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. Rob Gronkowski Womens Jersey . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. 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Canberra have got their W-League campaign off the mark with Ashleigh Sykes piloting them to a 1-0 win over Brisbane.Sykes fired home ten minutes into the second half after Michelle Heyman had laid the groundwork.It was a high-quality end-to-end affair and Brisbane will feel aggrieved they didnt get anything from the contest, with Tameka Butt hitting the crossbar.After three rounds, two-time champions United have one win from their two matches.Competition favourites and leaders Melbourne City sat out the weekend, and both Sydney FC and Newcastle took full advantage to move equal first.The Jets proved they will be a force to be reckoned with this season after a tough 1-0 win over the unbeaten Perth Glory to sit narrowly top on goal difference.There were missed chances at both ends throughout the mmatch, before American striker Jen Hoy delivered the games decisive moment by converting a penalty just after half time.ddddddddddddIt wasnt all good news for the Jets however with goalkeeper Kelsey Wys set for an MRI scan on her knee after being taken off during the first half.Sydney FC collected a 2-1 win at Melbourne Victory with first-half goals from Alanna Kennedy and Remy Siemsen.Western Sydney Wanderers got their first points of the season with a 2-1 home win over Adelaide United.It was the Wanderers American imports that made the difference, with Katie Stengel and Paige Nielsen both scoring spectacular long-range efforts either side of an Adriana Jones goal. 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