Steve McClaren’s Twente lead the standings with 40 points from 18 matches but can be overtaken by PSV Eindhoven, who have a vastly superior goal difference, if they beat NAC Breda on Saturday.

Alkmaar dominated the first half and were close to scoring when a fierce volley from Adam Maher was headed off the line by Douglas.

Chadli struck for Twente two minutes into the second half when his shot, slightly deflected by an Alkmaar defender, went past keeper Esteban Alvarado.

U.S. international Jozy Altidore nearly levelled for Alkmaar before Dusan Tadic set up Luc Castaignos to double the lead 15 minutes from time and Chadli settled the match with an outstanding lob from 16 metres.

“My first goal went in with a bit of luck but it helped us into the match,” Chadli told Eredivisie Live TV.

“I’m still not at my best and improving as I just came back from injury.”

Ajax Amsterdam, who on Sunday visit their nemesis Utrecht who have won their last three home matches against the champions, are third with 36 points, one ahead of Vitesse Arnhem who visit Heerenveen.

See the original post here:
World Football – Chadli double lifts Twente to top of Eredivisie

Tags: a-fierce-volley, alkmaar, chadli, champions, dominated-the, double-the-lead, dusan-tadic, fierce-volley, goal-difference, into-the-match, into-the-second, nemesis, vastly-superior

WEMBLEY, England (AP) — World Cup champion Japan reached the women’s Olympic soccer final Monday by beating France 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

Yuki Ogimi and Mizuho Sakaguchi each scored for Japan, but France substitute Eugenie le Sommer pulled one back in the 75th minute.

A minute later, Elise Bussaglia could have equalized from the penalty spot following a foul, but the Frenchwoman shot wide of the right post.

France attacked for the last 10 minutes of the match, with le Sommer coming close again with an overhead kick that was saved. Ogimi then the hit the post in the 90th after breaking from the halfway line.

Wendie Renard and Louisa Necib each came close for France in the four minutes of extra time.

Japan will play either Canada or the United States in the final on Thursday.

Japan went into the match as the favorite, but World Cup semifinalist France had the better of the opening exchanges with Elodie Thomis and Marie-Laure Delie both looking dangerous down the flanks.

Ogimi gave Japan the lead after France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi fumbled an easy catch. The team’s top scorer at the London Olympics got to the rebound first and bundled the ball in from close range.

Three minutes into the second half, Japan had doubled its lead when Sakaguchi looped a header into the top right corner.

See the original post here:
Japan beats France to reach Olympic soccer final

Tags: down-the-flanks, elise-bussaglia, france, frenchwoman, into-the-match, japan, london-, post, sarah-bouhaddi, united, united-states, wendie-renard, women