ore Neymar whacked it in. "It was a very quick moment where Fred was able to control the ball and I was very lucky to get a fantastic kick and score a

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Only three minutes into the match, Neymar got the job done. The Brazil striker scored early to help Brazil beat Japan 3-0 in the opening match of the Confederations Cup on Saturday, knocking in a firm shot from outside the penalty area. Neymar connected with the ball after Fred controlled a long cross from Marcelo with his chest. The ball bounced only once before Neymar whacked it in. "It was a very quick moment where Fred was able to control the ball and I was very lucky to get a fantastic kick and score a goal," said Neymar, who went off in the 74th minute with what appears to be a minor injury. "Everythings OK," Neymar said. "Not to worry." For the two minutes following the goal, most of the 67,432 fans at the National Stadium chanted Neymars name, reveling in the knowledge that their poster boy is already starting to deliver for the national team with one year to go before the World Cup. Paulinho added the second goal for Brazil in the 48th, deftly controlling a cross from Dani Alves before turning inside and shooting. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima got his hands to the ball, but it was too powerful for him to stop. Jo got the third, latching onto a through ball from Oscar and sliding it past Kawashima in injury time. The win puts Brazil at the top of Group A with three points. Italy and Mexico will play in the other group match on Sunday. "The reason we were not able to do what we normally do on the pitch is because we went one goal down in the third minute of the first half," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. "This probably shocked us." Neymar entered Saturdays match facing a minor wave of criticism. He has become something of an idol in Brazil, but a nine-match scoreless streak had heaped pressure on the 21-year-old striker heading into the Confederations Cup. The fickle Brazilian fans, who had taken to booing their team in recent weeks, were firmly behind the "Selecao" and its star this time, however. "We are building an environment that is even better than then one we had 15 days ago," said Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led his national team to the 2002 World Cup title. "I believe this is something everybody wants for us to reach the final, and win it." With his hair long on top and short on the sides, Neymar has already started to transcend the game in Brazil, like David Beckham nearly everywhere else. His picture is plastered around the country in underwear and phone ads, to name a few. He has also appeared on Brazilian TV, appearing as himself in one of the countrys biggest soap operas. Thats just off the field. On it, Neymar has earned himself a massive transfer from local club Santos to Barcelona, where he will be teammates with Lionel Messi next season. The match against Japan was likely something Neymar was looking forward to. The Japanese have never beaten Brazil in 10 games, earning only two draws -- both at the Confederations Cup, first in 2001 and then again in 2005. The last time they played, in a friendly in Poland in October, Neymar scored two goals. This time, he was named "Man of the Match." Japan had its chances in the match, with Keisuke Honda getting some in the first half and Ryoichi Maeda had a couple in the second. But Zaccheroni again said Brazil was a superior team to his, and wondered if it was the long flight to Brazil or Neymars quick strike that beat his team. "Either the early goal we conceded made the team too worried or maybe the physical fitness was not enough," the Italian said. Not everything was perfect for Neymar on Saturday, however. In the 15th minute, Neymar was stuck on the sidelines fiddling with the socks on his right foot. He came back on the field about two minutes later -- after the fans took a moment to boo referee Pedro Proenca for not letting their star back on more quickly. Midway through the second half, he was briefly knocked down. When he got back up, the fans started chanting his name once again. And then, about six minutes later, Neymar was taken off and replaced by Lucas. The decision halted the Neymar chants, but not the cheers for Brazil from the yellow-clad faithful. "He had a good game," Scolari said, "and he only left because he had an injury."Jonah Williams Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Andy-Dalton-Jersey/ . 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PETERSBURG, Fla.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Draymond Green is speaking up for all the backups and role players of the NBA world.While Green insists he has more than enough money -- and if he fails to use it wisely over his lifetime thats his own fault -- he is determined to dish out another key assist in a long list of them already this season for Golden State: The Warriors player representative vows to do his part in helping the lower-level guys of the league earn a little more.I was one of those guys nobody would stand up for, he said.A day after the sides reached an agreement in principle on a new labor deal, Green offered the idea of a restructuring that would feature fewer players at the minimum salary level. The average salary is expected to hit $8.5 million next season and rise to $10 million by 2020-21, while minimums across the board will increase by 45 percent starting next season.Its not about where my status is at as an All-Star. Youll be taken care of. As a superstar in this league, youll be taken care of. So its not more so about us, its more so about the guys who arent on that level, Green said after Thursday mornings shootaround ahead of a home game with the Knicks. When I look at my career, I didnt expect to be at this level Im at now. I kind of identify more with those guys that have not made it to the level Ive been fortunate enough to make it to. So when I think of contract negotiations in the CBA, I think of them and how can we help them. How can we help the guys that arent making as much make more?Green made it out of Saginaw, Michigan, to attend Michiigan State then got drafted 35th overall in the second round of the 2012 draft by the Warriors.dddddddddddd. An All-Star and Olympic gold medalist this past summer in Rio de Janeiro, he has accomplished far more than even he expected.He wont ever take for granted the fortunes he now has, and wants those who give him a break to rest to receive a financial bump.Youre living pretty good if youre in the NBA. I dont want someone to look at me and say that I am inconsiderate about everyone elses life outside the NBA, he said. I grew up in a household where my mom made $16,000 a year. I know the struggle. I know how to keep those things in perspective and I do keep it into perspective.Green took to Twitter on Wednesday, expressing himself with a series of posts. He said he spent time studying the new agreement but still has much to learn about the fine details.Deal.?.?. Smh, he posted.Stand for something... or fall for anything.One day we will get it right.... maybe.On Thursday, Green stressed that the last thing he wants people to think is that he is somehow complaining or that anybody in the NBA is at the hardship level of many Americans or others facing dire circumstances around the world.Nobodys going to run around complaining. Id be an idiot to run around complaining about my pay. Id look really stupid, he said. Nobodys greedy. Nobodys feeling like `Man, this is bull, Im being slighted. Were blessed to be in this situation. ' ' '