ALGIERS, Algeria -- The Muslim players in World Cup teams that have qualified for the second round in Brazil face a thorny question on Sunday when much of the Islamic world will start observing the holy month of Ramadan with a dawn to dusk fast. The question is trickiest for the Algerian team, which faces a formidable German side on Monday. There are also Muslims on the Nigerian and French teams and those players also will have to weigh their religious convictions against the possible effects of fasting on their performance. "We need to discuss it among ourselves," Algerian player Djamel Mesbah said. "Its clear that our religion is very important for the team, so we will talk about it and see how to go forward." Athletes in the Olympics in 2012 faced the same hurdle, with many teams allowing their players to eat during Ramadan so as not to impair their performance and make up for it at another time or make donations to charity. While fasting during daytime over the 30 days of Ramadan, including abstaining from drinking liquids, is mandatory for all able bodied Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam, there are exemptions, including for the sick, pregnant, infirm or elderly. Those travelling or going to war are also excluded and it is under this provision that most athletes will likely delay the fast until a more suitable time. Algerian team captain Madjid Bouguerra pointed out in interviews with the Algerian press that it is a challenge Muslim players in European clubs have long faced and when he was with the Glasgow Rangers, he fasted but made sure he kept his performance up. "The hardest thing is staying hydrated, but its ok, the weathers good here," he said. "Some players will postpone their fast for another time, but depending on my physical condition, I think I will do it." Bacary Sagna, a Muslim player in the French squad, said that many of the players who do it are used to it from their time in the European leagues and able to function. "As a Muslim I know that there are certain rules that allow us to avoid it," he told The Associated Press in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. "Personally Im not going to do it, everyones free to do as they will and I totally respect those that will do it." From a religious standpoint, however, it becomes a bit more complex. Islam lacks a central hierarchy like the Catholic church and any imam can issue an opinion that is then obeyed depending on how much respect they command. Even in Algeria, which is bathing in the euphoria of qualifying for the second round of the World Cup for the first time in its history, there have been a range of opinions from religious scholars, with some coming out quite strongly against fasting exemptions. "It is not allowed for an Algerian player to avoiding fasting just for a game -- they must fast because God is with those who fast and young people can fast and play at the same time," said Mohammed Mekerkab, the head of Algerias association of religious scholars. He also dismissed the exemption for travel claimed by most athletes since the provision was only for voyages undertaken in the search for knowledge, health reasons or fighting jihad. Algerias government-appointed High Islamic Council, however, has come down in favour of those wanting to delay their fast. Sheikh Mohammed Sherif Kaher, the head of the councils commission for religious opinions said "those playing can abstain from fasting." Dr. Hakim Chalabi, a specialist in sports and fasting who accompanied the team to Brazil, admitted in an interview that it is a delicate question because of the need for hydration and the increased risk of injuries. He noted, though, that fasting wasnt always a total hindrance to players. "We are often asked to urge players not to fast, but oddly, in some cases, there are athletes that get better results during Ramadan because they are fasting and want to," he said. "It can be a spiritual and psychological aid." Julie Ertz Jersey .com) - The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are ready to put all the talk and hype surrounding their meeting at Dodger Stadium behind them. Allie Long Jersey . Villar connected off Joe Saunders (11-14), sending a drive well over the left-field fence for his first career homer. The Astros scored six times in the first three innings to chase Saunders. http://www.officialsocceruswntshop.com/tierna-davidson-usa-jersey/ . The defending champions’ roller coaster season included trading offensive star Percy Harvin in the midst of the team’s 3-3 start. That move that reportedly irked several Seahawk players, but one management saw necessary to save the team’s chemistry. Sydney Leroux Jersey . Unlike last year when nobody got in, there have been estimates of as many as five getting voted in this time around and as few as one, Greg Maddux. Becky Sauerbrunn USA Jersey . LOUIS -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks won the matchup of unbeaten teams.TORONTO - At a Hockey Hall of Fame fan forum Saturday, the 2014 inductees took turns playfully jabbing each other like many of them did on the ice during their careers.Peter Forsberg was on the receiving end of much of that, mostly for what he was able to get away with on the ice.Skilled, talented, nasty, dirty, Mike Modano said. If he wanted to mean, dirty, nasty, he could do that or if he wanted to kill you one-on-one, score a great goal — he could do that, too.Referee Bill McCreary called Forsberg an all-around player, cheap, dirty. He and his colleagues had to have eyes in the back of their head to see what Forsberg would do.Sometimes McCreary didnt know whether to penalize Forsberg for his patented reverse check in the corner.He would go into the corner first after the puck, he was never afraid to be there first, and he would thrust his body back into the person who was going to check him and knock him down and hed take off with the puck, McCreary said. It was always a tough judgement to make whether it was interference or not because the player that was competing for the puck never had an opportunity because he was laying on his backside.Goaltender Dominik Haseks unique ability to drop his stick and pick up the puck with his blocker hand earned its share of attention. When the moderator of the panel asked if Hasek ever threw his stick at the puck, The Dominator shook his head.Tell the truth, McCreary responded.Hasek said he owed McCreary a thank you for being on the ice when he won the 1998 Olympic gold medal and two Stanley Cups. The otther players on the panel were generally complimentary toward the longtime official but Forsberg got his shots in.ddddddddddddI dont think I was famous about liking the referees, Forsberg said. I think we had a couple conversations out there. They were all good: That was a great call. That was awesome.Pat Burnss widow, Line, represented him as she is doing all weekend. Burns has been admired for his coaching plenty, but he did have a reputation for being tough on his players.I teammate back home in Sweden who played under Pat, Forsberg recalled. He was telling me about Pat that he got benched in practice. I dont know how you can be benched in practice.Modano, a first overall pick who played 21 years in the NHL, wasnt nearly as dirty as Forsberg. Maybe he just wasnt hateable.Id like to say something bad about him, Forsberg said. Id like to come up with a bad story about him. Its hard. Its only good things. Obviously he was an unbelievable player.The only bad thing Forsberg could say about Blake was that he didnt want to get in front of his shot, even when they were teammates on the Colorado Avalanche. For a while, the defenceman played for the Los Angeles Kings, and Forsberg quipped, At first, I didnt like Rob Blake.For all the jokes at Forsbergs expense, Foppa had the last laugh when talking about the two Olympic gold medals, two world championship gold medals and two Stanley Cups he won. When a fan asked which championship meant the most, Forsberg grinned.Its hard, he said, pausing. Theres so many.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '