Samba Queens dance all over China

Soccer Betting Lines

09/15/2007 - Wuhan, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Marta and Christiane each scored two goals as Brazil rolled to a 4-0 win over China on Saturday, its second impressive win in the World Cup.

Brazil defeated New Zealand 5-0 in its opener and with the win over China sits all alone atop Group D. The Brazilians are the only team with two victories in their first two games.

With the large goal differential, the Brazilians have essentially locked up a spot in the quarterfinals. Brazil has advanced to the quarterfinals of the last two World Cups, finishing fourth in 1999.

Marta has four goals in two games to lead the race for the Golden Shoe, given to the tournament's top scorer. Christiane is one goal back in a pack of five players with three goals.

Brazil (2-0-0) wraps up group play on Wednesday against Denmark. China (1-1-0) will try to bounce back from its first-ever loss in the group stage and worst Cup loss in history against New Zealand on Wednesday.

The pace of the game was fast from the opening whistle as Brazil's Christiane got in the box just 30 seconds in, but couldn't get any pace on her shot with a defender on her back. China goalie Wenxia Han handled the shot easily.

China's first great chance wasn't until the 16th minute but it was just inches from taking the lead when a ball smashed off the top of the crossbar.

China nearly found the back of the net in the 26th minute as well when Xiaoli Song, who scored the game winner in a 3-2 win over Denmark, unleashed a blast from 10 yards. Brazil goalie Andreia deflected the shot wide of the post.

Han made an equally impressive save for China in the 33rd minute, diving to her right to keep Formiga's shot out of the upper left corner.

After all the missed chances, Marta's spectacular individual effort led to the first goal of the match in the 42nd minute. On a long ball played over China's defense, Marta beat a charging Han to the ball 10 yards outside the box.

The reigning FIFA Player of the Year made a soft touch on the ball with her right foot to knock it past Han, then scored into the open net with her left foot.

Just like Brazil's opener, it started to open up its game late in the first half and exploded in the second half. Brazil also led New Zealand 1-0 at half.

Just two minutes into the second half Christiane got in one-on-one on Han and slotted a left-footed shot into the lower left corner for her second goal of the tournament.

A minute later, Christiane scored again as she received a pass from Marta on the right side of the box and just had to tap the ball into an open net.

Marta nearly got her second goal of the game in the 50th minute, but her shot hit the right post, bounced off Han and then the post again before being covered up.

The world's best player wouldn't be denied again in the 67th minute, losing two defenders on the right side of the box to get open before sending a shot off a defender and into the right side of the net.

Marta, who had three goals in the 2003 World Cup when she was 17, has seven career goals in six games spanning the last two tournaments.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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