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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Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Super Bowl XLIII, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds

Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.

The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.

The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.

Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.

MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)

Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)

Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.

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