Japan continues late magic against Argentina

Soccer Betting Lines

09/14/2007 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yuki Nagasato rescued all three points for Japan as she scored in stoppage time to give the Japanese a 1-0 win over Argentina on Friday.

After being held scoreless for 90 minutes against the struggling Argentines, Japan received a nice break when Argentina keeper Romina Ferro gave up a bad rebound from Yukari Tinga's shot. Nagasato was left with an easy tap-in goal and Japan now finds itself with a chance to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1995.

After downing Argentina 6-0 in the 2003 Women's World Cup, Japan was let down in the final third in this year's competition, and came within minutes of a draw that would have all but given them no chance at advancing.

Japan must play a strong German team on Monday in its final group stage match, while Argentina looks to salvage something against England on Monday.

Things nearly started in disastrous fashion for Argentina, which scored two own goals against itself in the opener. Tomomi Miyamoto drove a cross into the area from the left, but Argentina defender Eva Gonzalez cut inside her mark and got a foot to the pass in an attempt to clear the ball. However, her clearance attempt was not hit cleanly and it ended up going off the post.

Argentina did not generate much offensively, but after conceding 11 goals against Germany on Monday, the fact that it held Japan scoreless over the first 45 minutes was a small victory.

Japan was able to create a few chances, with Nagasato threatening on two occasions. She made a run toward the box in the ninth minute and took a pass from the left. After holding off her defender, she drove a shot on net from just inside the box, but it was saved comfortably by Ferro.

Nagasato turned a header wide from 10 yards out, and Aya Miyama, who scored two free-kick goals against England on Tuesday, was given another dangerous chance in the 31st, but did poorly with the kick, knocking it over the net.

Tomoe Sakai lofted a promising cross for the back post from the right after the restart and Ferro came off her line to try and punch it clear. However, the keeper missed the ball and it ended up on the head of Nagasato, but her header went well over the net.

Nagasato found more room for a solid strike on goal in the 71st, but her effort was hit right at the keeper.

Japan keeper Miho Fukumoto was not called upon all match, but she was almost caught off guard on a long-range shot from 40 yards out by Fabiana Vallejos. Fukumoto faded back on the ball and as she jumped up to tip it over the net, the ball struck the crossbar and stayed out.

The Japanese then went back on the attack, with Kinga getting two good looks at goal. The first came in the 79th minute when she cut the ball back on the right and drilled a hard shot on goal. The keeper was in a good position and punched the ball over the top, but Kinga would get another chance five minutes from time.

Rumi Utsugi drove a brilliant cross from the left to the back post, where Kinga made a long run and got on the other end of it. She headed the ball back across the face of goal and it rolled along the goal line, inches from crossing over, before sliding past the far post.

It looked like Japan would suffer a terrible draw, but a mistake by Ferro in net allowed them to claim all three points. Kinga received the ball in space on the right and drove a low shot on goal. Ferro got down to stop it but spilled a bad rebound, allowing Nagasato to move in and tap the ball home for the game winner.

Lottoballls Soccer Betting News

<< Americans lead after foursomes at Solheim Cup
Halmstad, Sweden (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American team took a 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 lead after Friday morning's foursomes matches at the Solheim Cup at Halmstad Golf Club. The first match was the only one that went the distance. The European

<< Wambach double leads United States past Sweden
Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Abby Wambach scored two goals as the United States posted an impressive 2-0 win over Sweden on Friday in the World Cup. Wambach converted a penalty kick in the first half and added her third goal of the tou

<< U.S. Open Cup preview as Revs, Hoops square off
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FC Dallas travels to New England Saturday for a Major League Soccer fixture between two teams that are virtual locks for the upcoming MLS Cup playoffs. The Revs are currently second in the East, seven p

<< Goats take West lead with first Super Clasico title over L.A.
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In just its third season in Major League Soccer, CD Chivas USA has gone from worst to first. The Mexican owned, Los Angeles based club took over the top spot in the Western table, as well as winn

<< Mariners plate five in eighth to top D-Rays
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adrian Beltre's run-scoring single put Seattle in front as the Mariners scored five runs in the eighth inning to come from behind and post an 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay at Safeco Field. Yuniesky Betancourt

Woods closes gap at Tour Championship >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods closed the gap a bit on Friday morning as he polished off a six-under-par 64 to complete the first round at the Tour Championship. Darkness halted play on Thursday, but a nearly three-hour

Davenport stuns Jankovic in Bali >>
Bali, Indonesia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic was upset by new mom and former world No. 1 American Lindsay Davenport in Friday's quarterfinal action at the $225,000 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic

North Korea grounds Super Falcons >>
Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyong Hwa Kim and Kum Suk Ri scored as North Korea cruised to a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Friday, proving its tie against the United States on Tuesday was no fluke. Kim and Ri scored four minutes apart in the

Reality check: Germany held to scoreless draw by England >>
Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After setting a record with 11 goals in its opening match, Germany was held to a 0-0 draw by England on Friday. Germany had scored a goal in its last 11 World Cup games, the third longest streak eve

Around the FCS: It's Primetime for top teams in FCS >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's just week three of the college football season and already we've seen an FCS team (Appalachian State) playing an "Instant Classic" on ESPN Classic. We've watched Northern Iowa not just beat, but beat

Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.