USA clinches group with Chalupny's winner

Soccer Betting Lines

09/18/2007 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lori Chalupny scored just 55 seconds into Tuesday's match against Nigeria and the United States held on for a 1-0 win to clinch the top spot in Group B and advance to the quarterfinals.

Chalupny's goal, the second fastest in the history of the World Cup. helped the Americans weather Nigeria and Typhoon Wipha to win the "Group of Death."

Tuesday's match was played in steady rain as Wipha closed in on Shanghai. The storm nearly forced the game to be moved, but it went on as scheduled in poor conditions.

The United States (2-0-1) plays England (1-0-2) in the quarterfinals Saturday.

The United States couldn't have gotten off to a better start against Nigeria, scoring in the first minute off a throw in. Cat Whitehill took the throw from the left side, finding Abby Wambach a few yards into the box.

Wambach flicked a header deeper into the box to Chalupny, who chested the ball down and poked a shot off a Nigeria player and into the lower left corner. The deflection fooled Nigeria goalie Precious Dede, who wasn't able to adjust and make an attempt on the ball.

The Americans didn't have another good scoring chance until the 20th minute when captain Kristine Lilly dribbled around a defender on the left sideline and sent a cross into the box. The cross found Wambach, but she headed wide.

The chances continued for the United States, starting with Lilly's free kick just over the crossbar in the 24th minute. She also put a header just wide of the left post in the 41st minute off a cross from Chalupny.

The five-time World Cup veteran set up another chance in the 43rd minute with a nice give-and-go that led to her cross to Wambach in the box. But Wambach's strong header was pushed high by Dede.

The United States had two more chances in the final minutes of the opening half, but Wambach and Shannon Boxx each put headers wide.

The United States' chances continued early in the second half when Lilly took a free kick from the right and Heather O'Reilly tried to redirect it on goal with a header but touched it just wide in the 50th minute.

The pace slowed considerably over the next 25 minutes as neither team created any real scoring threats and the United States seemed content to play for the one-goal win.

But Nigeria started to make things interesting in the 75th minute when it had the first of a few great scoring chances.

Perpetua Nkwocha broke free down the right side for the first chance, holding off Whitehill to get into the box and send a shot just a few feet wide of the left post.

Nigeria had another golden opportunity in the 85th minute when a cross rattled around the box and Nigeria had two shots on goal that were turned away before U.S. goalie Hope Solo finally jumped on the loose ball.

Dede made another nice save in the 88th minute to keep Nigeria within striking distance, but Solo sealed the win with a diving save right before the whistle.

Nigeria (0-2-1) played well in the toughest group in the tournament, but with just a tie against Sweden failed to advance for the fourth time in five World Cups.

Sweden defeated North Korea, 2-1, on Tuesday in the group's other game. North Korea still advanced and plays Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.