Samba Queens dance all over China

Soccer Betting Lines

09/15/2007 - Wuhan, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marta and Christiane each scored two goals as Brazil rolled to a 4-0 win over China on Saturday, its second impressive win in the World Cup.

Brazil defeated New Zealand 5-0 in its opener and with the win over China sits all alone atop Group D. The Brazilians are the only team with two victories in their first two games.

With the large goal differential, the Brazilians have essentially locked up a spot in the quarterfinals. Brazil has advanced to the quarterfinals of the last two World Cups, finishing fourth in 1999.

Marta has four goals in two games to lead the race for the Golden Shoe, given to the tournament's top scorer. Christiane is one goal back in a pack of five players with three goals.

Brazil (2-0-0) wraps up group play on Wednesday against Denmark. China (1-1-0) will try to bounce back from its first-ever loss in the group stage and worst Cup loss in history against New Zealand on Wednesday.

The pace of the game was fast from the opening whistle as Brazil's Christiane got in the box just 30 seconds in, but couldn't get any pace on her shot with a defender on her back. China goalie Wenxia Han handled the shot easily.

China's first great chance wasn't until the 16th minute but it was just inches from taking the lead when a ball smashed off the top of the crossbar.

China nearly found the back of the net in the 26th minute as well when Xiaoli Song, who scored the game winner in a 3-2 win over Denmark, unleashed a blast from 10 yards. Brazil goalie Andreia deflected the shot wide of the post.

Han made an equally impressive save for China in the 33rd minute, diving to her right to keep Formiga's shot out of the upper left corner.

After all the missed chances, Marta's spectacular individual effort led to the first goal of the match in the 42nd minute. On a long ball played over China's defense, Marta beat a charging Han to the ball 10 yards outside the box.

The reigning FIFA Player of the Year made a soft touch on the ball with her right foot to knock it past Han, then scored into the open net with her left foot.

Just like Brazil's opener, it started to open up its game late in the first half and exploded in the second half. Brazil also led New Zealand 1-0 at half.

Just two minutes into the second half Christiane got in one-on-one on Han and slotted a left-footed shot into the lower left corner for her second goal of the tournament.

A minute later, Christiane scored again as she received a pass from Marta on the right side of the box and just had to tap the ball into an open net.

Marta nearly got her second goal of the game in the 50th minute, but her shot hit the right post, bounced off Han and then the post again before being covered up.

The world's best player wouldn't be denied again in the 67th minute, losing two defenders on the right side of the box to get open before sending a shot off a defender and into the right side of the net.

Marta, who had three goals in the 2003 World Cup when she was 17, has seven career goals in six games spanning the last two tournaments.

Ganblenet Soccer Betting News

<< Robredo, Gonzalez advance to China Open final
Beijing, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tommy Robredo and Fernando Gonzalez will meet in Sunday's final after each took care of business in Saturday's semifinals at the $500,000 China Open. Robredo nipped German wild card Nicolas K

<< Another late rally for Europe keeps it close
Halmstad, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 18th hole doomed the Americans. Two European teams won the 18th hole to earn crucial halves in the first two matches of Saturday's foursomes matches at the Solheim Cup. In the foursomes, each tea

<< New mom Davenport moves into Bali final
Bali, Indonesia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lindsay Davenport continued her remarkable ride in Bali on Saturday, cruising past Italian Sara Errani, 6-1, 6-3, in semifinal action at the $225,000 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic. The three-time

<< Denmark overcomes distractions to top New Zealand
Wuhan, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Katrine Pedersen scored and set up a goal as Denmark, playing with its coach in the stands because of a suspension, topped New Zealand, 2-0, on Saturday. Coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller was suspended two games

<< Sinclair double leads Canada over Ghana
Hangzhou, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Christine Sinclair scored two goals to lead Canada to a comfortable 4-0 win over Ghana in Group C action on Saturday. Sophie Schmidt and Martina Franko also found the net for the Canadians, who cont

Aussies leave it late against Norway >>
Hangzhou, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lisa DeVanna came on as a second-half substitute and rescued a point for Australia as she scored in the 83rd minute to give the Matildas a 1-1 draw with Norway on Saturday. Ragnhild Gulbrandsen sco

Russians one win away from seizing Fed Cup >>
Moscow, Russia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Anna Chakvetadze and Svetlana Kuznetsova both did their part Saturday, taking the first pair of singles rubbers to hand Russia a comfortable edge over defending-champion Italy heading into Sunday at the 45t

Rangers try to halt skid versus A's >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers try to put the brakes on a four-game losing streak this afternoon when they play the third contest of a four-game set against the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum. Texas continued to fall further away

Pirates continue road trip in Houston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off their 10-game road trip in a good way and will try for another win tonight when they continue a three- game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Jose Bautista put the Pira

Butler uses safety, field goals to beat St. Joseph's 11-8 >>
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Butler held St. Joseph's (Ind.) to negative three rushing yards and scored a safety and three field goals to squeak past their Division II foe 11-8 on Saturday.Senior Derek North led the Bulldogs to their first 3-0 start since 199

Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

(September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season.

MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts US credit cards needs.

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.