Sports
SWAN, Others Say Eagles’ Defeat Of Squirrels Exciting
The Lagos chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and other stakeholders at the weekend congratulated the Super Eagles for their 1-0 win over the Squirrels of Republic of Benin.
The newsmen report that substitute, Paul Onuachu scored in added time to give the Eagles victory at Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo.
Commenting on the victory, Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Debo Oshundun, commended the efforts of the team and described it as brilliant.
“It is a good thing that we won against the Benin team, although we have already qualified judging from the result from the Lesotho versus Sierra-Leone match.
“The fact that we are able to defeat a team that had not lost in front of their home fans for eight years is quite commendable, and it will serve as a morale-booster.
“The team now has enough confidence to face Lesotho.
“We are also excited because the Super Eagles will be playing in Lagos after almost 20 years of not playing in Lagos.
“The result means that the team is coming back to Lagos with a lot of good tidings and we are looking forward to receiving them,’’ he said.
Oshundun also said all hands were on deck for the successful outing of the Super Eagles against Lesotho tomorrow.
“We are much happy for Tuesday’s match, and the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and others are well prepared for the match.
“We want the Eagles to cap it all with a resounding victory against Lesotho and they should not be complacent because beating Benin is not a reason to be complacent.
“Every match is important, because if Lesotho comes to Lagos to pick a point off us, it will put a dent on our reputation and FIFA ranking.
“The Lesotho match should also be an opportunity for the coach to test new players as well,’’ he said.
The Secretary of Lagos SWAN, Bunmi Ogunyale, also commended the team for a good outing against the Squirrels, adding that the win would improve the team’s FIFA ranking.
“I want to believe that the team did a very good job because it was not easy breaking the jinx in Porto Novo after eight years of an unbeaten streak.
“The win will help the Super Eagles’ ranking in the next FIFA rankings and by the time we also win against Lesotho, more points would have been gained.
“We know that FIFA rankings now decide the draws for the World Cup qualifiers. So, we need more points in order to avoid the top teams in the qualifiers,’’ he said.
Former Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, on his part said that the win was a big one.
He said it could bring more positive results for the Super Eagles in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON.
“The win in Benin is a big one indeed and a morale-booster for Nigeria, especially being the first loss to the visiting team in a long run of eight years.
“We need to commend Gernot Rohr for the changes he made which are perfect. We also need to commend the goalscorer, Paul Onuachu, for the winning goal.
“We have qualified for AFCON and we are looking ahead for a good game on Tuesday, and also looking for a good outing in AFCON next year which we pray will be better than that of 2019.
“We are also looking ahead to the World Cup qualifiers in June. This team comes with a lot of promise and they can do the nation proud,’’ he said.
Sports
Galaxy Win Sixth MLS Title
LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title as they beat New York Red Bulls to delight a home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The MLS Cup is the showpiece match at the end of the US season, pitching the champions of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals together.
This was the first MLS Cup between two sides from the largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles and New York, and it produced a hectic opening with all three goals scored in the first half-hour.
Red Bulls were the lowest seed to ever reach the final after finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, and their underdog status initially showed as Galaxy dominated the 29th MLS Cup early on.
Galaxy led after nine minutes when Joseph Paintsil squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and it was 2-0 soon after as Dejan Joveljic ran through the Red Bulls defence and finished with the outside of his boot.
Both men celebrated by holding up the shirt of team-mate Riqui Puig, the former Barcelona player who ruptured his ACL in the Western Conference Final which Galaxy won to reach this championship game.
Galaxy threatened to overwhelm their opponents as Sean Nealis headed a free-kick against his own crossbar.
But Red Bulls centre-back Nealis pulled his team back into the game after 28 minutes when he chested down and volleyed in from 15 yards when Galaxy players failed to clear a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half: Galaxy right-back Miki Yamane struck the outside of the post, before Emil Forsberg curled an effort off the upright for Red Bulls.
But Galaxy, who had home advantage because of their better record in the regular season, held on to win their first MLS Cup since 2014.
Red Bulls remain without an MLS Cup title in their history after losing on what was their second appearance in the championship game.
Sports
Bayern Extend Bundesliga Lead To Six Points
Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a 4-2 win against Heidenheim.
A double from Jamal Musiala and goals from Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka saw Bayern extend their lead at the top of the table to six points as closest challengers Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 2-2 draw by Augsburg.
Vincent Kompany was without the injured Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Mathys Tel and Serge Gnabry, with Musiala starting on the bench.
Leroy Sane spurned two excellent early chances from close range before Upamecano headed the hosts in front from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Bayern enjoyed 86% possession and completed 10 times as many passes (503) as the visitors (51) in the first half, yet Alphonso Davies hit the post with the only other clear chance created.
To their credit, Heidenheim didn’t wilt and drew level when Mathias Honsak rounded stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after Upamecano under-hit a backpass.
Kompany immediately introduced Musiala from the bench and was rewarded five minutes later when the 21-year-old drove into the box and beat Kevin Muller with a low strike.
Bayern looked to have secured the three points when Goretzka’s shot deflected past Muller, but the visitors halved the deficit almost immediately through a Niklas Dorsch tap-in.
Any nerves soon dissipated when Musiala ran half the length of the pitch unchallenged to slot home the fourth and final goal.
Bayern will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tomorrow before returning to domestic duty away against Mainz on Saturday.
Sports
La Liga: Barca Stumble Again
Robert Lewandowski continued his superb start to the season but could not prevent Barcelona dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Real Betis.
Lewandowski scored his 16th goal of the league campaign before Ferran Torres cancelled out Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty – but Assane Diao snatched a point for Betis with a late equaliser.
Real Betis could have easily scored twice in the opening three minutes but Raphina cleared Diego Llorente’s header off the goalline before Abde Ezzalzouli – formerly of Barcelona – saw his one-on-one effort saved by Inaki Pena.
Lamine Yamal wasted a good chance to break the deadlock from close range but team-mate Lewandowski made no such mistake.
The Poland international converted Jules Kounde’s cross from close range to finish a fine team move and score for the 23rd time in 21 games in all competitions.
Betis emerged from half-time with renewed energy but spurned three more clear chances.
Sergi Altimira and Lo Celso sent headers wide of Pena’s post before the Barcelona goalkeeper was called upon to tip Chimy Avila’s snap-shot wide.
Betis finally got their just reward when Lo Celso converted from the penalty spot after Barca substitute Frenkie de Jong felled Vitor Roque – on-loan from the Catalans – as he raced into the area.
Barca pushed for a winner and found it when substitute Torres beat the offside trap to latch on to Yamal’s reverse pass and finish past Fran Vieites.
It looked like Barca would see out the win, but in the fourth minute of injury-time 19-year-old substitute Diao swept home to rescue a point for the hosts.
The draw sees Barca surrender control in the title race. Flick’s side are five points ahead of closest challengers Real Madrid but Los Blancos have played two games fewer.
Barca will be in Champions League action against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off) before facing Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, 15 December.
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