Hosts aim for big result against New Zealand to advance

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09/18/2007 - Tianjin, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - China put itself in a tough position after losing to Brazil 4-0 on Saturday, but the hosts can still qualify for the next round of the Women's World Cup with a solid result on Wednesday.

China and Denmark both have three points after two games and Denmark has the edge in goal differential. But China plays winless New Zealand in its final game in Group D while Denmark plays undefeated Brazil.

All the Chinese need is a win or tie against New Zealand, and for Brazil to beat Denmark. But it's possible Brazil, which already has spot in the next round all but secured, doesn't field its best team.

So for China to assure itself a spot in the next round, it needs to beat New Zealand by a large margin.

"We have to increase our goal difference against New Zealand while hoping that Brazil are at their best against Denmark and go all-out for the win," China coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors told FIFA's website.

The Chinese are four goals behind Denmark in goal differential, meaning they need five or more goals against New Zealand if Denmark beats Brazil.

China showed off its potent offense in its 3-2 win over Denmark, getting goals from Yan Bi, Duan Han and Xiaoli Song, who had the game winner in the 88th.

The offense disappeared against Brazil - which was the worst loss in China's history - but New Zealand allowed five goals to Brazil and two to Denmark, and has displayed no signs of offense in its first 180 minutes.

New Zealand is the only team in the tournament that hasn't scored, and solving China's defense won't be easy, although the Chinese have allowed six goals in two games.

New Zealand's star so far has been goalie Jenny Bindon, who has nine saves. Although she's allowed seven goals, she played very well in the loss to the Danes.

Despite New Zealand's abysmal showing so far, it has not been eliminated. If New Zealand crushes China and Brazil blasts Denmark, it could advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in its history.

"We'll be doing our homework on the China team and you can be certain that we'll make life extremely difficult for them," New Zealand coach John Herdman told FIFA's website.

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FOOTBALL BETTING

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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.

Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.

Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.

So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.

In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.

For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.

The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.

The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.

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