South Africa eliminated despite beating France

Soccer Betting Lines

06/22/2010 - Bloemfontein, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela scored to help South Africa edge 10-man France, 2-1, on Tuesday, but Bafana Bafana still became the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup.

South Africa and France entered the game needing a win, for Uruguay and Mexico not to draw, and to overturn a huge gap in goal differential. South Africa was on track to completing the miracle equation with a two-goal lead, coupled with Uruguay's 1-0 edge over Mexico, but Florent Malouda scored France's first goal of the tournament to secure both clubs' exit.

Khumalo and Mphela scored in the opening half of the teams' Group A finale at Free State Stadium, and with Mexico losing to Uruguay, was within two goals of overturning the tiebreaker to advance. But Malouda's goal capped an otherwise forgettable World Cup for France, and secured berths in the knockout round for Uruguay and Mexico.

South Africa finished even on points with Mexico, but ended third in the group on goal differential. France finished last in its group for the second time in its last three World Cups, ending a miserable spell for the French.

Uruguay held on to defeat Mexico, 1-0, in the other match in Group A Tuesday and finished first.

France had the first chance through Andre-Pierre Gignac inside three minutes, but South Africa goalie Moneeb Joseph made an easy save on the 10-yard effort.

Although France played well early, the match started to mirror the team's off- the-field issues in the 20th minute.

Khumalo fired Bafana Bafana in front in the 20th minute when he reached a corner kick from Siphiwe Tshabalala at the left post. Khumalo outjumped France defender Abou Diaby and headed into the left side from a few yards out for his first-ever international goal.

Mphela followed with another chance for South Africa in the 25th, but his long effort went just wide of the left post.

France's chances of ending the tournament on a good note crumbled five minutes later when Yoann Gourcuff got a straight red card for elbowing MacBeth Sibaya.

South Africa settled in with the man advantage and doubled its lead inside 40 minutes through Mphela. Tsepo Masilela created the goal, which Mphela merely had to tap in from a few feet out in the 37th minute.

France nearly made the game interesting in the closing minutes of the half but Franck Ribery's long free kick that had eyes for the right side of the net was barely pushed over the bar by Joseph.

Mphala ended the half with one last chance for South Africa, but Lloris pushed the ball wide of the left post to leave France within two goals at halftime.

South Africa's Bernard Parker started the second half by forcing Lloris into another save in the 49th, and Mphela nearly handed Bafana Bafana a three-goal lead two minutes later, but hit the outside of the right post following a nice set up by Steven Pienaar.

French veteran Djibril Cisse managed his lone chance on a dipping shot inches over the crossbar from 22 yards in the 55th minute, but was replaced by Thierry Henry just seconds later as coach Raymond Domenech searched for a spark.

Mphela's 30-yard blast forced Lloris to make a diving save in the 57th before Ribery created another chance for France in the 59th but fired over from about 16 yards.

South Africa continued to press for more goals to overturn its goal deficit in the tiebreaker against Mexico but Mphela and Pienaar had shots saved by Lloris as the match entered the final 25 minutes.

France ended South Africa's hopes of advancing in the 70th when Ribery set up Malouda to end the country's goalless World Cup. Ribery was played into space, and just before Joseph could reach the ball in the box, the French midfielder slipped a pass over to Malouda for an easy finish into an empty net.

Tshabalala ended the game with one last chance for South Africa in extra time, but Lloris kept out the close-range effort to deny the hosts another goal.

France exits the World Cup following a load of controversy, which started in qualification with the "Hand of Henry" goal in a playoff win over Ireland, and then an underage sex scandal involving Ribery. Nicolas Anelka was kicked off the squad a few days ago, then the entire team refused to practice on Sunday.

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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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MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?

Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite.  Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight.  With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites.  As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).

Midwest

#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler

The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April.  Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT.  After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games.  Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season.  As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers.  Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS).  Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field.  With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.

#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV

As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year.  If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season.  As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well.  This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons.  Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late.  There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games.  It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.

East

#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown

“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season.  Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU.  They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games.  With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field.  Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense.  Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc.  The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range.  Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.

#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC

The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country.  Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times.  Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter.  UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen.  UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS.  An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games.  This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS.  USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types.  An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough.  USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS.  They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12.  When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.

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