RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- President Dilma Rousseff appealed to Brazilians to support the World Cup, using a nationally televised address less than two days before the tournament starts to rebuke the "pessimists" who complain the country shouldnt be hosting the event. Scarpe Nike In Offerte . Brazils World Cup preparations have stoked countless protests from those angered by the billions spent on the event while the quality of public services in the health, education, security and transport spheres is lacking. In a pre-taped speech aired during prime time Tuesday night, Rousseff called on all Brazilians to back the national team regardless of their political persuasion or whether they fully agree with the nation hosting the event. "Im certain that in the 12 host cities, visitors are going to mix with a happy, generous and hospitable people, and be impressed by a nation full of natural beauty and which fights each day to become more equal," she said, referring to sharp drops in poverty that Brazil has seen in the past decade under Workers Party leadership. Rousseff also defended the $11.5 billion spent on the Cup. Three out of every four Brazilians polled say they are convinced that corruption has tinged the myriad works related to the Cup. An Associated Press investigation earlier this year found that big construction firms responsible for building the bulk of the stadiums, roads and other works had dramatically increased their campaign contributions since Brazil was named as the host of this years Cup. Much of that money was funneled to Rousseffs ruling Workers Party though spending also went to the opposition. In one case, top builder Andrade Gutierrez, which has helped build or renovate four stadiums, hiked campaign contributions 500-fold from one election to the next after it was determined which 12 cities would host matches. That stoked anger and increased suspicions about collusion between politicians and the big builders -- especially after reports from government auditors began to surface, indicating massive cost overruns along with allegations of price-gouging, principally in the building of stadiums. For instance, the cost of the stadium in Brasilia, a city with no major professional soccer team, has nearly tripled to $900 million from original price estimates published by the government. "Have no doubt, the accounts of the Cup are being meticulously analyzed by auditing agencies," Rousseff said. "If there exists any irregularity, those responsible will receive the maximum punishment." About half of Brazilians polled have said theyre against even hosting the World Cup and the mood is mixed about the event just days before it starts. That was once unthinkable for a nation that embodies soccer like no other, the country that has won the World Cup a record five times. However, many Cup watchers also think that if the Brazilian team gets on a roll and starts winning, the mood could quickly pivot and the nation could show the world a celebration worthy of its international reputation as a land of free-wheeling festivals and easy going, friendly people. Rousseff said that "for any nation, organizing a Cup is like taking part in a tough -- and many times painful -- game." The leader rebuked those who argue Brazil has spent too much on the Cup, saying that since 2010, the government has spent more than 200 times what it invested in stadiums on education and health care systems. Adding to fears of chaos during the Cup, subway worker unions in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro were both expected to announce decisions soon on whether they would call transportation strikes for the coming days. Rousseff, whose poll numbers are slipping ahead of an October political election, concluded her speech by urging all Brazilians to rally around their team, whom she addressed directly. "Beneath those green and canary jerseys, you embody a powerful legacy of the Brazilian people. The national team represents nationality," she said. "Its above governments, parties and interests of any group." Air Max 95 Scontate Bianche . -- Ricky Romeros comeback bid hit another road bump Tuesday in an ugly 18-4 Jays loss to a Detroit Tigers split squad. Air Max 95 Italia . Three days after falling to Hamilton, Abbotsford scored three goals in 53 seconds en route to a convincing 5-1 win over the Bulldogs Saturday in American Hockey League play. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/scontate-air-max-90-outlet-italia-c2566.html . Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., were third with 210.84 points. Teammates Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto were fourth. Duhamel and Radford, who were seventh at the Sochi Olympics, also won bronze at last years world championships in London, Ont.Members of the Toronto Maple Leafs front office and coaching staff are on the same page, assistant general manager Kyle Dubas said. And its not the same page that includes the NHL standings.Despite the teams stretch of seven victories in its past nine games, Dubas said president Brendan Shanahan, general manager Dave Nonis and coach Randy Carlyle arent happy with the way the Leafs have been outshot and outplayed.Theres nobody content that weve gone 7-1-1 in this stretch, Dubas said on a conference call Thursday. Theres no one really content with it. Its trying to continue to hone in on our process and really maximize our potential as a team.This state-of-the-team address by Dubas mightve been necessary after the Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night in a game where they owed everything to backup goaltender James Reimer. Toronto was outshot 42-19 but won in a shootout almost single-handedly because of Reimer.Dubas said Thursday that no one has to be an analytics expert to recognize thats not great. Recent trends beyond that game are also troubling, like the Leafs being outshot 303-247 over this nine-game run, an average of around 34-27 a game.In the process, the Leafs have picked up 15 points and moved into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Thats with some smoke, a few mirrors and mostly No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Bernier saving their hides.Weve managed to find a way to win, Dubas said. Weve shot the puck well, weve made the most of our opportunities, weve gotten terrific goaltending.The Leafs got off to similar starts the past two seasons before collapsing under the weight of their own struggles. In 2013 it was a Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins after a lockout-shortened 48-game season, and in 2013-14 it was an eight-game regulation losing streak that dropped them out of playoff conteention. Scarpe Scontatissime Italia. Asked about the pattern of being outshot badly in certain stretches lately, Dubas said the team has ideas about whats wrong and how to fix it but didnt want to share much more than that. Given the past couple of years, this doesnt seem to be a new problem.Its a process, Dubas said. I can tell you that within the organization that everyone whos been here has been aware of the issues that have been there, and now were just trying to all work together to correct them and move ahead.One thing the Leafs need to do better, according to Dubas, is play with the lead. Evidence of how to do that came in the two games after the infamous 9-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 18, when the Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings.We did a really, really good job of closing out those games when we were up and we werent overly conservative, did a good job not giving up too much to two very good teams, Dubas said. Then in the last couple games here, thats started to sag a little bit. But I think thats the one area that if we can hone in on that and just continue to find ways where we can close out games better, where we dont let our goalie close it out for us on his own, thatd be terrific.Dubass comments werent all bad. How could they be for a team that has won seven of nine? He sees the potential in the Leafs strong momentsWeve shown stretches of playing the way were fully capable of, he said. Thats probably what intrigues me the most about the group moving forward is the way that weve shown we can play. Its been there. Its a prolonged process ahead, and thats the way I look at it. Im excited to see if we can start to put that together over the long run.Note — Dubas said theres no timetable for the return of forward Leo Komarov, who has missed the past five games with a concussion. ' ' '