Brazil, Portugal battle for top spot in Group G

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06/24/2010 - Durban, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brazil has already secured a spot in the second round after wins in its first two Group G matches, while Portugal is on the verge of advancing following a 7-0 destruction of North Korea last time out.

A draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday would allow Brazil to win the group, while Portugal would claim the second spot, but predicting how this match will go is something that is difficult to do. Both sides would secure first in the group with a victory.

Portugal played an ultra conservative game in its opening match against Ivory Coast, which ended in a 0-0 draw, but turned on the style against North Korea, scoring six times in the second half.

"It was a great display with good goals and the right attitude," Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz said following the North Korea game. "We needed a game like this, but we have to remember that we've not won anything yet. The most important thing is to secure qualification."

Portuguese winger Simao also talked about staying grounded after the match, and he will not be content with his team until they have reached the next round.

"Our goal has always been to get through to the round of 16 and we're close now," Simao said. "The game against Brazil is an important one and nothing's decided yet."

In order for Portugal to be kept out of the last 16, it would need an epic collapse against the Brazilians while Ivory Coast would have to hammer North Korea to overturn a massive edge in goal difference for Portugal.

Brazil star Kaka received two late yellow cards in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last time out, meaning he will miss the match through suspension, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar is already looking for his team to fix a few small problems as they prepare for the next round.

"We were drawn in one of the most difficult groups, if not the most difficult," the goalkeeper said. "We were a bit nervous in our opening game. Anxiety had taken hold, but I knew that we'd play better and that's why we've come off the pitch happy. Yet again we've conceded a goal, but at least we've let them in at moments we could afford to. We're going to need to iron out a few flaws ahead of the knockout stages, so we don't make any more mistakes."

Portugal will likely play a more conservative game against Brazil as they try to keep their third clean sheet in as many matches to round out the group stage, while Brazil's attack will provide a good test for goalkeeper Eduardo, who has faced just five shots in the competition so far.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.

The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.

MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.

A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.

Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.

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