FOOTBALL | Page 3 | Page 7 Sweden stand Gabriel in the way of inspires WI England’s World to win over Cup charge Bangladesh

Saturday, July 7, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 23, 1439 AH Griezmann GULF TIMES seals France’s semi spot with win SPORT Page 2

REPORT BRA 1-2 BEL Belgians hold off Brazilian fi ghtback to reach semis Fernandinho own goal and De Bruyne stunner ensure first all-European semi-final line-up since the 2006 edition

AFP Kazan, Russia Belgium coach

superb fi rst half display by Martinez hails Belgium ended Brazil’s hopes of a record sixth World Cup ‘heroes’ crown as a Fernandinho own goalA and a superb AFP strike proved enough to win 2-1 and seal Kazan, Russia a semi-fi nal spot. Although Brazil roared back in the second half with a headed goal from elgium Renato Augusto, it is the Belgians who coach will face France in on BRob- Tuesday. erto Martinez Unbeaten in their last 15 games, Bra- said his side zil’s bid for a second consecutive place “deserve to be in the semi-fi nals looked in safe hands. heroes” back “We are leaving the World Cup with home after sadness,” said Brazil skipper Miranda. downing five- “We lost to a great team who took their time champions chances to score two goals. We are a Brazil yesterday battling group, with good young play- to set up a ers who can win the next World Cup. World Cup semi-final clash with “Our team tried, fought until the end France. and we leave with our heads held high The Red Devils tore Brazil apart because we gave everything.” on the counter-attack in the first After an energetic start that saw Thi- half, before hanging on in the ago Silva come close and Neymar show second to close out a famous 2-1 early promise, Brazil heads went down victory. following Fernandinho’s own goal be- “They did incredible. There were fore De Bruyne’s superb strike from amazing hearts out there. I didn’t distance put the Red Devils in control think for one minute their hearts on 31 minutes. would give way,” said Martinez. Late changes by Brazil coach Tite “You have to accept that Brazil paid off as Renato Augusto’s superb have so much quality and finesse, header 14 minutes from time dragged they break you down, but we did the south Americans back into conten- not accept it. Not for one minute tion. were they (Belgium) going to give But as Belgian legs tired, Brazil up. spurned several great chances to push “These boys deserve to be heroes the match into extra-time, Augusto in Belgium. The execution of the drilling inches wide and Coutinho tactics was magnificent. skewing his eff ort off target from Ney- “It is special and we can’t let the mar’s pass. people of Belgium down. We can Courtois produced a great save in the pass that down the generations — dying minutes, tipping over a curling Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne (centre) celebrates the FIFA World Cup quarter-final win over Brazil with teammate Dries Mertens in Kazan, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) beating Brazil.” drive from Neymar as the Belgians en- Belgium will next face France in sured they will make just their second the Red Devils were oozing confi dence, and inside the ‘keeper’s far post. Saint Petersburg on Tuesday as visit to the last four, 32 years after their Hazard and De Bruyne linking inci- Tite replaced the ineff ective Willian they look to reach the final for the surge to semis in Mexico. sively to carve open the Selecao’s well- with Roberto Firmino at half-time and first time in their history. oiled defence with surprising ease. soon after changed Jesus for Douglas The current team has been RED SURGE On 21 minutes De Bruyne set up Haz- Costa. tagged the ‘golden generation’ On eight minutes Courtois was fl apping ard on a free run inside to set up Tho- But it took the arrival of China-based in recent years, but had lost their when Neymar’s corner was fl icked on mas Meunier, only for Miranda to block Augusto 17 minutes from time that last two major quarter-finals by Joao Miranda, came off the thigh of his intended cross for Lukaku. sparked Brazil into life. against four years ago and then off the post. A minute later De Bruyne found Lu- Brazil saw two penalty claims in and Wales at Euro 2016. Tite had replaced suspended holding kaku in acres of space, the big striker quick succession waved away by Ser- Martinez’s men put that to bed in midfi elder Casemiro with Fernandinho coolly nutmegging Miranda before see- bian referee Milorad Mazic after Ney- style in Kazan, though, matching in his starting line-up, handing the ing the ball frantically cleared into the mar tumbled following contact with Belgium’s previous best World Manchester City player his fi rst World stands. Fellaini and Gabriel went to ground af- Cup run when they reached the Cup start since he was hauled off at Superb control from Marcelo saw ter a challenge from Vincent Kompany. last four in 1986. half-time on Brazil’s way to the humili- the Real Madrid defender chest down, De Bruyne released Hazard down “I know it’s not easy to play ating 7-1 semi-fi nal defeat to Germany cut inside and unleash a low drive that the left but he fi ring narrowly wide of against Brazil,” Kevin in 2014. Courtois did well to block. Alisson’s far post as Lukaku waited to De Bruyne told the BBC. Fernandinho’s World Cup woes con- But when Belgium countered on the pounce. “But we were magnificent first half tinued, Hazard’s corner coming off the half hour, it was with devastating ef- Minutes later Augusto hung in the air and they changed tactics second midfi elder’s arm to glide past Alisson fect. to meet Coutinho’s perfectly-weight- half. We showed our character and into the net as he rose to block. Lukaku looked invincible as he pow- ed cross and direct it past Courtois to after they scored. We did very well Brazil almost equalised immediately, ered through Brazil’s midfi eld before spark celebrations among the Brazilian with our running from deep, it is Neymar dribbling down the left and fi nding De Bruyne in space on the right. fans in Kazan. wonderful. fi nding Gabriel, only for his eff ort to go The Manchester City ace had time to But he drilled inches wide minutes “We are here to try and win the amiss. pick his spot before unleashing a right- later, one of several misses that Brazil Brazil’s Neymar walks off the field after the loss to Belgium in the FIFA World Cup World Cup and are very united.” But Belgium’s early opener showed footed drive that screamed past Alisson were made to regret. quarter-final in Kazan, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters)

FOCUS FIFA boss hopes Thai cave boys rescued soon, invites them to fi nal

AFP ing fl oodwaters two weeks ago, would able to join us at the fi nal, which will wearing football shirts. called their plight “terrible”. in minutes, hours or the next few days.” be rescued in time to watch the fi nal in undoubtedly be a wonderful moment Their harrowing ordeal coincides “The world of football hopes that Meanwhile the Croatian Football Moscow on July 15. of communion and celebration.” with the World Cup in Russia and it has someone can fi nd a way to take these kids Federation said it was “awed” by the “If, as we all hope, they are reunited The Thai footballers, aged 11-16, have not escaped the attention of players. out of there,” he said, according to CNN. team’s calm under pressure. IFA president Gianni Infan- with their families in the coming days been stuck in darkness deep under- “I’ve been speaking about it with a few Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp “We are awed by the bravery and tino has invited the Thai boys’ and their health allows them to travel, ground after setting off to explore the of the boys,” said England defender John urged them to “stay strong and know strength that these young boys and football team trapped in a cave FIFA would be delighted to invite them cave with their 25-year-old coach after Stones, according to British media. we are with you”, in a video message their coach have shown amidst such to the World Cup fi nal, as mes- to attend the 2018 World Cup fi nal as training on June 23. “It’s so sad to see where they are and sent to CNN. frightening circumstances,” it said on sagesF of support poured in from top our guests,” he wrote in a letter to the The players remain trapped despite we hope they get out safe and sound.” “We are following all the news and its website. players. head of the Football Association of being reached this week by cave-diving Japan’s World Cup squad tweeted hoping every second that you see day- Many fans on social media said the Infantino said he hoped the Wild Thailand. rescuers, who released footage of them a video urging the team to “Hang in light again,” Klopp said. “We are all very boys deserved the World Cup trophy for Boars team, who were stranded by ris- “I sincerely hope that they will be looking emaciated but calm, some there!”, while Brazil legend Ronaldo optimistic that it will happen, hopefully the way they have handled their ordeal. Griezmann turned up at the drinking mate tea, a popular drink in Uruguay 2 Gulf Times Saturday, July 7, 2018

REPORT FRA 2-0 URU SPOTLIGHT Griezmann did not celebrate goal Griezmann seals out of ‘respect’

AFP players, Jose Gimenez and Diego Nizhny Novgorod Godin. Griezmann plays his club football with Gimenez and Go- France’s last 4 spot ntoine Griezmann said din at Atletico Madrid and even he did not celebrate his turned up at the airport wear- goal against Uruguay in ing a Uruguay shirt to greet his the World Cup quar- teammates when they qualifi ed Ater-fi nal out of “respect” for the for Russia. South American nation. Before yesterday’s match, Griezmann scored France’s Griezmann turned up at the second goal in the 2-0 win in Nizhny Novgorod stadium with Uruguay win the 61st minute, when his long- drinking mate tea, a popular range strike found its way into drink in Uruguay. the net after a mistake from Not celebrating a goal against Uruguay had conceded one goal in their previous seven matches and Uruguay’s goalkeeper Fernando a former club has become stand- Muslera. ard in domestic football, but were never going to give France the space that Argentina aff orded them Instead of celebrating, Griez- Griezmann may have been the mann stood still as French play- fi rst player to do at international ers rushed to him, despite scor- level, especially at a World Cup. ing the goal that helped secure However he has failed to con- his country’s fi rst World Cup vince everyone about his affi nity semi-fi nal in 12 years. with Uruguay. “I didn’t celebrate that goal Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, because when I started as a pro- when asked about Griezmann fessional footballer I was sup- prior to the match, replied hon- ported by a Uruguayan, who estly: “Antoine, no matter how showed me the good and the bad much he says that he’s half-Uru- of football,” he said. guayan is French and does not “Out of respect, I thought it know what the Uruguayan feel- was not appropriate to celebrate ing is,” said Suarez. that goal.” “He does not know the dedi- In the run-up to the match, cation and eff ort that Uruguay- Griezmann had spoken about ans make from boys to be able to his affi nity with Uruguay and his succeed in football with so few friendship with two Uruguayan people.”

Uruguay’s goalkeeper deflects the ball into his net during the match against France in Nizhny Novgorod yesterday. Raphael Varane (R) celebrates with France’s forward after scoring against Uruguay at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod yesterday.

By Stuart James For Uruguay there was never going to ter in his run-up. Varane, timing his run did within a couple of minutes. Martín The Guardian be a way back. Óscar Tabárez, their coach, perfectly, got across to Cáceres, the Uruguay right-back, met Uruguay’s Tabarez admits can take encouragement from another send a superb glancing header into the ’s deep free-kick with a tournament when they have punched far corner. powerful header that looked destined France deserved victory idier Deschamps had no desire above their weight, although he will also It was a terrifi c header and, from the for the bottom corner until Hugo Lloris, to answer a question on the wonder what might have been had Edin- neutral’s point of view, exactly what this throwing himself low to his right, made Nizhny Novgorod: A disap- eve of this game about whether son Cavani not been ruled out with a calf quarter-fi nal needed. Up until that stage a splendid save. Diego Godin was fi rst to pointed Oscar Tabarez France could end up as cham- injury. How Uruguay missed him. it had been a game of chess with France react to the loose ball but thumped a left- conceded that his Uruguay pions,D with a man who knows what it France had known exactly what to ex- trying to make the more attacking moves. foot shot, from a couple of yards out, off side were second best in their takes to win a World Cup stubbornly re- pect. Uruguay had conceded one goal in There was a surge of excitement inside target as Lloris, clambering to his feet, did World Cup quarter-final loss to fusing to look too far into the distance. their previous seven matches and were the stadium whenever Kylian Mbappé his best to put the central defender off . France yesterday, which saw the Deschamps, however, will only be able to never going to give France the space was on the ball, but the teenager was too Even allowing for the fact that the angle European side progress to the avoid that subject for so long after France that Argentina aff orded them. Uru- fast for his own teammates at times. was slightly against him, Godin should last four. eased past Uruguay, courtesy of Raphaël guay formed two narrow banks of four One lovely pass from Paul Pogba, beau- have scored. The veteran coach, who has Varane’s splendid header and an awful whenever France had possession and the tifully slid on the inside of , Tabarez withdrew the ineff ective been in charge of Uruguay for blunder by Fernando Muslera, to reach question was how they could fi nd a way encouraged Mbappé to dart in behind Stuani early in the second half, replac- 12 years in his second spell as the World Cup semi-fi nals for the fi rst through. For 39 minutes they struggled the left-back. Eff ortlessly going through ing him with Maximiliano Gómez, but national coach, also refused to time since 2006. to come up with an answer, but then a the gear, Mbappe accepted the invitation the damage was about to be done again comment on his future when Argentina and now Uruguay have been weakness was exposed. and got to the byline to cut the ball back at the other end of the pitch. Griezmann, asked by reporters. The 71-year-old said it should dispatched en route to the last four and, Pepe had punished Uruguay from a but the rest of the France attack were still in space and 25 yards out after receiving “We don’t play as good as our be stressed how far La Celeste ominously for those teams left, it feels as set-piece last Saturday and France did catching their breath, trying and failing to a square pass from Tolisso, hit a left-foot rivals, that’s why we lost,” said a had gone in the tournament though there is still so much more to come exactly the same. The frustration from keep up. shot that Muslera seemed to have cov- downbeat Tabarez after the 2-0 compared to others. from France. What is clear is that the last Uruguay’s point of view is that the free- Mbappé could and should have put ered. Only the Uruguay goalkeeper knows defeat. “There are many countries thing they need is for anyone to give them kick was given away so carelessly. Rod- France ahead earlier on. Olivier Giroud how it ended up in the back of the net. It France went through after that belong to the world of a helping hand, yet that is exactly what rigo Bentancur was caught in possession nodded back across goal but Mbappé, was a horrible mistake. goals from Raphael Varane and the footballing elite but left the Uruguay did here. deep inside the Uruguay half and, des- unmarked and eight yards out, seemed The game then threatened to get ugly Antoine Griezmann, after a mis- tournament before us.” It turned into a harrowing evening for perate to try to prevent Corentin Tolisso to mistime his jump and his header sailed after a melee that was caused by Mbap- take by goalkeeper Fernando On his future, Tabarez said: “I still Muslera, the Uruguay goalkeeper, who from getting away, recklessly brought over the bar. Otherwise France, for all pé making far too much of some slight Muslera, secured victory. have a contract but I am not go- gifted France their second goal when he him down, leading to a free-kick in a their possession, created little up until the contact by Cristian Rodríguez. Mbappé “The boys really gave every- ing to speak about this, it’s not allowed Antoine Griezmann’s speculative dangerous position wide on the left. opening goal, which said as much about is a wonderful talent but did himself no thing, but France were able to for me to decide.” shot to go through him. The shot dipped Griezmann approached the ball, re- the lack of imagination to their attacking favours with his play-acting and ended control the match very well,” Asked about Muslera’s howler, and swerved a little but Muslera, like eve- treated and then stepped forward again play as it did the resilience of Uruguay’s up getting booked after Néstor Pitana, added Tabarez. “After the sec- Tabarez said simply: “Only those ryone else in the stadium, knew that he before delivering an inswinging free- defending. the Argentinian referee, had regained ond goal, there was a huge gap who don’t do anything don’t should have made a routine save after get- kick that seemed to catch Uruguay by The challenge for Uruguay was to fi nd control. Not that France looked fl ustered between the teams.” make mistakes.” ting two hands to the ball. surprise, perhaps because of the stut- a way to respond – something they nearly thereafter.

BOTTOMLINE Modric dreaming of fairytale fi nish in Russia Reuters as an independent nation, subsequent in 2008. 16 but was mostly subdued during the minutes later and got the better of Sch- their talent, to take that step further. Sochi generations have been under pressure A visionary passer and fl eet-footed match against Denmark. meichel with Croatia’s third attempt The game was not an enjoyable one, but from the country’s fans and media to dribbler, he has kept his form with Real Modric, however, put the win in as his side won 3-2 to keep his dream our goal was achieved.” emulate the feat. Madrid’s multiple Champions League- Croatia’s grasp minutes before the end alive of surpassing the Croatian ‘Class The hard-fought win over Denmark uka Modric has already done The ‘Class of 1998’ lost to hosts winning sides since joining them in of the second half of extra time with of 1998’. put Croatia one win away from their enough at the World Cup to France in the semi-fi nals, then beat 2012. a sumptuous through ball that Ante “Since 2008 we have never gone be- best-ever showing in 1998 and if they upstage some top names in the Netherlands 2-1 in the third-place Modric was devastating in the group Rebic ran on to before being felled by yond this fi rst knockout game and it are able to reproduce their free-fl owing contemporary soccer but when playoff , inspiring many in the Balkan stages and scored one of the goals of the Mathias Jorgensen in the penalty area. was very important for us to get that football from the group stages today, Lhe steps into the Fisht Stadium by the nation including a then 12-year-old tournament, upstaging Messi and Ar- The Croatia , widely re- monkey off our back,” Modric told the the hosts would fi nd it tough to stop Black Sea today against Russia, he Modric. gentina by leading his team to the top of spected by his fellow players for being FIFA website. them. will have a chance to become part of Now 32 and one of the biggest names their group. a complete team man, took the penalty “I was calm and focused. I embraced Davor Suker came closest to winning Croatia’s folklore. left in Russia given the early exits of Li- He was poised to hog most of the but his weak shot was blocked by Den- the responsibility as a captain and I had the golden ball, awarded to the best Ever since a talented Croatian side onel Messi and , Mo- limelight in the knockouts with the de- mark keeper Kasper Schmeichel to send to do it. As a result I was very emotional player of the World Cup, in 1998 when reached the 1998 World Cup semi-fi - dric came to global prominence when parture of Ronaldo and Messi after Por- the match into a penalty shootout. after the game. he fi nished second behind Brazil’s Ro- nals in their second major tournament he joined Tottenham Hotspur in the tugal and Argentina lost in the round of Modric returned to the spot about 15 “I wanted this Croatia to confi rm naldo. Croatia have qualifi ed for vefi out of six World Cups since they broke away from former Yugoslavia in 1991 3 Gulf Times Saturday, July 7, 2018

PREVIEW SWE vs ENG SAMARA, 5PM SPOTLIGHT Russia coach not getting carried away Sweden in the way despite calls of support from Putin

Reuters Dzagoev available for the fi rst of England’s charge time since the Saudi Arabia Sochi, Russia match. The midfi elder injured his Scandinavians have lost just one of their last eight competitive meetings ussia face Croatia in to- hamstring in the 5-0 win but day’s World Cup quar- Cherchesov said Dzagoev would AFP ter-fi nal with the hosts train with the rest of the squad Repino, Russia buoyed by support from yesterday. Key facts PresidentR Vladimir Putin, coach “It was a shame to lose such a said yes- player in the fi rst game,” he said. nthused by an exciting young Despite scoring fewer goals, terday. “He missed a training session the squad and a potentially kind draw Sweden have had more shots on goal Putin attended Russia’s open- day before yesterday and today against Sweden in today’s quar- then England at this tournament. ing day win over Saudi Arabia but he is training. We’ll see if I can ter-fi nal, England fans are start- They have attempted 18 shots, one has not yet said whether he will allow him to play from the fi rst ingE to believe they can end a 52-year wait more than England. come to Sochi for the quarter- minute. I am preparing him, that to win the World Cup. England’s is the top fi nal tie. is all I can tell you.” But the obdurate Scandinavians have a scorer at Russia 2018 so far with six Cherchesov, however, said Pu- A stern Cherchesov told re- habit of upsetting the odds, particularly goals. tin has been in touch to support porters he was not getting car- against England, having lost just one of Sweden’s has had 13 the home players. ried away by the euphoria Rus- eight previous competitive meetings. shots on goal during the tournament “He has been calling me, he sia’s march to the last eight has Confi dence in England is soaring after but has yet to score. called me before and after the created. the team ended a long wait to win a World Sweden’s (last) game with Spain,” Cher- “I will tell you openly that as Cup penalty shootout, squeezing past will return from suspension, but the chesov said. “When the presi- a coach I am trying not to watch Colombia in a tense and bad-tempered Swedes will be without dent supports you that makes us TV and not read newspapers,” he last-16 tie in Moscow. following his second yellow card of comfortable and this is an extra said. “I am concentrated on my “We’d like to bring it home,” said Eng- the tournament against Switzerland. boost for us in terms of motiva- job and I think it is the same for land defender John Stones on Thursday. England’s Jordan Henderson, tion.” the players. “I’d love to win a World Cup, England Kyle Walker, Rueben Loftus-Cheek Today’s match is a huge one for “This is a great step but let us would love to win a World Cup. It’s been a and Jesse Lingard are all on one Russia, who have never reached look forward. The quarter-fi nal long time since we last won it. We want to booking. the semi-fi nals of the World is a diff erent level. You say people make people proud back home.” England have scored nine goals Cup, although the Soviet Union are euphoric but we are not the England, World Cup winners in 1966, at Russia 2018. Only Belgium on 12 got there in 1966. people who should be euphoric, have already won over a public disaff ect- have scored more. The hosts are underdogs that is for you journalists. ed by an early exit in Brazil four years ago Sweden have only conceded two against a Croatia side that beat “We Russians like extremes so and an embarrassing defeat to Iceland at goals at this tournament. Only fellow Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland let’s not go to these extremes.” Euro 2016. quarter-finalists Uruguay and Brazil in the group stages before over- The winner of the tie will go to Gareth Southgate’s men have been have a better defensive record. coming Denmark on penalties in Moscow to face either England or drawing more viewers for their matches England’s Harry Kane takes a selfie with the fans after the round of 16 match against Sweden have made 140 defen- the round of 16. Sweden, who also play today. in Russia than May’s royal wedding, with Colombia in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday. (Reuters) sive clearances at Russia 2018, more They are hoping to have Alan 23.6mn tuning in for the shootout against than any other team. Colombia. England’s three goals from set “It’s great to see the support back pieces is the most at the tournament. home. Everyone’s getting behind us in However, they have also conceded their thousands,” added the Manchester twice in similar situations, including City player. “I’m getting videos and pic- Colombia’s last minute equalizer in tures from my friends back home watch- the last 16. ing the game, in the pubs, wherever they England’s win over Colombia on are in the country.” penalties in the last 16 was their first With just a four-day turnaround to fac- ever World Cup penalty shootout ing Sweden in Samara, though, England success. They had lost the three have little time to replenish their energy. previous shootouts they had been And while some are already making involved in. plans for a potential semi-fi nal against The last time the teams met in hosts Russia or Croatia, Stones warned of Sweden’s scored the only goal of the round of 16 match against 2012, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four complacency against Sweden. Switzerland on Tuesday. (Reuters) goals as Sweden beat England 4-2 in “I think if you say it’s an easy game in a a friendly. quarter-fi nal of a World Cup then you are Shorn of star names since Zlatan Ibra- ball in the places we want them to have pretty stupid to say that.” himovic’s retirement from international the ball,” said Sweden captain Andreas HEAD-TO-HEAD “Sometimes they can throw you, these football, Sweden have thrived off a col- Granqvist. Sweden Draw England teams. They can go kind of under the ra- lective team spirit. “If you look at the games we have 7 9 8 dar, but there is no question they are a Happy to sacrifi ce possession, defend played of course the opponent has more good team. They wouldn’t be where they deep and wait for their opportunity on ball possession, but we have created more Last meeting: Sweden 4 England 2 are if they weren’t.” the counter-attack, they will let England dangerous chances. This is how we play... (2012, friendly) have most of the ball. this is our way to have success.” SOLID SWEDEN But other than in a 6-1 thrashing of Sweden’s solid defence has kept three Sweden have arguably faced a much Panama in the group stages, England have clean sheets in four games in Russia, but tougher path to get to the last eight, struggled to create chances from open coach will be forced into England wing-back Kieran Trippier. eliminating the Netherlands and Italy in play, with seven of their nine goals so far at least one change at the back, with Celt- “We just need to move the ball quickly qualifying just to get to Russia and then coming from set-pieces and penalties. ic’s Mikael Lustig suspended. if they do sit off . We need to manage the emerging as winners of Group F as hold- “Normally the other teams have better “Sweden are good on the counter-attack game well and make the pitch as wide as Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov (right) and Mario Fernandes arrive ers Germany crashed out. players on paper and we let them have the and we need to be aware of that,” warned possible.” for a press conference in Sochi yesterday. (Reuters)

PREVIEW RUS vs CRO SOCHI, 9PM Croatia look to seize moment against hosts Russia

AFP coach,” said Perisic. Sochi, Russia Dalic took the team through a play- Key facts off against Greece to qualify for the fi nals and has overseen continued Russia beat Spain 4-3 on pen- roatia are targeting the World progress despite off -fi eld distractions. alties in the round of 16 thanks Cup semi-fi nals for the fi rst Their build-up to the tournament to two saves by goalkeeper Igor time since 1998 — when they was overshadowed by the graft trial of Akinfeev. made their debut as an inde- former Dinamo Zagreb chief Zdravko They were runners-up in Group pendentC nation on football’s biggest Mamic and the charges against Modric A, beating Saudi Arabia 5-0 and stage. for alleged false testimony in that case. Egypt 3-1 but then losing 3-0 to It is unwise to look too far ahead at AC Milan striker Nikola Kalinic was Uruguay. an event so full of surprises, but will a sent home after reportedly refusing to Russia are playing in a World Croatian team facing host nation Russia come off the bench in Croatia’s opening Cup quarter-final for the first time in the last eight ever get a better chance game against Nigeria. as an independent nation. The to outdo the heroes of two decades ago? Nevertheless, the atmosphere within Soviet Union reached the 1966 Zlatko Dalic’s side showed in their the camp is relaxed. semi-finals. comprehensive dismantling of Argen- “I think it says enough about our at- and Denis tina during the group phase that they mosphere, the fact that we have been Cheryshev have scored three goals have no fear of the big names, and there together for almost a month and a half each for Russia in the tournament is a strong case to say they are the best and there wasn’t even the smallest in- while Luka Modric is the leading team left in their half of the draw. cident between the players,” insisted scorer for Croatia with two. England might disagree, and the two Rebic. Russians Aleksandr Golovin, countries could yet meet in the semi- He and other members of the squad , , fi nals. However, while Croatia needed have spent this week recounting their and penalties to beat Denmark in the last memories of 1998, when Croatia won are all one yellow card away from round, they have come to Sochi full of 3-0 against Germany the last time they being suspended. confi dence. reached the quarter-fi nals. will return from suspension for the “We have shown in this World Cup One serious obstacle remains to be quarter-finals for the hosts. that we have the right to hope for big overcome, however. Croatians Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo things. We are playing really well and Back then, Croatia fell against hosts Brozovic, Ante Rebic, Mario we have such players that we certainly France in the semi-fi nals. Their only Mandzukic, Sime Vrsaljko, Vedran should believe can go to the very end,” other previous encounter with the Corluka, Marko Pjaca and Tin Jed- said defender Domagoj Vida. hosts at a World Cup also ended in de- vaj will miss out on the semi-finals Any team boasting a player of Luka Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic (left), Luka Modric (centre) and Mateo Kovacic take part in a training session in Sochi, Russia, on feat, against Brazil four years ago. if they are booked today. Modric’s quality can aff ord to dream, Thursday. (Reuters) Croatia can expect a hostile reception especially when he is supported by Ivan at the Fisht Stadium today. For a coun- HEAD-TO-HEAD Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic. best midfi elder at the tournament but penalties. back into the international fold has try with a population of barely 4.3mn to Russia Draw Croatia “He is our captain, he is our leader, the strength in depth for such a small The powerful Ante Rebic has im- been one of the changes made by Dalic, beat a host nation of more than 142mn 0 2 1 we all stand behind him,” said Inter Mi- country is remarkable. pressed as well, fresh from scoring who replaced Ante Cacic as coach late would be some achievement. But they lan winger Ivan Perisic of Modric. Sixteen of Dalic’s squad play in Eu- twice for Eintracht Frankfurt in their last year. certainly do not lack belief. Last meeting: Russia 1 Croatia 3 rope’s big fi ve leagues, with Monaco German Cup fi nal win over Bayern Mu- “Each coach brings new ideas. May- “I think we have more quality in our (2015, friendly) MODRIC QUALITY goalkeeper Danijel Subasic the hero nich. be it turned out for the best of the team team and I think we are going to be the The Real Madrid player is possibly the against Denmark when he saved three Bringing the 24-year-old winger that we entered a new era with a new ones to set the tone,” said Rebic. The last goal in a France-Uruguay WC match before Varane’s was scored 52 years ago by La Celeste’s Julio Cesar Cortez in 1966 4 Gulf Times Saturday, July 7, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT FIFA tells Putin world is ‘in love’ with Russia Bierhoff admits But the World Cup has cre- AFP Moscow ated an unusual carnival atmos- phere in traditionally conserva- tive Russia — not least due to the IFA president Gianni In- home team’s own unexpected fantino told President success. Vladimir Putin yesterday “Russia has become a true the world was “in love” football country. The virus of mistakes over Ozil Fwith World Cup hosts Russia football has entered into the and praised him for overcoming bodies of each and every Russian negative stereotypes about the citizen,” Infantino said. ‘In retrospect, I would’ve country. Hundreds of thousands of for- Infantino spoke at a meet- eigners are visiting, with many tried to deal with this ing with Putin and former world saying it has allowed them to football stars including former discover a diff erent, softer side issue more decisively’ England defender Rio Ferdinand to Russia. at World Cup and ex-Denmark goalkeeper Pe- “Many stereotypes about Rus- ter Schmeichel. sia have simply collapsed,” Putin AFP “We all fell in love with Rus- told his guests, who also includ- Berlin sia,” Infantino told a beaming ed Lothar Matthaus of Germany Putin at the televised meeting in and Marco van Basten of the the Kremlin. Netherlands. n the wake of their shock World “Everyone who has been here “People have seen that Russia Cup exit, Germany team boss Oliver for a period of time now has dis- is a hospitable country which is Bierhoff has said Mesut Ozil should covered a country that we didn’t friendly to visitors.” have been dropped over a pre-tour- know.” Infantino praised Putin’s gov- Inament scandal involving Turkey Presi- Despite high tensions with the ernment for busting negative dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan. West, Putin has presided over a anti-Russian stereotypes. Ozil, 29, is one of a group of senior well-organised, good-humoured “All the fears that some were players slammed for woeful performanc- tournament. trying to put on us with regards es in Russia as Germany fi nished bottom Human rights groups warn to this World Cup, well not only of their group to suff er a shock early exit. however that he is using the they were not true but it’s actu- At the World Cup, the Arsenal mid- world’s biggest sporting event to ally the opposite.” fi elder refused to comment about a con- gloss over his authoritarian rule. Infantino was elected presi- troversial meeting on the eve of the fi nals Human Rights Watch said the dent of world football’s govern- with Erdogan which sparked questions tournament is taking place “dur- ing body in 2016. His predecessor about his loyalty to Germany. ing the worst human rights crisis Sepp Blatter resigned following a Bierhoff admits it was a mistake to al- in Russia since the Soviet era”. corruption scandal. low Ozil to stay silent as the controversy cast a shadow over the German camp. “We have never compelled players in the German national team to do some- thing, but always tried to convince them when it comes to certain things,” Bierhoff , Germany’s team director, told Friday’s edition of Die Welt newspaper. “We did not succeed with Mesut. And in that respect one would have had to consider whether to refrain from playing him.” Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, who both have Turkish roots, were booed by Ger- man fans in pre-World cup friendlies after posing for pictures with Erdogan. Manchester City midfi elder Gundogan presented him with a signed club shirt on which he had written “to my president”. Germany’s Mesut Ozil was slammed on social media for woeful displays in shock group stage defeats to Mexico and South Korea. Gundogan denied the meeting was politically motivated, but Ozil refused with this issue more decisively,” admitted 2014 World Cup winners who have played need to put everything to the test, both to comment and was the only member Bierhoff . their last international. personally and structurally,” he added. of the 23-man squad allowed to miss a Ozil was slammed on social media for On Tuesday, Loew confi rmed that he Bierhoff says Germany’s management media day at Germany’s pre-World Cup woeful World Cup displays in the shock will remain as Germany’s head coach. know they “gambled away credit” and camp. group stage defeats to Mexico and South Bierhoff , who is eff ectively the number have “registered” that fans feel alienated Bierhoff says he and head coach Korea having been dropped for the last- two in the Germany setup, anticipates from the team. He said the team manage- Joachim Loew should have seriously con- gasp win over Sweden. “profound changes” after the dismal ment take that feeling of alienation “very sidered leaving Ozil out of the fi nal squad Bierhoff says Ozil’s silence was an is- campaign in Russia for which he said the seriously”. for Russia. sue “especially as we did not present our- entire squad should take “collective re- Bierhoff says Loew will “sort out and “They fact that Mesut and Ilkay took selves as a team — the energy that always sponsibility”. reorganise everything. He will question the pictures did not bother the team so made us strong was not there”. “The things which contributed to a everything, including our style of play. Russian President Vladimir Putin poses with a football jersey and FIFA much, but the debate went on and, in Ozil, who has made 92 appearances for 14-year successful track record must not And then the question will arise as to President Gianni Infantino (left) during a meeting with world football retrospect, I would have tried to deal Germany, could be one of a number of simply be ignored, but it is clear that we which players we need.” legends at The Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE FIFA fi nes raise eyebrows — unlicensed drinks worse than Nazi salute We may not get this opportunity again: Southgate DPA FIFA, who like to say they Moscow fight racism and discrimina- Reuters tion, were slammed all over Repino, Russia Sweden are easy to analyse, diffi cult to social media over the diff erent IFA’s sanctions at the sums, and in particular in the beat: coach Andersson World Cup were raising Croatian media. ngland came into the World Cup Feyebrows yesterday and “Fifa doesn’t excuse anything!” with low expectations from their Reuters causing a storm especially in the Jutarnji list paper fumed fans and much talk of building Samara, Russia Croatia but football’s ruling while the tportal.hr portal for the future but as they face a body insists it is doing nothing vowed that Subasic would quarter-fiE nal with Sweden today, manag- wrong. wear the shirt just like he says er Gareth Southgate says this generation weden coach Janne Andersson Croatia’s federation was fined he has done at every game for might not get a better chance to triumph. has full confidence in his team’s a staggering 70,000 Swiss the last 10 years. England have the most inexperienced Sstraightforward but eff ective francs (70,400 dollars) for not “He will celebrate in the same squad left in the tournament and should, tactics as he prepares his side for their using off icially licensed drinks way if Croatia advance, regard- in theory, be hitting their peak at the Eu- World Cup quarter-final clash with for their players ahead of extra- less of possible sanctions,” it ropean Championships in 2020 or the England today. time in the last 16 game against said. World Cup in Qatar in 2022, but South- Andersson’s men are aiming to reach Denmark. FIFA meanwhile insisted it had gate believes it would be a mistake to the last four for the first time since 1994 And Croatia also got a warning explained the drinks rules to adopt that thinking. when they finished third in the United because goalkeeper Danijel Croatia explicitly while action “Although our team will be better in States. Subasic revealed a T-shirt after from fans like the Russian two years with more life experience, Sweden’s success at this year’s tourna- the game in which he paid banner with the writing “88” (H maybe the cards on injuries and things ment, which saw them eliminate the tribute to a close friend who being the eighth letter in the won’t fall as kindly and we won’t get this Netherlands and Italy in qualifying, as died 10 years ago. alphabet) were not taken under opportunity again,” he told ITV News. well as finish top of a group containing By contrast, a banner symbolis- the direct influence of a federa- “It’s dangerous if I start to get carried holders Germany in Russia, has been ing the Nazi salute “Heil Hitler” tion, and the Serbian coach away, but I’m proud of the way we’re built on defensive organisation and cost the Russian federation was a first-time off ender. playing,” he said. clinical counter-attacks. the penalty spot in Russia. only 10,000 francs; and Serbia But former German World Should England get past a resilient Sweden, devoid of a freescoring talis- “We are a team and we do this together, got away with 5,000 francs Cup referee Markus Merk told Swedish side, they will face the winner man in the wake of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s on and off the pitch and this is behind after its coach Mladen Krstajic Sky TV the “sanctions of the of the quarter-fi nal between hosts Russia international retirement, have worked our success so far,” said Granqvist. had suggested a German ref- disciplinary committee were and Croatia in the last four. hard on being diff icult to breakdown “We might not have the best team on eree of their game should go disappointing and weren’t ap- The dramatic penalty shootout win and a major threat from set-pieces. paper or individually, but as a team before a war crimes tribunal. propriate.” over Colombia in the last 16 caused wild Andersson says he is unlikely to spring we are very high achievers and this celebration back in England and the team a surprise on England coach Gareth symbolizes all of us.” have captured the country’s imagination. Southgate. One key area where the quarter-final While his players have been watching “There was a coach once who said his could be won or lost is on set-pieces, social media videos of the celebrations, England coach Gareth Southgate watches team was quite easy to analyse but with both teams excelling in this regard Southgate says he is delighted to see the his players during a training session in diff icult to beat. That is a good descrip- so far. impact of his team. Repino, Russia yesterday. (AFP) tion of us,” Andersson told reporters Sweden have scored twice from set “It’s a huge privilege to be able to send yesterday. plays, while England have scored three, everybody to work happy, to be able to Walker appear not to be so serious. “It shouldn’t be that diff icult to get an the most at the tournament. make a diff erence to people lives,” he said. But Southgate says it can be tricky to idea of what we do. “The set piece situation will be a clear “Football can bring connection rely on players for honest opinions about “We are strong in our beliefs and have factor — for the first time I think we through a country and I’m delighted we their fi tness at this stage of the tourna- been from the outset. The players are are coming up against a country that are exciting people, bringing enjoyment ment. very loyal to our ideas.” is more or less on par with us in that and we want to keep it going,” added “The lads would always be prepared to Captain Andreas Granqvist has em- respect,” warned Andersson. Southgate, who himself has risen to risk injury for these games, but that can’t bodied this collective philosophy most “That will be a fight to get to the first prominence during the tournament with be to the detriment of the performance of all. ball.” his calm style earning plaudits. level. When it gets to these games, they’re The 33-year-old journeyman defender If Sweden manage to defeat England, a England will probably be without their not always as honest as they might be has formed a formidable centre back team they have only lost to twice in the Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was given a warning because back-up striker Jamie Vardy for Satur- about how fi t they are. So you’ve got to pairing with Manchester United’s Victor last 15 meetings, they will face either he revealed a T-shirt after the game in which he paid tribute to a day’s game, due to a groin strain, although have a racehorse trainer’s eye at times to Lindelof, as well as scoring twice from Russia or Croatia in the semi-final. close friend who died 10 years ago. (Reuters) injury worries for Ashley Young and Kyle really try and sort that out,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, July 7, 2018 5 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ROUND-UP Veteran keeper Juventus considering Buff on joins PSG AFP he was thrilled at his fi rst job out- Paris side Italy. “For the fi rst time in my career, I am leaving my coun- ‘many options’ amid try and only a project this ambi- eteran Italian goal- tious could have encouraged me keeper Gianluigi Buf- to make such a decision,” he said. fon has joined Paris “I am going to bring all my en- Saint-Germain on a ergy, all my experience and all of Vone-year deal, the French Ligue my thirst to win to help my new Ronaldo speculation 1 champions announced yes- club achieve all the great objec- terday. The 40-year-old 2006 tives it has set out for the future.” World Cup winner joins the big- The serial French champions’ spending Parisian side days after overriding ambition is to fi nally Ronaldo is disgruntled because Real Madrid were already looking for a successor his contract with Juventus ended be crowned European cham- in June. “We all feel an immense pions, something which has Reuters pride in welcoming Gianluigi also eluded Buff on in his stel- Milan Buff on into the great Paris Saint- lar career. “His arrival reaffi rms Germain family,” PSG’s Qatari our will to always go higher, an president Nasser al-Khelaifi an- ambition that we intend to pur- talian champions Juventus FC said nounced in a statement. Confi r- sue with a determination just as that they are considering many op- mation of Buff on’s move came strong,” said al-Khelaifi . portunities in the player market amid after he had arrived at PSG He suggested Buff on and PSG media speculation they are in talks around midday accompanied by were an ideal match. “At 40 years Ito sign Real Madrid forward Cristiano his doctor. old, his passion for football is in- Ronaldo. Ronaldo, who joined Real from He was also seen at the Ameri- tact and Gianluigi has found the Manchester United in 2008 for a then can Hospital in the nearby sub- ideal environment in our project world record 80mn pounds ($106mn), urb of Neuilly. Buff on, who to set himself extremely high is the Spanish club’s all-time top scorer played a record 176 times for objectives transmitting his ex- with 451 goals in all competitions and has Italy, has an option to extend perience, not only to the other won two titles and four Champi- his stay at the Parc des Princes goalkeepers at the club, but to all ons League trophies with them. for a further season. He will be of our players.” Buff on won nine On Wednesday it was reported that Ro- offi cially unveiled as the latest titles with Juventus and naldo had received an off er to leave Real teammate of PSG stars Neymar four successive Italian Cups. The Madrid to join Juventus. The Portuguese and Kylian Mbappe and company club’s other keepers are Kevin fi ve-time world player of the year has had on Monday. Trapp, who was part of Germa- several fallouts with his club and on sev- Buff on, the fi rst signing since ny’s squad at the World Cup, and eral occasions indicated he would leave. German Thomas Tuchel took Alphonse Areola, who is with Moments after lifting a third consecu- Portuguese forward over as PSG manager in May, said semi-fi nalists France in Russia. tive Champions League trophy by helping Cristiano Ronaldo is set beat Liverpool 3-1 in the fi nal in May, Ro- to join Juventus from naldo appeared to suggest he had already Real Madrid. (AFP) decided to leave Real this year, telling a reporter on the pitch at Kiev’s NSC Ol- ympic Stadium: “It was beautiful to play for Real Madrid.” On Wednesday, Spanish sports daily suggested that Ronaldo was dis- gruntled in Madrid because the European champions were already looking for a successor. Marca then said yesterday that the for- ward had given Juventus his word that he would join them. The Turin-based club said they would promptly inform the market “if any agreement should be de- fi ned”, in a statement in response to a re- quest by market regulator Consob. Shares in Juventus FC were up 5.5% at 0.865euros, after a session high of 0.8995euros. In the last four market ses- sions the stock has risen nearly 30%, see- ing a potential contract with Ronaldo as big business opportunity for the club. A Milan-based trader pointed to the bye to Ronaldo while Italy’s welcomed for number 7 Ronaldo. Juventus “hopes had the headline “CR7 Juve, we can do it”, potential gain from a merchandise point him. “Ciao CR7” said the headline of to announce (the news) tomorrow in its and said Juventus was “closer than ever to of view, saying that Real Madrid has sold Barcelona newspaper . stadium,” said the paper, which had the the deal of the century”. 750 thousand jerseys of Ronaldo alone. “Real accepts his departure, the key day headline “Cristiano exit imminent”. Spain’s Marca newspaper claimed that In February Juventus said it forecast to will be today (Friday) and Juve wants to Italian media welcomed the purport- Ronaldo has “already given his word to end the 2017-18 fi nancial year, ending in wrap up the operation so it can announce ed “imminent” arrival of Ronaldo, with (Andrea) Agnelli” the president of Juven- June 2018, with a loss after posting half- it,” the newspaper said. Spanish sport Corriere Dello Sport also expecting him in tus. “His desire to play for Juve is strong,” year revenues at 290mn euros and a profi t newspaper AS said that the player could Turin today. “Italy is only a step away and Marca said, cautioning that the Turin down to 43.3mn euros. be unveiled to Juve supporters in Turin as Madrid is looking for its new top player,” club had not yet received a fi rm off er from Meanwhile, Spain’s media said good- early as today, with the date 7/7 symbolic the newspaper said. Gazzetta Dello Sport Real Madrid. Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on. (AFP)

MLB FOCUS Nationals escape 9-0 hole, beat Marlins Friendly football match played Reuters Washington in Moscow as part of Qatar and

rea Turner hit two homers, includ- Russia 2018 Year of Culture ing a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth, and drove in a career-high AFP al-Quraisi from Qatar Tourism tiyah, said that there are many eight runs as the Washington Na- Moscow Authority, Public and interna- plans for large projects within Ttionals rebounded from a nine-run, fourth- tional relations director at Qatar the framework of Qatar-Russia inning defi cit to stun the visiting Miami Museums Mohamed al-Othman, 2018 Year of Culture, in order to Marlins 14-12 on Thursday. friendly football match Saoud al-Dulaimi from the Su- support the organizations and It was the biggest comeback for a vic- was held at the Red preme Committee for bodies that provide assistance to tory in Nationals history. Turner hit his fi rst Square in Moscow & Legacy, and Faisal al-Tamimi those who need it, which is one homer of the night, a solo shot, in the fourth yesterday on the side- from the Ministry of Culture and of the pillars of the culture of the before driving in a run on a forceout in the linesA of the 2018 World Cup, or- Sports and from Media sector two countries, and this joint ac- fi fth. Washington added fi ve more runs and ganised by the Russian “Artist” Mohamed Saadoun al-Kuwari tion allows Qatar and Russia to took a 10-9 lead in the sixth on Turner’s fi rst Foundation and the Organising and Abdulaziz al-Nasr. strengthen cultural ties and de- career grand slam, and then pushed the ad- Committee for Qatar-Russia The Russian team was rep- velop potentials in philanthropy vantage to 14-9 in a four-run seventh. 2018 Year of Culture. A host of resented by the founders and on a foundation that will con- Shawn Kelley (1-0) got the win after offi cials, artists and media pro- friends of Russian “Artist” Foun- tinue in the future. throwing a scoreless sixth. Miami sliced the fessionals from the two coun- dation, as well as a number of Co-founder of the Russian defi cit to 14-12 when Brian Anderson hit a tries participated in the match: famous artists, actors and politi- “Artist” Foundation Yevgeny three-run, eighth-inning homer off Kelvin Russia, the host country for the cians in Russia. The main objec- Mironov, said that he hopes this Herrera, but Washington’s Sean Doolittle World Cup 2018, and Qatar, the tive of the match was to highlight match will become a symbol pitched a scoreless ninth for his 22nd save. Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner hits a grand slam during the sixth inning host country for the next edition the problems of veteran artists in of friendship between our two against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park in Washington. (USA TODAY Sports) of the tournament in 2022. the theatre and fi lm sectors, and countries, between professionals ASTROS 4, WHITE SOX 3 The Qatar Team represented to show how people from dif- in diff erent fi elds, and fans from Yuli Gurriel slapped a bases-loaded, walk- struck out Nick Castellanos and retired Niko He struck out two and walked one. Schoop a number of eminent personali- ferent professional and cultural diff erent countries, and today, we off single to right-center fi eld, and host Goodrum on a comebacker to earn his 21st hit a pair of solo home runs and Manny ties including Secretary-General backgrounds collaborate for a are all united in the love of foot- Houston rallied for a victory over Chicago. save in as many opportunities. Machado and Adam Jones each doubled for of the Supreme Committee for noble purpose, which is to serve ball and, most importantly, the With the White Sox ahead 3-2 in the bottom Baltimore, which lost its third consecutive Delivery & Legacy Hassan al- art and culture in this case. desire to support not only players of the ninth, George Springer blooped a sin- BREWERS 7, BRAVES 2 game and fell for the 10th time in 11 games. Thawadi, Chairman of Qatar The Ambassador of the State but also those we met in the heart gle to centre off Joakim Soria (0-3), scoring Jhoulys Chacin threw seven strong innings Tourism Authority Hassan Ab- of Qatar to the Russian Federa- of our country, parents, teachers Tony Kemp and pulling the Astros even. and helped host Milwaukee beat Atlanta in CARDINALS 11, GIANTS 2 dulrahman al-Ibrahim, Rashed tion Fahd bin Mohammed al-At- and senior colleagues. Kemp had opened the ninth with a pinch- the opener of a four-game series. Chacin, a St. Louis gave Johnny Cueto a rude greeting hit walk and advanced to third base when former Brave, allowed two runs in the fi rst in his return from the disabled list, bomb- Marwin Gonzalez, also pinch-hitting, inning but settled down and did not permit ing the veteran for four fi rst-inning runs added a fl are single to right fi eld. Following another run. en route to a blowout win at San Francisco. Springer’s hit, Alex Bregman walked and The outing matched his longest of the sea- Luke Weaver (5-7) pitched eight innings of Jose Altuve struck out before Gurriel plated son, and he allowed three hits and one walk. two-run, two-hit ball, helping the Cardi- Gonzalez with his hit. Chacin (7-3) equalled his season high with nals record a fi fth win in their past six road seven strikeouts while recording his fi rst games. . RANGERS 7, TIGERS 5 win since June 13. Joey Gallo and Ronald Guzman hit two-run MARINERS 4, ANGELS 1 homers to begin and end a fl urry of seven TWINS 5, ORIOLES 2 Marco Gonzales earned his team-leading unanswered runs, and Texas hung on to Jake Cave had two doubles and three hits, ninth victory of the season as Seattle defeat- win at Detroit. Gallo hit a two-run shot in Logan Morrison homered and Aaron Slegers ed visiting Los Angeles. Gonzales (9-5) went the second inning and the Rangers eventu- picked up his fi rst major league win as Min- six innings and allowed one run on fi ve hits. Hassan al-Thawadi (right), ally extended their lead to 7-0 in the fourth nesota beat Baltimore in Minneapolis. He walked two and struck out seven. Secretary-General of the before the Tigers began mounting their Slegers (1-0), making his fourth career ma- The Mariners’ Edwin Diaz struck out the Supreme Committee for comeback. After Detroit trimmed the defi - jor league start and fi rst this season, allowed side in the ninth for his major-league-lead- Delivery & Legacy, cit to two runs in the bottom of the ninth, just three hits and one run — a long fi fth- ing 34th save of the season. Chris Herrmann represented Qatar in a Texas’ Keone Kela induced pinch hitter Je- inning home run by Jonathan Schoop — over homered for Seattle, and Guillermo Heredia friendly match. imer Candelario to hit into a fi elder’s choice, six innings. had two doubles and an RBI. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, July 7, 2018 SPORT

F1 India’s Sindhu, Prannoy lose in quarters

Jakarta: India’s challenge Vettel heads Hamilton at the $1,250,000 Indonesia badminton Open came to a disappointing end after both PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy lost their respective quarter- final matches yesterday. Rio Olympics silver medal- list and third-seeded Sindhu in second practice went down to eighth seed He Bing Jiao of China 14-21, 15-21 in the women’s singles The session was red-flagged to a halt for 10 minutes when Red Bull’s Verstappen crashed at Luff ield quarter-final after Prannoy lost to another Chinese Shi AFP Yuqi 17-21, 18-21 in the men’s Silverstone, United Kingdom singles tie. Japan’s Kento Momota beat Indonesian shuttler hampionship leader Sebastian Tommy Sugiarto 21-11, 21-15 Vettel topped the times for Fer- as he dominated his injured rari in yesterday’s crash-hit hometown rival. The 23-year- second free practice for this old’s victory vaults him to a weekend’sC British Grand Prix, out- semi-final clash with Malay- pacing Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes by sian veteran Lee Chong Wei, nearly two-tenths of a second. who beat Momota last week On a hot afternoon in central Eng- to clinch the Malaysia Open land, the four-time champion German title for an historic twelfth clocked a best lap in one minute and time. Sugiarto hurt his ankle 27.552 seconds to ease 0.187 seconds in an earlier match against clear of the Briton, who is seeking a Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen. record sixth victory in his home event In women’s singles, sev- and fi fth in succession. enth seed Sung Ji-hyun of The session was red-fl agged to a halt Korea sealed her ticket to the for 10 minutes when Max Verstappen semi-finals as she crushed crashed at Luffi eld, spinning his Red Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon Bull backwards into the barriers. He was 21-12 and 21-12. Sung will unhurt, but took no further part in the face China’s Chen Yufei who session. Hamilton’s Mercedes team- toppled second seed Akane mate Valtteri Bottas was third quickest, Yamaguchi of Japan 23-21 ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the second and 21-8. Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull In men’s doubles, number- and, unexpectedly, Fernando Alonso one ranked Kevin Sanjaya of McLaren. Hamilton had clocked the Sukamuljo and Marcus fastest time in opening practice ear- Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel steers his car during practice for the Fernaldi Gideon heartened lier in the day when he outpaced Bot- British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Britain. (Reuters) the hometown crowd by tas. Nico Hulkenberg was seventh for clinching victory in a tough Renault ahead of Esteban Ocon and his match against Danish pair Force India teammate Sergio Perez with Mads Conrad-Petersen and Monegasque Charles Leclerc taking Mads Pieler Kolding. 10th for Sauber. “I think I wanted to be too quick on Pierre Gasly pulled up with power prob- tion to India on fraud charges, he deliv- tria. It’s a big milestone for me since I The Indonesians lost the The air temperature at the former the hard tyre,” said Verstappen. “I just lems at Turn Four. He parked neatly to ered a robust defence of his stewardship own this team. I am sure you will not see first game and were down war aerodrome was 26 degrees Celsius lost it. Unfortunately, the way I hit the avoid any need for another VSC. After of the team. The team has been linked anybody in Force India, indeed myself, in the second with their and the track 51 when the session began wall, it rips off the right rear. At the end an hour’s action, with the teams going to reported bids from British energy walk around with a ‘for sale’ sign. backs against the wall, but without Romain Grosjean, whose Haas of the day it is not ideal to lose the sec- into ‘long run’ mode, Vettel remained drinks fi rm Rich Energy and American “As far as all these rumours are con- they managed to rally back car had not been repaired in time fol- ond session, but the feeling I had before fastest one-tenth clear of the two Mer- IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti, cerned, and all the statements that keep to force a victorious third lowing his crash in the morning. that was pretty good. So I think, bal- cedes of Hamilton and Bottas. but Mallya denied he had received “a appearing in the media, all I can say is, match. The final score was Raikkonen was quickest early on be- ance-wise, we are not far off , but we are credible off er.” Making his first public if there is a credible off er with cash on 20-22, 22-20 and 21-18. In fore Verstappen, who won so impres- losing a lot of lap time on the straights.” MALLYA REJECTS REPORTS THAT appearance at a Grand Prix since last the table, I will be the fi rst one to discuss women’s doubles, Indonesia sively last weekend in Austria, crashed This prompted the deployment of a HE IS SELLING FORCE INDIA year’s race at Silverstone, Mallya spoke with my shareholders. I will see what bowed out as Greysia Polii heavily after two laps on hard tyres, the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) after which Force India owner Vijay Mallya yes- out during a news conference. they feel and, in the unlikely event we and Apriyani Rahayu lost to rear end of his Red Bull car snapping Vettel took over on top of the times on terday rejected reports that he is set to “People have been writing about the wish to sell the team, if there’s an off er Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka back 180 degrees. His car’s rear suspen- softs, the two Mercedes men having sell his team. Amid reports of fi nancial ownership of my team for years now,” that we cannot refuse, I will be the fi rst Hirota of Japan 21-14 and sion was broken and he took no further remained in their garage at that time. issues that have hampered the team’s he told reporters. “I’m proud that we one to announce it. Until then, specula- 22-20. part in the session. Eventually, they joined the fray before progress and as Mallya fi ghts extradi- fi nished our 200th Grand Prix in Aus- tion remains speculation.”

GOLF BOXING Simpson fl irts with 59 on way Ramirez defends super lightweight to 61 and Greenbrier lead belt without Roach in corner AFP Los Angeles

Webb Simpson chips on conic trainer Freddie Roach guided Jose the 12th hole during the Ramirez to the World Boxing Council Greenbrier Classic in super lightweight world title, but it will White Sulphur Springs, be Robert Garcia in the champion’s cor- Iner as Ramirez takes on O’Connor West Virginia. (AFP) today. Ramirez signed with Roach after representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympics in a partnership that pro- duced 22 straight professional wins — 16 knockouts — and a world title with his de- feat of fellow American Amir Imam in New York on March 17. After that fi ght however, Ramirez joined lar to what people have seen. I think the fans tional stadium for fi ghts on Sept. 22 and forces with Garcia, believing he wasn’t a will start to notice the adjustments we have April 13, although his opponents have yet to high enough priority with the high-profi le worked on after our second training camp be confi rmed. “The opportunity to fi ght in Roach. Despite the upheaval, he goes in as together. We will have more time to work. such an iconic stadium is normally a once- an overwhelming favourite in front of home We have to put pressure on O’Connor and in-a-career opportunity, so to be given the fans in Fresno, California, against a chal- we have to go to the body. Those are two chance to fi ght there again is amazing,” lenger who brings a record of 30-3 with 11 things that Jose has been very good at dur- Joshua said. “Wembley just added a fourth knockouts to his fi rst world title fi ght. ing his whole career.” lion to the den.” “I feel like I have a responsibility as a world Joshua, who boasts an unbeaten 21-0 champion, so that responsibility helps me JOSHUA SIGNS TWO-FIGHT record, is expected to take on Russian WBA stay focused and grounded,” Ramirez said, DEAL FOR WEMBLEY STADIUM mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin adding that he hopes it’s a springboard to Anthony Joshua has signed a deal to stage next with a title unifi cation bout against bigger things in the 140-pound division. his next two bouts at Wembley stadium, WBC world champion Deontay Wilder also “This fi ght will only lead to bigger fi ghts. the fi rst in September and then next April, in the works. “I’m extremely honoured to AFP achieving golf’s magical number. round of her pro career with a It’s another step to fi ghting the big fi ghts. I the 28-year-old announced via promotions get the opportunity to promote two more Washington Simpson had seven birdies and sparkling 62 on Thursday to seize want to fi ght all of the champions, but I have company Matchroom Boxing. shows at the national stadium and delighted chipped in from just off the green the fi rst-round lead at the Thorn- to take care of business July 7 against Danny The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight for British fi ght fans that Anthony has made for eagle at the par-fi ve 12th. berry Creek LPGA Classic. O’Connor fi rst. I am excited to come home champion beat Wladimir Klitschko at Wem- this commitment to them,” Joshua’s pro- ormer US Open champi- South Korea’s Kim saw a streak It was good from the get-go as and defend my title.” bley in April 2017 but his next two fi ghts — a moter Eddie Hearn said. on Webb Simpson shook of four straight birdies from the Kirk opened with birdies at 10, 11 Garcia said fans will see little change in 10th round stoppage of Carlos Takam and Hearn said on Twitter that the capacity off a weather delay to second through the fi fth end with and 12 on the par-72 Thornberry Ramirez. “This is our fi rst fi ght working points win over Joseph Parker — were at the for the September fi ght was expected to be fi re a career-best 61 on back-to-back bogeys. Creek course in Oneida, Wiscon- together and I don’t want Jose to change Principality Stadium in Wales. around 90,000, while the April promotion Thursday,F grabbing a one-shot But he rebounded with fi ve sin, quickly putting her second- much,” Garcia said. “This fi ght will be simi- The Briton will return to England’s na- could attract more than 100,000 spectators. lead over Kim Whee after the birdies in his next seven holes, round 83 at last week’s KPMG fi rst round of the US PGA Tour fi nishing with a total of 10 bird- Women’s PGA Championship out Greenbrier Classic. ies on his way to an eight-under of her mind. FOCUS Simpson was within striking round — his best ever on the She birdied seven of her fi rst distance of a 59 on the Old White PGA Tour. Chilean 19-year-old nine holes, then birdied three TPC course in White Sulphur Joaquin Niemann was a further more coming in, hitting 14 of 14 Springs, West Virginia, but ad- stroke back on seven-under 63 fairways and 17 of 18 greens in mitted he tried not to think too with Kelly Kraft on 64. Niemann regulation. South Korea’s Kim Woods, Mickelson eye $10mn showdown much about it. “It’s hard, because set the early pace with his 63 on a Sei-young carded a nine-under Reuters 3rd but obviously it wasn’t,” he said. “Now, I don’t know if he wants a piece of I’m trying to take it one shot at a course where he fi red a 64 in the 63 that included six straight bird- New York The winner-take-all match is said to be me, but I just think it would be something time, make every shot the same fi nal round last year as an ama- ies on her back nine. for $10mn and involve a television network that would be really fun for us to do, and I as any other shot,” said Simpson, teur. Canada’s Brittany Marchand and other corporate interests. Woods and think there would be a lot of interest in it if who has struggled since winning Former major winner Keegan and American Megan Khang were he intrigue around a couple of re- Mickelson drew lots of attention when they we just went straight to the fi nal round.” the Players Championship earlier Bradley headed a group of players tied for third on eight-under 64. cent pairings has Phil Mickelson played a practice round together at Augusta Woods sounded like he was up for it. “I’m this year. on 65, while fi ve-time major win- Khang enjoyed the ideal scor- and Tiger Woods negotiating a National before the Masters. defi nitely not against that. We’ll play for Simpson had come back from ner Phil Mickelson headed a big ing conditions and the aggressive high-stakes exhibition round be- When they were paired at The Play- whatever makes him uncomfortable,” he a weather delay of almost two group on four-under 66. approach they allowed. Emma Ttween the two, according to Golf.com. On ers a month later, Mickelson fl oated the said. Woods and Mickelson hadn’t been in hours with birdies at 14 and 16 Talley reeled off nine birdies in Thursday, Mickelson told the website that idea. “The excitement that’s been going the same group at The Players Champion- that moved him to nine-under on DEFENDING CHAMP KIRK 10 holes from the second through they were close to working out a deal to play on around here, it gets me thinking: Why ship in 17 years or at any PGA Tour event in the par-70 course. A poor second LEADS THORNBERRY LPGA the 11th, a spell that included six in Las Vegas on July 3, but it fell through. don’t we just bypass all the ancillary stuff nearly four years. In their highly anticipated shot at the par-fi ve 17th, where WITH RECORD-TYING 62 birdies in a row. She admitted that He suggested the sides are still commit- of a tournament and just go head-to-head round on May 10, Woods shot an even-par Simpson ended up in the rough, Defending champion Katherine half a dozen birdies on the trot ted to making it happen. “We’re working on and just have kind of a high-stakes, winner- 72 while Mickelson melted down in a round helped doom his chances at Kirk bounced back from the worst briefl y had her thinking of a 59. a diff erent date. I thought it was done for the take-all match?,” he said then. of 7-over 79. Gulf Times Saturday, July 7, 2018 7 SPORT

FIRST TEST T20 TRI-SERIES Maxwell powers Gabriel inspires West Australia to win over Zimbabwe Indies to crushing AFP the time for me to go.” Together, Maxwell and Travis Head, who made 48, put on 103 for the third to steady Australia’s lenn Maxwell paid chase. tribute to coach Justin “It’s good with a guy Langer after cracking like Heady, he takes a lot of pres- win over Bangladesh 56 to help Australia beat sure off you,” said Maxwell. GZimbabwe with a ball to spare “With the way he plays, he hits it in Harare yesterday. Zimbabwe in diff erent areas and puts some batted fi rst and made 151 for nine pressure on the bowler. We’ve The home side register their largest innings victory ever in a Test in the Caribbean in their 20 overs, led by done it a few times, not just 63 from Solomon Mire. in T20 cricket but in one-day AFP In reply, Australia reached 154 cricket as well.” North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda when Matt Stoinis hit a bound- The pair seemed to have made ary off the penultimate with vefi the match safe for Australia, but wickets down. When Maxwell Maxwell’s departure, driving fast hannon Gabriel completed his reached his fi rst half century in bowler Blessing Muzarabani into third fi ve-wicket haul in fi ve in- a T20I since his hundred against the hands of Elton Chigumbura at nings as the West Indies com- England in Hobart in February, extra cover, sparked a late fi ght- pleted a crushing victory over he gestured at his eyes. back from the Zimbabweans. BangladeshS by an innings and 219 runs It was a reference to the work They took three wickets in just before lunch on the third day of the he and Langer have put in mak- three overs after getting rid of fi rst Test in Antigua yesterday. ing sure Maxwell watches the Maxwell to take the game into Wicketless in the demolition of the ball. “I’ve been doing a lot of the fi nal over, but Stoinis lifted tourists for their lowest Test innings work with JL recently, making the penultimate delivery over score, 43, on the opening morning, sure I’m watching the ball as hard square leg to seal the match. The Gabriel started the wrecking job in the as I can,” Maxwell said. challenging total set by the Zim- second innings with four wickets on the “I’ve been doing a lot of work babweans was thanks mainly to fourth evening. He then bowled Kam- with that in the nets, making Mire, who made 63 off 52 balls rul Islam when play resumed to fi nish sure I’m really concentrating. and helped his team recover from with fi ve for 77 as the Bangladeshis were That’s all I’m thinking about at the dismissal of Cephas Zhuwao dismissed for 144 to hand the home side the moment. So that was just a from the fi rst ball of the morning. their largest innings victory ever in a Test little gesture towards him.” Together with PJ Moor he in the Caribbean. Australia’s middle order were rebuilt the innings with a 64- However the morning’s honours at the made to graft early by Zimbabwe, run fourth wicket stand. Moor Sir Vivian Richards Stadium went to Nu- who nipped out openers Aaron eventually fell for 30, chasing rul Islam. The Bangladesh wicketkeeper- Finch and Alex Carey in the fi rst quick runs, but Mire brought up batsman blazed his way to 64, a maiden fi ve overs. Australia took just 35 a 44-ball fi fty in the 17th over. Test half-century in just his second runs from the Powerplay and it Zimbabwe then lost four wick- match, and holding up the West Indies in wasn’t until Maxwell began to ets in two overs on the charge at the push for a victory that looked likely to fi nd the middle of his bat that the death, with Andrew Tye once be completed in a matter of minutes from they started to bring the scoring again starring with the ball, but the start of play. rate down. reached a total which very nearly Nurul reached his fi fty off just 36 balls, Maxwell was particularly sparked an upset. the fastest-ever by a Bangladesh player harsh on Zimbabwe’s spinners, Australia’s win in this dead in a Test away from home, and actually collecting sixes off Malcolm rubber provides a welcome con- belted the otherwise dangerous Gabriel Waller, Wellington Masakadza fi dence boost ahead of their clash out of the attack by taking 16 runs off the and debutant Brandon Mavuta to with number one ranked Paki- fast bowler’s 12th over. bring up a 34-ball fi fty in the 17th stan in tomorrow’s fi nal. It took Miguel Cummins to end the in- over. “It was probably just the nings and the match with the lunch inter- timing of when they were bowl- BRIEF SCORES val approaching as he had Nurul caught ing,” Maxwell said of his assault Zimbabwe 151 for 9 in 20 overs (S. and bowled before scattering the stumps on Zimbabwe’s slow bowlers. Mire b Tye 63, P. Moor 30, B Stan- of Rubel Hossain in the next over to fi - “I’d got myself in and I’d faced lake 2-21, J Richardson 2-32) lost to nally complete the triumph that looked a 10 or 15 balls and was able to ex- Australia 154 for 5 19.5 overs (T. mere formality at the start of the day. pand from there. The off spinner Head 48. G. Maxwell 56, M. Stoinis For Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Has- came on when I’d been out there not out 12; Muzarabani 3-21) by five an, it was a tough return to the helm in the for four or fi ve overs, so that was wickets traditional format of the game. “We need West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (right) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Mominul Haque of Bangladesh during to adapt better to these conditions,” he the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound, Antigua, yesterday. (AFP) admitted. “It is not something we are fa- Australia’s Glenn Maxwell miliar with but we have to spend the next second innings but I am looking now to us It took the re-introduction of Cum- the Bangladeshis in 2009, a series in the plays a shot in Harare fi ve days getting ready for a similar situa- setting the tone again for the second Test.” mins into the attack to make the break- Caribbean which the visitors dominated yesterday. (AFP) tion when the next Test begins.” Holder certainly meant business at the through with an eff ort that is likely to at the expense of a home side severely de- That second and fi nal Test of the brief start of the day with the visitors resum- ensure his retention for the Sabina Park pleted by the absence of the entire fi rst- series begins July 12 in Kingston, Ja- ing at 62 for six when, after delivering a Test, especially with “Man of the Match” choice squad in the midst of a dispute maica where another green, fast bowler- wide fi rst ball, he had Mahmudullah well under a fi tness cloud after with the West Indies Cricket Board. friendly track is expected to be prepared caught low down at third slip for his third injury prevented him from in the Now though, the circumstances are in keeping with the trend of playing sur- wicket of the innings. A quick fi nish then second innings. very diff erent and even if Roach is side- faces starting with the drawn three-Test looked certain when Gabriel breached “I am confi dent whenever I play against lined for the second Test, it will require a series against Sri Lanka. Kamrul’s defences to have Bangladesh Bangladesh,” said in Roach in refl ecting massive turnaround in form for Bangla- “We were disappointed after losing the tottering at 88 for eight. on his devastating fi rst innings perform- desh to be competitive. last Test of the series against Sri Lanka a But Nurul found determined support ance when he fi nished with fi gures of fi ve week ago so that gave us some additional from Rubel in a surprising ninth-wicket for eight, the fi ve wickets coming in the BRIEF SCORES motivation,” said West Indies captain Ja- partnership of 55 that left Holder and his space of 12 balls. “There’s a lot of assist- Bangladesh I Innings 43 and II innings son Holder in assessing his team’s ability teammates more than a little frustrated ance from the pitches but we have also II Innings (overnight 62-6) 144 all out in to rebound from defeat in Barbados in the with the captain introducing spin for the been working hard on our games with 40.2 overs (Nurul Hasan 64, J. Holder 3-30, fi nale to the Sri Lankan campaign. “We fi rst time in the match through Devendra bowling coach, Corey Collymore.” S. Gabriel 5-77) lost to West Indies I Innings needed to be a little more clinical in the Bishoo and Roston Chase without reward. Roach started his Test career against 406 by an innings and 219 runs

SPOTLIGHT TOUR DE FRANCE South Africa, Sri Lanka seek Froome appeals to France, rivals rally AFP clarity on cricket candy rules La Roche-sur-Yon, France aft er ball tampering fi nes day after being booed and branded a cheat by roadside fans, Tour de AFP France favourite Chris Froome ap- Colombo pealed for understanding from the FrenchA public as fellow riders rallied to his defence yesterday on the eve of the start of he Sri Lankan and South cycling’s greatest race. African team captains Froome, whose preparations for the Tour demanded clarity from were clouded by doping suspicions, was the International Crick- cleared to race on Monday after being pro- Tet Council (ICC) yesterday on nounced clean by the world anti-doping Team Sky rider Chris whether players were allowed to agency and the sport’s world governing Froome of Britain. (Reuters) eat candy during matches fol- body. But Froome was still subjected to a lowing penalties for ball tam- South African captain Faf du Plessis (right) talks to Sri Lanka’s skip- barrage of abuse from roadside fans at a Tour result and should have remained confi den- and my results will stand the test of time,” pering involving saliva and other per in Colombo yesterday. (Reuters) de France presentation on Thursday. tial. “I know the rules and exactly how many he added. substances. Yesterday, the 33-year-old four-time puff s on my inhaler I can take. I also know I Veteran Movistar leader Valverde, the UCI South African skipper Faf du ICC Code of Conduct. Du Ples- Steve Smith stripped of the Aus- champion appealed to the public from the will be tested after each stage when leading,” world Tour winner in 2014 and 2015 who Plessis and his Sri Lankan coun- sis said in Colombo that the ICC tralian captaincy and suspended pages of French daily Le Monde saying he Froome explained. has won stages on every major Tour and terpart Dinesh Chandimal said needed to lay down clearer rules from international and domestic was not a cheat and would never dishonour After the abnormal result was leaked Tour clinched thrilling wins in a raft of classics, they would ask the ICC match on the subject and said: “They cricket for a year. the yellow jersey worn by the Tour leader. de France organisers took the unusual step said he was outraged about how Froome had referee and umpires for do’s and still haven’t said what is allowed His teammates David Warner Also yesterday top riders from the Mov- of banning Froome from taking part before been treated by fans in La Roche-sur-Yon on don’ts at the start of next week’s and what isn’t. Is chewing gum and Cameron Bancroft were also istar team, Spaniard veteran Alejandro Val- relenting after the Union Cycliste Interna- Thursday. “That was a shame, a great, great fi rst Test in Galle. Although the allowed or is it not?” “You want banned. Du Plessis said tougher verde, Colombian climber Nairo Quintana, tionale announced he had been cleared on shame and this must stop because it’s not use of saliva or sweat to shine the consistency,” he added. sanctions would make players who has come second to Froome twice, and Monday. But on Thursday, when Froome right,” said the 38-year-old. ball is an accepted practice, using Chandimal said: “We will think twice before putting some- former Froome teammate Mikel Landa, ex- and his Team Sky took part in the traditional Quintana, who is on good terms with any other substance — such as meet with umpires and the (ICC) thing in their mouth and then us- pressed outrage at the Briton’s treatment by presentation of riders to the public at La Froome and who came second to him on two sugary residue from sweets — to match referee and ask what we ing saliva to shine the ball. fans. Writing in Le Monde Froome said that Roche-sur-Yon, he was mercilessly whis- previous Tours de France, also backed the do so is prohibited. can carry with us to the fi eld. Sri Lanka’s coach Chandika victory based on a lie would be a personal tled and jeered. Froome accepted that it was British Sky Team leader. “That was quite Chandimal was slapped with a What sweets we can put in our Hathurusingha, Manager As- defeat. “Winning any race by lying would for “normal” that questions were raised about disagreeable for him and I hope this stops, 100% fi ne of his match fees and mouths and when.” anka Gurusinha and Chandimal me be a personal defeat,” Froome, 33, wrote abnormal test results for asthma medication think it will once the racing starts,” he said banned from the 3rd Test against The ICC earlier this week un- have pleaded guilty to violating in the newspaper that fi rst revealed he had Salbutamol, which he explained had been Race organisers ASO were keen to play down the West Indies last month after veiled tougher sanctions for ball the spirit of the game by holding returned an abnormal result in a doping test necessary to treat his chronic condition the booing as part and parcel of modern he was found guilty of tampering tampering and sledging in a bid up the 2nd Test against the West during the Tour of Spain in September. since childhood. sports. “I’m not deaf, we heard the booing,” with the ball. Match referee Java- to improve on-fi eld behaviour in Indies for nearly two hours. Their Froome said that he had been cleared of But he insisted French fans should have said Tour de France race director Christian gal Srinath said Chandimal ap- the sport. action followed the awarding of wrongdoing “after nine months of meticu- confi dence in the fact that he would never Proudhomme. “But put it into perspective. plied saliva containing the residue The changes come in the wake fi ve penalty runs to the West In- lous analysis” of the so-called adverse ana- cheat. “I was fully sincere when I said on Booing changes nothing, the Tour de France of something he had in his mouth of a ball-tampering scandal in dies over Chandimal’s ball tam- lytical fi nding (AAF). He insisted that the the podium on the Champs-Elysees that I will be 3,500km of smiles,” he said, in words to the ball, in violation of the South Africa in March that saw pering. AAF was not the same as a positive doping would never dishonour the yellow jersey, unlikely to convince Team Sky.

Saturday, July 7, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

WIMBLEDON Advantage Serena as Venus joins exit, Federer cruises ‘I have worked really hard and it’s been a long arduous road’

Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina plays a shot during her third round match against Madison Keys of the US yesterday..

SPOTLIGHT Serena is my idol, says rival and fellow mum Rodina

AFP a mother in November 2012 and London resumed her career in August the following year. Anna is at the All England Club vgeniya Rodina says fel- every day her mother and father Serena Williams of the US celebrates winning her third round match against low mum and Wimble- are on site and when Rodina is France’s Kristina Mladenovic yesterday. don rival Serena Wil- playing, the toddler stays in the liams is her “idol” ahead creche. ofE their last-16 clash on Monday. “She can sit there all day with AFP cally I am not a top player although I have fi nals. dering his talent. The 29-year-old Russian her iPad, she never wants to go London the wins of one.” German fourth seed Alexander Zverev Bartoli, who won Wimbledon fi ve qualifi er made the fourth round out,” Rodina said. Venus, 38 and the runner-up last year, made the third round, seeing off Taylor years ago, claimed Kyrgios and France’s of a Slam for the fi rst time after “She will always ask did I win was worn down by Dutch 20th seed Fritz of the United States 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 Gael Monfi ls were wasting their huge po- a 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win over US 10th or lose. The other day (when Ro- erena Williams boosted her Bertens who next faces Pliskova. (0/7), 6-1, 6-2 and faces Latvian qualifi er tential because of bad attitudes. seed Madison Keys. dina beat Sorana Cirstea in the chances of winning an eighth “It means a lot. It was such a tough Ernests Gulbis for a spot in the last 16. Kyrgios has been in trouble for his im- Next up for the world number second round) she said ‘I saw you Wimbledon and 24th Grand Slam match and such a big fi ght so I’m really Zverev had trailed two sets to one when mature behaviour on and off the court 120 is seven-time Wimbledon on the TV’.” by making the fourth round at the happy that I won this one,” Bertens said. his tie with Fritz was halted due to dark- several times in his short career. champion Williams who defeat- Anna has defi nitely caught the AllS England Club yesterday as big sister Also exiting was 10th seed Madison ness on Thursday. In a stinging blast, the Frenchwoman ed France’s Kristina Mladenovic tennis bug despite being “a left- Venus fell victim to the curse of the seeds. Keys, who had made at least the quarter- But the 21-year-old raced away with said Kyrgios’s work ethic was “just not 7-5, 7-6 (7/2). ie”, said Rodina. Serena, seeded a modest 25 this year, fi nals of her last three majors. the last two sets in the bright sunshine. good enough to win a grand slam”, and Rodina and Williams have lit- “She says she doesn’t want to enjoyed a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over France’s The American lost 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 to Ro- “Stopping last night was not a nice said it was “pathetic” to see the 23-year- tle in common when it comes to go to school. She wants to play Kristina Mladenovic to set up a last-16 dina, ranked 120th in the world. feeling to go to bed with,” said Zverev old and Monfi ls failing to apply them- their playing careers. tennis. duel with Russian qualifi er — and fellow “I have played the quallies and three who said he had vomited yesterday due selves in the right way. The Russian has yet to win a “I’m not sure that’s a good mother — Evgeniya Rodina. matches this week which were all three to a stomach bug and came close to quit- “It seems like they can’t grow up, they tour title and has earned under idea.” Victory on Centre Court, sealed with sets,” said 29-year-old Rodina. ting. Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova defi ed can’t become men and they can’t take $2mn. Rodina said she always in- a 13th ace, came 20 minutes after Venus, “She hits the ball so hard. I am a lit- second round victim Wozniacki’s churl- charge of their own lives,” Bartoli said. Williams is a 23-time ma- tended to return to the tour after a fi ve-time champion, had slumped to a tle surprised that I won, I was a little bit ish prediction that she wouldn’t progress “I truly hope Nick will be able to get jor winner, has 72 titles and has giving birth even if it has been a 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 8-6 loss to Kiki Bertens of lucky.” further in the tournament by reaching it together at some point. I don’t know banked almost $85mn from play- tough road. the Netherlands over on Court One. Federer took his consecutive sets won the last 16. what he needs. He’s going to waste his life ing with many more millions ac- She had to wait until the Aus- Only two of the top 10 seeds remain in at Wimbledon to 29 in what was his Makarova, who made the quarter-fi - if he keeps on acting like that.” crued from endorsements. tralian Open in January 2015 to the women’s draw — number one Simona 200th career grass court match. nals four years ago, beat a weary-looking Kyrgios, who faces Japan’s Kei But the two women do have get back into a Grand Slam and Halep, who plays her third round match The eight-time champion will face Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic Nishikori in the Wimbledon third round one thing in common: both are before this week at Wimbledon today, and seventh seed Karolina Plisko- French 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino on 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. on Saturday, gave a furious response to mothers who have resumed their she had never progressed beyond va who came back from 1-4 down in the Monday for a place in the quarter-fi nals. She next faces Italy’s Camila Giorgi Bartoli’s jibes, defending himself and careers after giving birth. the second round at a major. second set to defeat Mihaela Buzarnescu “I was happy to stay clam and fi nish off who saved a match point to beat Katerina Monfi ls, who reached the fourth round Williams’s daughter Olympia “I had a protected ranking but 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. the job. I thought I did very well today,” Siniakova of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-6 on yesterday. was born last September while it was only for one Grand Slam,” While the women’s draw was being said the 36-year-old 20-time Slam win- (8/6), 6-2. “Yesterday @bartolimarion had to say Rodina’s girl Anna is now fi ve and she explained. blown wide open, it was business as usu- ner. South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, seed- some nice things about @iamgaelmonfi ls a half years old. “But it’s not like I forgot how to al for defending men’s champion Roger “I created more chances in the second ed eight, swept past Germany’s Philipp and myself.. They’re ‘Pathetic’ ‘Chil- Rodina and Williams are two play tennis — it was just a ques- Federer who enjoyed a 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win set and was always able to stay pretty Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 on the back of dren’ They ‘Can’t become men’ ‘wasting of six mothers who started in the tion of getting the fi tness back.” over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff . clean on my own service games.” 22 aces and 42 winners. their life’ — Who are you to judge the we main draw at Wimbledon this On facing Serena on Monday, Serena said she was delighted to be Stefanos Tsitsipas became the fi rst Anderson has reached the last 16 go about things?” Kyrgios wrote on In- year. she said she will not be overawed. into the second week at Wimbledon. Greek man in the Open era to make the for the fourth time and goes on to face stagram. “Serena is my idol,” Rodina “I need to relax and play my “I have worked really hard and it’s been last 16 of a Slam as the 31st seed beat Ital- France’s Gael Monfi ls. “Who are you to tell us how to do said yesterday. “She’s a great tennis. I played well in the quali- a long arduous road,” said Serena, playing ian qualifi er Thomas Fabbiano 6-2, 6-1, zNick Kyrgios slammed Marion Bar- things, when u have no idea what we’ve player, a great mother and plays fying and this week to get to the in just her second Slam since the birth of 6-4. toli after the former Wimbledon cham- been through?.... stop assuming you unbelievable tennis.” fourth round for the fi rst time in her daughter Olympia last September. The 19-year-old will faces US ninth pion labelled the controversial Australian know what’s best for others when you Rodina, who is married to my life. “A lot of top players have lost. Techni- seed John Isner for a place in the quarter- “pathetic” and accused him of squan- think you’ve had a little success.” coach Denis Shteyngart, became “I have nothing to lose.”

CRICKET Hales keeps nerve as England square T20 series

AFP England man fell short when he holed over but his fi gures suff ered at the Cardiff out to Yadav off Kumar. When Bairstow hands of Dhoni. departed the hosts were still 23 short of Ball tempted opener Rohit Sharma their target with three overs left. into pull shot which he top edged lex Hales kept his nerve with Liam Plunkett and David Willey leaving keeper Jos Buttler to take an 58 not out to see England had put the squeeze on India as the easy skied chance. home and square the inter- tourists were restricted to 148-5. Shikhar Dhawan was run out when national T20 series against Plunkett took 1-17 and Willey 1-18 he dropped his bat and failed to get IndiaA 1-1 with one to play in Cardiff as India were kept on a leash de- his foot over the crease and Plunkett yesterday. spite 47 from captain Virat Kohli and bowled K.L.Rahul to leave the tourists Set 149 to win off their 20 overs some late hitting from MS Dhoni who reeling at 22-3 before Kohli set about England needed 12 off the final over scored 32 not out and helped plunder rebuilding the innings. and Hales put Bhuvneshwar Kumar 22 in Jake Ball’s fi nal over Dhawan was dismissed by Jason out of the Cardiff ground off the first England put India in, and Plunkett Roy’s throw and quick-thinking by ball and the second for four. responded with the most economical England captain who re- A single followed and David Willey four over fi gures by an England bowler ferred the decision to the TV umpire hit Kumar for the winning runs to set in a home T20 international. and was proved correct. up the decider on Monday. And Willey leaked just one run Ball, who has 18 caps in 50 over Hales made his runs from 41 balls more in his stint and picked up Koh- internationals, replaced Moeen Ali with four fours and three sixes to get li’s wicket, caught in the deep by Joe in the England line-up with England his side over the line when they were England’s Alex Hales celebrates victory with Liam Plunkett after the match in Cardiff yesterday. Root, when the Indian captain was leaving the spinner out because of the faltering. threatening to cut loose. relatively short straight boundaries. England’s big hitters at the top of Roy made 15 and Buttler just 14 He had struggled against the Indian took fi ve for 24 in the fi rst game went Ball, the Nottinghamshire pace The series concludes with the third the order Jos Buttler and Jason Roy before they were both dismissed by spinners in the opening game in Man- wicketless. bowler, was handed a T20 interna- T20 game in Bristol tomorrow before were both out cheaply trying to get Umesh Yadav but Hales kept England chester but played with more confi - Jonny Bairstow launched him into tional debut and made the most of his three 50-over internationals and a the early run rate up to Umesh Kumar. in the game. dence here and Kuldeep Yadav who the stands twice in his fi nal over but the chance by taking a wicket in his fi rst fi ve-match Test series.