AMSTERDAM -- France lived up to its billing as favorite in World Cup qualifying Group A by beating the Netherlands 1-0 Monday, thanks to a long-range strike by midfielder Paul Pogba and a late save by Hugo Lloris.Sweden, meanwhile, continued to show it can play without retired superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, going level on points at the top of the group by registering its second victory in qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia, beating Bulgaria 3-0.European Championship runner-up France looked dangerous throughout the match at the Amsterdam Arena, with Pogba bossing the midfield and the searing pace of right back Djibril Sidibe and powerful runs of Moussa Sissoko and Kevin Gameiro proving a menace.Paul was decisive tonight, France coach Didier Deschamps said. Not just because of his goal, but also by winning the ball in midfield and distributing well.While Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg looked like he could have kept out Pogbas goal, his good saves kept the score down in the second half.Maarten knows that he would usually save that (Pogba shot) with one hand in training, Netherlands coach Danny Blind said.Both teams were coming off 4-1 victories on Friday, the Netherlands attack making up for the teams continuing defensive frailties against Belarus while France easily overcame Bulgaria as Gameiro scored his first international goals in more than five years.But the Dutch, already missing experienced stars Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to injuries, suffered an early setback when Quincy Promes, who scored twice on Friday, limped off and was replaced by Memphis Depay just 16 minutes in.Without Promes pace, the Dutch rarely looked likely to break down the experienced France defense and already looks to be struggling to reach the World Cup with just one team automatically qualifying from each group.Blind said he was not ready to give up the chase for top spot in the group yet.Weve only played three out of 10 qualifiers, he said. We are only three points behind France, so it is not over yet.---NETHERLANDS 0, FRANCE 1In Amsterdam, France underscored its pedigree with an early assault on the Dutch goal, but after weathering that storm the Netherlands exerted pressure of its own, looking a far more confident team since its 4-1 victory over Belarus.But the Dutch defenses curse of giving away the ball in dangerous positions struck again in the 31st when Jeffrey Brumas loose pass was intercepted by Laurent Koscielny who quickly fed Pogba. Netherlands captain Kevin Strootman gave the Manchester United star far too much time and space and Pogba unleashed a powerful drive from 30 meters that Stekelenburg could only defledt on its way into the back of the net.Ten minutes later, the Netherlands looked to have a very strong case for a penalty that could have cancelled out Pogbas strike. Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen twisted and turned in the penalty area before firing a low shot that Arsenal defender Koscielny slid to block, sending the ball bouncing onto his arm. Dutch players appealed in vain as referee Damir Skomina refused to give a spot kick.He could have put it on the spot, Blind said of the referee. He should have put it on the spot.As the Netherlands pressed forward in search of an equalizer in the second half, it was France who carved out the best chances.Gameiro should have doubled Frances lead in the 55th minute, skillfully controlling a long pass by Pogba, but seeing Stekelenburg block his shot.Stekelenburg then denied Pogba his second of the night, saving well after Pogba powerfully headed a Dimitri Payet corner.Hugo Lloris made a great reflex save in the 89th minute to deny Depay and the Netherlands a late equalizer and condemn the Netherlands to its first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 16 years.We deserved a draw, Blind said.---SWEDEN 3,, BULGARIA 0In Solna, Ola Toivonen and Oscar Hiljemark both scored late in the first half and Victor Lindelof made it 3-0 in the 58th as Bulgaria lurched to its second straight defeat.The win means France and Sweden remain the only unbeaten sides in Group A.In the nights other group match, Belarus took the lead in the 80th and Luxembourg equalized five minutes later in a 1-1 draw. Vans Shoes Cheap . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Cheap Vans Authentic . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. http://www.clearancevans.com/ .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Wholesale Vans Authentic . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Discount Vans Shoes . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No.EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Eskimos will be getting some key players back on both sides of the ball when they renew acquaintances with the B.C. Lions this weekend. Receiver Fred Stamps and defensive end Marcus Howard finished three solid days of practice Thursday and are expected back for the rematch between the West Division rivals Saturday in Vancouver. Both missed last weekends 17-3 Eskimo loss to the Lions in Edmonton. "(Stamps) had a very good week of practice," head coach Kavis Reed said Thursday. "Were very encouraged by what weve seen and we dont see any reason, right now, why he shouldnt be back on (the roster). Barring some unforeseen setbacks we expect him to be playing on Saturday." Stamps said its been frustrating not being able to practice fully through the few weeks of the season, but after three solid days on the field he said he feels good and will feel "even better come game time." Reed said Howard also had a good week of practice. "There havent been any setbacks with him as well so were pretty enthused to say that hes probably going to be back," Reed said. Reed agreed that the return of the two key individuals on offence and defence will make the Eskimos a much better team on Saturday when they try to even their record at 2-2 and pull even with the Lions in the West Division standings. "You can list our top guys and theyre going to be in the top five or for sure the top 10," Reed said of Stamps and Howard.dddddddddddd "So theyre significant to their respective units, to what were doing. We really feel with them on the field were a much better football team." The Eskimos will have to be that if they hope to beat the 2-1 Lions. Last weekend the offence managed just 176 yards -- 97 of that on Mike Reillys completing 13 of 23 passes. With the offence running just six plays in the third quarter, the defence was on the field for nearly 12 minutes and surrendered two long touchdown drives to the Lions to start the second half. The Eskimos are confident the return of Stamps, who leads the team with nine catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the two games he played, will bring life to the offence. The six-year CFL veteran posted those stats even though he hadnt practised much because of an undisclosed leg injury. Despite the lack of reps, Stamps and Reilly seem to have instant chemistry. "Those two have spent a lot of time together in the film room, lots of time after practice with each other, visualizing and talking through routes," Reed said. "Fred is a consummate pro. Fred is going to be where he needs to be when he needs to be there. Mike has to trust that and Mike has trusted that. Weve seen that Fred is his go-to guy a in spite of the fact they havent had the opportunity to get a number of reps together." ' ' '