Weah junior nets in USA romp

NEW YORK: Teenager Tim Weah scored a goal on his first start as a youthful United States team defeated Bolivia 3-0 in a friendly international match on Monday.

Weah, the 18-year-old son of Liberia legend George Weah, tucked away a deft side-footed finish in the 59th minute of a comfortable win for the Americans at Philadelphia’s Talen Energy Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain forward Weah was one of several new faces in an experimental line-up named by caretaker coach Dave Sarachan. The New York-born forward had previously played only a few minutes for the US, appearing as a substitute during a friendly win over Paraguay in March.

Sarachan took charge following the departure of Bruce Arena after the United States’ shock failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Weah’s goal came just seven minutes after Europe-based teenage debutant, Josh Sargent, had made it 2-0. Sargent, who is on the books of Bundesliga side Werder Bremen but who is yet to make his full professional debut at club level, pounced on a blunder from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra to score on 52 minutes. There appeared to be little danger when Viscarra attempted to chip a pass over Sargent from inside his own area. The 18-year-old US striker cleverly hooked the ball down before rifling home a low shot.Earlier, centre-back Walker Zimmerman had headed the US into the lead in the 37th minute, powering in his finish after an outswinging corner from Joe Corona.

Japan coach Nishino in Russia headache: Japan coach Akira Nishino admitted Tuesday that he would spend the next two days agonising over the squad he will take to the World Cup next month. The 63-year-old, who took charge last month after predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic was abruptly fired, attempted to take the pressure off his players on the eve of their warm-up game with Ghana in Yokohama.

“The final 23 players won’t be decided by one game tomorrow,” Nishino told reporters. “At this stage of course I have a general idea but I have to plan for what happens in the case of injuries,” added the former Japan Football Association technical director, who names his squad for Russia on Thursday. “Right up until the morning after tomorrow’s game, I have to think about all sorts of eventualities — I’m sure the doubt and anguish will continue.” Japan meet Colombia, Senegal and Poland in Group H and Nishino wants talismanic forward Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa — two of those who did not see eye to eye with Halilhodzic — to take a key role. Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki will, like Kagawa, be given every chance to recover in time for the World Cup as Nishino looks to steady the ship after a turbulent few weeks.

Nishino will be under pressure to avoid a repeat of the 2014 World Cup when Japan crashed out in the first round with barely a whimper — especially after the JFA gave Halilhodzic the boot so unceremoniously.