Ala Hann Sport picks

Archive for the ‘Soccer’ Category

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg

Friday July 2nd, 2010: 14:30 EST

Most years, summer sports entertainment is focused around MLB betting as America’s pastime dominates June and July.  This year, however, those who wish to bet on sport other than the norm, have an exciting change. World Cup betting takes charge as the globe’s most popular sport undertakes the most exciting competition.  Football’s championship is nearing the quarterfinals from South Africa, and you can follow all the action at the World Cup blog

The second match of the day features two teams that were not predicted by many to make it this far. Considered a weaker end of the bracket, Uruguay downed South Korea 2-1 and Ghana edged the United States 2-1 in extra time and move on to the quarterfinals.

With Ghana, the hopes of an entire continent rest.  Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Nigeria, and hosts South Africa all failed to move on from the group stage, leaving Ghana as the lone African representative. They were underdogs going in against the U.S., but proved the superior team, taking advantage of weak Americand defense, conceding just one goal on a penalty to Landon Donovan.

Ghana has proven opportunistic and considerably lucky. They beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening match on a penalty after a handball near the goalkeeper gave the Black Stars the chance to go ahead late. Despite their second place finish, their performance against the underachieving Americans showed clearly they have the passion and talent to continue on.

Uruguay, meanwhile, have played convincing football under the radar of other big name squads. An 0-0 draw against France to open the tourney, was followed by a 3-1 victory over South Africa, and a 1-0 triumph over Mexico to win the group.

In their round of 16 match-up, they were just as powerful, with Luis Suarez notching both Uruguay goals, including a brilliant strike that curled just past the keeper that would be the game winner.  Goalkeeping has also proven exceptional for Uruguay, as they have conceded only two goals this tournament.

It stands to be that Uruguay’s biggest challenge will be the crowd and the noise.  South African fans and those who are neutral have joined the last African representative in hopes that a team from the home continent will make it to the semi-finals for the first time in FIFA World Cup history.

Betting lines:  Uruguay is favoured in the match as well they should be. They have proven to be strong offensively, getting production from the aforementioned Suarez, as well as star man Diego Forlan.  Despite the impressive run by the Black Stars of Ghana, there run will be over this weekend.  It shouldn’t take extra time to settle this one, Uruguay will strike first and hold on the to lead, winning 2-0 and sending home the last African team.

Summer has finally arrived with sports betting offering plenty of new and old events to satisfy all types of fans. Baseball moves through the second wave of interleague play and nearer to the halfway point of the year, and with the NBA and NHL at the end, it is time to consider NFL betting as training camp looms. However, for a majority of fans, the next month will be occupied by watching the biggest sporting competition around the globe as the World Cup is showcased in South Africa. And with all the exciting action, there is 2010 World Cup betting to bed had in exciting and often unexpected play.

The second set of group matches gets underway this week as Group A opponents Mexico and France face each other at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Both teams drew in their opening matches, and the four group A teams are all tied with a sole point, offering all teams a chance to advance in a very evenly matched contingent. Mexico tied a passionate South Africa team 1-1 in front of a raucous crowd in what was the very first World Cup final match played in the Africa continent.  Under the circumstances, El Tri were content with the point though they were favourite.  The historic circumstances, the altitude, and the opening match jitteries were all powerful influences, and rightly so.

France, on the other hand, were unimpressive in their opening match, a scoreless draw against Uruguay.  Moreover, they struggled in their recent friendlies, losing 1-0 to China a week and a half ago, and drawing Tunisia in late May.  Both teams did not qualify for the World Cup finals. Still yet, France struggled to themselves qualify for the tournament, edging the Republic of Ireland in a playoff amid great controversy. A missed hand ball by Thierry Henry led to a decisive goal by France that pushed them into the finals. Appropriate outrage ensued, but the play and the game were not reversed.

Those who expect France to do well cite their impressive runner up performance in Germany in 2006.  They lost to Italy on penalties, and many feel they should carry over the successes to 2010. However they appear sluggish and disorderly, and have been criticized by 2006 star Zinedane Zidane.

In their opening match, Nicolas Lodeiro of Uruguay earned two yellow cards, and was sent off in the 81^st minute.  France, however, failed to capitalize on the man advantage.

Betting line: France is favorite by a fair amount in a line that seems crafted more so by past performance and name recognition rather than by talent and current play. There is no reason to expect the French have gotten things together, while Mexico has played well  throughout qualifying and friendlies. Despite the historical dominance by France, Mexico has an opportunity to snatch first place in Group A, and will do so behind captain Gerardo Torrado and the lone El Tri goal scorer of game one, Rafael Marquez. Mexico is better organized, and better coached, and will earn an upset victory in South Africa this week.

One of the top teams competing in this year’s World Cup, the Italy side will be considered the class of Group F when they meet with Paraguay on the fourth day of the tournament for the opening kickoff to their division’s play. With a prominent disparity throughout the groups between the top teams and those that were among the last to qualify, the defending betting World Cup champions embark on South Africa with a much bigger goal than just getting past the opening stage. For the opponent however, the final day of group play could be the key to getting past the round robin, an accomplishment that in itself must ultimately be considered a success for the Slovakia side.

Group F

Slovakia v Italy

06/24/10 – 16:00

Johannesburg- JEP

Leading Up To The 2010 World Cup: Slovakia

This will be the first time in the history of this young nation that Slovakia will compete on the major international stage in a soccer tournament such as the World Cup betting competition. Void of many recognizable names, the Slovak side has relied on fundamentals, strategy, and a team concept where no one individual has been greater than the team. Those factors have helped Slovakia clinch the top spot in Group 3 qualifying leading up to South Africa, as Martin Skrtel, Marek Hamsik and company upset several teams projected to give them trouble in the qualifying rounds, losing only to Slovenia during the process. A 1-0 win over Poland on the final day was the clinching victory, and now head coach Vladimir Weiss’ side turn their head to an even greater accomplishment, getting past the opening round in the World Cup tournament.

Leading Up To The 2010 World Cup: Italy

Undoubtedly one of the leading contenders in this year’s World Cup predictions after their improbable run in 2006, the Azzurri are one of two nations to win the tournament in successive years in the past, a feat that they look to repeat in 2010. Despite dramatic turnover since they triumphed in Berlin four years ago, Italy clinched the top spot in Group 8 in qualifying by taking their traditional approach of shutting down the other team’s top stars, and attacking in transition with some of the most talented players in the world. Missing from the disappointing finish at the Euro Cup two years ago, captain Fabio Cannavaro is back alongside goaltender Gianluigi Buffon to help shut down the opposition, and allow a potent Azzurri striking unit the opportunity to lead them to glory.

World Cup 2010 Match Up: Slovakia v Italy

While Italy will have likely clinched a spot in the next round after games against Paraguay and New Zealand, this game could have major implications for both teams. Top spot is very important in the survival game at these tournaments, and a second place finish would result in Italy playing the top soccer betting seed from another group, a situation no favorite wants to find it self in so early in the tournament. For Slovakia, this could be the deciding game that gets them through, and with a little luck, perhaps the game that sees this side challenge Italy for the top spot in the division.

Pick: Italy