Hosts aim for big result against New Zealand to advance

Soccer Betting Lines

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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Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.

The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.

MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.

A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.

Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.

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