paused in front of the pavilion for a salute and press-ups to pay respect to their country and their countrymen.This is a second revolution in Pakistan cricket. A revolution of pace and fire. A revolution of mesmeric spin and dedicated batting. A revolution of deep magic and battle rhythms. Above all, this is a revolution of respect. ' ' '