Lotta goals not enough for Sweden to advance

Soccer Betting Lines

09/18/2007 - Tianjin, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden came up short in its bid for a fifth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup, beating North Korea 2-1 on Tuesday, but failing to achieve the three-goal win that was necessary to advance.

Lotta Schelin was dangerous throughout the match for Sweden, and she put the team ahead after only four minutes. However, a long-range shot from Un Suk Ri in the 22nd minute pulled the teams level heading into halftime. Schelin added her second goal of the game in the 54th minute, but Sweden could not get any closer, allowing North Korea to proceed past the group stage for the first time in its three World Cup appearances.

The North Koreans will now play Group A winners Germany on Saturday, while the United States, who won Group B with a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Tuesday, will meet Group A runners-up England on Saturday.

Things got off to a great start for Sweden as the team took advantage of its first chance of the game.

Therese Sjogran did well on the right flank to shake free of her defender and carry the ball to the end line. The midfielder then pulled the ball back and lobbed a cross into the six-yard box. The ball floated over the head of the keeper and Schelin got inside her defender to head home the opening goal.

After such a great start, things slowed for Sweden over the remainder of the half. They failed to test keeper Myong Hui Jon and the Korean defense did well to deal with any long ball that Sweden attempted.

Korea hit back in the 22nd minute to level the score. Ri picked up the ball in midfield on the left and carried it toward goal. She cut into the middle of the field and fired a perfect shot from 35 yards out. The ball sailed over the head of keeper Hedvig Lindahl and into the upper right corner of the net.

The goal continued the strategy that Korea has implemented for this tournament of firing shots from distance and putting pressure on the keeper.

The second half started well for Sweden also, as they found themselves ahead nine minutes after the restart. Victoria Svensson slid a pass to Schelin, who was running toward goal. Schelin split two defenders to get into the box and knocked a shot toward the right corner. The keeper came off her line and got a hand to the shot, but it rolled across the line and Sweden had new hope.

The next five minutes saw Sweden continue to put the pressure on, forcing a Korean defender to clear the ball off the line after a Svensson effort.

Over the final 30 minutes, Korea sat back and played for counter attack chances, which allowed them to get a couple of good opportunities to equalize.

Un Gyong Ri got open at the penalty spot and took a cross with a good look at the net. However, she volleyed the ball well over the crossbar to keep Korea down a goal.

Sweden still needed two more goals, and Schelin was doing everything she could to get another. Schelin found Svensson inside the box with a pass, but as Svensson turned and fired a shot, a Korean defender was there to block it away.

It was a scene that would play out on a couple of other occasions over the final 15 minutes as Korea did well to cut down the space that Sweden had and did not allow the Scandinavian side to get room for a good shot.

Korea had two good chances to equalize in the last 15 minutes, with both coming on counter attacks. Kum Suk Ri had the first opportunity as she received a pass at the edge of the area and had a wide open shot at goal. She fired the ball high but Lindahl did well to tip the shot over the net.

The Swedish keeper was called upon once again with 10 minutes to play when Son Hui Kil was played into the box on the right and fired a shot toward the near post. Once again, Lindahl was up to the task and deflected the shot over the crossbar.

Unfortunately for Sweden, it saved its best game of the tournament for the end, when they had already put themselves in a hole. Sweden is a top team that belongs in the last eight but will now head home wondering what went wrong after advancing to the final in the 2003 Cup.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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