After edging Venezuela 1-0 on a late goal by Ricardo Clark on Saturday night, the United States returns to the pitch for another friendly exhibition match against Panama in soccer betting action Wednesday night at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.
Clark’s header off a corner from Jermaine Jones seven minutes into injury time at the end of the match was enough to lift the Americans past Venezuela in its first friendly of the 2012 soccer betting season, as manager Jurgen Klinsmann continues to evaluate talent in preparation for the World Cup qualifying matches his troops will face against Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Guatemala in June.
Klinsmann had activated Clark via substitution with only four minutes remaining in the second half, and the move proved prescient as Clark’s decisive header boosted the new manager’s record at the helm of the Team USA to 3-4-1 heading into the clash with Panama.
The American rivalry with Panama gained new vigor last summer during CONCACAF Gold Cup competition when the United States was upset 2-1 by Panama during Group Stage play at the tournament, before rebounding to vanquish the Panamanians with a 1-0 victory in the semi-final.
Veteran striker Luis Tejada is once again expected to provide a stiff challenge for the American backline on Wednesday night, as he will bring his vast arsenal of experience that includes 34 goals in 65 international appearances for Panama into action against the United States.
Tejada was credited with the first goal in Panama’s Gold Cup victory last June, which was the first-ever defeat suffered by the United States in Group Stage play at that tournament.
Be there for every victory.
I dont suppose Prunella Dobbs and her team have sent Our Girl Salley across from Ireland from their Dunganstown, County Wicklow base for a breath of the Berkshire air, and she can defy a penalty to take the spoils in this afternoons Grade 2 1942 Was A Vintage Year Mares Hurdle at Ascot, 2.05pm live on Channel 4.
Having stumped up the Euros to take their seven year old daughter of 1989 Arc de Triomphe winner Carroll House across the Irish Sea, I wouldnt be at all surprised to see them go floating back tomorrow night with a cheque for £22,780 in the back burner plus a decent celebratory hangover to tide them by too.
James Cracknell Griffin, the rising star of the Irish commentary ranks and heir apparent to Irish calling legend Tony OHehir, has been over to ride her out on the track and he reportedly got a great feel from her, the mare having travelled across and acclimatised well.
The winner of four of her eight starts over hurdles she was seen to best effect at Leopardstown at Christmas, bouncing back to peak form to take a Grade 3 event at Leopardstown with a bit to spare.
Its no mistake that she has earned a mark of 139, she has quality stamped through her like a stick of rock, and despite the weight concession she can give them all something to think about, especially as Barry Geraghty (on board for all four of her hurdles wins) is clearly a vital compenent and is available to take a mount he clearly enjoys.
Question marks about the remainder bolster confidence, and at half the price I wouldnt be rushing to back Kentford Grey Lady, despite her convincing win over a staying trip last time given that there wasnt huge strength in depth to the race she won.
The burning question is will Our Girl Salley have enough petrol in the tank at the business end of the race to get the job done since this is her first attempt at three miles?
I thought she stayed on really well for pressure at Christmas time over two and a half miles, and certainly wasnt emptying by any stretch of the imagination.
The better ground will help in that respect, and given shes now seven I can see her staying every inch.
Youd have to think shed be shorter than the 3/1 available with any of Bet365, Betfred or Stan James if she were trained by someone more fashionable, but dont let that deter you from trying to back a winner, especially as Ladbrokes clearly fancy her and are ducking the issue with a quote of just 9/4, a tip in itself.
Also at Ascot the feature event arrives at 3.10pm with the 25th running of the Victor Chandler Chase, and what a cracker it could turn out to be, not least because the sponsors, Bet Victor, have come up with a real beauty of an offer to mark the occasion new and existing customers get their money back (in the form of a free bet) for a £25 stake win or lose on any selection in the race.
Under those circumstances it seems a shame not to take advantage, and we could do worse than keep the faith with Philip Hobbss Wishfull Thinking in the colours of owner Diana Whateley.
Clearly hell have to return to his very best to chin the market leaders, but he was only just run out of it by the re-opposing Finians Rainbow at Kempton latest, and if connections can get him to run less free in the early stages hell be a danger to all.
Given that theres a risk free £25 at 13/2 going begging with Bet Victor you can afford to take that chance.
Victor Chandler Chase Odds Comparison
By some miracle Haydock has passed its inspection, and I thought David Pipes proven mudlark Consigliere was worthy of further attention in the feature Peter Marsh Chase at 3.30pm.
The winner of six of his 24 chase starts hell love the prevailing conditions, is bang in form after a spell in the doldrums, and has proven he can be competitive off a mark of 145.
Rather like Our Girl Salley hes maturing and looks worth a try at a longer trip, and though there are no guarantees he shapes as though hell stay three miles at this stage of his career.
In a race with no standout solution Consigliere looks worthy of an each way nibble at 10/1 with Boylesports or Coral.
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
After coming out victorious in five of six NHL games, the New Jersey Devils have dropped back-to-back games to two of the Eastern Conferences best teams. A home encounter against the struggling Buffalo Sabres may help them head into the All-Star break on a better light.
Tonight, New Jersey will try to further the Sabres franchise-record road losing streak to 13 games in each teams final contest before the break.
The Nets (26-19-2) have lost their last two games by identical 4-1 scores at home to Northeast Division-leading Boston and Atlantic heavyweight Philadelphia.
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London Capital Group (LCG); the mother company behind Capital Spreads saw UK financial spread betting trades reach record levels in the financial year ended 31 December, the company revealed in its full-year trading update this morning.
London Capital Group Holdings plc (LCG) has reported a 13% rise in revenues to £39.0m for the year ended December 31st 2011, following considerable growth witnessed during the second half of the financial year as a result of market volatility.
Revenue for the second half of the year 2011 was up 52% to £20.7m buoyed by market volatility, helping the company register a 13% increase in full year revenues to £39.0m. Av
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Clever? Check. Entertaining? Check. Unusual to see in an airport? Check. Potential to go viral? Check. A reference to pop culture that makes sense? Eh, not so much. Dont get me wrong, I love when the excitement of a team takes over an entire area even in places where things are generally supposed to be serious. A digital sign that provides flight information definitely qualifies. The Saints certainly arent a problem for San Francisco anymore, but do they have 49 others? I certainly hope not, or they could be in for a long day against the Giants on Sunday.
Im taking it too literally, arent I? Wha
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British No.1 Andy Murray has revealed that he is very happy with way his relationship with new coach Ivan Lendl is developing.
Even those looking at the Best Roulette Online will be keen to note that Murray takes on Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday after overcoming difficult conditions to defeat American Ryan Harrison in the first round.
Some have criticised Murray for taking over three hours to defeat the youngster in four sets, but given the conditions, he feels he did a good job and is pleased that his coach understands the situation.
Referring to his coach, the Scotsman said: “He was very happy. He
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