Dutch still have work to do against Uruguay

Soccer Betting Lines

07/05/2010 - Cape Town, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Netherlands defeated five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in the quarterfinals, but winger Arjen Robben said afterward "we've not come here to settle for the semifinals."

The Dutch lost to Brazil in the knockout round in 1994 and 1998, and earned a small measure of revenge in South Africa to climb closer to their first final since the second of two straight runner-up finishes in 1978.

But the win over the Brazilians means little, unless Holland continues its run in the semifinals on Tuesday against another past champion, Uruguay, at Green Point Stadium.

"What matters now is focusing on the next game," Robben said. "We're in the last four and we know we're capable of reaching the final."

Uruguay captured two of the first four World Cups, in 1930 and 1950, and used a miracle finish against Ghana to advance to its first semifinal since 1970.

The Netherlands, the most storied country to never win the World Cup, is the lone semifinalist that has won all of its matches. The Dutch cruised through the group stage, and with Robben back in the starting lineup in the knockout round, disposed of Slovakia and Brazil.

Although Robben spent a great deal of the match against Brazil on the ground, his influence has been obvious since he returned from a hamstring injury in the last game of the group stage.

Robben and Wesley Sneijder, who leads the Dutch with four goals, have teamed to fuel the run to the semifinals. Sneijder scored both second-half goals in the comeback win over Brazil, as the own goal originally charged to Brazil's Felipe Melo was later awarded to Sneijder.

Brazilian goalie Julio Cesar admitted after the game Holland "deserved it in the second half, they played really well."

Holland boss Bert van Marwijk said after his side's first goal, the shot from Sneijder that deflected off Melo's head, changed the match.

"Once we scored our first goal we played much better," Van Marwijk said, "and proved that we've got a very strong squad."

Van Marwijk will have to look to the bench against Uruguay, as starting right back Gregory van der Wiel and starting defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong are both suspended for accumulated yellow cards.

In addition, starting central defender Joris Mathijsen missed the Brazil game with an injury picked up late in pre-match practice, and if he does not play, Van Marwijk will be without three of his first-choice players in the back.

Uruguay will be without Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez, with the latter serving just a one-match suspension after swatting a sure goal off the line in extra time against Ghana.

Ghana's Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty kick in the closing seconds of extra time, and Uruguay goalie Fernando Muslera made two saves in the shootout to send the South Americans through.

"I don't have an explanation for what happened," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.

Uruguay also won its group, tying France in its opener before wins over South Africa and Mexico. Uruguay beat South Korea, 2-1, in the round of 16.

Although Uruguay used a miracle in the closing seconds against Ghana, veteran Sebastian Abreu didn't think the teams semifinal appearance was just luck.

"We can't say we had winners' luck because that would imply that we are playing down the work we have done since 2006," said Abreu, who converted the last penalty kick in the shootout to seal Uruguay's win.

"This is a team that has gone through a lot," Abreu added, "and that has been the key to a result in the World Cup."

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Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook

Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds.  The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.

Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.

Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).

Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.

World Series odds

Adam Dunn 15-1

Albert Pujols 5-1

Alex Rodriguez 12-1

Alfonso Soriano 15-1

Andruw Jones 25-1

Barry Bonds 50-1

Carlos Delgado 40-1

David Ortiz 8-1

Jermaine Dye 40-1

Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1

Lance Berkman 40-1

Manny Ramirez 20-1

Richie Sexson 40-1

Ryan Howard 6-1

Travis Hafner 20-1

Vladimir Guerrero 40-1

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