2007 Women's World Cup Preview - New Zealand

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09/05/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It has been 16 years since New Zealand participated in the FIFA Women's World Cup after the team competed in the inaugural event in 1991, losing to Denmark, Norway and China. As a result, New Zealand will be looking for its first Women's World Cup win this year in China.

Coach John Herdman, an Englishman who started his career as a youth coach with Sunderland Football Club before moving to New Zealand in 2003, knows this is an important tournament for the future of soccer in New Zealand, with a positive result necessary to grow the sport in the country.

"This is a crucial time for women's football in New Zealand," he told FIFA.com. "The women's game is on the cusp of something really special and we are hoping that with some credible performances on the world stage, our senior side can lead the game in New Zealand into a new era."

Australia's move to the Asian Football Confederation cleared a path for New Zealand to go unbeaten in the Oceanic World Cup qualifying tournament, which was based in Papua New Guinea in April. Herdman's side thrashed PNG 7-0 in their final game to complete a clean-sweep of the four-team qualifier and book the last of 16 places of September's event.

New Zealand features a young squad with its average age being 22, but 35-year- old striker Wendi Henderson and veteran defenders Rebecca Smith and Maia Jackman will be counted on to lead the charge of a team that is a long shot to make it out of the group stage.

Henderson is the only holdover from the 1991 Women's World Cup team so her experience will be key as will Smith - a California-born player who captained the Duke University women's side in 2003 - because she is one of the only full-time professional players on the roster. Her experience in the central defense will be pivotal to the team's success.

New Zealand opens group play on Sept. 12 against Brazil at Wuhan Sports Center Stadium before a match against Denmark on Sept. 15 at the same venue. New Zealand closes out group play on Sept. 19 against host nation China at Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS:

-- Qualifier FIFA Women's World Cup - 1991

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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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