Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday, March 22

Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday:

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SOCCER

European World Cup qualifiers

Group A

Croatia v Serbia (1600)

Scotland v Wales (1900)

Macedonia v Belgium (1845)

Group B

Bulgaria v Malta (1500)

Czech Republic v Denmark (1830)

Kazakhstan v Germany (1900)

Group C

Austria v Faroe Islands (1830)

Sweden v Ireland (1845)

Group D

Andorra v Turkey (1715)

Netherlands v Estonia (1830)

Hungary v Romania (1830)

Group E

Slovenia v Iceland (1600)

Norway v Albania (1700)

Cyprus v Switzerland (1530)

Group F

Israel v Portugal (1245)

Northern Ireland v Russia (1945)

Luxembourg v Azerbaijan (1815)

Group G

Liechtenstein v Latvia (1730)

Bosnia v Greece (1910)

Group H

Poland v Ukraine (1845)

San Marino v England (1900)

Moldova v Montenegro (1830)

Group I

Spain v Finland (1945)

France v Georgia (1900)

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Spain, Germany and England in World Cup qualifying action

LONDON - World and European champions Spain host Finland while Germany face Kazakhstan and England travel to minnows San Marino in European 2014 World Cup qualifiers. (SOCCER-WORLD/EUROPE (WRAPUP 1, PIX), expect by 2030 GMT/4 PM ET, by Mike Collett, 800 words)

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Spain host Finland before key France clash

GIJON, Spain - Spain host Group I minnows Finland as the world and European champions warm up for Tuesday's crucial meeting with France in Paris. (SOCCER-WORLD/SPAIN (PIX), expect from 2130 GMT/5:30 PM ET, by Iain Rogers, 500 words)

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South American World Cup qualifiers

Colombia v Bolivia Barranquilla (2000)

Uruguay v Paraguay Montevideo (2200)

Argentina v Venezuela Buenos Aires (0001)

Peru v Chile Lima (0210)

Leaders Argentina look to move six points clear

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina will go six points clear in the South American World Cup qualifiers if they beat Venezuela at the Monumental and Colombia fail to overcome visiting Bolivia. (SOCCER-WORLD/LATAM (WRAPUP 1, PIX), expect by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, by Rex Gowar, 650 words)

We will file merit cover of the other three matches and the full results and standings

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Asian Cup

China host Iraq in key clash

SINGAPORE - China host Iraq in the pick of Friday's Asian Cup qualifiers with the hosts under pressure to record a victory to ease the pressure on their coach Jose Camacho. (SOCCER-ASIAN/QUALIFIERS, expect from 1600 GMT/2 PM ET, by Patrick Johnston, 350 words)

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MOTOR RACING

Formula One: Malaysian Grand Prix (to 24)

Raikknonen makes hay while the sun shines

SEPANG - Kimi Raikkonen carried the form that propelled him to s a season-opening victory in Sepang when the Finn edged a fascinating first day of practice for the Malaysian grand Prix in his finley balanced Lotus. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/PRACTICE (PIX), moved, by John O'Brien, 500 words)

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CRICKET

New Zealand v England, third test (to 26)

New Zealand off to solid start in series decider

AUCKLAND - Peter Fulton scored his maiden test century as he anchored New Zealand to an impressive 250 for one at the close of play on the first day of the series-deciding third test against England at Eden Park. (CRICKET-ENGLAND/ (PIX), moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 600 words)

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West Indies v Zimbabwe, second test, Dominica (to 24)

West Indies establish large first innings lead

ROSEAU - West Indies resume the third day of the second test with a 206-run lead as they seek a substantial advantage after bowling Zimbabwe out for 175 on the opening day at Windsor Park. (CRICKET-ZIMBABWE/, expect from 1600 GMT/2 PM ET, 300 words)

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India v Australia, fourth test, Chennai (to 26)

As a result of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to exclude news agencies working only in the photographic medium from covering its events, Reuters will not be reporting on BCCI events in India.

It is our view that the BCCI's policy unfairly discriminates against genuine editorial news agencies, including Action Images, a Thomson Reuters business.

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GOLF

Arnold Palmer Invitational (through March 24)

Rose in charge as Woods gives chase

ORLANDO, Florida - Briton Justin Rose takes a two-shot lead into the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational with Tiger Woods in contention for an eighth win at Bay Hill. (GOLF-PGA/ ( PIX), expect by 2300 GMT/7:00 PM ET, by Steve Keating, 500 words)

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NBA

Heat host Pistons as win streak nears unprecedented mark The Miami Heat, coming off a remarkable comeback, can move one step closer to the NBA record of 33 consecutive wins when they host the Detroit Pistons in search of a 25th straight victory. (NBA-HEAT/, expect by 0230 GMT/10:30 PM ET, 350words)

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Thunder look to snap rare losing skid

The Oklahoma City Thunder look to avoid just their second three-game losing skid of the season when they visit the Orlando Magic in one of 11 games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NHL

Streaking Penguins visit Islanders

Sidney Crosby and the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins visit the New York Islanders looking for an 11th consecutive victory to pad their lead atop the Eastern Conference in one of four games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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TENNIS

Djokovic and Azarenka in action at Sony Open

Reigning Australian Open champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka play their opening matches at the Sony Open in Miami. (TENNIS-MIAMI/ (PIX), expect first copy by 0100 GMT/9 PM ET, 350 words)

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BASEBALL

Roundup of pre-season action in Major League Baseball.

(BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NFL

Roundup of off-field developments in the National Football League. (NFL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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CYCLING

Tour of Catalunya, Spain (to 24)

Copy on merit

(Duty editor: John Mehaffey)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/reuters-sports-schedule-0001-gmt-friday-march-22-000153297--spt.html

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