TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2017 SPORTS

Giovinco brace lifts streaking Toronto over Montreal

MONTREAL: Sebastian Giovinco remaining, Toronto are homing in on cross from the right side. ing kisses to the crowd after his sec- only more misery for the Los Angeles scored twice and added a the best regular-season record in The match was into stoppage time ond. The match marked just one of Galaxy, who fell 3-0 at home to the San goal as Toronto FC beat the Impact 3-1 league history-the 68 points of the when Piatti scored, but Giovinco quick- the regional rivalries on display in Jose Earthquakes. Valeri “Vako” in Montreal on Sunday in an all- 1998 Los Angeles Galaxy. After an ly restored the two-goal margin just a MLS during the week, starting with Qazaishvili opened the scoring with a Canada clash. evenly balanced first half, Giovinco minute later. Montreal’s winning streak Friday’s 1-1 draw between New York crisp strike shortly before halftime, and delivered Montreal’s goal curled in one of his trademark right- was snapped at four games, but the Red Bulls and New York City FC. Galaxy were forced to play most of the late in the second half when he con- footed free kicks in the final few min- Impact are still in the MLS Eastern In the first edition of the New York second half with 10 men after defend- verted a Blerim Dzemaili pass. utes before halftime. Conference playoff picture. The two derby to end in a draw, New York City’s er Nathan Smith was shown a straight But once again it was Toronto on Montreal goalkeeper teams will still face each other twice -recently recalled for Spain’s red card for a tackle on Andres top, as they pushed their unbeaten barely moved as the ball found the more in the run-up to the MLS playoffs. upcoming World Cup qualifiers-found Imperiale. That was too much for the streak to nine games and edged closer corner of the net to his right. Altidore Giovinco got into the spirit of the Maxi Moralez in the penalty area for an Galaxy to overcome, with Marco Urena to securing the Supporters’ Shield for scored his 11th goal of the season in sometimes tense Eastern Canada opening goal, before Gonzalo Veron and adding late the best regular-season record in MLS. the 52nd minute when he was left rivalry, wiping mock tears from his converted a penalty for Red Bulls. goals to swell San Jose’s margin of vic- With 53 points and nine games unmarked to convert Marky Delgado’s cheeks after his first goal and blow- Sunday’s California Clasico brought tory. — AFP

Buffon slams VAR as struggles with technology

MILAN: Juventus and goalkeeping dubious penalty decision. Match referee great has slammed the Luca Banti failed to spot Genoa striker “misuse” of the video assistant referee Andrey Galabinov being offside before (VAR) system, saying that it makes Serie he was fouled, clearly, by defender A “ugly”. The VAR, footage which can be Daniele Rugani. consulted by the referee on the touch- Juve should have been awarded a lines to rule on key incidents, is being free-kick, but Galabinov succeeded used in Serie A for the first time this sea- where Diego Farias failed for Cagliari a son ahead of its World Cup debut in week earlier in beating Buffon with a Russia next year. penalty that should not have been But while several VAR decisions have awarded. Italian sports daily Gazzetta been vindicated over the opening two dello Sport said Banti “should not have weekends, mistakes have been made given the penalty”. and Buffon, along with Roma Juventus eventually clawed their way Diego Perotti, is among its biggest critics. back thanks to a Paulo Dybala hat-trick, “If you ask me, the VAR is being misused, one of his goals coming from a VAR- and out of proportion,” Buffon said inspired penalty decision following an Saturday after helping Juventus launch a accidental handball in the fifth and final 4-2 comeback victory at Genoa. minute of stoppage time added to “We were told it would be used spar- accommodate for the consultations ingly, in a fair and logical manner. with technology. Instead, it’s like we’re playing water polo. “Thankfully the lads brought the It’s making the game ugly.” A World Cup- points home, but in terms of the VAR it winner, Italy’s current caps record holder will take a little patience. We all need a (169), and a losing Champions League period to adapt,” Allegri told Mediaset finalist twice in the past three years, Premium. “Just as we need to focus on Buffon’s goalkeeping credentials don’t improving in our duties, so too must the need debating. referees to make VAR quicker and more And when it comes to VAR, he has effective.” direct experience. The 39-year-old was Roma midfielder Perotti couldn’t have part of Serie A VAR history, stopping a agreed more. He was livid after not being first-half penalty in a 3-0 season-opening awarded a penalty decision after being : Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, top left, goes for a header with Valencia’s Ruben Vezo, top right, during a Spanish soccer match win at Cagliari last week when referee clearly fouled by Inter’s Skriniar as Roma between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sunday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. — AP Fabio Maresca used it for the first time in led 1-0. A corner was given, and eventu- Italy’s top flight. ally went on to prevail 3-1. Juve coach called “It was a clear penalty, everyone saw SOCCER for “patience” as the football world gets it,” said Perotti. “They gave a corner, but accustomed to what some experts he (Skriniar) didn’t even touch the ball. believe is the biggest change in the “After this, I don’t have much faith in VAR. Real Madrid held 2-2 by game for decades. But Allegri could soon If we’d scored from the penalty we’d have see his own patience being tested. been 2-0 up and it was game over. With Genoa leading 1-0 Juventus in “I watched Genoa versus Juventus the opening minute thanks to Miralem earlier and the foul on me seemed Valencia in home opener Pjanic’s own goal on Sunday, Juve went clearer than either of the penalties 2-0 down five minutes later thanks to a awarded.” — AFP MADRID: Marco Asensio was impressive again, second half with a low strike from inside the area redirected the ball into the net after a low cross but his two remarkable goals were enough only by French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia. from the right, securing Sevilla its first league to salvage a 2-2 draw against Valencia in Real “Both teams could have ended with the victo- victory. Sevilla was coming off a disappointing 1- Arsenal latest victims Madrid’s home opener in the Spanish league on ry,” Valencia coach Marcelino said. “But the draw 1 home draw against Espanyol. Getafe had Sunday. Asensio scored the second of his two turned out to be a good result for us and I’m opened with a 0-0 draw at . goals from a free kick in the 83rd minute at the proud of my players.” Madrid struggled offen- of goal-a-game Mane Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. sively without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo. IMPRESSIVE START The disappointing result left the defending Karim Benzema wasted opportunities in front of Leganes defeated Espanyol 1-0 Sunday to PARIS: Senegal sharpshooter Sadio tral midfield ahead of club captain Gabi champions two points behind Real Sociedad, the goal, including from close-range in the 88th. continue its perfect start in the Spanish league. Barcelona and Leganes - the three teams which His injury-time header struck the post after Argentine defender Martin Mantovani scored in Mane continued his goal-a-game streak and made the most of his opportunity have won each of their first two matches. “We being tipped by the goalkeeper. the first half to give Leganes the away victory. It in the English Premier League at the with an assured performance topped off deserved more, but you can’t always win,” Neto had already made a great save against was the second straight win for Leganes, which weekend with the second as Liverpool with a goal as Atletico thrashed Las Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “We had Luka Modric’s strike from just outside the area made its first-division debut last season. “It’s the thrashed Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield. Mane Palmas 5-1. The Ghanaian opened his several clear chances to score but couldn’t do it. midway through the second half. A few minutes type of game that is worth more than three scored in a season-opening 3-3 draw at account for the season with a sweet I’m not happy with the result but I’m proud of later, it was Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas points, it’s an incredible result,” Mantovani said. Watford and struck the only goal of a strike from outside the box to round off the game we played.” who brilliantly stopped a free kick shot by “We are off to a very good start. We worked very home match against Crystal Palace last the scoring two minutes from time. Asensio scored Madrid’s opener in the 10th Valencia midfielder Dani Parejo. hard in the offseason for this. We can’t get too weekend. Egyptian Mohamed Salah also with a neat run through the middle after a Before the game, Madrid was officially hand- excited, but it gives us motivation to keep work- scored in the demolition of the Gunners ITALY defensive blunder by Valencia. Asensio calmly ed the La Liga trophy it won last season. Madrid, ing.” Mantovani said he forgot to honor his preg- as Liverpool rose to second, two points GODFRED DONSAH (Bologna) finished with a well-placed left-foot shot into the which had opened with a 3-0 win at Deportivo nant wife during the goal celebration, having behind Manchester United. Serie A newcomers Benevento wel- left corner. La Coruna, was without suspended defender promised her to put the ball under his shirt if he comed Bologna, hoping to score a his- His second goal came only six minutes after . On Saturday, Barcelona won 2-0 scored. “She is going to kill me,” he said, smiling. ENGLAND toric first top-flight win, but instead Valencia had taken a 2-1 lead. He struck a low at Alaves with a pair of goals by . JORDAN AYEW (Swansea City) found themselves on the end of a 1-0 free kick that went around the wall and was too Atletico Madrid earned its first league victory WINNING AGAIN Ghana striker Ayew opened his defeat thanks to midfielder Donsah’s much for Valencia goalkeeper Neto. “We let two with a 5-1 rout at Las Palmas. Athletic Bilbao improved from its opening account for the campaign as Swansea 55th-minute goal. Even though Donsah points escape,” Madrid right back Dani Carvajal draw at home by defeating Eibar 1-0 with a first- said. Valencia, coming off a 1-0 win against Las LATE WINNER half goal by Aritz Aduriz. The veteran striker won 2-0 at Crystal Palace to claim their is widely rumoured to be on his way out first win of the Premier League season. Palmas in the opener, equalized a few minutes Paulo Henrique Ganso scored with a brilliant scored with a close-range header at Eibar’s of the club, his contribution was crucial after Asensio’s first goal with a close-range shot touch in the 83rd minute to give Sevilla a 1-0 Ipurua Stadium. Eibar opened with a 1-0 win at Ayew struck in the 48th minute, canter- to Bologna. ing onto Kyle Naughton’s pass and then by Carlos Soler. The visitors went ahead in the win at Getafe. The Brazilian midfielder neatly Malaga. —AP benefiting from some good fortune as GERMANY goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey’s attempt- PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG ed block bounced back against him, (Borussia Dortmund) Mbappe on verge of sending the ball trickling into the net. The Gabon hot shot has now scored in each of his last eight games in all compe- SADIO MANE (Liverpool) titions dating back to last season after he stunning PSG move Mane scored his third goal in three flicked on Nuri Sahin’s cross for the open- league games this season as Liverpool ing goal in a 2-0 win at home to Hertha PARIS: Monaco’s teen sensation Kylian player would be allowed to leave the national crushed Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield. The Berlin. Aubameyang now has two goals Mbappe is expected to complete a stunning team camp at Clairefontaine, around 50 kilo- Senegalese forward found the net in in as many 2017/2018 league games as move to Paris Saint-Germain when he flies metres south of Paris, to complete a transfer. the 40th minute at Anfield, running he resumes his rivalry with Bayern into the French capital later, according to With the transfer window closing on onto Roberto Firmino’s pass down the Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who has widespread French media reports. Thursday, that means Mbappe is set to com- left flank, cutting inside Rob Holding scored three. Radio stations Info and RMC plete the move on Monday, allowing him to and drilling a firm shot into the bottom- revealed on Sunday that PSG had agreed to team up with Neymar and Edinson Cavani in right corner. pay 180 million euros ($215 million) including a mouthwatering PSG attack after the inter- FRANCE bonuses for the 18-year-old French interna- national break. MOUSSA KONATE (Amiens) MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool) tional striker. After being left out of the Monaco squad Egyptian forward Salah continued his The Senegalese striker, a recent sign- That would make him the second most last week, Mbappe was an unused substitute fine start to life at Anfield with a goal ing from Swiss side Sion, netted twice as expensive transfer in football history behind for Sunday night’s game against Marseille as and an assist. He netted Liverpool’s third Amiens won a game for the first Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona for the reigning French champions won 6-1. That goal in the 57th minute after beating time in their history, winning 3-0 at 222 million euros earlier this month. However, saw them join PSG at the top of the Ligue 1 home to Nice, for whom Ivory Coast star concerns over meeting UEFA’s Financial Fair table with four wins from four games at the Hector Bellerin to a bouncing ball inside Play (FFP) obligations mean PSG could initial- start of the season. the Liverpool half and running clear to Jean-Michael Seri did not feature after an expected move to Barcelona fell through. ly sign Mbappe on loan, according to sports score before crossing for Daniel daily L’Equipe. ‘KYLIAN IS A STAR’ Sturridge to head in the fourth goal 13 “Monaco and PSG on Sunday reached an Asked after the game about Mbappe’s FRANCOIS KAMANO (Bordeaux) minutes from time. agreement for a loan move for Kylian Mbappe expected departure, Monaco coach Leonardo The Guinean winger netted the open- to the Parisian club with an option to buy for Jardim said: “I am not confirming anything. It SPAIN ing goal as Bordeaux continued their 180 million euros,” said L’Equipe, adding that is not my role to discuss that. My role is on the ZOUHAIR FEDDAL (Real Betis) unbeaten start to the season by defeat- Mbappe would undergo a medical by field. “He is a Monaco player. That is why he Moroccan centre-back Feddal was the ing Troyes 2-1. It was a first goal of the Monday morning. was on the bench. But after it went 4-0 I match winner as his towering header season for the 21-year-old. Mbappe is due to leave the principality on didn’t need him. The club’s project is to bring handed Real Betis a 2-1 win over Celta Monday morning along with Monaco winger through the best players.” Vigo. Feddal met Andres Guardado’s cor- ISMAILA SARR (Rennes) and fly to Paris on his way to Monaco captain added: “It’s ner flush 13 minutes from time to cap a The teenage Senegalese forward teaming up with the French national squad. complicated for him. i hope that everything perfect home debut after his close-sea- scored his first goal for Rennes since a 17 France will play a World Cup qualifier against works out quickly for him, and that no other million-euro move from Metz in the close PARIS: France’s forward Kylian Mbappe arrives at the French the Netherlands at the on player will be leaving Monaco.” Mbappe was son move from Alaves. national football team training base in Clairefontaine yes- Thursday and a game against Luxembourg in outstanding in the second half of last season season, but it was not enough to prevent terday. Monaco’s teen sensation Kylian Mbappe is expected Toulouse next weekend. but he has not played in any of Monaco’s last (Atletico Madrid) a 3-2 defeat at Toulouse that left his new to complete a stunning move to Paris Saint-Germain when France coach Didier Deschamps insisted three games as they extended their record Partey was handed a rare start in cen- club still winless this season. — AFP he flies into the French capital. — AFP last week when he named his squad that no winning run to 16 league games.—AFP