Latest news with #UnionSaint-Gilloise
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Tajon, Buchanan, Jonathan David lead the way as Canada downs Ukraine 4-2
TORONTO - Tajon Buchanan scored a goal and set up two more by Jonathan David as Canada defeated Ukraine 4-2 on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament. Promise David, no relation, also scored for Canada in his senior debut. Both Ukraine goals came in the dying minutes. Illia Zabarnyi scored in the 89th minute, tapping home a teammate's header to cheers from the pro-Ukraine crowd. Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko added another from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Buchanan was pinged for handball in the Canadian penalty box. It was an impressive outing, full of offensive flair, by the 30th-ranked Canadian men in their first outing since finishing third at the CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March. And when No. 25 Ukraine threatened, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was up to the task for the first 88 minutes. Jonathan David upped his Canadian men's record goal total to 34 in 62 appearances. Buchanan, meanwhile, looked back to his electric self on the wing. No. 86 New Zealand faced No. 41 Ivory Coast in the late game at BMO Field. On Tuesday, Canada plays Ivory Coast after New Zealand faces Ukraine. There will be a trophy awarded after the two competition days, with games going straight to a penalty shootout if tied after 90 minutes. A regulation-time win will be worth three points, with a penalty shootout victory two points and shootout loss one point. There were plenty of yellow- and blue-clad fans in Saturday's announced crowd of 20,145, cheering on Ukraine which has not played at home since Russia invaded in February 2022. There are more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent and Canada has accepted some 300,000 refugees from Ukraine since the war started. The Ukraine starters came out with Ukraine flags draped on their shoulders. Mykola Matviyenko's captain's armband was emblazoned with the chevrons of Ukraine's combat brigades. The Ukraine anthem was sung with gusto on a sunny 17 C afternoon. And pro-Ukraine chants started soon after the kickoff. But Canada went ahead in the fourth minute with Buchanan as playmaker down the right flank. Buchanan beat two defenders and then floated a cross to Jonathan David whose initial header was cleared off the goal-line by a defender. The ball came right back to David who made no mistake with a second header. That drew chants of Canada, Canada. Crepeau made a pair of key saves soon after to preserve Canada's lead, denying an attempted chip by Zinchenko after making an acrobatic save from close-range. Buchanan and Jonathan David combined again in the 24th minute with David, off a Buchanan cross, deftly, flicking a header backwards past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who plays in Portugal for Benfica. Promise David, who scored 24 goals in all competitions for Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise this season, made it 3-0 in the 31st minute, pouncing on an errant pass by defender Valeriy Bondar before sliding a low shot through Trubin to open his Canada account. David, a local boy who had friends and family in the stand, celebrated with an enthusiastic slide towards the corner flag. Daniel Jebbison, who plays in England for Bournemouth, came on to start the second half for his second cap, in place of Promise David. Ukraine's Heorhiy Sudakov had a glorious chance in the 72nd minute but put his header over the crossbar. The Canadians were not as connected in the second half although Jonathan David came close to his hat-trick in the 75th, only to see his redirect go high. Substitute Jayden Nelson hit the goalpost in the 78th minute. Jonathan David extended a minute later to a standing ovation. Buchanan made it 3-0 in the 81st minute, outmuscling a defender in front of goal to knock home a ball headed his way off a Canadian free kick for his fifth Canadian goal. Canada improved to 7-4-5 under coach Jesse Marsch with one of these ties turning into a penalty shootout win over Venezuela and another into a shootout loss to Uruguay, both at last summer's Copa America. Canada's previous scoring high under Marsch was a 3-0 win over No. 137 Suriname in November 2024. Marsch, who said he planned to use his entire roster across the two games, fielded a young, relatively inexperienced squad. The starting 11 went into the game with a combined 241 caps, with 186 of those supplied by Buchanan, David, captain Stephen Eustaquio and Derek Cornelius. Five Canada starters —- Promise David, Zorhan Bassong, Luc de Fougerolles, Nathan Saliba and Niko Sigur — went into the game with three caps or less. The average age of the Canadian starting 11 was 22.5 years. Marsch said some of his roster selection was enforced, given Nelson, Sam Adekugbe and Ali Ahmed missed training after arriving sick in the Canadian camp in Halifax following the Vancouver Whitecaps' trip to Mexico for last Sunday's CONCACAF Champions Cup final loss to Cruz Azul. Nelson came in off the bench in the 64th minute. Ukraine also went to its bench, with goalkeeper Dmytro Riznk of Shakhtar Donets replacing Trubin in the 66th minute. Ukraine also brought a young squad, with six of its starters from domestic clubs. The other five were from clubs in England, Greece, Portugal and Spain. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tajon, Buchanan, Jonathan David lead the way as Canada downs Ukraine 4-2
TORONTO – Tajon Buchanan scored a goal and set up two more by Jonathan David as Canada defeated Ukraine 4-2 on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament. Promise David, no relation, also scored for Canada in his senior debut. Both Ukraine goals came in the dying minutes. Illia Zabarnyi scored in the 89th minute, tapping home a teammate's header to cheers from the pro-Ukraine crowd. Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko added another from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Buchanan was pinged for handball in the Canadian penalty box. It was an impressive outing, full of offensive flair, by the 30th-ranked Canadian men in their first outing since finishing third at the CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March. And when No. 25 Ukraine threatened, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was up to the task for the first 88 minutes. Jonathan David upped his Canadian men's record goal total to 34 in 62 appearances. Buchanan, meanwhile, looked back to his electric self on the wing. No. 86 New Zealand faced No. 41 Ivory Coast in the late game at BMO Field. On Tuesday, Canada plays Ivory Coast after New Zealand faces Ukraine. There will be a trophy awarded after the two competition days, with games going straight to a penalty shootout if tied after 90 minutes. A regulation-time win will be worth three points, with a penalty shootout victory two points and shootout loss one point. There were plenty of yellow- and blue-clad fans in Saturday's announced crowd of 20,145, cheering on Ukraine which has not played at home since Russia invaded in February 2022. There are more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent and Canada has accepted some 300,000 refugees from Ukraine since the war started. The Ukraine starters came out with Ukraine flags draped on their shoulders. Mykola Matviyenko's captain's armband was emblazoned with the chevrons of Ukraine's combat brigades. The Ukraine anthem was sung with gusto on a sunny 17 C afternoon. And pro-Ukraine chants started soon after the kickoff. But Canada went ahead in the fourth minute with Buchanan as playmaker down the right flank. Buchanan beat two defenders and then floated a cross to Jonathan David whose initial header was cleared off the goal-line by a defender. The ball came right back to David who made no mistake with a second header. That drew chants of Canada, Canada. Crepeau made a pair of key saves soon after to preserve Canada's lead, denying an attempted chip by Zinchenko after making an acrobatic save from close-range. Buchanan and Jonathan David combined again in the 24th minute with David, off a Buchanan cross, deftly, flicking a header backwards past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who plays in Portugal for Benfica. Promise David, who scored 24 goals in all competitions for Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise this season, made it 3-0 in the 31st minute, pouncing on an errant pass by defender Valeriy Bondar before sliding a low shot through Trubin to open his Canada account. David, a local boy who had friends and family in the stand, celebrated with an enthusiastic slide towards the corner flag. Daniel Jebbison, who plays in England for Bournemouth, came on to start the second half for his second cap, in place of Promise David. Ukraine's Heorhiy Sudakov had a glorious chance in the 72nd minute but put his header over the crossbar. The Canadians were not as connected in the second half although Jonathan David came close to his hat-trick in the 75th, only to see his redirect go high. Substitute Jayden Nelson hit the goalpost in the 78th minute. Jonathan David extended a minute later to a standing ovation. Buchanan made it 3-0 in the 81st minute, outmuscling a defender in front of goal to knock home a ball headed his way off a Canadian free kick for his fifth Canadian goal. Canada improved to 7-4-5 under coach Jesse Marsch with one of these ties turning into a penalty shootout win over Venezuela and another into a shootout loss to Uruguay, both at last summer's Copa America. Canada's previous scoring high under Marsch was a 3-0 win over No. 137 Suriname in November 2024. Marsch, who said he planned to use his entire roster across the two games, fielded a young, relatively inexperienced squad. The starting 11 went into the game with a combined 241 caps, with 186 of those supplied by Buchanan, David, captain Stephen Eustaquio and Derek Cornelius. Five Canada starters — Promise David, Zorhan Bassong, Luc de Fougerolles, Nathan Saliba and Niko Sigur — went into the game with three caps or less. The average age of the Canadian starting 11 was 22.5 years. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Marsch said some of his roster selection was enforced, given Nelson, Sam Adekugbe and Ali Ahmed missed training after arriving sick in the Canadian camp in Halifax following the Vancouver Whitecaps' trip to Mexico for last Sunday's CONCACAF Champions Cup final loss to Cruz Azul. Nelson came in off the bench in the 64th minute. Ukraine also went to its bench, with goalkeeper Dmytro Riznk of Shakhtar Donets replacing Trubin in the 66th minute. Ukraine also brought a young squad, with six of its starters from domestic clubs. The other five were from clubs in England, Greece, Portugal and Spain. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Canada's Promise David scoring goals and attracting attention with Belgian champions
Published Jun 04, 2025 • 4 minute read Union SG's Promise David, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League playoff soccer match between Ajax and Union Saint-Gilloise at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Photo by Peter Dejong / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Soccer has already taken Promise David to Croatia, the United States, Malta, Estonia and Belgium. And the 23-year-old forward from Brampton, Ont., could be on the move again during the summer transfer window. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There have been bumps along the way for David, who usually goes by Tobi (his full name is Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu). 'I call it a journey though hell,' David said with a smile. 'I'm just trying to better myself as a football player and reach higher levels. But, yeah, from each place, I took a piece of football and added it to myself. And I think that's created the Tobi that's here today.' For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. 'Best football I've ever played in my life,' David said of Belgium. 'I really take in every moment, because it might not last.' While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. David is currently with Canada in Halifax, preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. David expects a large contingent of friends and family at BMO Field, noting they haven't seen him play live since high school 'I think I bought tickets for the entire stadium,' he said. Born in Brampton to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for the Nigerian under-23 side in October 2022. But in February, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA. David started at the Toronto FC pre-academy, spending two or three years there before he was let go at 14. He found a new home with Vaughan SC where he excelled despite still growing into an imposing body that now measures six foot four and 209 pounds. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He almost looked clumsy when he ran. But he had a nose for goal,' said Anthony Vadori, Vaughan's director of men's high performance. 'He always found himself in front of goal with an opportunity to shoot.' He also played with a smile on his face. 'You could tell he loved to play … he wanted to learn so much, which was nice.' said Vadori. After high school, David elected to go pro rather than the U.S. college route — he only got one partial scholarship offer, from Appalachian State — after negotiating a deadline with his parents to make it in soccer. 'I asked for six months. And then six months turned into a year and a half. And that year and a half turned into two years. Two years turned in three. And then after three, I think they kind of realized I don't want to go to school.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After attending a tryout camp held by a Croatian second-division team in suburban Oakville in 2019, he found himself in Croatia two weeks later. That led to a move to third-division NK Trnje Zagreb where he played in the under-19 league against youth sides from top teams. 'I was just exploring and discovering the world of football and other cultures,' he said. It was not all fun, dealing with the language barrier and some racism. In 2021, he returned to North America to join FC Tulsa of the USL Championship where he played against older, more experienced players. 'It forced me to grow, forced me to hit the gym. Forced me to understand how my body works and how to run at people, how to hit people, how to take hits,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The next year he went to Malta where he was initially assigned to the under-19 team at Valetta FC but was quickly promoted to the senior side. After the team survived relegation, he switched clubs and hit a roadblock at Sirens FC, where he didn't play. 'It was horrible. But that's football,' he said. In early 2023, he joined Estonia's Kalju FC where It took a coaching chance for him to get his chance with the senior side. He started scoring, which triggered the move to Belgium last July. For David, ignorance is bliss right now when it comes to a possible transfer. 'Anything's possible,' he said. 'I just hope they don't tell me anything until it's ready to sign.' 'You can crack your brain thinking about it,' he added. He could stay where he is. European cup football awaits and David has grown to love Union's fans as well as his teammates and coach. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He is an avid Chelsea fan — and devotee of club legend Didier Drogba. 'it wasn't really the goal-scoring that got me, it was the playmaking ability and just the sheer strength and the problems (he presented) for defenders,' he said. While going to a Chelsea game has long been on his bucket list, there is a caveat. 'I kind of told myself I would not go to Chelsea unless I get to play there first — like against them,' he said. 'I told myself that a couple of years ago.' David is hoping the Champions League draw might lead to London's Stamford Bridge. And with teams like England's Brighton & Hove Albion and Germany's Stuttgart interested in him, bigger stages await. Toronto & GTA Celebrity Canada Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Canada's Promise David scoring goals and attracting attention with Belgian champions
Article content For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. 'Best football I've ever played in my life,' David said of Belgium. 'I really take in every moment, because it might not last.' While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). David is currently with Canada in Halifax, preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada's Promise David scoring goals and attracting attention with Belgian champions
Soccer has already taken Promise David to Croatia, the United States, Malta, Estonia and Belgium. And the 23-year-old forward from Brampton, Ont., could be on the move again during the summer transfer window. There have been bumps along the way for David, who usually goes by Tobi (his full name is Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu). 'I call it a journey though hell,' David said with a smile. 'I'm just trying to better myself as a football player and reach higher levels. But, yeah, from each place, I took a piece of football and added it to myself. And I think that's created the Tobi that's here today.' For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. 'Best football I've ever played in my life,' David said of Belgium. 'I really take in every moment, because it might not last.' While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). David is currently with Canada in Halifax, preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. David expects a large contingent of friends and family at BMO Field, noting they haven't seen him play live since high school 'I think I bought tickets for the entire stadium,' he said. Born in Brampton to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for the Nigerian under-23 side in October 2022. But in February, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA. David started at the Toronto FC pre-academy, spending two or three years there before he was let go at 14. He found a new home with Vaughan SC where he excelled despite still growing into an imposing body that now measures six foot four and 209 pounds. 'He almost looked clumsy when he ran. But he had a nose for goal,' said Anthony Vadori, Vaughan's director of men's high performance. 'He always found himself in front of goal with an opportunity to shoot.' He also played with a smile on his face. 'You could tell he loved to play … he wanted to learn so much, which was nice.' said Vadori. After high school, David elected to go pro rather than the U.S. college route — he only got one partial scholarship offer, from Appalachian State — after negotiating a deadline with his parents to make it in soccer. 'I asked for six months. And then six months turned into a year and a half. And that year and a half turned into two years. Two years turned in three. And then after three, I think they kind of realized I don't want to go to school.' After attending a tryout camp held by a Croatian second-division team in suburban Oakville in 2019, he found himself in Croatia two weeks later. That led to a move to third-division NK Trnje Zagreb where he played in the under-19 league against youth sides from top teams. 'I was just exploring and discovering the world of football and other cultures,' he said. It was not all fun, dealing with the language barrier and some racism. In 2021, he returned to North America to join FC Tulsa of the USL Championship where he played against older, more experienced players. 'It forced me to grow, forced me to hit the gym. Forced me to understand how my body works and how to run at people, how to hit people, how to take hits,' he said. The next year he went to Malta where he was initially assigned to the under-19 team at Valetta FC but was quickly promoted to the senior side. After the team survived relegation, he switched clubs and hit a roadblock at Sirens FC, where he didn't play. 'It was horrible. But that's football,' he said. In early 2023, he joined Estonia's Kalju FC where It took a coaching chance for him to get his chance with the senior side. He started scoring, which triggered the move to Belgium last July. For David, ignorance is bliss right now when it comes to a possible transfer. 'Anything's possible,' he said. 'I just hope they don't tell me anything until it's ready to sign.' 'You can crack your brain thinking about it,' he added. He could stay where he is. European cup football awaits and David has grown to love Union's fans as well as his teammates and coach. He is an avid Chelsea fan — and devotee of club legend Didier Drogba. 'it wasn't really the goal-scoring that got me, it was the playmaking ability and just the sheer strength and the problems (he presented) for defenders,' he said. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. While going to a Chelsea game has long been on his bucket list, there is a caveat. 'I kind of told myself I would not go to Chelsea unless I get to play there first — like against them,' he said. 'I told myself that a couple of years ago.' David is hoping the Champions League draw might lead to London's Stamford Bridge. And with teams like England's Brighton & Hove Albion and Germany's Stuttgart interested in him, bigger stages await. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025
