NEWS » mentioned Westbrooks off-the-court accomplishments as a reason h

No one in the Socceroos camp is playing down the threat of Iraq in Thursday nights World Cup qualifier.Not when the prize is so great, and the margin for error so fine.The Socceroos are assembling in Perth before Thursday nights clash, which begins the final group stage on the long road to Russia.Alex Gersbach will complete the 23-man squad when he arrives on Tuesday night, with fellow left-back Brad Smith predicting a very difficult challenge.Once hes in well do team meetings and video sessions on what we need to work on and how we can take them down to get the win, he said.The first game is very important to get under way and get a good result.Itll be one of the tougher games in the group so we need to make sure were ready.Iraq were Asian Cup semi-finalists in 2015, the tournament won by the Socceroos on home soil.In the visiting squad is former A-League player Ali Abbas, as well as another familiar face to two Socceroos.Yaser Karim, a dangerous attacking midfielder, is a former teammate of Smith and Massimo Luongo at English club Swindon Town.Bizarrely, Iraq are the more settled nation in Western Australia.The bulk of the Lions side arrived well before the almost solely overseas-based Socceroos and drew a behind-closed-doors friendly with Perth Glory 2-2 last week.Luongo enjoyed just a few hours sleep after arriving in Perth early on Tuesday morning.He said his club manager - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Queens Park Rangers - quietly suggested staying in London might be easier.I dont think many club managers like the idea of international duty. He does give a few little hints that he wants me to stay, he said.Its a big thing for me.All my focus is on the Australian team and getting over what jet lag I have.Smith, who will win a 10th cap if he plays on Thursday, said finding the motivation for intercontinental travel was easy when the lure was playing in a World Cup.Thatd be the best thing, the best thing in my career, he said.Its what you dream of as a boy ... we have a very good squad and we can do it.Two sides from the six-team qualifying group - containing Australia, Japan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand - are guaranteed a place in Russia. Otis Sistrunk Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. 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With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. OKLAHOMA CITY -- For decades, basketball players have dreamed of being like Mike.Thunder guard Russell Westbrook really is like Mike.So says Mike himself.Basketball great Michael Jordan inducted Westbrook into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Thursday night and heaped high praise on Westbrook, one of the most visible and accomplished Jordan Brand athletes.I am truly a fan of his, said Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP. When I watch him play, I see a lot of resemblance of his passion for the game of basketball, the way I played the game of basketball.Westbrook is a two-time All-Star MVP and was the 2014-15 scoring champion. Last season, he posted 18 triple-doubles. This season, he has three triple-doubles and is averaging a Jordan-esque 31.8 points per game.Even with all that, Westbrook declined when asked to compare himself to Jordan, instead focusing on how fortunate he feels to have built a relationship with him.Michaels obviously the best that ever played the game, Westbrook said. Hes done so many things for the game of basketball, so many ways and broken so many barriers for guys like myself to be able to go out and compete at a high level, so it means a lot in that aspect. Off the court, hes carried a great brand. Its something I eventually want to do when Im done.Jordan commended Westbrook for re-signing with the Thunder after Kevin Durant left and signed with the Golden State Warriors.Im not here to try to bash aanyone thats not here, Jordan said, drawing laughter from the crowd at the Cox Convention Center.ddddddddddddEverybody has a choice. Im not saying you dont have a choice. Everybody has a choice, and when I saw that he chose to stay here in Oklahoma, I was so proud.Westbrook appreciated the fact that Jordan, the current Charlotte Hornets owner, answered Thunder owner Clay Bennetts call to attend.M.J.s one of those guys -- obviously, Im a part of his brand, and hes a guy that respects you and the things that you do, Westbrook said. He took time out of his day to come all the way to Oklahoma City to do this for me is an amazing honor. Im happy to have him here.In 2015, Westbrook won the NBAs Community Assist Award for his philanthropic efforts. He has opened several reading rooms, providing books for kids in low-income areas. Westbrook served at his WhyNot Foundations annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday. Jordan specifically mentioned Westbrooks off-the-court accomplishments as a reason he was proud to be the presenter.It was a memorable night for Westbrook, whose teammates all dressed up and attended the banquet.Its an unbelievable honor to go in, he said. Its definitely a blessing. Its something that you wont forget.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP . Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '