PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ten-man Italy escaped with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier Friday after star striker Mario Balotelli was sent off in the second half. The draw still allowed Italy to pull four points clear of second-place Bulgaria in Group B with four more games to go. The Czechs are third, five points behind Italy and still have hopes of reaching next years tournament in Brazil. Balotelli was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving his second yellow card. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made two good saves to keep the game scoreless. He raced off his line to deny Petr Jiracek in the first half and did the same in the second to prevent Libor Kozak from netting. "The point is of great importance for us," Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli said through an interpreter. "Its clear. Without (Buffon), we would have lost, he was our best player. ... We were not able to find our rhythm. We were very slow." The Czechs went on the attack after the Italians were reduced to 10 men and captain Tomas Rosicky had his goal-bound shot blocked in the 75th minute. Six minutes from time, Jiracek beat Buffon but hit the post from Jaroslav Plasils free kick. "Its a huge disappointment," Jiracek said. "I wasted such big chances." Substitute Daniel Kolar fired just wide in injury time when left unmarked in the area, while Lazio striker Kozak tested Buffon again with a shot from the edge of the area following a flowing Czech move in the 67th. "We played a great match," Kozak said. "We just didnt score." The Czechs looked rejuvenated by the presence of Rosicky, who missed most of the campaign due to an injury. Ignazio Abate almost netted an own goal 11 minutes into the game by diverting a pass from Tomas Hubschman to Kozak and the ball just went wide of the left post. Oother attempts by Rosicky, Jiracek and Michal Kadlec missed the target while Buffon dived to his right to save a shot from Kozak from outside the area. Prandelli started Balotelli alongside Stephan El Shaarawy in attack but the Milan star forwards failed to make their presence felt. Although the visitors gradually gained composure later in the first half, they were unable to pose a threat to goalkeeper Petr Cech, with Balotelli more engaged in arguing with the opponents, fellow Italians and the referee. "Balotelli was nervous," Prandelli said. "It is his problem and he has to cope with that." El Shaarawy was replaced after the first half by Sebastian Giovinco. Next, the Czech Republic hosts Armenia on Sept. 6 while Italy plays Bulgaria at home. Italy now travels to Brazil for the June 15-30 Confederations Cup. Nike Juvenate Norge . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Nike Air Force 1 Billig . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. http://www.airforce1norge.com/ .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Air Force 1 07 Norge . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Air Force 1 Hvit Norge . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period.Monday Night Football returns to our screens as Leicester host Rafa Benitezs Newcastle - and Ronald Koeman will be in the studio! The Southampton boss will join Ed Chamberlin and Jamie Carragher at the touchpads to dissect all the action from the King Power Stadium, where the Foxes look to maintain their push for the Premier League title against the relegation threatened Magpies.Over a 15-year period at six clubs, Benitez is yet to taste defeat in his first game in charge. But can the Spaniard maintain that record and dent Leicesters title ambitions? Koeman will also look back on another eventful weekend in the Premier League, where his Southampton side claimed their firsst victory in a month, overcoming Stoke 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.ddddddddddddWith eight games of the season remaining, the Dutchman will reflect on his second season at St Marys, with key moments of their campaign given the full MNF treatment.Be sure to catch special guest Ronald Koeman on Monday Night Football, and live coverage of Leicester v Newcastle, 7pm, Sky Sports 1 HD. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Sky Live: Leicester v Newcastle Fantasy Six-a-Side: How to play Carras MNF preview Get Sky Sports ' ' '