Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Frederik Gauthier scored the eventual

ALGIERS, Algeria -- The Muslim players in World Cup teams that have qualified for the second round in Brazil face a thorny question on Sunday when much of the Islamic world will start observing the holy month of Ramadan with a dawn to dusk fast. The question is trickiest for the Algerian team, which faces a formidable German side on Monday. There are also Muslims on the Nigerian and French teams and those players also will have to weigh their religious convictions against the possible effects of fasting on their performance. "We need to discuss it among ourselves," Algerian player Djamel Mesbah said. "Its clear that our religion is very important for the team, so we will talk about it and see how to go forward." Athletes in the Olympics in 2012 faced the same hurdle, with many teams allowing their players to eat during Ramadan so as not to impair their performance and make up for it at another time or make donations to charity. While fasting during daytime over the 30 days of Ramadan, including abstaining from drinking liquids, is mandatory for all able bodied Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam, there are exemptions, including for the sick, pregnant, infirm or elderly. Those travelling or going to war are also excluded and it is under this provision that most athletes will likely delay the fast until a more suitable time. Algerian team captain Madjid Bouguerra pointed out in interviews with the Algerian press that it is a challenge Muslim players in European clubs have long faced and when he was with the Glasgow Rangers, he fasted but made sure he kept his performance up. "The hardest thing is staying hydrated, but its ok, the weathers good here," he said. "Some players will postpone their fast for another time, but depending on my physical condition, I think I will do it." Bacary Sagna, a Muslim player in the French squad, said that many of the players who do it are used to it from their time in the European leagues and able to function. "As a Muslim I know that there are certain rules that allow us to avoid it," he told The Associated Press in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. "Personally Im not going to do it, everyones free to do as they will and I totally respect those that will do it." From a religious standpoint, however, it becomes a bit more complex. Islam lacks a central hierarchy like the Catholic church and any imam can issue an opinion that is then obeyed depending on how much respect they command. Even in Algeria, which is bathing in the euphoria of qualifying for the second round of the World Cup for the first time in its history, there have been a range of opinions from religious scholars, with some coming out quite strongly against fasting exemptions. "It is not allowed for an Algerian player to avoiding fasting just for a game -- they must fast because God is with those who fast and young people can fast and play at the same time," said Mohammed Mekerkab, the head of Algerias association of religious scholars. He also dismissed the exemption for travel claimed by most athletes since the provision was only for voyages undertaken in the search for knowledge, health reasons or fighting jihad. Algerias government-appointed High Islamic Council, however, has come down in favour of those wanting to delay their fast. Sheikh Mohammed Sherif Kaher, the head of the councils commission for religious opinions said "those playing can abstain from fasting." Dr. Hakim Chalabi, a specialist in sports and fasting who accompanied the team to Brazil, admitted in an interview that it is a delicate question because of the need for hydration and the increased risk of injuries. He noted, though, that fasting wasnt always a total hindrance to players. "We are often asked to urge players not to fast, but oddly, in some cases, there are athletes that get better results during Ramadan because they are fasting and want to," he said. "It can be a spiritual and psychological aid." Victor Oladipo Jersey . Canada wasnt in the game from the outset. Head coach Dan Church left Calgary in the morning without addressing the players. He told The Canadian Press he felt the organization lacked confidence in his ability to defend the Olympic gold medal in February. Alize Johnson Jersey . Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season. http://www.cheappacersjerseyssale.com/kids-reggie-miller-pacers-jersey/ . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish. T. J. Leaf Jersey . Locke overcame a shaky start to pitch seven innings and Josh Harrison had three hits to extend his hot streak as the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Wednesday night. Indiana Pacers Jerseys . - Tiger Woods only made it through 10 holes Thursday — this time because of the weather, not his back.HALIFAX - Nikolaj Ehlers did not disappoint in his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game in over a month.Ehlers had a four-point night — including a hat trick — as the Halifax Mooseheads doubled the Gatineau Olympiques 6-3 on Friday night.The Winnipeg Jets prospect has been away playing for Denmark internationally, most recently at the world junior hockey championship.Danny Moynihan scored twice for the Mooseheads (20-18-3) while Philippe Gadoury rounded out the attack. Eric Brassard made 21 saves in goal.Louick Marcotte and Valentin Zykov found the back of the net for Gatineau (15-24-4). Nicolas Lachance turned away 23 shots as the team lost their eighth straight.Halifax scored twice on five power-play chances while the Olympiques went 0 for 3.---ARMADA 4 ISLANDERS 3 (SO)CHARLOTTETOWN — Philippe Sanche scored the only goal in the shootout as Blainville-Boisbriand edged the Islanders.Marc-Antoine Bouillon opened the scoring on the power play for the No. 9 nationally-ranked Armada (24-11-5). Nikita Jevpalovs added his 30th of the season while Samuel Tremblay tied the game midway through the third period. Blainville-Boisbriand has now won five straight.Alexandre Goulet struck twice for Charlottetown (20-19-3) with Ross Johnston adding the other.---SCREAMING EAGLES 8 TITAN 1BATHURST, N.B. — Kyle Farrell had a pair of goals and added two assists as Cape Breton routed the Titan.Stephen Anderson and Marcus Hinds also scored twice for the Screaming Eagles (15-21-5). Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jacob Smith also chipped in.Andrew Ryan had the lone goal in the first period for Acadie-Bathurst (13-26-5).---PHOENIX 7 REMPARTS 4QUEBEC CITY, Que. — David Storto scored twice and added an assist as Sherbrooke got past the Remparts.Raphael Lafoontaine, Cameron Darcy, Nicolas Poulin, Daniel Audette and Jeremy Roy also found the back of the net for the Phoenix (22-15-4).ddddddddddddAdam Erne scored twice in the second period for Quebec (25-15-2). The two teams combined for seven goals in the period. Marc-Olivier Roy and Vladimir Tkachev also had goals for the Remparts, who have now lost three straight.---TIGRES 9 DRAKKAR 4VICTORIAVILLE, Que. — Charles-Eric Legare had a hat trick and added an assist as the Tigres dominated Baie-Comeau.Gabriel Gagne scored twice for Victoriaville (21-16-5) with Joey Sansoni, Nikita Li, Samuel Blais and Carl Marois supplying the rest of the offence. Angelo Miceli had four assists while Mathieu Ayotte added three.Luca Ciampini struck twice for the Drakkar (22-12-7). Nicolas Meloche and Simon Chevrier also chipped in.---HUSKIES 5 SAGUENEENS 2ROUYN-NORANDA, Que. — Mathieu Lemay scored his 33rd of season and added three assists as Rouyn-Noranda defeated Chicoutimi.Jeremy Lauzon, Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Julien Pelletier opened the scoring for the Huskies (21-18-3) to give them a 3-0 lead in the first period. Allan Caron added the other late in the second.Laurent Dauphin and Timothe Simard replied for the Sagueneens (17-18-3), who have now lost three-straight games.---OCEANIC 4 FOREURS 2VAL-DOR, Que. — Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Frederik Gauthier scored the eventual winner 47 seconds into the third period as Rimouski doubled the Foreurs.Simon Bourque, Samuel Laberge and Deven St-Hilaire rounded out the Oceanic (27-12-3) attack. The No. 5 nationally-ranked team has now won three straight.Nicolas Aube-Kubel started the scoring on the power play with Anthony Richard chipping in late in the third period for Val-dOr (18-18-6). 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