FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 TTENNISENNIS | Page 7 Eighty years in Federer holds the making, off Ebden to Germany’s reach Halle record in peril semi-fi nals

Saturday, June 23, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 9, 1439 AH Nigeria bounce GULF TIMES back at World Cup to beat Iceland 2-0 SPORTSPORT Page 2

REPORT BRA 2-0 CRC NNeymar,eymar, CoutinhoCoutinho putput BBrazilrazil bidbid backback onon ttrackrack Costa Rica are out of World Cup

AFP points collected from their Saint Petersburg opening two matches. Costa Rica, meanwhile, are out but the Central eymar broke down Americans were far from in tears, Brazil disgraced here. breathed a sigh “I don’t know what else of relief and their we could have done,” their coachN pulled a muscle Oscar Ramirez said. as he celebrated a last-gasp “Considering what I have at 2-0 win over Costa Rica yes- my disposal and what they terday. have, I think it is reasonable fi nally what we did.” broke a dogged Costa Rica’s started despite resistance in the 91st minute limping out of training on before Neymar added a sec- Tuesday with a hurt ankle, ond in the 96th to propel the which the Brazilian FA said fi ve-time champions to- was sustained as a of wards the World Cup last 16. snapping Swiss defenders. At the fi nal whistle, Ney- He faced the most devoted mar sat down on the grass of markers in Costa Rica’s and wept, with the emotion Cristian Gamboa, the Bra- of victory hitting home af- zilian spending most of the ter a tense Group E contest half hopping over scything at the Saint Petersburg Sta- tackles or dodging past a dium. barging shoulder. Tite, meanwhile, was left After a slightly ponder- limping, after the 57-year- ous fi rst half, Brazil cranked old reacted to Coutinho’s up the pressure in the sec- strike by bursting onto the ond as ’s head- pitch and tripping over his er crashed own feet. against “I think I kind of pulled the a muscle!” Tite said. “I’m cross- limping now after the cele- bar and bration. We were a bit over- Coutin- excited.” ho was Costa Rica looked likely denied to hold on for a hard-earned by the ever- draw, particularly after Ney- present Gamboa on the line. mar had a penalty award Frustration brewed but chalked off by referee Bjorn Costa Rica’s resistance Kuipers, following a con- was finally ended in stop- sultation with the Video As- page-time as Marcelo’s sistant Referee. deep cross was kept alive This was only Neymar’s by and a fourth outing since return- loose touch by Jesus drib- ing from three and a half bled perfectly into Coutin- months out with a foot in- ho’s path. Six yards out, he jury and Tite admitted his sidefooted home. star player will need time to Broken, Costa Rica hit top form. conceded again right at Brazil will now head the death. Firmino drove into their fi nal group game through the middle before Brazil’s Neymar (left) scores past Costa Rica against Serbia next week Douglas Costa squared for goalkeeper during their match confi dent of reaching the Neymar fi nally to fi nd the yesterday in Saint Petersburg yesterday. knock-out stages,, withwiw thth fourfour net.net.t (Inset) Neymar and teammate Philippe Coutinho (left) celebrate a goal. (Reuters/AFP) Striker hits back at World Cup critics

AFP “Things were never easy in my Saint Petersburg life, so why would they be now? Tears worry nervous Brazilians The dream — no, the OBJEC- TIVE — is still alive. Congratu- AFP At the final whistle, the World Cup,” Brazil’s biggest eymar rounded on his lations for the performance, Rio de Janeiro striker — described as a newspaper, O Globo, head- critics and defended guys.” genius by his coach Tite lined the main article on its his emotional reaction The world’s most expen- and a petulant brat by website after the drama. to scoring in Brazil’s sive player was making just his razilians watched his many detractors — While acknowledging that N2-0 World Cup win over Costa fourth appearance after break- their team’s excruciat- sank to the turf, sobbing. Neymar has had a torrid Rica after he broke down in tears ing a bone in his foot in Febru- Bingly hard-fought win Later, Neymar tweeted that buildup to the tournament, at the fi nal whistle. ary. yesterday over Costa Rica in “these were tears of joy, of with surgery for a broken A largely frustrating after- And Brazil coach Tite admit- a cold sweat but it was Ney- having overcome.” foot bone and a hugely noon for the fi ve-time world ted the Paris Saint-Germain star mar’s hot tears that really “It’s one of the big images disappointing first game champions was forgotten thanks is still not fully match-fi t. made the footballing-mad of the World Cup: Neymar, against Switzerland, Globo to two goals in stoppage time. “He needs some time to nation sit up. alone, collapsed and in said the tears were just too Philippe Coutinho broke the resume his high standard. Be- “Neymar’s crying is the big floods of tears,” the UOL much. deadlock before Neymar tapped fore then there is a team that has news,” declared the Blog esporte blog said. “A team needs to demon- home with virtually the last kick to be strong and not depend on do Menon on the leading “These were the tears of a strate mental strength, not of the game. him.” UOL Esporte website. football player. The tears of fragility. Genuine or not, “Not everyone knows what Neymar’s emotions at the The world’s most expensive someone who cares.” Neymar’s crying is worry- I went through to get here,” he end highlighted Brazil’s relief footballer had just scored But many asked if so much ing,” Globo said. posted on Twitter and Insta- at getting their fi rst win of the the second of Brazil’s two emotion after beating a “It was either the symptom gram. tournament after being held 1-1 extra-time goals, finally supposedly far inferior of troubling instability or it “Even parrots can talk, but by Switzerland in their opening subduing Costa Rica’s team pointed to crackups was a return of Neymar’s walking the walk... not everyone match. stubborn resistance — and to come? narcissism that Neymar had does it. I cried out of happiness, Tite fell to the fl oor as he sped getting a monkey off the “It’s not normal to cry managed to control so well overcoming, grit and desire to onto the pitch following Coutin- star-studded team’s back. in the second game of a for nearly the whole match.” win. ho’s strike. Neymar’s strike seven minutes into stoppage time against Costa Rica was the latest ever at a World Cup in regular time 2 Gulf Times Saturday, June 23, 2018

REPORT NGA 2-0 ISL REPORT SRB 1-2 SUI Musa magic gives Last gasp Shaqiri seals Nigeria 2-0 victory Swiss win It was only the second win for an African side in over Serbia AFP almost scored with a spectac- Russia World Cup so far Kaliningrad, Russia ular bicycle kick that went the over Iceland same way minutes later. Switzerland, who came to last-minute Russia ranked ahead of the Xherdan Sha- likes of France and Spain, felt qiri breakaway goal their way into the game as the handed Switzer- fi rst-half progressed. landA victory yesterday as they On the half-hour mark, came from behind to defeat Steven Zuber cleverly teed up Serbia 2-1 in Kaliningrad. Blerim Dzemaili but the Hof- The win puts Switzerland in fenheim man got his feet in a pole position to make it out of muddle and Vladimir Stojko- a tough Group E that contains vic was able to parry away. fi ve-times winners Brazil but But it was Serbia, who beat they were pushed all the way Costa Rica 1-0 in their Group by the Serbs. E opener, who nearly went in It was a sweet victory for two up. Shaqiri and fellow Swiss Nemanja Matic missed a goalscorer Granit Xhaka, glorious chance to double who along with team-mate the lead just before the break Valon Belrami were booed when Tadic’s in-swinging relentlessly by Serbia’s fans corner found him unmarked throughout. at the back post but the Man- Shaqiri, Xhaka and Belrami chester United midfi elder trace their roots to Kosovo, couldn’t sort his feet out. a former province of Serbia, Matic said during the build- a fact which had stoked ten- up the team were expecting sions before the match. a “hellish” encounter with Both Shaqiri and Xhaka the Swiss, who in their game pointedly celebrated their with Brazil fouled star forward goals by making an eagle ges- Neymar 10 times alone. ture with their hands, viewed Switzerland grew in stat- as a symbol of defi ance. ure after the break and were Serbia raced out of the rewarded with a spectacular blocks, funnelling possession equaliser courtesy of Xhaka’s to Southampton winger Du- 52nd-minute piledriver. san Tadic on the right fl ank, They had the better chances who troubled Switzerland in the second period, with Sha- with his crossing all match. qiri’s curling eff ort from the An Aleksandar Mitrovic edge of the area grazing Stojko- header forced a smart save vic’s bar on the hour mark. from Swiss keeper Yann Som- Coach Vladimir Petkovic mer after four minutes. brought on attackers Breel Seconds later, Tadic took Embolo and Mario Gavranovic Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa (rights) scores the team’s first goal during the match against Iceland in Volgograd, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) the ball past left-back Ricardo in a bid to force a winner, and Rodriguez, cut back on his fa- Gavranovic forced a smart Reuters side in the Russia World Cup so far, Ni- sisted Referee system to confi rm that Nigeria’s 4-2 in a friendly when Lionel voured left foot and delivered save from Stojkovic from a Volgograd, Russia geria broke a stale deadlock in the heat of striker Alfred Finnbogason had been Messi was absent. a majestic cross that Mitrovic close range eff ort with 10 southern Russia in the 49th minute when fouled by Tyronne Ebuehi in the 80th “We know we can do it, our confi dence duly buried with his head. minutes remaining. wing-back Victor Moses lofted a pass minute. is coming back.” In a frenetic fi rst half, Swit- But it was Stoke City winger igeria beat Iceland 2-0 to re- towards Musa who deftly controlled the But playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ice- Iceland, the smallest country ever to zerland had more of the ball Shaqiri who struck the deci- vive their hopes of advancing ball and smashed in the half volley. land’s most gifted player of his genera- play in a World Cup, were roared on by an but were sloppy with it, giving sive blow, breaking through into the knockout stages of the Musa was on the bench for Nigeria’s tion, blasted his kick high over the bar. army of their fans. away possession in advanced Serbia’s off side trap to slot World Cup in Russia yester- limp defeat to Croatia in their opening The win vindicated the decision of But they missed the pace of winger positions and sending Serbia home calmly as the 90 min- Nday as striker Ahmed Musa dramatically game in Russia, and the announcement Nigeria’s German coach Gernot Rohr to Johann Berg Gudmundsson who was in- on the break. utes wound down. marked his return to the team with two of the Leicester City striker’s name in the overhaul his attack after the 2-0 loss to jured in the Argentina game. Lazio’s highly rated Sergej Serbia will now need some- fi ne second-half goals. starting team on Friday drew thunderous Croatia, bringing in Musa and Kelechi Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said Milinkovic-Savic fi zzed a thing from their fi nal Group E The result pushed Nigeria up to the cheers from Super Eagles fans before the Iheanacho at the expense of strikers Odi- things had been going to plan with the right-footed shot narrowly match against Brazil, while a second qualifying spot in Group D but game. on Ighalo and Alex Iwobi. scores 0-0 at halftime but the heat of wide of Sommer’s right post draw against Costa Rica would both sides, and struggling Argentina, are He made it 2-0 in the 75th minute when He also moved to a system using three Volgograd, with temperatures of around on 15 minutes, and Mitrovic see Switzerland through. still in the hunt to go through along with he used his pace to beat Iceland defender central defenders fl anked by wing backs, 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) throughout the already-qualifi ed Croatia. Kari Arnason and rounded goalkeeper which seemed to give Nigeria more zip, game, sapped his team. However, Argentina and World Cup Hannes Por Halldorsson before slamming and told John Obi Mikel to play deeper in “That’s a strange fact that we still are debutants Iceland must win their respec- the ball into the net. midfi eld. in the race, and that’s fun,” he said. “We tive games against Nigeria and Croatia Iceland, who caused one of the biggest Rohr said his side would not fear Ar- didn’t think we would go through this next week to have any chance of advanc- upsets in the tournament so far by hold- gentina when they meet on Tuesday. World Cup without a loss. Losses are al- ing. Nigeria could qualify with a draw if ing two-time champions Argentina to a “We will play to win the game,” he said. ways hard to swallow. We only need to Iceland fail to beat Croatia. draw on Saturday, won a penalty when “We played them in a friendly but there win (over) Croatia — but that might be In only the second win for an African referee Matt Conger used the Video As- was no Messi then,” he said, referring to easier said than done.”

Iceland can beat old fl ame Croatia to go through, says coach

Reuters risks, and they are very good, very games,” Hallgrimsson said. Volgograd, Russia quick going forward, and they scored “Normally it’s steel to steel, not a lot of two goals like that,” Hallgrimsson told chances, always a lot of yellow cards. In reporters. three games out of four, we’ve had a red celand need to beat a Croatia side Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina can card,” he added. their coach Heimir Hallgrimsson qualify from Group D, but the latter two The teams met in the qualifying cam- Idescribed as being like the other half sides need to win to have any chance of paign for Russia, with each winning at of a married couple to make the last 16. making the knockout stage, with Iceland home as Iceland topped the group, but Having drawn 1-1 with Argentina in their facing Croatia in their final group game. Croatia’s 3-0 hammering of Argentina opener, Iceland got a rude awakening “We’ve played Croatia four times in marked them out as one of the teams to from their World Cup fairytale as Ahmed four years, we’ve often said we’re like watch in Russia. Musa scored twice for Nigeria and Gylfi a married couple — we’re trying to get The Croatians, who top the group on six Sigurdsson missed a penalty in the divorced, but we always meet up again,” points with Nigeria second on three and African team’s 2-0 win. the Iceland coach told a news confer- Iceland and Argentina on one apiece, The Iceland coach said his side got their ence. may take the opportunity to rest players tactics right, stopping Nigeria from The Croatians ended Iceland’s 2014 on Tuesday, but Hallgrimsson is taking managing a shot on target in the first World Cup dream by beating them in a nothing for granted. half, only to concede two goals after the two-legged playoff , and the relationship “We were ahead of them in our group interval. between the sides on the field has often and we’ve already beaten them once “What changed the game was the goal been tempestuous. in Iceland, so we at least have that they scored in the second half. We had “We know the scenario when we play confidence with us when we play them,” to go further forward and take more Croatia — it’s going to be really tough he said.

Standings

P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts Group A Group C Group E Group G Russia 2 2 0 0 8 1 6 France 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 Brazil 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Belgium 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 Uruguay 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 Denmark 2 1 1 0 2 1 4 Switzerland 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Egypt 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Australia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Serbia 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Tunisia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Saudi Arabia 2 0 0 2 0 6 0 Peru 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Costa Rica 2 0 0 2 0 3 0 Panama 1 0 0 1 0 3 0

Group B Group D Group F Group H Spain 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Croatia 2 2 0 0 5 0 6 Mexico 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Japan 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Portugal 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Sweden 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Senegal 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Iran 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 Iceland 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 Germany 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Colombia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Argentina 2 0 1 1 1 4 1 South Korea 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Poland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio has fi elded 49 diff erent line-ups in his 49 matches as coach 3 Gulf Times Saturday, June 23, 2018

PREVIEW GER vs SWE SOCHI, 9PM SPOTLIGHT Germany’s Hummels unlikely to play Eighty years in the against Sweden: Loew

Reuters “ will most Sochi, Russia likely not be able to play because he injured his neck in training yesterday and it has not im- ermany central de- proved until today,” Loew told making, Germany’s fender Mats Hummels reporters in Sochi yesterday. is unlikely to feature “He has not trained and obvi- in their second World ously there are still a few hours GCup Group F game against Swe- but usually these things do not den today after hurting his neck improve considerably overnight in training, Germany coach and tomorrow we need fi t play- Joachim Loew said. ers. I think it makes no sense (for The world champions, who him to play).” record in peril suff ered a shock opening loss to A likely replacement for Hum- Mexico, must avoid another de- mels is Antonio Rudiger but feat which could see them crash Loew said he would wait until In every World Cup since 1938, Germany have made it past the group stage out at a World Cup group stage tomorrow to see Hummels’ con- for the fi rst time in 80 years. dition. Key facts

If Germany lose to Sweden and Mexico earn at least one point against South Korea then the reign- ing world champions will have been eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1938. Sweden are top of the group along with Mexico on three points. The Germans and Koreans are with- out a point. Four-time winners Germany have made it to the second round in every World Cup they have competed since crashing out early 80 years ago. Germany were banned from taking part in the 1950 World Cup following World War Two. Germany coach Joachim Loew will have a full squad to chose from with left back Jonas Hector, who FOCUS missed their opening defeat by Mexico with a flu, fit again. The Germans won the title in 2014 and proceeded to win all 10 Stomach bug hits 2018 World Cup qualifiers. They have managed only one victory — a 2-1 over Saudi Arabia — in Swedish squad ahead their last seven matches. Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, who missed their opening win over of Germany clash South Korea due to illness, has returned to training. AFP FA website that the trio were “on The Swedes have had their Sochi, Russia the mend”. share of big wins to qualify, finish- Of the three, only Leeds Unit- ing behind France and ahead of the ed defender Jansson played in Netherlands in their group. They beat weden’s preparations for Sweden’s opening 1-0 win over Italy 1-0 over two legs in the World their World Cup clash South Korea, and that was be- Cup qualifying playoff s. against Germany have cause United’s Vic- been hampered by a tor Lindelof was ill. stomachS bug that has prevented Lindelof has travelled to Sochi HEAD-TO-HEAD three players from travelling to and could return against Ger- Germany Draw Sweden Sochi, where today’s game will many but there is a doubt over 15 9 12 be played. striker Isaac Kiese Thelin, who Coach Janne Andersson re- has an ankle problem. Last meeting: Germany 5 Sweden 3 vealed that defenders Pontus While Sweden, who qualifi ed (2014 WC qualifier) Jansson and Filip Helander, for the fi nals after ousting Italy along with midfi elder Marcus in a play-off , come into the game Germany coach Joachim Loew attends a training session at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi yesterday. (AFP) Rohden, were left behind at the in a strong position, Germany team’s tournament base further are on the brink of a full-blown Reuters can boast such a record, with the South ico, the Germans showed none of the their positions and if they stick to that up Russia’s Black Sea coast in crisis. Moscow Americans having failed to get out of strengths that carried them to the 2014 everyone can set up or score goals.” Gelendzhik to avoid any danger A defeat at the hands of Mexi- their group in 1966. title and to victory in each of their 10 For the Swedes, however, it is a golden of the illness spreading. co in the fi rst match of their tro- But when coach Joachim Loew’s men World Cup qualifi ers. opportunity to advance, knowing their However, the hope is that they phy defence means they cannot ermany’s phenomenal World take to the pitch against Sweden for their Instead, they were easy prey for their opponents are under extreme pressure. will recover to come to Sochi in aff ord another slip-up in Group Cup consistency means the second Group F match in Sochi’s Fisht opponents who outsmarted them with a “We will do everything we can, and be time for the match. F today. reigning world champions have Stadium they will be painfully aware that series of quick breaks. as smart as we can with the ball and with- “We have split the squad. We “This is really what you spend not been eliminated in the tour- defeat by the Scandinavians could mean Now they have their backs to the wall out it,” said Sweden winger Emil Fors- didn’t bring them on the fl ight your whole career and life work- Gnament’s group stage for the last 80 years the end of one of the longest World Cup and German fans are bracing for what berg, whose team won their opener 1-0 because we didn’t know what ing towards. It is an extraordi- — but that could all change today. records. could be their biggest shock in decades. against South Korea. had made them feel a bit queasy, nary opportunity to be involved In every World Cup since 1938 Ger- A shock 1-0 opening loss to Mexi- “We have two important tasks to com- A draw could also be enough for Swe- but they will travel tomorrow,” in a World Cup match like this,” many have made it past the group stage. co means they probably need at least plete and we have to win both games,” den but for the Germans only three points Andersson said at a press con- said Andersson. They did not compete at the 1950 tourna- four points from their remaining group Germany’s Thomas Mueller said. “We will do. ference at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium “Whether we knock out Ger- ment as they were banned from entering matches against Sweden and South Korea want nothing else but success.” “The longer the match goes, the more yesterday. many is one thing, but we have a following the World War Two. if they are to progress. “It does not matter who will play, every desperate they will get if they haven’t Sweden’s team doctor said in a chance to qualify and that is ex- Not even fi ve-times champions Brazil Tepid and lacklustre against Mex- player has to do what they are asked to in scored,” Forsberg said. statement on the offi cial Swedish traordinary.”

PREVIEW KOR vs MEX ROSTOV-ON-DON, 6PM Mexicans wait to see what Osorio will pull out of the hat

Reuters of simply running at a given at the Azteca stadium in their Rostov-on-Don, Russia speed or distance, he adjusts farewell game against the settings up to 30 times in a three weeks ago. Key facts 45-minute spell to make sure But Sunday’s remarkable exico coach Juan his heart gets the right workout. win, when Mexico not only Mexico have reached the last Carlos Osorio will When Hirving Lozano scored beat the world champions but 16 at each of the last six World Cup take charge of his Mexico’s winner against Ger- out-thought and out-played tournaments. side for the 50th many on Sunday, Osorio did them, has considerably raised South Korea have qualified Mtime when they face South Ko- not celebrate — he simply sat his stock, silencing his more for every World Cup since 1986, rea at the World Cup today and down quietly and started writ- vociferous critics — at least for making it now nine in a row, with his past record suggests there ing notes in his trusty spiral the time being. their best performance reaching is every chance he will fi eld his notepad. Despite the constant chop- the semi-final when they were 50th diff erent line-up. As coach, Osorio adopts a ping and changing, his basic co-hosts with Japan of the 2002 The old rule of not changing chameleon approach, changing philosophy remains an attack- tournament. a winning team does not apply his selection and tactics de- ing approach, often with the Mexico Rafael to the cerebral 57-year-old who pending on the opposition. back four stationed on the half- Marquez is taking part in his fifth likes to keep his opponents — However, his constant tink- way line, plus two wingers and a World Cup. on this occasion a South Korean ering has not made him popular single centre forward. Only four members of the side beaten 1-0 by Sweden on with Mexican fans, and in par- Wing back Miguel Layun said South Korea squad are based with Monday — guessing to see what ticular, some parts of the media. on Sunday he could never un- European clubs. Twelve play their he will pull out of the hat. Many feel he over-compli- derstand the criticism aimed at club football locally and another The Colombian, whose side cates and are also baffl ed when Osorio. five play in Japan, with one in China stunned Germany 1-0 in their he gives complex answers to “When see someone with and one free agent. opening game in Group F on what are considered straight- this kind of commitment, who Sunday and are now looking forward questions, rather than works as hard as he does, you HEAD-TO-HEAD to book their place in the last trotting out the usual football cannot explain to yourself how South Korea Draw Mexico 16 with a match to spare, is re- cliches. people are able to have these 4 2 6 nowned for his attention to de- Despite a respectable record kinds of radical and tough tail, even when he does a simple of 32 wins, nine draws and eight judgement of him,” he said. “He Last meeting: South Korea 0 workout on a treadmill. defeats in his 49 matches in is a genius but he does things Mexico 4 (2014, friendly) Osorio told ESPN in an in- charge and a comfortable quali- diff erently. I hope he gets the Mexico’s coach Juan Carlos Osorio (centre) speaks to players during a training session in Rostov-On-Don, terview recently that, instead fying campaign, he was jeered credit he deserves.” Russia, yesterday. (AFP) Romelu Lukaku signed a pro contract with Anderlecht on his 16th birthday and made his debut 11 days later 4 Gulf Times Saturday, June 23, 2018

PREVIEW TUN vs BEL MOSCOW, 3PM FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... Belgium take on TEARS OF GOD Tunisia with an

Peter Shilton had little sympathy players at the World Cup remain for , who was left unbeaten with only South Korea’s in tears after Argentina’s defeat Son Heung-min and Colombia’s by Croatia, and was quick to have Davinson Sanchez tasting defeat a little jab at his nemesis via social so far. eye on England media. It would be possible to field a Friday marked 32 years since balanced starting XI of Totten- Maradona rose above then-Eng- ham players currently in Russia Belgium are yet to lose to African opposition at a World Cup land goalkeeper Shilton to punch in a 4-4-1-1 formation: Hugo the ball into the back of the net in Lloris (FRA); Kieran Trippier AFP the sides’ quarter-final meeting (ENG), Jan Vertonghen (BEL), Moscow at the 1986 World Cup. Maradona Toby Alderweireld (BEL), Danny also scored an incredible second Rose (ENG); Mousa Dembele goal as Argentina won 2-1. (BEL), Eric Dier (ENG), Christian elgium take on Tunisia today Shilton used the anniversary of Eriksen (DEN), Son Heung-min with their eyes set on the knock- the ‘Hand of God’ goal to have a (KOR); Dele Alli (ENG); Harry out round of the World Cup but dig at the 57-year-old. Kane (ENG). Substitute: Davin- Bfearful that star forward Eden He tweeted: “God was looking son Sanchez (COL). Hazard is set for another bruising en- down on me this morning! Hav- counter. ing watched the worst football WHERE’S REUS? The Belgians want to win at the Spar- Argentina has played in a World Germany have their backs tak Stadium in Moscow to avoid making Cup on the eve before the to their wall for today’s crunch their fi nal group game against England on anniversary of the hand of god match against Sweden and two June 28 a make-or-break qualifi cation af- incident.” thirds of German fans think head fair. The Red Devils opened their account coach Joachim Loew picked the in Russia with a 3-0 win over Panama WHO NEEDS MESSI? WE’VE wrong team for their shock 1-0 on Monday, when Romelu Lukaku net- GOT MODRIC defeat by Mexico. ted twice, but Hazard was tightly marked Croatian newspapers were ec- A survey for German Internet and occasionally clattered by the Central static after the stunning 3-0 win provider t-online.de showed American opponents. over Argentina that put them in 67% of Germans think Loew got Belgium coach Roberto Martinez hopes the knockout phase of the World it wrong. Pundits agree, with the Chelsea player will not get the same Cup, terming it: “The night when ex-players Lothar Matthaeus and treatment from Tunisia. Modric was Messi!”. Stefan Eff enberg calling for World “It is a worry that in any of those tack- It was the “biggest victory of Cup winners Mesut Ozil and Sami les he could really get hurt,” said Bel- the generation”, according to the Khedira to be dropped. gium’s Spanish coach. “It doesn’t worry front page of Sportske Novosti “I did not understand why me if that is just their way of trying to daily. Luka Modric, who (Marco) Reus did not play against stop him.” drove in the second goal in Mexico right from the start, and, History favours the Belgians. Nizhny Novogrod, had a “mas- if what Reus said after the game They are yet to lose to African opposi- terly game”, bringing the “great that he was earmarked for the tion at a World Cup, while Tunisia have Gaucho to his knees”, it said. ‘important games’ is true, then never beaten a European side at a fi nals. They pushed “the great Messi the coach has totally misjudged The experienced Oussama Haddadi is to the verge of the exit”, it said. that the most important game set to replace Ali Maaloul at left-back in The Jutarnji List said the game was that against the strongest the Tunisian defence and Martinez saw had been a “Fiery Tango”. group opponent: Mexico,” said plenty of danger for his team in the north Eff enberg. Africans’ opening 2-1 defeat to England. Tunisia’s Ahmed Khalil jumps for a ball next to teammates during a training session at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow yesterday. SPURS WINNING “They have a lot of bravery and they’re THE WORLD CUP? LOEW CLEARS HIS HEAD very dynamic,” Martinez said. Belgium’s best for decades, is aware of the best of reaching the semi-fi nals at Mex- said Tunisian forward Fakhreddine Ben Fans of side The under-fire Loew faces the “The players have a good understand- thirst for success back home. ico 1986. There was some good news for Youssef of the England game. Tottenham Hotspur are having a biggest test of his 12-year reign in ing between each others and they can “We knew it before the tournament. Martinez on Thursday when Barcelona After their defeat to England with Har- great World Cup, so far at least. today’s crunch World Cup group- bring energy and intensity on coun- People say that Belgium would win every centre-back Thomas Vermaelen trained ry Kane’s 91st minute header, their coach Striker Harry Kane has scored stage game against Sweden ter-attacks. They play direct, effi cient game but it’s not that simple,” said Haz- for the fi rst time in Russia. Nabil Maaloul wants a focused display in twice for England, midfield play- in Sochi — and he warmed up football.”After seeing Lukaku and Dries ard. “We want to win, we won the fi rst However, Tunisia will not make life their bid to shock Belgium. maker Christian Eriksen has been with an early-morning jog to the Martens grab the goals against Panama, game and have another one Saturday easy for Belgium as they seek to provide “If we had got a draw it would have producing man-of-the-match stadium yesterday. Hazard wants to add some goals of his against Tunisia. We take it game after a bright spot in a poor World Cup for Af- been an excellent result for us (against performances for Denmark and Bild, Germany’s biggest selling own. game.” Belgium, ranked third in the world, rican sides, with Egypt and Morocco al- England), but hopefully this will lead to captain Hugo Lloris is already into daily, spotted Loew, wearing sun Hazard, whose younger brother Thor- reached the quarter-fi nals of Brazil 2014 ready out. higher levels of concentration in the com- the last 16 with France. glasses and Germany training kit, gan is also in a squad considered to be and are aiming to match their previous “We lost a battle, but not the war,” ing games,” said Maaloul. Spurs old boys are not doing leaving the team hoottell at around too bad either — former fan 0730 and covering the four- favourite Modric, now of Real kilometre round trip along Sochi’s KEY FACTS , scored one of the goals promenade to the Fisht stadium of the tournament against in 38 minutes — after posing for a Arab World Cup hopes now pinned on Tunisia: coach Argentina. few selfies with fans and security Where: Spartak Stadium, Moscow In fact, 10 of Tottenham’s 12 staff before he set off . Capacity: 44,190 The World Cup dreams of the entire Arab world now rest on When: Today, June 23, 3pm Qatar Time Tunisia, coach Nabil Maaloul said yesterday, after Saudi Arabia, Referee: To be announced Morocco and Egypt all failed to perform at football’s showpiece. Key stats: Maaloul said the run of results meant Tunisia’s do-or-die Group Q Belgium won their opening Group G G clash with Belgium in Moscow today had added resonance for match with three unanswered second- SPOTLIGHT supporters far beyond the North African nation. half goals against Panama in a solid start “There’s no doubt the eyes of the Arab world are turned towards to their Russian campaign. Four year Tunisia and their hopes are pinned on our team,” he said via an ago, Belgium won all three of their group interpreter. games at the World Cup in Brazil. Qatar’s referees “Obviously we feel more pressure, we feel a sense of responsibility Q Belgium were the first European — we can’t lose tomorrow, we can’t disappoint tomorrow.” team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt have all been eliminated after (excluding hosts Russia), one of four excel at World Cup losing their first two World Cup games. unbeaten teams in qualifying (along with Tunisia lost their opening match against England 2-1 but can keep England, Germany and Spain) and scored Qatari referees Abdulrahman al- in the match. alive their slim hopes of advancing from the group with a win the joint most goals in the European Jassim and Taleb Salem al-Marri This was the third participa- over Belgium today. qualifiers alongside Germany (43). made a third appearance at the tion of the two Qatari referees “We have to deliver and do our best in spite of the many diff icul- Q Tunisia were the first African country World Cup finals in Russia after in the World Cup after the first ties we’ll be facing,” Maaloul said. to win a match at the World Cup when taking part in the France-Peru appearance as VAR assistants Saudi Arabia and Egypt face one another in their final group they beat Mexico 3-1 in Rosario, Argen- match on Thursday. in the match between Sweden match on Monday, while Morocco have a tough assignment tina at the 1978 finals. Al-Jassim was the first assistant and South Korea. The second against Spain and Tunisia’s last group match is against tourna- (VAR) and al-Marri the second appearance was also as VAR ment debutants Panama. HEAD-TO-HEAD assistant, while Italian referee Assistants in the match between Tunisia 1 Draw 1 Belgium 1 Daniele Orsato led the VAR crew Poland and Senegal. (QNA)

BOTTOMLINE Lukaku tells how poverty fi red W Cup dream AFP The child of Congolese immigrants, he re- The player revealed he also experienced prej- at the 2014 World Cup, when he found the net Moscow called that his family were often short of food udice, with parents of children on opposition only once as highly fancied Belgium exited in the when he was a child and sometimes prayed in teams asking where he was from and question- quarter-fi nals. the dark because there was no money to pay for ing his eligibility to play. He said when he was scoring for his home- elgium striker Romelu Lukaku re- power in their apartment. “I thought ‘What? I was born in Antwerp. I’m land he was described as Belgian but if his form alised how poor his family was when “We didn’t have enough money to make it last from Belgium’,” he said. dipped he became “Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian he saw his mother watering down the the whole week. We were broke. Not just poor, Lukaku added: “I played with so much anger striker of Congolese descent”. milk. The football talent he is showcas- but broke,” he wrote. because of a lot of things, because of the rats “I’m going to remember to have fun this ingB at the World Cup was their passport out of “My father had been a pro footballer, but he running around in our apartment, because I time,” he said. “Life is too short for the stress poverty. was at the end of his career and the money was couldn’t watch the Champions League, because and the drama. People can say whatever they The Manchester United man has opened up all gone.” of how the other parents used to look at me. want about our team and about me.” about growing up in Antwerp and his resolution Lukaku, now 25, said he was just six when he “I was on a mission. When I was 12, I scored He said his greatest regret was not the 2014 to ignore critics and have fun in Russia. realised how dire his family’s situation was after 76 goals in 34 games.” campaign but the fact that his grandfather Lukaku started the tournament in spectacular seeing his mother adding water to milk to make He signed a professional contract with An- never saw him achieve his dream of becoming style, scoring two goals against Panama for the it go further. derlecht on his 16th birthday and made his fi rst- a professional footballer and providing for his Red Devils. It was then he decided his own professional team debut with the club 11 days later. mother. But he told sports website www.theplayer- football career was the way to lift them out of After spells with Chelsea, West Bromwich Al- “Wish I could have one more phonecall with stribune.com that his determination to succeed poverty. bion and Everton, Lukaku moved to Manchester him, and I could let him know. was forged far from the glamour of football’s Lukaku’s drive only grew stronger at 12, when United last year for 75mn pounds ($100mn). “See? I told you. Your daughter is OK. No biggest showpiece, in the gritty suburbs of Bel- his dying grandfather made the boy promise to He is Belgium’s record scorer, with 38 goals more rats in the apartment. No more sleeping gium’s second largest city. look after his mother. in 70 appearances, but admits he felt pressured on the fl oor. No more stress. We’re good now.” Argentina face a repeat of their 2002 campaign, when they also went out at the group stage aft er being tipped as favourites 5 Gulf Times Saturday, June 23, 2018

THE AFTERMATH Argentina coach seeks ‘forgiveness’ as hopes fade ‘After they scored we were emotionally broken and we didn’t SPOTLIGHT have any footballing arguments to change the course of events’ Croatia aim to keep

AFP feet on the ground Nizhniy Novgorod aft er crushing win orge Sampaoli begged for forgiveness from Argentina’s fans on Thursday after a 3-0 drubbing by Croatia left JLionel Messi’s World Cup dreams hanging by a thread. Second-half goals from Ante Rebic — the fi rst from a horrendous error by Argentina goalkeeper — Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic sealed a de- served victory for the European side and ensured their passage into the last 16. A contrite Sampaoli said the rout was his fault entirely and apologised to supporters left in tears in the Nizhny Novgorod sta- dium on the banks of the River Volga. “First and foremost, I would beg for their forgiveness, especially those who came great distances to see Argentina,” said the softly spoken Sampaoli. “I am responsible for this result but I was as dreamy-eyed as the fans.” The Group D defeat means Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites and defeated fi nalists in 2014, are on the brink of a humiliating fi rst-round exit. They have just one point from two games and will certainly have to beat Reuters ed to blast home a volley in Nigeria in their fi nal outing to have any Nizhny Novgorod the 53rd minute. chance of avoiding elimination. Modric added a second But for Argentina — and Messi — the in the 80th, swerving right, recriminations over such a poor perform- roatia captain Luka then left and right again ance began within seconds of the fi nal Modric could barely before hammering home a whistle. Argentina coach watching the action as his team battled Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod on Thursday. hide his joy after the thunderous shot from just “I had to devise a plan for this match,” CBalkan side crushed outside the area. Ivan Rakitic said Sampaoli. If I had set things up diff er- ponderous fi gure, briefl y fl ashing to life carried away, despite arguably the per- need Croatia to win. Argentina 3-0 in their World struck a third in added time ently, things might have turned out much and the 30-year-old’s dream of winning formance of the tournament. Man-of-the match Luka Modric said Cup Group D showdown on to complete the South Amer- better. I don’t think it’s realistic to put the the World Cup now look remote. All the “We have to make sure we do not go teamwork was the key to the impressive Thursday, but he cautioned icans’ humiliation. burden on Caballero.” attention after the humbling defeat will over the top. We have to be calm and hum- victory. “Our team eff ort throughout (was that they must keep their feet “At the end, our victory He added that his under-pressure team, focus on Argentina and Messi but it was ble, all of us.” the key) and particularly in the second half on the ground as they move to looks easy but it was not that knowing they needed a positive result also the result of a fi ne performance by But in another piece of bad news for when we had more possession. the next round. easy. That first goal in the from the game, crumbled after conceding Croatia. Coach Zlatko Dalic admitted he Argentina he said he would defi nitely rest “In the fi rst half when Argentina had The victory meant Croatia second half followed from the fi rst goal. was surprised to be through after just two players in the last game against Iceland, the ball we cut off Messi and stopped him have qualifi ed from their sec- their goalie’s mistake,” Real “After they scored we were emotionally games but warned Croatian fans not to get which the South Americans will likely getting the ball.” tion with a game to spare and Madrid midfielder Modric broken and we didn’t have any footballing they served notice that, with said. arguments to change the course of events.” their composure and power, “It was a shot in the arm He said his team did not “gel” and plans they are capable of going far. for us. We played a perfect to feed Messi with more of the ball failed. “The most important ob- game. In the second half, Asked why he made three changes to his Ardiles slams ‘arrogant’ Sampaoli jective was achieved,” Modric we set a balance, we created team and played a 3-4-3 system, Sampaoli said. “We are ecstatic over it. possession, and thank God said he thought this was the best way to Moscow: Argentina World Cup winner criticised Sampaoli’s over-reliance on A does not work then there is no plan B, But I think that we should go we scored three times. We are put pressure on Croatia. But admitted he Osvaldo Ardiles has joined the criticism players based at big European clubs. much less a plan C or D,” he wrote. game by game. Let`s not be over the top with our victory.” had got it wrong. of coach Jorge Sampaoli, calling him “Just because they are playing outside of “And as for the defensive plan it’s just euphoric. Let`s not get ahead Modric added that Croatia, Croatia took the lead after Caballero “ignorant and arrogant.” Argentina does not mean they are elite foul the opposition without a care for the of ourselves.” who have reached the second chipped a clearance straight to Rebic, who Ardiles, who triumphed with Argentina players,” he wrote. “Many of them are circumstances or the consequences. “Of course this will boost round for the fi rst time since lashed home a thunderous volley in the in 1978, took to Twitter to voice his not even first choice in their club sides.” “The prestige earned over the years es- our confidence for the next their best showing at a fi nals 53rd minute. opinion on the team’s under-fire coach The rot set in for Argentina when Chel- pecially by the teams who have won the game. It`s going to be tough. in 1998 when they came third Real Madrid star Modric then scored after they picked up just one point from sea reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero World Cup has all been thrown away. But let`s avoid euphoria, overall, deserved the victory an electrifying 80th-minute goal before their first two games at the World Cup. gave the ball to Ante Rebic, who vol- “The attitude of some of the more ex- let`s keep our feet firmly on due to their own performance, Messi’s Barcelona teammate Rakitic net- They risk an early exit in Russia with star leyed it past him. Caballero is in the team perienced players is also embarrassing. the ground and prepare for rather than Argentina’s fail- ted a third after Croatia sliced apart Ar- man struggling to shine because — who is also (Javier) Mascherano, (Nicolas) Otamendi. the next matches.” ings. gentina’s hapless defence in injury time. in Thursday’s 3-0 defeat by Croatia. not first choice at Manchester United — The incident with [Ivan] Rakitic, please Twice champions Argenti- “This result and Argentina’s The defeat leaves Argentina facing a re- Ardiles tweeted: “(Sampaoli) finishes up is injured. Otamendi, apologize.” The one person na had the better of a scrappy poor display was due to our peat of their ignominious 2002 campaign, insulting Croatian players. Arrogant and Sampaoli is under pressure to walk away who escaped Ardiles’ ire was Messi. and sometimes ill-tempered good game, our compact block when they also went out at the group stage ignorant. even before Argentina play their last “Argentina’s decline over recent years first half in which both sides all over the pitch, particularly after being tipped as possible World Cup “Even with the best player in the world group game and Ardiles did not hold has been disguised by this genius who spurned chances, but Croatia when we didn’t have the ball,” winners. he was not able to build a competitive back with the stream of critical tweets is incomparable and who we were lucky turned on the class in the said Modric. The South Americans were curi- team. He has not named the same team published yesterday. enough to have been born in Argentina. second half. Argentina goal- “We cut off the lines of pass- ously lifeless and uninspired through- once since he took over.” “Sampaoli’s plan A is give the ball to “Leo thanks for everything. And a lot of keeper Willy Caballero gifted ing, we wanted to avoid Messi out, capped by an anonymous display by The former Tottenham midfielder also Messi and hope for a miracle. And if plan luck in the future.” Croatia the breakthrough getting the ball. I believe that Messi. goal, inexplicably lobbing the we played a fantastic game.” He remained a peripheral and largely ball to Ante Rebic who twist-

BOTTOMLINE Messi endures a World Cup of nightmares

Reuters — fl ared up fast and savagely. fans, family, teammates and Maradona. Nizhny Novgorod “I’m ashamed of this shirt. Right now, I want But given he will turn 35 at the next World to burn it. Where was Messi? Where were Ar- Cup, and is clearly creaking under the weight of gentina?” said Renzo Alvarez, 47, shouting an- expectation, most expect Messi to quit the in- s an excited Diego Maradona twirled grily among a group of angry fans, all wearing ternational stage some time after Russia. his shirt from the stands and thou- Messi shirts and some sporting masks of his On Thursday night, he was upstaged by Luka sands of Argentina fans bayed before face. Modric, Croatia’s man-of-the-match play- Akickoff against Croatia, Lionel Messi “We have come all this way, spent thousands maker and 32-year-old captain who played was seen rubbing his forehead in stress. of dollars we can ill aff ord, cheered them to the with joie de vivre and scored a stunning goal. He managed just 20 touches in the fi rst half, rafters, and they show no heart for the nation. I By contrast, Messi barely fi gured, marked the fewest of any Argentina player, and trudged simply can’t believe it.” out of the game by an ultra-disciplined Croatia, off uncomfortably. Messi memes quickly sprung up on the In- unable to get a shot on goal, and only managing Yet worse was to follow in Thursday’s second ternet. to thread telling passes on two or three occa- half of horror at Nizhny Novgorod as Croatia “Missing: Have you seen this man? Last sions. As against Iceland in Argentina’s opening destroyed Messi’s team with three goals for Ar- seen, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia,” read draw, when he missed a penalty, Messi trudged gentina’s worst group stage defeat in 60 years. one mockup of a Wild West poster with Messi’s off silent and thunder-faced. About to turn 31 at the weekend, the Barce- bearded image. “Leo is our heart and soul, but we couldn’t lona genius left the pitch looking lonely and Playing at his fourth World Cup, with the fi nd him with the ball,” said manager Jorge broken after a game that may have ended his heartbreak of a 1-0 defeat against Germany in Sampaoli, urging fans to turn their ire on him chances of ever winning a World Cup. the 2014 fi nal still raw, Messi and Argentina and not on Messi. Maradona, the 1986 World Cup winner now face the shocking prospect of going out in Though it was Modric who showed him up whom Argentines constantly compare him to, the fi rst stage unless remaining Group D results on Thursday, the comparison that most hurts went from waving a No. 10 Messi shirt to wiping go their way. Messi is with his great rival Ronaldo. tears out of his eyes, slumped in his seat. He has already resigned from international The Portuguese great has already won a major On social media, and among fans, the big de- football once — after missing a penalty during a international trophy at the 2016 Euros and has bates over Messi — Is he as great as Maradona? shootout against in the 2016 Copa Ameri- begun his latest World Cup campaign at a can- Is he better than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo? ca fi nal — but was persuaded back by pleas from ter with four goals in two games. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, June 23, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Cipriani has chance to stake World Cup Attack! Wallabies claim in third Test

Reuters would be a huge lift for his Cape Town chances of playing at the World Cup in Japan next year. “The journey has prepared anny Cipriani could me for it,” he told reporters. say they need tries not have asked for a “Sale (Sharks) was a com- better audition for pletely diff erent experience, next year’s World Cup then going to Wasps again it Dafter being tasked with lifting was a diff erent way of play- England out of their current ing Rugby and you have to feel winless run with a fi rst Test it out there in terms of mo- start in a decade against South mentum, how’s your position, Africa at Newlands today. how’s everybody in your team, to stop Ireland The fl yhalf is something of what’s been happening the a mercurial fi gure, his Rugby last couple of minutes. ‘You can’t win finals without scoring tries and playing footy, I’m a true believer in that’ talent never questioned but “I think one of the great with a reputation of falling parts about Rugby is having AFP foul of authority hanging over to work and learn with diff er- Sydney him. He can help to change ent players. Constantly as a 10 that perception though if he you’re trying to think about can guide his side to victory the best solution.” ustralia coach Michael in the third test by control- Jones says he picked Cipri- Cheika urged the Wal- ling the game with his tactical ani for his left-footed kicking labies to turn on the kicking and eye for space with option, with England captain style and attack as they the ball in hand. Owen Farrell alongside him in seekA to deny Ireland a rare se- He has cut a more mature the number 12 jersey able to ries victory in the third and fi nal fi gure on this South African boot the ball off his right. Test. tour and been widely praised Cipriani is looking forward After the Wallabies went by coach Eddie Jones for his to seeing how their partner- down 26-21 in an attritional work-rate and commitment ship can blossom. game last week in , in training. His reward is the “He’s an extremely talented Cheika said expansive play was number 10 jersey in place of guy, very, very driven, you see the best way to overcome the Six George Ford. how he leads and how he plays Nations champions. With England having al- with his heart on his sleeve,” The three-match series is ready surrendered the three- Cipriani said of Farrell. poised at 1-1 after Australia won match series after losing the Cipriani has 15 caps since 18-9 in Brisbane before the Irish, fi rst two games, an assured making his debut in 2008 and who have never won a three-Test performance for Cipriani in made his last start that year in tour in the southern hemisphere, what is expected to be wet a 42-6 loss to the Springboks hit back last weekend. conditions in Cape Town at Twickenham. “You can’t win fi nals without scoring tries and playing footy, I’m a true believer in that,” Chei- HORSE RACING ka said, ahead of today’s decider in Sydney. “They did well last week to restrict us from doing that and Alpha Centauri gives we’ll be looking to try and open up this week.” Skipper Michael Hooper said trainer Harrington the Wallabies needed to control the ball and cut down on con- ceding penalties, as well as going crowning moment after tries, if they want to fi nish on top. AFP The Irish controlled posses- London sion and territory for much of the fi rst two Tests, but the Wal- labies have still outscored them lpha Centauri fi ve tries to two. emerged as the sea- Star fl y-half Johnny Sexton son’s best three- proved the diff erence last week year-old mile fi lly with two conversions and four whenA setting a new track Colm O’Donoghue celebrates penalties as Ireland won their Australia’s rugby team captain Michael Hooper (left) attends the captain’s run training session in Sydney, ahead of their deciding Test against record in the Coronation winning the Coronation Stakes fi rst Test in Australia since 1979. Ireland today. (AFP) Stakes to give Irish trainer Jes- on Alpha Centauri with the Hooper said the Wallabies can sica Harrington her fi rst Royal trophy and trainer Jessica turn things around in the fi nal told reporters on Friday. what we needed to do.” last week,” he said. “It is at- put you in the right positions on Ascot winner. Harrington yesterday. (Reuters) Test by showing more attention “We looked at that and Hooper said greater focus tention to detail, and an intent the fi eld. Alpha Centauri – giving to detail. thought that was really nice. would also help get the Wallabies thing. We will take those out “We’ve had two games now, Greek owners The Niarchos national hunt feats includ- “Yeah, there’s a lot of upside “In the negative of allowing home after some aberrations in of the game. We didn’t have as both teams (have felt) each other Family their third win in the ing capturing the blue riband in that we can score points, even them to control so much posses- the defeat in Melbourne. many in the fi rst (Test) because out. I’m sure that they’ve cooked race – had come in to yester- event of the jumps the Chel- right when the game is on the sion, you think if we changed a “There were penalties for hit- our intent was a bit better. up a few things to try and catch day’s Group One showpiece tenham Gold Cup last year line we are able to put some nice couple of things here we can get ting guys off the ball, ruck stuff “A mindset change will allow us off guard tomorrow as we on the back of winning the with Sizing John. attacking phases together,” he it back. We weren’t that far off and some set-piece stuff as well you to be more disciplined and have too.” Irish 1000 Guineas. “I thought will it ever hap- And she proceeded to de- pen to win a Group One here stroy a fi eld that consisted and today was now or never,” of Billesdon Brook and Tep- said Harrington, beautifully Georgia on their mind: Japan brace for Rugby dust-up pal, the English and French decked out in all white. 1000 Guineas winners, as well “She is absolutely amazing, Japan may have to sacrifice a little style told local media. “If they start getting gain Backs Kenki Fukuoka (knee), Will Tupou recent defeats by Pacific islanders Tonga as the hotly-fancied Aidan got a great temperament. in favour of substance if they want to line after gain line, it’s going to be a long (face) and (concus- and .“We’ve watched Japan’s last six O’Brien runner Clemmie. “I thought jeepers when overcome Georgia’s beefy hard men this day at the off ice.” sion) have been ruled out, but Joseph games so we have a fair bit of intel on However, once she hit the Colm went clear in the straight weekend, captain said Japan, ranked one spot above Georgia at remained upbeat. them,” said the New Zealander. front under Colm O’Donoghue he has gone too soon but in yesterday. 11th in the world, welcome back burly lock “The injuries give us an opportunity “Of course we will rely on our traditional halfway down the straight fact she just went further and The Brave Blossoms have caught the eye Shinya Makabe from injury to add more to bring in some fresh blood,” said the strengths in the set piece, but we want to there was only one outcome. further away. in recent weeks, over-running Italy 34-17 muscle to their pack, and the 31-year-old former All Black. move the ball as we need that to be com- She lengthened her stride to “She fl oats on this ground.” before coming up just short in a 25-22 can’t wait. “At the World Cup next year we play four petitive against Tier One nations.” ease home six lengths clear of For O’Donoghue it was just defeat against the Azzurri in the second “It’s been a while since I’ve been this nerv- Test matches in four weeks and have Georgia can also call on some inside Threading and setting a new his second win at the great game of their two-Test series. ous,” he told Japan’s Nikkan Sports. “I’ll to back it up week after week,” he was information from hooker , track record of 1minute 35.89 racing carnival – his previ- But Japan, hosts for the 2019 World Cup, do everything I can to meet the expecta- quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency. who plays for Japan’s side seconds, smashing ous one coming 12 years ago – will need to add some steel to their free- tions.” “That’s why this game is so important. It’s the . the previous one by over a and vindicated his decision to flowing Rugby in Saturday’s one-off Test While Makabe’s return helps Japan’s a chance to overcome last week’s defeat But asked if Japan would need to tweak second. leave recordbreaking trainer against Georgia in Toyota. cause, coach has been and mentally get up again.” their calls to avoid Bregvadze deciphering For 71-year-old Harrington Aidan O’Brien after years of “We will always play our fast game but de- forced to ring the changes due to a grow- Georgia head coach Milton Haig will be them, Leitch wisecracked: “No, it’s okay. it was another great chapter loyal service but crucially for fensively we have to match them,” Leitch ing injury list. looking for his team to bounce back from His Japanese isn’t that flash!” in her training career that has a fi rst choice jockey’s role with seen her largely known for her Harrington.

FOCUS All Blacks told to sharpen up against vengeful French AFP been analysed in what White- is the only backrower to retain his to launch fi ghtbacks. They were Dunedin, New Zealand lock described as “a good training place. in trouble at the start,” Parra said. week” preparing for a battle at the The fl ankers are Ardie Savea in “We have to start the best possible. breakdown in the roofed Dunedin his 25th Test and Shannon Frizell When you play the All Blacks the aptain Sam Whitelock stadium.“We need to go out and on debut with Matt Todd, who has fi rst 20 minutes are very impor- urged the All Blacks to re- play well. The biggest driver for us started only four of his 13 Tests, on tant.” discover their cutting edge is internally so, no matter what’s the bench. After a controversial yellow card in today’s fi nal Test as im- applied from outside in, it’s us from France have retained the same in the fi rst Test and a red card – lat- provingC France look to end their the inside that are really driving it,” trio of Kevin Gourdon, Kelian Gal- er rescinded – in the second Test, contentious tour on a high. he said. letier and Mathieu Babillot, who there is ample motivation for the While New Zealand won the fi rst “The breakdown is critical no were instrumental in the All Blacks French. two Tests to secure the series, nei- matter what game you play but conceding 20 turnovers in the sec- “The fi rst Test was diffi cult, sec- ther side is happy heading into the here, because the ground’s always ond Test. ond better but were down to 14. fi nal showdown and Whitelock said hard, the weather’s always nice and But the key French changes are This time we want to be closer,” there was pressure on the home still, teams want to play. If you give in the centres where tour skipper said Parra. “We have to focus on us, team to improve. teams fast ball it’s very, very hard to Mathieu Bastareaud and Geoff rey have a good start. Games are never France feel aggrieved that ref- stop them. Doumayrou have been replaced by the same. We dominated the sec- ereeing decisions cost them dearly “I’m sure both sides will be Clermont pair Wesley Fofana and ond at times and we have to do the in the 52-11 and 26-13 losses, while putting a lot of energy into that Remi Lamerat, with Morgan Parra same and even more.” the All Blacks were outscored by 14 area and it will be interesting to see given the captaincy. The All Blacks and France have men in last week’s second half in how it goes compared to last week.” Scrum-half Parra believes France played only once before in Dun- Wellington. have zeroed in on an All Blacks edin, in 2009 at the now disused “We probably weren’t as sharp Blitz start weakness and were looking for an- ground, the so-called as we were meant to (be),” White- The All Blacks have made 10 other blitz start in Dunedin. House of Pain. lock said of their inability to cash in player changes and one positional Les Bleus had the upper hand in It was the All Blacks who suf- on an under-manned France in the change, including a shake-up in the the fi rst two Tests, leading in both fered that time with France win- second Test. loose forwards where Luke White- games until disputed refereeing ning 27-22 – the last time they beat New Zealand’s rugby team captain Sam Whitelock holds his son during the captain’s run at Forsyth Barr New Zealand’s problems have lock, the captain’s younger brother, decisions allowed New Zealand New Zealand. Stadium in Dunedin yesterday, a day ahead of the All Blacks’ Test against France. (AFP) Gulf Times Saturday, June 23, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS MOTORSPORT Hamilton hottest again in eventful Federer holds off second practice

AFP This allowed Dutchman Le Castellet, France Max Verstappen to take third behind his Red Bull team- mate and ahead of the Ferraris efending world of Finn Kimi Raikkonen and Ebden to reach champion Lewis championship leader German Hamilton outpaced Sebastian Vettel. his rivals in two Hamilton was the fi rst driv- Deventful practice sessions yes- er to dip into the 1:33’s and terday ahead of this weekend’s then clocked 132.539 to move French Grand Prix. seven-tenths clear of Ric- The McLaren driver was ciardo at the top. quickest in both the morning This was clear evidence not Halle semi-fi nals and afternoon sessions, end- only of Hamilton’s pure pace, ing up seven-tenths clear of but also his innate ability to ‘I felt I had to push myself today. It didn’t come as easy as it did in other matches’ in-demand Australian Daniel learn a new circuit very quick- Ricciardo who was second for ly. The team did not reveal if he AFP Red Bull. was using a revised or updated Halle Westfalen, Germany The session, run in hot engine. conditions with track tem- Behind the two Ferraris, peratures hitting 48 degrees Frenchman Romain Grosjean oger Federer stepped Celsius (188 degrees Fahr- was sixth for Haas ahead of up his grass game as enheit) and a gusty wind, Bottas, two-time champion the start of Wimbledon was interrupted when Mexi- Spaniard Fernando Alonso of looms, holding off Aus- can Sergio Perez’s Force In- McLaren, Dane Kevin Mag- tralianR Matt Ebden 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 dia car lost a wheel at speed nussen in the second Haas and in their quarter-fi nal at the ATP through turns fi ve and six. Frenchman Pierre Gasly. Halle tournament yesterday. The wheel detached from the Swede Marcus Ericsson, With his world number one car and bounced clear down who had a high-speed crash ranking on the line, the Swiss is the straight as Perez came to in his Sauber at the end of the sparing no eff ort to make sure he a halt. He was unhurt, but the morning session, was unable lifts a tenth title at the event to- session was red-fl agged and to run as his car, which had morrow. Failure to win the grass halted temporarily. burst into fl ames, was not re- title would send rival Rafael Hamilton’s Mercedes team- paired in time. Nadal back to the top spot. mate Finn Valtteri Bottas, who In a busy and incident “I felt I had to push myself was second in opening prac- packed afternoon, Mexican today,” Federer said. “It didn’t tice, suff ered a water leak in Sergio Perez of Force India, come as easy as it did in other the afternoon and wound up Raikkonen, Alonso and Gros- matches. But you can’t allow seventh after he was unable to jean all had “off s” without that to be frustrating. I can take complete the second session. damaging their machines. away a lot of positives. “Now that I’m in the semi- fi nals I can see the light at the end of the tunnel; you either lose Roger Federer celebrates aft er in the semis or have two more defeating Matthew Ebden in the ATP matches max.” tennis tournament in Halle, western “That allows me to fi nd extra Germany, yesterday. (AFP) energy.” “I’m happy I played well when I had to,” Federer said. “I’m hap- py I got through somehow.” though the 20-time Grand Slam to hand over four set points but of being broken.” put out Sugita, the No. 52 who The fi rst set yesterday was de- champion atoned last weekend, one was enough as Federer hit a “At the same time, you need stunned third seed and Roland cided in a tiebreaker while the winning that tournament for the backhand service return winner. to show a reaction, try to break Garros fi nalist Dominic Thiem in Swiss had to twice recover from fi rst time. In the second set, Ebden broke back. I was able to do that today. the second round. a break down in the second to Now Federer is having to work Federer twice and served for the Federer will next take on qual- Kudla saved a set point at 5-2 secure a tight victory in 88 min- to win at Halle, the German rep- set at 5-4 only for the Swiss to ifi er Denis Kudla, who scored the down in the second set and has utes. Federer set up match point lica venue which mimics the All break back for a second time. best grass victory of his career reached the fi nal four without with a fl icking backhand pass England club, before complete After Federer held to love he as he beat Japan’s Yuichi Sugita the loss of a set as he continues and then sealed his semi-fi nal his preparations at Wimbledon then broke Ebden again to fi n- 6-2, 7-5. The American, ranked the best week of his Tennis life at Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the second place as Ebden returned long. itself before that tournament ish the match by winning four 109, had never been past a quar- age 25. practice session at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern The victory was the 19th in starts on July 2. straight games. ter-fi nal on the lawns – which he Kudla fi red his sixth ace on France, yesterday. (AFP) a row on grass for the 36-year- Ebden did not make it easy for “It’s normal once you get achieved at Queen’s club, Lon- match point to complete his vic- old Federer, who last lost on his Federer, staying with the Swiss broke on grass to get ready for a don fi ve years ago. tory in just under 90 minutes, as favourite surface in an opening into the fi rst-set tiebreaker. possible third set,” Federer said. Kudla improved to 17-14 he broke his Japanese opponent match in Stuttgart a year ago, al- The Aussie double-faulted “that’s the logical consequence on grass over his career as he four times. Murray to give hip another workout at Eastbourne Former world number one Andy Murray is to take his decision Djokovic joins 800-win club with Queen’s masterclass over whether or not to play at Wimbledon to the wire after accepting a wild card to play at the Eastbourne ATP event next Novak Djokovic joined the 800-win through to only his second semi- eight games in his first two Queen’s week. club as the former world number final of a troubled campaign as he matches, demolishing Grigor Dim- The 31-year-old Scot – a two-time Wimbledon champion – will one moved into the Queen’s Club hunts his first title in 2018. itrov in the second round to claim hope to get enough encouragement at Eastbourne after losing semi-finals with a 7-5, 6-1 victory He is a lowly 22nd in the rankings his first win over a top 10 player his first competitive match in 11 months earlier this week on the over Adrian Mannarino yesterday. after an embarrassing French Open since May 2017. grass of Queen’s to Australian Nick Kyrgios. Djokovic took just 78 minutes to quarter-final defeat against Italian A wobbly start against Mannarino Murray had not played competitively since a Wimbledon crush Mannarino at the Wimbledon journeyman Marco Cecchinato. could have squandered the momen- quarter-final defeat against Sam Querrey last year as he was warm-up event, in the process be- Hampered by an elbow injury last tum from those wins and Djokovic beset by a hip problem which eventually required surgery in coming the 10th player in the Open year, Djokovic has failed to reach shrieked in frustration when a Australia in January. era to reach 800 match wins. The the semi-finals in any of his last five wayward forehand gifted the world Murray, whose ranking has plummeted to 156 in the world, is so 31-year-old will play France’s Jeremy Grand Slam appearances. number 26 a break in the third keen to test his match fitness he will be playing at the East- Chardy or American youngster Djokovic hasn’t earned a major title game of the first set. bourne tournament for the first time since 2006. Frances Tiafoe in the last four as since competing his career Grand But Djokovic found his rhythm and “I’m looking forward to getting some more time on the grass he bids for his second Queen’s final Slam by winning the 2016 French converted his sixth break point to courts at Eastbourne this week,” said Murray. appearance. Open. Dogged by rumours that he level at 4-4. “I played Davis Cup there in 2010 and I know the courts and If Djokovic wins the semi-final and no longer has the motivation to From 4-2 down, Djokovic had wres- facilities there are excellent. goes onto take the Queen’s title for return to the top, the 12-time Grand tled the initiative from Mannarino “It was good to get back to competition at Queen’s this week, the first time, he will pass Stefan Ed- Slam winner decided to start his and another break secured the first and I’m hoping to building on that next week at Devonshire berg into ninth place on the all-time bid for a fourth Wimbledon crown set. Park.” wins list. Jimmy Connors is on top of by accepting a Queen’s wild card. The second set was a procession as Murray, who also has a US Open and two Olympic singles the elite 800-win group with 1,256 With Wimbledon starting on July 2, Djokovic overwhelmed Mannarino Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his titles to his credit, showed understandable signs of rust in his wins ahead of second placed Roger Djokovic is slowly getting back in from the baseline with a series of quarter-final against France’s Adrian Mannarino at the shot-making and movement at times against Kyrgios, but he Federer, who has 1,156. Djokovic is the groove. Djokovic had lost just searing winners. The Queen’s Club, London. (Reuters) was generally encouraged by his gutsy display in Tuesday’s three-set defeat.

GOLF INDIAN VOLLEYBALL TEAM ARRIVING TODAY Spieth, Johnson share lead AFP third and fi fth ahead of his sen- New York sational sand shot at six. He sank short birdie putts at 11, 13 and 14 but found water off ultiple major winners the 15th tee and made bogey, but Jordan Spieth and answered with a 20-foot birdie Zach Johnson each putt at 16. fi red a seven-under McIlroy birdied four of the Mpar 63 Thursday to share the lead fi rst six holes, his 11-foot birdie after the opening round of the US putt at the fi rst his longest putt PGA Travelers Championship. in the run, and ran off three bird- Johnson ran off six birdies in a ies in a row starting at the 13th row from the 11th through 16th to signal his return to form after holes before his lone bogey of the missing the cut at last week’s US day at 17 snapped the American’s Open. dream streak. Defending champion Spieth McIlroy would have shared the 18-foot putt. He sank a 15-footer Scores after opening round blasted out of a bunker 31 feet lead if not for a closing bogey, at 12 and reached the green in 63 - Zach Johnson, Jordan for eagle at the par-fi ve sixth, missing the green on his ap- two and two-putted to birdie the Spieth evoking memories of the bun- proach at the 18th for stand on par-fi ve 13th. 64 - Peter Malnati, Brian Har- ker hole-out the US star hit 64 with Americans Peter Mal- After four-foot birdie putts man, Rory McIlroy (NIR) last year in a playoff to win the nati and Brian Harman. at 14 and 15, Johnson holed a 65 - Beau Hossler, Matt Jones Indian volleyball team is arriving today to play exhibition matches against Qatar. The India-Qatar event at TPC River Highlands in Johnson, the 2007 Masters 15-footer at the par-three 16th (AUS), Paul Casey (ENG) match series and the subsequent VoliQ Cup Volleyball Tournament are part of the tenth Cromwell, Connecticut. and 2015 British Open champi- but took a three-putt bogey at 17 66 - JB Holmes, Jason Kokrak, anniversary celebration of Volleyball Loving Indians in Qatar, an expatriates’ body formed to “It’s good to see a good score,” on, made spectacular back-to- then closed with a tap-in par at Kelly Kraft, Vaughn Taylor, Rus- promote volleyball. Indian ambassador P Kumaran will inaugurate the event tomorrow at Qatar said Spieth. “It’s round one. Just back birdies, sinking a 32-foot 18 after his 109-yard third shot sell Henley, Padraig Harrington Volleyball Association Hall. The 16-member Indian squad include star players Prabagaran, Ukkara glad. The fi rst rounds have been putt at the fourth and holing stopped inches from the cup. (IRL), Jason Day (AUS), John Pandian, Jerome Vinit, Vinit Choudhari, Renjit Singh, Gurinder Singh, Amit Kumar, Deepesh K Sinha, kind of detrimental to me, so it’s out from 73 feet at the par-three Reigning British Open cham- Huh, Chase Seiff ert, Bryson Akhin GS, Karthik, Ajit Lal, Prabhakaran. Dr Bir Singh Yadav is the chief coach of the teams while nice to be in the thick of things.” fi fth. But his real birdie binge be- pion Spieth, the 2015 Masters DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Harilal, Gurjot Singh are assistant coaches and Digwijay Singh is physio. Four-time major winner Rory gan at the par-three 11th with an and US Open winner, birdied the Steve Marino, Kim Si-woo (KOR).

Saturday, June 23, 2018 GULF TIMES

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Pakistan recall Hafeez aft er bowling Kohli backing his action cleared

AFP Pakistan will then feature in a fi ve-match one-day inter- national series against Zim- babwe starting July 13. akistan recalled Mo- “Asif Ali was included in ‘X-factor’ spinners hamed Hafeez to their the ODI squad to strengthen Twenty20 and one- the lower middle order while day squads yesterday Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah forP the tour of Zimbabwe after make a comeback in the ODI the all-rounder’s bowling ac- squad after getting fi t from tion was cleared last month. the injury,” said Inzamam. The 37-year-old had his Batsman Babar Azam was bowling reported as suspect not considered for T20s be- against England during the one-day series cause he is recovering from against Sri Lanka in the Unit- injury and as per medical ‘If the pitch is flat then you have no way out unless you have wrist spinners’ ed Arab Emirates last October staff , it is hoped that he will before an assessment declared be fi t for the ODIs, added In- AFP his action as illegal – the third zamam. New Delhi time in his career. Hafeez underwent correc- Squad (Twenty20): Sarfraz tive measures and was cleared Ahmed (captain), Fakhar ndia skipper Virat Kohli said to bowl following another as- Zaman, Mohamed Hafeez, yesterday he is backing his sessment this May. Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain wrist spinners to give his chief of selectors Inzamam-ul- Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab team the edge over a ram- Haq said Hafeez warranted a Khan, Mohamed Nawaz, Ipant ODI England side in their place after clearing his action. Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, upcoming mammoth tour. Uncapped opener Sahibza- Mohamed Amir, Usman Khan “What’s been the diff erence da Farhan was also selected Shinwari, Shaheen Shah for us is the two X-factors we for the T20 squad “after Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan have in the middle overs,” Kohli showing good form in domes- Squad (ODI): Sarfraz Ahmed said, referring to Yuzvendra tic matches,” said Inzamam. (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The 22-year-old Farhan Imam ul Haq, Mohamed “We have actually been able to hails from Charsadda, a small Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Baber create fl at into - city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Azam (subject to fitness), taking wickets with the variety province. Pakistan, hosts Asif Ali, Mohamed Nawaz, we have in the attack,” he told a Zimbabwe and Australia fea- Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, pre-departure news conference. ture in a Twenty20 tri-series Mohamed Amir, Junaid Khan, This is what “did the job” in which will take place from Usman Khan Shinwari, Yasir India’s recent 5-1 ODI series tri- July 1-8. Shah, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail. umph in South Africa, Kohli said, with Chahal and Yadav sharing 33 wickets between them. MOHAMED HAFEEZ England are in fi ne form, however, currently one victory away from a 5-0 ODI whitewash against Australia after smash- ing some record-breaking bat- ting totals. This included a huge 481-6 at Trent Bridge earlier this week and chasing down an eminently respectable 310 with 32 balls to spare at Chester-le- Street on Thursday. The batsmen have been helped by the use of two new balls, and Indian captain Virat Kohli (right) and coach Ravi Shastri address a press conference before leaving for England and Ireland in New Delhi white instead of red, which has yesterday. (IANS) massively reduced the danger posed by swing bowling. This has Anderson and Stuart Broad, In- irked the likes of former England dia will fi ght fi re with fi re. “The Tendulkar: scrap two new-ball ODI rule to revive reverse swing capital and In- swinging ball has the tendency to India batting great Sachin Tendulkar says cricket approach...always looking for change ups..totally Sri Lanka admit to breaching ICC code dia legend Sachin Tendulkar, and trouble the best of batsmen. But should revisit the rule of using two new balls in agree with you @sachin_rt reverse swing is almost Kohli agreed it has been “brutal” then that helps our fast bowlers one-day games in order to revive the moribund art vanished.#SAD,” tweeted the 87-Test veteran. Sri Lanka captain , coach Chandika Hathu- for the bowlers. as well,” the 29-year-old said. of reverse swing in the format. Bowlers have often England batsmen clobbered 21 sixes and 41 fours rusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha have admitted to However the India captain, And he said that having the found themselves short-changed since the 2011 as they became the first team to reach 450 in breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of the second-ranked Test bats- ODI series fi rst will help. “By the decision to have one new ball from each end which, one-day cricket at Nottingham, prompting former conduct after the team delayed play during the second Test man in the world and the best in time the Test series arrives, we many believe, has rendered the already batsman- captain Mike Atherton to question the rule. against West Indies. ODIs, didn’t appear worried. won’t feel like we are playing an friendly format even more lop-sided. “The game needs to find a suitable white ball that Sri Lankan players refused to take to the field on the third day “If the pitch is fl at then you away series,” Kohli said. The decision meant the ball never gets old enough swings at the start and must abandon the use of at St. Lucia last Saturday after match off icials accused the team have no way out unless you have Kohli had an uncharacteristi- to generate reverse or aid the spinners, while being two balls per innings, to allow for the return of of altering the condition of the ball on the previous day. They wrist spinners who do the job in cally ordinary spell during his easier to score off in the death overs. England’s reverse swing – two fundamental skills of the game eventually resumed play ‘under protest’. the middle overs,” he said. last England tour in 2014, man- marauding batsmen drove home the point in the that provide as much entertainment as any number The ICC said that the trio had been charged with breaking “Not every side has that cush- aging just 134 runs in 10 innings. ongoing ODI series against Australia by amassing of sixes belted into the Nottingham night sky,” he Article 2.3.1 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to “conduct ion so they fi nd it diffi cult.” But the top-order batsman, who 342, a world record 481 and 314 in their last three wrote in the Times. Stuart Broad was not part of the that is contrary to the spirit of the game.” The Indian side will fi rst play pulled out of his county stint matches. “Having 2 new balls in one day cricket is a team at Nottingham and the England pacer also “This action was alleged to amount to a serious breach of the two Twenty20 internationals in with Surrey after a neck in- perfect recipe for disaster as each ball is not given demanded a balance between bat and ball. Laws of Cricket and to be contrary to the spirit of the game,” Ireland starting on June 27 be- jury during the Indian Premier the time to get old enough to reverse,” Tendulkar, “I find reverse swing really exciting to watch, I’d like ICC said in a statement yesterday. fore moving on to England for League, insisted that he is fi t and who retired in 2013 with more than 34,000 interna- to see it back in the white ball game,” he tweeted. Judicial commissioner Michael Beloff has been appointed to the next three months. raring to go. tional runs against his name, tweeted yesterday. India captain Virat Kohli also sympathised with the oversee the case and determine the sanction for the level three There India will play three He said he was “excited to “We haven’t seen reverse swing, an integral part of “brutal” plight of the bowlers. off ence, the governing body said. T20 matches, three one-day get back to the fi eld which is the death overs, for a long time. #ENGvsAUS” “I have played ODI cricket when there was only Captain Chandimal was found guilty of ball-tampering during internationals and fi ve Tests, rare in times when we play so Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, one of the one new ball allowed and reverse swing used to the second test but the 28-year-old is appealing the verdict starting with a 20-over game much cricket.” The world’s top best exponents of reverse swing, supported his be a massive factor in the latter half of the innings, and his one-match suspension, leading the ICC to set a hearing in Manchester on July 3. Kohli Test side, often labelled tigers long-time Indian rival. which I think as a batsman was more challenging,” later yesterday. said that in the Tests, when the at home and lambs abroad, were “Reason why we don’t produce many attack- Kohli told reporters yesterday ahead of the team’s Beloff has also been appointed as the judicial commissioner for ball will most defi nitely swing lauded for their recent perform- ing fast bowlers..They all very defensive in their departure for Ireland and England. Chandimal’s hearing. for England danger-men James ance in South Africa.

BOTTOMLINE ‘New level of intensity’ as England reach for whitewash AFP after a humiliating fi rst-round exit an area we hope to improve, but we Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom at the 2015 World Cup. certainly controlled the run-rate,” England, the 2019 hosts, are now said Morgan. England did, however, among the favourites although, fol- strike late on, thanks to a double ngland captain Eoin Morgan lowing last year’s Champions Tro- blow by fast bowler Mark Wood and hopes his side can maintain phy semi-fi nal loss to Pakistan in three wickets in an over from left- their “new level of inten- , doubts remain over their arm paceman David Willey, who sity” after moving to within ability to cope with the particu- fi nished with four for 43. sightE of a fi rst 5-0 one-day interna- lar pressures of winner-takes-all “We know it falls on a couple of tional series whitewash of Australia. knockout games. guys to do really well, or else it can Morgan’s men, the number one- go badly – and Dave stepped up to ranked side in this format, beat ‘Unbelievable tone’ the plate and bowled really well,” Australia by six wickets at Chester- But if Roy and Bairstow can main- said Morgan. le-Street on Thursday. tain anything like their current form, Meanwhile Finch was frustrated Set an ODI ground record of 311 England will have high hopes of at to have been dismissed when well to win, England fi nished on 314 for last winning a maiden World Cup set. “For me to get out just past a four with more than fi ve overs to title, after more than 40 years of try- hundred was disappointing, when spare after Jason Roy (101) hit his ing. we could have really kicked on, put second hundred of the series. “If it does become the ‘normal’, the foot down for that last 12 or 15 Following their century partner- that would be awesome - because it overs,” he said. “I take full respon- ship during England’s 481 for six creates an unbelievable tone at the sibility for that.” – the highest total in men’s ODI top of the order,” said Morgan when Australia, however, are currently cricket – at Nottingham on Tues- asked about his openers. missing six senior players – banned day, Roy and Jonny Bairstow (79) “I think the form the two guys batsmen Steve Smith and David again overwhelmed a novice Aus- are in is phenomenal. I think we’ve Warner as well as injured pacemen tralia attack while putting on 174 for found a new gear, or a new level of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh the fi rst wicket. There was a brief intensity.” Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh. wobble when both openers fell in If England did not take early And Finch said there was little quick succession, but Jos Buttler’s wickets on Thursday, they at least point in the fi ve-times men’s world unbeaten 54 put the result beyond kept Australia in relative check in a champions slavishly adopting Eng- doubt. total of 310 for eight featuring hun- land’s approach. “They’ve got a This latest victory left England dreds from Aaron Finch (100) and pretty good blueprint. (But), do we 4-0 up in the fi ve-match series Shaun Marsh (101). need to copy that? No. against world champions Australia Test skipper Joe Root, best known “I think we’ve still got to stick to heading into Sunday’s fi nale at Old as a top-order batsman, bowled 10 our strengths, but just fi nd a way to Traff ord. It was further confi rma- overs of part-time off -spin for a stay in the contest for longer,” Finch tion of England’s dramatically al- meagre 44 runs. added, after Australia’s 15th defeat England’s Jason Roy (right) celebrates his century with England’s Jonny Bairstow during the fourth (ODI) against tered approach to one-day cricket “We didn’t take wickets, which is in 17 completed ODIs. Australia at The Riverside in Chester-le-Street on Thursday. (AFP)