WORLD CUP | Page 3 TENNIS | Page 7 Colombia fret Wawrinka over James as ends wretched embattled run with solid Japan await start at Queen’s

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 WORLD CUP Shawwal 5, 1439 AH Lukaku GULF TIMES nets twice as Belgium whip Panama SPORT Page 2

ENGLAND 2 TUNISIA 1 Kane rescues England with injury-time winner ‘Credit to the lads, we kept going. We’ve spoken a lot about togetherness. It’s nice to see it working on the pitch’

DPA finals. Farouk Ben Mustapha re- England, with Alli seemingly Volgograd, Russia placed Hassen and handled a couple struggling from a first half knock, England’s Harry Kane celebrates of long shots before Tunisia slowly could not reignite their early inten- after scoring his second goal of the came back into the contest. And sity and manager Gareth Southgate arry Kane scored an inju- match against Tunisia yesterday. they were gifted a penalty when turned to the bench for inspiration. ry-time header to spare Kyle Walker carelessly elbowed Fa- Marcus Rashford replaced the in- England’s blushes with a khreddine Ben Youssef and Sassi effectual Raheem Sterling with 20 narrow 2-1 win over Tu- levelled from the spot with a cool minutes remaining but still England Hnisia to open their World Cup cam- penalty in the 35th. struggled to create. paign in Volgograd yesterday. England were stung and should “I felt positive at 1-1, [but] the England impressed, struggled have regained the lead before half- pace did drop off a bit,” said Jor- but ultimately secured a narrowly time but Stones miskicked with the dan Henderson. “We had to keep deserved victory thanks to Kane goal gaping and Lingard hit the post creating chances, we didn’t play as nodding home a 91st minute corner. with a chip over Mustapha. Tuni- well second half but they defended The captain’s early opener capped a sia scarcely managed an attack in deep.” Ashley Young sent a free kick whirlwind start from England who the second half but were resolute curling over but as time was run- subsequently lost their way and al- in defence. At times their physi- ning out Kane popped up to shatter lowed Ferjani Sassi to level with a cal approach at defensive set pieces Tunisia, who were left with nothing needless penalty before the break. prompted English frustration but having been within touching dis- But in the second half Eng- referee Wilmar Roldan was un- tance of a famous draw. land looked lethargic and Tunisia moved. “In the end it’s unfortunately a seemed set for a famous draw until “There could have been a couple negative result for us,” Tunisia cap- Kane was in the right place to guide of penalties,” said man of the match tain Wahbi Khazri said. in Harry Maguire’s flick. England Kane. “We had so much joy from England won their opener at a move level with Belgium on three corners. They were trying to grab major finals for the first time since points at the top of Group G, but hold and stop us running. Maybe 2006 but will know they must be behind on goal difference, ahead of [there was] a bit of justice at the more clinical if they are to be a con- their next match against Panama on end.” tender in Russia. Sunday. Tunisia meet Belgium on Saturday. “It’s massive,” Kane said in first USA 1950 World Cup hero Bahr dead at 91 television interviews. “I thought we played well, especially in the first Los Angeles: Former USA interna- USA between 1948 and 1957, and half. “Credit to the lads, we kept tional Walter Bahr, the last surviv- later coached club teams in Penn- going. We’ve spoken a lot about to- ing member of the team which sylvania while working as a high getherness. It’s nice to see it work- famously shocked England at the school physical education teacher. ing on the pitch.” 1950 World Cup, has died, it was He later coached the men’s soccer Both sets of players were bugged confirmed yesterday. He was 91. team at Pennsylvania State Univer- by swarms of mosquitoes and midg- Bahr provided the assist for the sity from 1974 to 1988. es in the warm-up but England were goal which handed the USA a 1-0 Bahr took over the Penn State not distracted come kick-off. They victory over the English in Belo men’s soccer program in 1974 and flowed forward and created a golden Horizonte, a result regarded as led the Nittany Lions to the NCAA chance within minutes when Dele one of the greatest upsets in World tournament 12 times in 14 years, Alli won the ball in the box and Jesse Cup history. Former United States winning 185 games from ‘74 to ‘87. Lingard was denied by a sensational Soccer Federation president Sunil Bahr’s three sons — Matt, Casey Mouez Hassen save. Gulati confirmed Bahr’s passing in and Chris — all played profession- Hassen then clawed away a post on Twitter. ally in the North American Soccer Maguire’s header but required “Saddened to learn of the passing League during the 1970s. treatment after a clash with Lin- of Walter Bahr — a legend as a Chris and Matt Bahr would later gard and would not last much long- player, as a coach and most impor- go on to forge successful careers er. Before he went off he made one tantly as a caring gentleman. Rest in the National Football League as more stunning block, denying John in peace my friend,” Gulati wrote. place kickers, each winning the Stone’s 11th minute header, but was Bahr made 19 appearances for the Super Bowl twice. helpless as Kane turned in the re- bound for his first goal at a major

FAN POWER Belgium are now unbeaten in their last 20 matches, winning 15 of them. Their last loss was in 2016 against Spain (0-2) 2 Gulf Times Tuesday, June 19, 2018

REPORT BEL 3-0 PAN FOCUS Croatia’s Kalinic sent Lukaku scores home aft er refusing substitute role

Reuters and since I need my players fi t Roshchino, Russia and ready to play, I have made this decision,” he added. twice as Belgium The Croatian Football Fed- roatia striker Nikola eration (HNS) said that Dalic had Kalinic has been sent taken the decision after consul- home from the World tation with his coaching team. Cup after refusing to Dalic declined to answer any Ccome on as a substitute in the questions over the issue. team’s opening game against Kalinic cannot be replaced so Nigeria, coach Zlatko Dalic said Croatia will continue in the tour- power past Panama yesterday. nament with a 22-man squad. “During the Nigeria encoun- Croatia, who beat Nigeria 2-0 ter, Kalinic was warming up on Saturday, face Argentina on Central Americans succumb to a defeat in their first-ever match at the finals and was supposed to come on in Thursday and fi nish their Group the second half,” Dalic said in a D campaign against Iceland next statement. week. “However, he then stated that Media reports said that Kalin- he wasn’t ready to come on due to ic, who has been unable to break a back issue. The same thing hap- into the starting lineup during pened during the Brazil friendly the build-up to the tournament, in England, as well as before the had been asked by Dalic to come practice session on Sunday. on as an 85th-minute substitute “I have calmly accepted that, against Nigeria.

SPOTLIGHT

Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (centre) scores a goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group G match against Panama in Sochi yesterday. (AFP) Blatter to defy FIFA

AFP tent that Roberto Martinez’s side would Black Sea coast was one, as was the fact Fidel Escobar. But the ball dropped per- Sochi, Russia have been hoping to make. their supporters greatly outnumbered fectly back to Mertens, whose volley from ban to attend World A victory will do for a team who are, those following the Belgians. the right side of the box arced into the far on paper at least, good enough to go far The locals at the Fisht Stadium got corner. omelu Lukaku netted a brace as in Russia, especially after heavyweights behind the outsiders too, and they were Panama sought to regroup and right- Cup, meet Putin a much-improved second-half Germany, Brazil and Argentina all slipped given encouragement as Hernan Dario back Michael Murillo came surging for- performance gave Belgium an up over the weekend. Gomez’s side competed well in the fi rst ward to fi nally force a save from Courtois. AFP Platini. ultimately comfortable 3-0 vic- Belgium are now unbeaten in 20 period. But the gulf in class began to tell as Bel- Lausanne Blatter was replaced at the toryR over tournament debutants Panama matches, although the nature of the Hazard pulled the strings when he gium doubled their lead midway through head of FIFA by Gianni Infantino. in their World Cup opener in Sochi yes- first-half performance against weak could, although the Chelsea star was de- the second half. Hazard found De Bruyne, Despite his ban, Blatter has on terday. opposition showed that Martinez’s men nied by Penedo in the 38th minute, hav- and his sumptuous cross with the outside isgraced former FIFA several occasions said he would A moment of inspiration from Dries still have significant progress to make ing earlier found the side-netting when of the right boot was headed in by Lu- chief Sepp Blatter will respond favourably to an invita- Mertens set the Belgians on their way two if they are to improve on quarter-final a slack back-pass from opposing captain kaku. defy a ban to attend two tion from Putin to come and see minutes after the break, his volley break- appearances at the last two major tour- Roman Torres gifted him the chance. With Panama forced to throw more World Cup matches the World Cup in Russia. ing the deadlock after a rather fl at fi rst naments. At the other end, Panama tried to ex- bodies forward, they were punished on andD also meet Russian President Contacted by AFP, FIFA said period. To be fair to Martinez, the Spaniard had pose Belgium’s potential weaknesses at the break a quarter of an hour from the Vladimir Putin, his spokesman it had no comment on Blatter’s Lukaku then converted assists from warned on the eve of this game that his full-back. However, they struggled to end. said yesterday. trip, the Swiss national slated Kevin De Bruyne and captain Eden Haz- side would not have it easy. score goals in qualifying and rarely looked This time Hazard released Lukaku, and Blatter is being investigated to fl y to Moscow today ahead of ard to secure victory in this Group G The Central Americans lined up with a capable of beating Thibaut Courtois. the Manchester United man beat Penedo by Swiss prosecutors for alleged tomorrow’s Portugal-Morocco clash, with the Central Americans suc- team of journeymen featuring fi ve thirty- to complete the scoring and take him to corruption during his 17-year Group B match in the Russian cumbing to a defeat in their fi rst-ever somethings. Jaime Penedo in goal is 36, MERTENS STRIKE fi ve goals at major tournaments, as Bel- reign at the head of FIFA. capital. match at the fi nals. while Blas Perez up front is 37. But while Belgium just needed a spark from some- gium get up and running. The 82-year-old was sus- He was also scheduled to at- Group rivals England will look to re- the Belgians had the younger, talented where, and they got it from Mertens in pended for six years by FIFA in tend Brazil’s Group E match spond to Belgium’s win when they kick players, other factors played in Panama’s the 47th minute. RESULT February 2016 from any football- against Costa Rica in St Peters- off their campaign against Tunisia but favour. The Napoli man’s cross looking for Lu- Group G: Belgium 3 ((Mertens 47, Lukaku related activity over a 1.8mn- burg on Friday before returning this was not entirely the statement of in- The heat and humidity on Russia’s kaku was headed out by Torres and on by 69, 75) Panama 0 euro ($2mn) payment to Michel to Switzerland.

REPORT SWE 1-0 KOR Sweden bury opening jinx to beat South Korea

Reuters World Cup game since 1958, when the second half and Hwang Hee- Nizhny Novgorod, Russia they were the hosts and eventual chan who saw his stoppage-time Sweden’s Andreas Granqvist runners-up. header also just miss as his team (left) celebrates after scoring off The Asians actually began the launched a late, desperate siege. a penalty during the 2018 FIFA weden won an opening game brighter, pressing forward But the Swedes held fi rm and World Cup Group F match against World Cup game for the and harrying for the fi rst 15 min- rushed to celebrate with their fans South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, fi rst time since 1958 and utes against an initially sluggish- as the Koreans trudged disconso- Russia, yesterday. (AFP) ended a worrying goal looking Sweden. lately off . droughtS with a 1-0 victory over But the Scandinavians quickly Although not the most attrac- South Korea in a must-win match found their poise, coping comfort- tive of the World Cup games so far, if they want to progress from a ably with Korea’s attacks despite there was a terrifi c atmosphere in tricky-looking Group F. the absence of defender Victor the 42,300-strong crowd at the After dominating the game but Lindelof through illness. blue-and-white Nizhny Novgorod missing a string of chances, the Sweden coach Janne Anders- stadium next to a cathedral at the Swedes won a 65th-minute pen- son said the penalty was “crys- confl uence of the Volga and Oka alty when Kim Min-woo brought tal-clear”, adding: “We played rivers. down Viktor Claesson in the box. the match way we had intended, The Swedes, many in their now Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar but I’m a little unhappy with the de rigueur Viking helmets, easily initially waved the Swedes away, chances we didn’t put away.” outnumbered and out-sang their before being called to consult the red-clad rivals in the avant-garde, Video Assistant Referee system. SON V FORSBERG sun-kissed dome that is meant to In the second VAR-awarded In a game short on fi nesse, several evoke wind and water. penalty of the World Cup, Swe- of Sweden’s best chances fell to Sweden next face world cham- den’s 33-year-old captain Andreas Marcus Berg, who had one close- pions Germany, where they can Granqvist stepped up confi dently range side-foot shot spectacularly ill aff ord to miss chances like they to sweep the ball low and left of the saved by Cho off his knee in the did on Monday. “If we win against otherwise impressively in-form 21st minute. Germany, we are through. The goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo. As expected, both teams’ single pressure is on them now,” added “The VAR took a while but we star players provided their creative the ebullient Granqvist. are very pleased they had it... I was drive, the silky Son Heung-min Korea next face in-form Mexico pretty sure,” Granqvist said of the busting a lung to try and drive Ko- who shocked the Germans in their wait. rea forward from the left fl ank, and Group F opener. Few will be giving The result brought wild celebra- the pacy Emil Forsberg constantly a chance to Korea, who have now tions from the hordes of yellow- feeding Sweden’s big frontmen. only won one of their last 10 World clad Swedish fans, fearful their Forsberg had a go himself early Cup games. team would draw another blank in the second half, but curled over after failing to score in their last a shot from outside the box. RESULT three games. Korea’s best chances fell to Koo Group F: Sweden 1 (Granqvist 65- Sweden had not won an opening Ja-cheol, who headed just wide in pen) South Korea 0 At 42, Senegal’s Aliou Cisse is the youngest coach at this World Cup 3 Gulf Times Tuesday, June 19, 2018

PREVIEW COL vs JPN SARANSK, 3PM Colombia fret over James as embattled Japan await ‘Even if they play with Mourinho or Arsene Wenger, it would be so diff icult for Japan to get to the last 16’

Japan quake adds to team’s worries ahead of Colombia opener

Reuters Saransk, Russia

apan has not had the best of preparations for the JWorld Cup in Russia, and news of an earthquake back home added to their worries yesterday, while a false hotel alarm a day before their opener against Colombia did little to help settle the team. Japan coach Akira Nishino. The four-time Asian champi- ons, who also face Senegal and they were concerned about and Poland, have undergone a relatives and family members,” turbulent 10 months since quali- Nishino told reporters ahead of fying, culminating in the firing of Japan’s Group H opener at the Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, the Mordovia Arena. former Algeria coach, in April “They were concerned, so after a string of poor results. this psychological impact is Former technical director something I am a bit worried Akira Nishino, who played as a about. But we, the team staff , are midfielder for the national side, consulting with them and hope was named to lead the Samurai they will settle down.” Blue in Russia, and has been in At about the same time as the charge for just three games in earthquake, a hotel alarm went the lead-up to the tournament. off by mistake, leaving the The team woke up to the news Japanese players nervous and yesterday that Osaka, Japan’s groggy. second-biggest metropolis, “The alarm continued for a was hit by a magnitude 6.1 while. Some of the players were earthquake in the early hours, delicate and nervous and some killing three people and injuring of them looked a little bit tired in dozens. the morning,” Nishino added. “There were players who were “So I assume there was some a bit shocked by this incident negative impact on the players.”

Colombia’s James Rodriguez (right) takes part in a training session with teammates on the eve of their Group H match against Japan in Saransk, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) Key facts

AFP the quarter-fi nals four years ago the last 16,” said the Frenchman, “If Poland was the fi rst match cope,” said Japan captain Ma- Colombia’s James Rodriguez Japan are on their sixth Saransk, Russia in Brazil. who steered Japan to the second it would be diff erent. But the koto Hasebe. was top scorer at the 2014 World World Cup appearance, having James, 26, netted six goals and round of the 2002 World Cup. fact that Colombia is the fi rst “We have three tough oppo- Cup and won over many in the made their debut at the 1998 created four assists to help Co- Troussier’s bleak prediction match and Senegal the second nents. But they are not (defend- public with his dazzling goals tournament in France. They have espite sacking their lombia qualify for Russia, while follows unsettling events in the — for me, on paper at least they ing champions) Germany, so we and dancing celebrations. AS reached the last 16 on two oc- coach just 71 days be- midfi elder Wilmar Barrios is national team. have no chance,” said Troussier. have a chance and we hope we Monaco striker Radamel Falcao casions, most recently in South fore the World Cup, also battling to be fi t. The high-risk move to install can go further.” missed out on the 2014 World Africa in 2010. Japan will attempt However, the South Ameri- HIGH-RISK MOVE Nishino will be tested in Saransk Their form in the pre-World Cup due to a ligament injury. But Japan head coach Akira toD prove their doubters wrong cans face a Japan side who would After Halilhodzic was sacked, as the Japanese try to improve Cup friendlies gives Japanese “El Tigre” (The Tiger) is planning Nishino named an experienced today against a Colombia side struggle to avoid an early World the Japanese FA replaced him on the 4-1 drubbing handed to fans hope. to roar back in Russia and has final 23-man squad for the sweating on the fi tness of star Cup exit even if they were un- with former technical director them by Colombia at the 2014 They romped to an impressive confessed to daydreaming about 2018 World Cup. Eleven of the midfi elder James Rodriguez. der Jose Mourinho, according to Akira Nishino. World Cup when Jackson Mar- 4-2 win last week over Para- the goals he wants to score for selected players featured at the The top scorer at Brazil 2014 former coach Philippe Troussier. The 63-year-old has plenty of tinez scored twice. guay when midfi elder Takashi the canary-yellow team. last World Cup in Brazil. is a doubt for the Group H In a recent AFP interview, experience in the J-League, but Colombia marched into the Inui scored twice, after de- Colombia did just enough to opener at the Mordovia Arena in Troussier suggested Japan have at national level has only ever last 16 and the result sent the feats to Switzerland, Ghana and secure fourth spot in the South HEAD-TO-HEAD Saransk after struggling with a “no chance” of reaching the worked with Japan’s Under-20 winless Japan home after fi n- Ukraine. American qualifying group but Colombia Draw Japan strain in his left calf, which also knockout stage after sacking Va- and Under-23 teams before. ishing bottom of their group, a Colombia are unbeaten this they scored only 21 goals and 2 1 0 fl ared up last February. hid Halilhodzic in April. With Robert Lewandowski- record they are desperate to im- year after seeing off France 3-2 limped over the line with three Last meeting: Colombia 4 The Bayern Munich attacking “Even if they play with Mour- led Poland and Senegal also to prove on despite the last-minute in March before goalless draws draws and a defeat in their final Japan 1 (2014 World Cup) midfi elder is key to Colombia’s inho or Arsene Wenger, it would come in the group, Japan need a change of head coach. against fellow World Cup con- four games. chances of repeating their run to be so diffi cult for Japan to get to good start. “Despite that, I think we will tenders Egypt and Australia.

PREVIEW POL vs SEN MOSCOW (SPARTAK), 6PM Lewandowski v Mane as Poland brace for Senegal test

AFP Lewandowski said he was entering Moscow Key facts the tournament in a diff erent frame of mind from 2016. None of Senegal’s 23-man “I’m sure that training will be better obert Lewandowski and Sadio squad play in their home country now and that I’ll be fresh and dynamic Mane face off in a mouthwa- and all but one, Guinea-based goal- at the right time,” he said. “I started tering World Cup shootout keeper Khadim Ndiaye, play for preparing for the World Cup much ear- between two of European European clubs, including seven in lier.” football’sR most lethal forwards today as England and seven in France. Poland take on Senegal. Poland forward Robert ‘ADVENTURE’ Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski fi n- Lewandowski was the leading Poland received a boost in the lead-up ished the season as the Bundesliga’s top scorer in the European World Cup to the tournament when defender Ka- scorer for the third time with 29 goals, qualifiers with 16 goals, one ahead mil Glik was cleared to play after an netting 41 times in all competitions. of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, in unexpectedly quick recovery from a Mane scored 10 Champions League 10 games. He has scored 55 goals shoulder injury. goals — including one in the fi nal in in 95 internationals. The centre-back is one of the team’s Kiev — forming a devastating strike Senegal are making their leaders and his job will be to keep Mane force at Liverpool alongside Egypt’s second appearance at the World quiet while remaining alert to other Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino Cup. Their previous showing was threats such as Monaco teammate Keita of Brazil. in 2002 when they beat defending Balde. “I believe Sadio can be one of the champions France on the way to Senegal will hope to emulate the pio- stars of the tournament,” said former reaching the quarter-finals. neering team of 2002 captained by Al- Senegal player El Hadji Diouf, who Poland have been knocked out iou Cisse, now the national coach. played in Japan and South Korea in in the group stage on their last two Cisse’s men opened that tournament 2002, the only previous time the coun- appearances at the World Cup, in with one of the great World Cup upsets, try has reached the World Cup. 2002 and 2006. They have not met a 1-0 win over defending champions Poland go into the Group H match at an African team at the finals since France, and went on to become one of Moscow’s Spartak Stadium as favour- 1982 when they drew 0-0 with only three African teams ever to reach ites and are expected to emerge from Cameroon. the quarter-fi nals. a section also featuring Colombia and Cisse described it as “a great adven- Japan. HEAD-TO-HEAD ture” and wants his charges, ranked 27 Ranked eighth in the world, it is Po- The two sides have never met. in the world, to adopt the same fearless land’s eighth appearance at the World approach in Russia. Cup, with coach Adam Nawalka’s side “That team already created its bit of desperate to improve on the third-place history, and now it’s up to this one to fi nishes in 1974 and 1982. The 29-year-old is fi nally reproduc- create its own,” he told FIFA.com. Lewandowski admits he has a point ing his prolifi c club form at international “We’ll have to go there without an to prove after a disappointing Euro level, setting a European qualifi cation insecurity complex, play our natural 2016, when he scored only once as Po- record with 16 goals in 10 matches to se- game and stick to our African identity, land exited at the quarter-fi nals stage. cure Poland’s place in Russia. which defi nes our football.” Senegal’s Sadio Mane (left) and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski have done well in club competitions this season. (AFP) Russia’s convincing 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia was preceded by a seven-match winless streak 4 Gulf Times Tuesday, June 19, 2018

PREVIEW RUS vs EGY ST PETERSBURG, 9PM AFTERMATH Loew defi ant Salah return as Germany stands in Russia’s face crisis AFP Vatutinki, Russia

oachim Loew is facing the biggest crisis of his 12-year reign as Germany road to knockouts coach after the holders slippedJ to a shock defeat against Mexico in their World Cup open- ‘Russia’s game is fateful and diff icult... Winning is our only choice’ er in Russia. Germany are licking their AFP wounds after slumping 1-0 to a Saint Petersburg Hirving Lozano strike in Mos- cow’s Luzhniki Stadium — their fi rst defeat in their opening game ohamed Salah is a looming of a World Cup since 1982. obstacle as Russia attempt to “We won’t fall apart,” insisted virtually secure their place Loew, but that is exactly what his in the knockout stages of the defence did in the fi rst-half. MWorld Cup in Saint Petersburg today. Loew is under contract with Fears that poor performances from the the German Football Association home side could dampen enthusiasm in (DFB) until 2022, but Sunday’s the host nation were blown away by a 5-0 result tarnishes the glittering demolition of Saudi Arabia in the opening reputation of the 2014 World game. Cup-winning coach. The seven-time African champions “I have not seen the German will pose a much tougher task, but a lot team so weak at a big tournament helpless our team was.” will depend upon Salah’s fi tness. for a long time,” said West Ger- Loew is under pressure to Liverpool star Salah has not featured many’s 1990 World Cup-win- make changes and only his since leaving the fi eld in tears early in the ning captain Lothar Matthaeus. former captain Philipp Lahm, Champions League fi nal just over three “Almost everything was miss- who lifted the World Cup trophy weeks ago after landing heavily on his ing. There were concentration in 2014, off ered hope amid the left shoulder and had to watch from the errors, unnecessary bad passes deluge of criticism. bench as Egypt lost 1-0 to Uruguay in and also the attitude was not “They have the experience to their opening game. there.” turn things around. Sometimes a Salah has been declared 100 percent Loew has been heavily criti- small setback doesn’t hurt to pull fi t by Egypt’s team doctor and his agent, cised in Germany for his tactics the team together,” Lahm said at leaving little doubt he will be thrown back and keeping faith in under-per- an event in Moscow. into action in the Pharaohs’ hour of need. forming players, especially Sami However, the performance However, as he returned to training on Khedira and Mesut Ozil. suggests there are deeper prob- Saturday, Salah was seen by AFP report- The decision to leave Man- lems and the fi rst-half disarray ers at Egypt’s training camp in Grozny chester City starlet Leroy Sane was glaring. needing help from teammates to lift a out of the squad after a dazzling Matthaeus said Marco Reus, training top over his head. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (centre) speaks to his teammates during a training session in Grozny, Russia, on Sunday. (AFP) season for the Premier League Germany’s most dangerous “Salah participated in training with his champions has led to searching player, who only played the last teammates for the entire session and he said Leheta. “Winning is our only choice”. group, though, Russia are keen not to “In the fi rst match, everyone saw how questions. 30 minutes, must start against is ready to play against Russia according have to rely on getting something from much the players cared. If we play up to Loew’s faith in Ozil, who came Sweden. to technical staff ,” Egypt’s team manager MOST IMPORTANT GAME their fi nal group game against the two- our level, I don’t see any problems.” to Russia after a series of frus- Ihab Leheta told FIFA.com. If fully fi t, the sight of Salah, who scored time former world champions. Denis Cheryshev was Russia’s hero trating performances for Arse- WARNING Egypt coach Hector Cuper’s decision 44 goals in a remarkable debut season at “The second game will be our most im- against Saudi Arabia as he came off the nal, and Khedira, who is no long- German daily Bild demanded not to risk Salah against Uruguay may Liverpool, will strike fear into the Rus- portant one in the group stage,” said Rus- bench to score twice. er the midfi eld dynamo he was, Ozil, Khedira, Julian Draxler and have been infl uenced by the fact his side sians. sia’s deputy prime minister and former And the Villarreal winger accepted it leaves Loew open to accusations Thomas Mueller step up in train- held out for 89 minutes before conced- Concerns Russia could become just the football federation president Vitaly will be a more “interesting” clash if Salah of misplaced loyalty. ing this week or be dropped. ing to Jose Gimenez, by which time the second host nation to bow out of the World Mutko after attending Russia’s training is fi t. He got his tactics wrong in “For me, Mesut Ozil was miss- Argentine had made all three of his sub- Cup at the group stage after a seven-game session on Sunday. Russia will be without one of their key Moscow, telling his players they ing speed and body language,” stitutions. winless run ahead of the tournament have A close ally of President Vladimir Pu- players, with Alan Dzagoev expected to would be pressed high up, only said Matthaeus. “Russia’s game is fateful and diffi cult been alleviated by a perfect start. tin, Mutko oversaw preparations for the miss the rest of the tournament with a for Mexico to counter-attack “He has so much freedom because of our defeat against Uruguay,” With Uruguay favourites to top the tournament at a cost of more than $13bn. hamstring injury. from deep at speed. from Loew, but nothing comes When their gameplan was back from him. Thomas Mueller shredded, none of Loew’s senior was also disappointing.” players could stem the Mexico Centre-backs Jerome Boateng Key facts attacks or fi x the disarray in de- and Mats Hummels complained Russia ‘know how to stop’ Egypt’s Salah fence. about being isolated at the back. Hosts Russia scored more However, the fl eet-footed AFP “We are ready to stop Salah goals in their first game of the ‘HELPLESS’ Mexicans exposed Boateng’s lack Saint Petersburg and we will. World Cup against Saudi Arabia Now the Germans must beat of pace, while Hummels was on “The level he will be playing at (five) than in the whole of the Sweden in Sochi on Saturday to the halfway line when the attack only he and his coach knows 2014 tournament in Brazil, where get their Russia 2018 campaign started that led to Lozano’s win- ussia coach Stanislav but we have a mission and we they netted twice in three group back on track. ning goal. Cherchesov says the will accomplish the mission,” matches. The fear in Germany is that “Against Mexico, the motto RWorld Cup hosts have Cherchesov said. Russia’s margin of victory was the national team will not qualify was ‘it will be OK. At some point, figured out a way to rein in “I trust in my team, I believe in the joint-best at an opening match for the knockout stages of a ma- the ball will go in the net’,” former Egypt’s striker Mohamed Salah my players and I will give you a at a World Cup alongside Brazil’s jor tournament for the fi rst time international Manfred Schwabl today in Saint Petersburg. simple answer: we are ready to 5-0 thumping of Mexico in 1954 in since the Euro 2004 fi nals in told the Muenchner Merkur The 26-year-old has scored do this and we will do this.” Geneva. Portugal. newspaper 44 goals in a sensational first The bold promise highlights Egypt have appeared in three The last time they failed to “Of course, that doesn’t work season for Liverpool and is a new swagger that had been World Cups — in 1934, 1990 and progress beyond the fi rst round in football, not in the third divi- keen to make his debut after missing from the host nation’s 2018 — but are yet to win a match of the World Cup was in 1938. sion and especially not at a World missing the Pharaohs’ 1-0 team for much of the past in five attempts, losing three times, Worryingly for the remain- Cup.” opening game loss to Uruguay year. including Friday’s 1-0 defeat by ing group matches, the Germans Matthaeus off ered a chilling with a shoulder injury. Russia’s convincing win over Uruguay, and drawing twice. lacked leadership when they warning. Salah’s name has been creep- the Saudis was preceded by Forward Mohamed Salah, who needed it most — despite the re- “Just because Germany are ing into conversations often a seven-match winless streak is set to start against Russia after turn of captain Manuel Neuer in world champions, doesn’t mean since Russia’s 5-0 thumping of and a spate of injuries that recovering from a shoulder injury, goal. they will automatically reach the Saudi Arabia in the tourna- wiped out almost the entire scored 71 percent of the team’s “What bothered me most is last 16. ment curtainraiser. defensive line. goals during qualification. that no player is capable of solv- “Just a reminder: three of the But Cherchesov said he was But the men in red are now on ing a problem when it gets diffi - last four champions all went out not particularly concerned. the cusp of making their first HEAD-TO-HEAD cult,” Paul Breitner, a 1974 World in the group stages,” he added “We know how to play against knockout stage of a World Cup The two sides have never met. Cup winner with West Germany, after France, Italy and Spain all him,” the Russia coach said. in post-Soviet history. told Munich-based paper TZ. bowed out early, four years after “It was depressing to see how lifting the World Cup.

OFFBEAT Wearing bast shoes, fans test their skills at Mordovian football

Reuters than the usual one. cor, with the knowledge passed on to him by Saransk, Russia Fans with no experience in the tricky, one- his grandfather. man game have to practice and need to be pa- “The origin of the game goes back to old tient in order to score. times when people wore bast shoes and made ithout a moment of hesitation, It was, however, easy for Varela. balls from what they had,” Glukhov said. Colombia fan Hector Varela Being a football coach with 30 years of ex- “Children played in the villages. So I would changed his branded sports perience, the 55-year-old from London easily say it’s a very ancient game. Here in Saransk shoes for village-style handmade juggled the ball and scored several goals to the we combined the traditions of wearing lapot Wboots to try his luck and skills at Mordovian applause of an excited crowd. instead of boots and used the ball made of football. “It reminds me of times when I was a kid,” bark with soccer, with the festival and cel- Varela was one of many fans to have made Varela told Reuters, wearing a ‘sombrero volt- ebrations.” the journey to Mordovian capital of Saransk, eado’, a typical Colombian hat. His small lapotball pitch located at an where Colombia take on Japan in a World Cup “Back in Colombia, I played soccer on the open-air Mordovian folk museum in down- Group H match today. beach, in the streets with the ball made of town Saransk has become one of the main The local version of football is dubbed ‘la- pieces of diff erent fabric, made of paper and tourist attractions for the football fans travel- potball’. ‘Lapot’ in Russian refers to the tradi- other things. ling to Saransk. tional shoes made of vine which Mordovian “It was great to recall my beautiful child- “This type of game is great to enjoy on a day residents used to wear in olden days. hood memories from Colombia.” like this when there’s no match and then we While the inner part of the plant is used to Saransk resident Sergei Glukhov is proud watch normal competitive soccer on match produce the ‘bast’ shoes, the bark serves as a of his family skills of producing vine-made day,” said Varela, who has been following Co- A performer plays with a traditional Mordovian football (lapotball) at a Mordovian culture exhibition in base to make a football ball which is heavier items, including shoes, amulets and home de- lombia in the World Cup for the past 20 years. downtown of Saransk, Russia, on Sunday. (Reuters) Neymar’s season at club level with Paris Saint-Germain ended when breaking a bone in his foot in February 5 Gulf Times Tuesday, June 19, 2018

ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT World Cup’s youngest player Under-cooked Arzani has great Neymar hobbled expectations by rough Swiss Neymar was fouled 10 times, with three Swiss players bagging yellow cards

AFP Saint Petersburg Reuters Raised in Khorramabad in Kazan, Russia western Iran but having rep- attered and bruised by a barrage resented Australia at junior of Swiss fouls, Neymar hobbled levels, Arzani’s football jour- out the Rostov Arena having he youngest player at ney could have been quite dif- failed to inspire the expected start the World Cup, Dan- ferent. toB Brazil’s World Cup, after the pre-tour- iel Arzani, grew up He watched Iran beat Mo- nament favourites were held to a 1-1 draw Tplaying street foot- rocco 1-0 to claim their fi rst by Switzerland. ball in Iran but lined up in the World Cup win in 20 years, and The world’s most expensive player told gold shirt of Australia to belt was thrilled for them. journalists there was “nothing to worry out the national anthem before “I didn’t watch all the game about” regarding his latest knock, but the Socceroos’ opener against because we had a meeting in there is concern whether Neymar can France. The 19-year-old’s the middle of it but I saw the perform to the levels needed to lead his dream of appearing in Russia own goal by Morocco,” he said. country to a sixth World Cup title, having was fulfi lled late on at Kazan “I follow a couple of players not played any competitive football for Arena but his hopes of a win- on Instagram and I was look- four months ahead of the tournament. ning debut were thwarted as ing at them after the game and Neymar’s season at club level with Paris Australia were beaten 2-1. they were ecstatic and I’m re- Saint-Germain ended when breaking a “I think the biggest moment ally happy for them as well. It bone in his foot in February. for me was actually at the be- would have been a big moment To the frustration of many in the French ginning of the game when for them and the country as capital, he spent much of his recovery I’m looking around, seeing all well.”Arzani fi rst honed his time back in Brazil with the intention of these Aussie fans in the yel- talent in rough-and-tumble getting in the best shape possible for a po- low shirts everywhere and we match-ups with other neigh- tentially career-defi ning tournament. were kind of singing the na- bourhood kids. A stunning individual run and fi nish on tional anthem and your heart’s He has become renowned his return in a pre-tournament friendly just absolutely pumping,” the for his dribbling and credits against Croatia and his 55th international Melbourne City youngster told street football for giving him goal against Austria a week later appeared a media conference at the Soc- swagger on Australian pitches. to quash fears over his fi tness. ceroos’ Kazan base yesterday. “Growing up playing in the But as many of the World Cup favour- “You realise the gravity of streets, you have to have that ites have found so far in Russia, friendly the situation. You’re here rep- (cockiness), or else you get performances mean little when the com- resenting a whole nation on eaten alive by the other boys,” petition kicks off for real and Brazil were the biggest stage.” he said. “You have to believe found wanting against an aggressive and Arzani had barely played any in yourself and even when you well-organised Swiss side. senior football for A-League make a mistake you have to Neymar was fouled 10 times, more than club City until January, but he stand by it.” any player in a single World Cup match whistle, a foul. This was a bit of a chal- However, after a bright start capped injured Dani Alves at right-back, Tite’s believes he is ready to start in He made his international since Alan Shearer 20 years ago, and pro- lenge. You think ‘don’t be too aggressive’ by Coutinho’s wonder strike to open the men become unbalanced and easier to de- the Socceroos’ fi nal two Group debut against Czech Republic voked Switzerland’s three yellow cards for because every time they go down it’s a scoring, the game too often slowed down fend against. C matches, against Denmark earlier this month and scored Stephan Lichtsteiner, Fabian Schaer and foul. “Given the success of Switzerland’s when it reached Neymar as he tried to hu- “It was very good teamwork on the in Samara on Thursday and his fi rst goal against Hungary a Valon Behrami. rugged approach, Neymar can expect miliate Lichtsteiner rather than keep the right side: Behrami, Schaer and me. It was Peru next week. week later. Mexican referee Cesar Ramos’s han- more of the same against Costa Rica and ball moving. almost a perfect game. It’s important to dling of the Swiss tactics divided opinion Serbia with the pressure upped on Bra- For all the attacking talent available to have this teamwork,” added Lichtsteiner. among fans and commentators as some zil to rediscover the form they showed in Tite, Neymar remains the man Brazil turn History shows there is still time for Bra- Jumping Mexicans trigger earthquake sensors called for greater protection for one of the qualifying.Brazil’s transformation in two to in times of need as the ball was shuffl ed zil to recover. Switzerland beat eventual world’s best players, while many believed years under coach Tite has been charac- out left to him time and again as the clock winners Spain in their opening game in Mexico City: Mexicans towering cathedral as Mexico Neymar was too quick to go to ground. terised by the speed of their transitions ran down. 2010 and held fi nalists France at the group jumping in jubilation on beat Germany 1-0 in Moscow. “I was a little bit worried about the ref- from defence to attack as Neymar com- However, with one of Brazil’s other ma- stage in 2006. Sunday shook the ground When star player Hirving Loz- eree,” said Arsenal full-back Lichtsteiner. bined to great eff ect with Gabriel Jesus jor threats in Marcelo also operating down But Brazil need Neymar to get back up hard enough to set off earth- ano scored a goal in the 35th “Every time they fell down it was a and Philippe Coutinho. that fl ank, there is a risk that without the to speed as quickly as possible. quake detectors and throngs minute, supporters jumped danced in the streets after up and down, shouting, “Yes, their team scored a surprise we did it!” victory over World Cup de- The Institute of Geological fending champion Germany. and Atmospheric Investiga- Fans mock Neymar’s spaghetti-like harido on Twitter Elated fans waved Mexican tions said highly sensitive Football fans will have watched Brazil’s 1-1 draw with in the world had a small mop on his head. “I wonder if the age of social media though. Neymar’s hair resulted flags and donned tradi- earthquake sensors regis- Switzerland and seen that the Swiss clearly had a game Neymar’s hair went through quarantine on the way in to in numerous memes, including one reading “Make Ney- tional “sombrero” hats at the tered tremors at two sites in plan of roughing up Neymar to keep him from deciding Russia. It surely has a life of its own,” poked Twitter user mar great again” with the hairdo of US President Donald iconic Angel of Independence the capital seven seconds the game. @kaimanwong. Twitter user @TrapAHolic__ quipped: Trump superimposed on Neymar’s head. monument in downtown after the game’s 35th minute. Those less knowledgable about the game — or just out “Marcelo gotta talk to Neymar about self love and According to the Munich-based newspaper Sueddeut- Mexico City as they sang the It called them an “artificial” to have a laugh on social media — were more focused wearing his natural hair,” referring to Brazilian captain sche Zeitung, Neymar had his own personal hairstylist country’s unoff icial soccer quake. on crushing the Brazilian superstar for his latest hairdo. Marcelo, himself known from his big flowing mane of flown into Rostov to come up with a new creation. anthem, “Cielito Lindo,” or At the Angel of Independence The Paris St Germain star ran around the pitch in Rostov hair. But will Neymar’s new look become a trend? Not really, “Pretty Little Sky,” a popular monument after the match, with a dyed blonde semi-perm that drew the ire of many World Cup players’ hair drawing attention is no new phe- according to Walz, who added: “The hairdo does not folksong. Rodolfo Pulido, 47, led a chant watching on TV. nomenon, going back to Bobby Charlton’s comb over in have the flair to be a trend of the year.” In the city’s massive main of “Mexico! Mexico! Mexico!” Twitter was full of people comparing Neymar’s hair to 1966 to Carlos Valderrama’s majestic blonde afro in 1998 There was at least one media outlet that praised Neymar, square, families in Mexican perched on a concrete barrier spaghetti while others said it looked like straw and still to Ronaldo’s whatever-you-want-to-call-that in 2002. as news.com.au splashed the headline: “Neymar’s hair is football jerseys had watched that usually separates traff ic others pondered why the most expensive footballer None of those stars had to suff er through the mocking in the real winner of the World Cup.” on a giant screen in front of a on a busy thoroughfare.

BOTTOMLINE Black Sea bliss, curious locals greet Nordic teams AFP at a funfair shooting range, locals have not seen react to foreigners,” said 23-year-old Sergey Gelendzhik, Russia much of the World Cup players. Ivanov, a waiter. “We live entirely in the hotel, far from real- In a sign that authorities expected an infl ux ity,” Sweden’s Gustav Svensson told AFP at of foreign tourists, local people told AFP that armer and sunnier than distant their base in Gelendzhik, ten kilometres along large “Russia 2018” banners erected at the front Moscow, Russia’s Black Sea coast the coast from Kabardinka. of Iceland’s training stadium hide temporarily has been a perfect match for Scan- Open training sessions after the Nordic teams shuttered shopfronts behind. dinavian teams as World Cup arrived attracted full houses of cheering locals, “I think they thought visitors might consider Wtraining bases. with those unable to get in standing on boxes or the shops unsightly,” said a hotel receptionist The teams, from countries where summer nearby balconies to catch a glimpse of the ac- who asked not to be named. starts late and fi nishes earlier, are fi nding the tion. In Gelendzhik, people gathered on a hill “They’ll open again once Iceland leave,” she “Russian Riviera” very much to their taste — overlooking the stadium to see the Swedes in said. But visiting fans put off by formidable and its vibe seems to suit their laid-back ap- the fl esh.“It’s good for the children in particu- distances — Iceland’s nearest match venue is in proach. “We couldn’t wait to get here as even lar to see the World Cup close at hand, maybe it Rostov, some 500 kilometres (310 miles) away in May we were still scraping snow off cars and will inspire them,” said Sergey Vladimirovich, a — have not ventured as far as the team bases. pitches at home,” Iceland assistant coach Helgi semi-professional footballer with a Gelendzhik “No-one has shown up,” said Alina, a bored- Kolvidsson told AFP. Denmark and Sweden also club who was watching the Iceland session. looking 18-year-old student volunteer at an in- booked locations along the coast which earned Along the roads, “Russia 2018” billboards formation stand in Kabardinka. its “Riviera” nickname thanks to its blue water emblazoned with the Scandinavian team pic- In the meantime, locals complain that hotels and string of resorts hugging the western foot- Iceland’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson (R) observes his goalkeepers Frederik Schram and Runar tures point out the World Cup host locations, and restaurants, expecting a hike in guest num- hills of the Caucasian mountain range. Runarsson in action during a training session in Kabardinka. but elsewhere there are few signs of their pres- bers, have bumped up their prices. “After our game against Argentina in chilly ence. A fl oral display in Danish colours hints at “I can hardly aff ord an ice-cream this year,” Moscow, we were glad to get back ‘home’ again,” training pitches alongside pine-forested hills Caucasian specialities like shashlik (skewered Denmark’s nearby training pitch in Anapa, an grumbled Alina, who has lived in the town all smiled Kolvidsson, who commutes to training and Soviet-era “sanatorium” health and spa cubes of grilled meat) and chebureki (deep- hour’s drive west along the coast. In Kabardin- her life. sessions in the small resort of Kabardinka by complexes. fried stuff ed pastries). But apart from a sighting ka, a solitary Iceland fl ag fl ies outside a karaoke But although World Cup fever has not broken bicycle. Home for the Nordic minnows is a se- Along the seafront, Russian tourists in fl ip- posted on the town’s Instagram page of bearded bar. “We only get Russians coming to these re- out by the Black Sea, Russians are still glad the cluded hotel a fi ve-minute bike ride from the fl ops swelter on the stony beach, and snack on Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson having a go sorts, I don’t think people quite know how to Nordic trio came, she insisted. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, June 19, 2018 SPORT

MLB FOCUS French fullback Fall has red 5 Cardinals pitchers card cancelled

AFP The judicial panel, headed Wellington by Australian Adam Cas- selden, said that unlike the referee they had “the benefi t rench fullback Ben- of all the video footage” and combine to shut out jamin Fall’s red card after reviewing the evidence from the second Test agreed to cancel the card. against the All Blacks Video footage showed Fall wasF cancelled yesterday in a had his eyes on the ball while it rare move hailed by France was in the air, “which showed, Astros rally past Royals for coach Jacques Brunel. in our opinion, a clear inten- “Wisdom has prevailed,” tion, on the part of the player, 11th straight victory Brunel said after a World Rug- that he intended to contest it,” Chicago Cubs by judicial panel ruled Fall’s the committee found. “It is a mid-air collision with All decision taken with hindsight Blacks fl y-half Beauden Bar- and discernment,” Brunel rett was accidental and said he said. “It takes into account the was free to play in next week- succession of facts that led to end’s third Test. this unintentional collision. Fall “at all times, had his Subsequently, wisdom has eyes on the ball”, the panel said prevailed.” after reviewing video of the The judicial panel said Fall sickening impact which saw had collided with All Blacks Barrett plunge head-fi rst to centre Anton Lienert-Brown the ground. Barrett is unlikely just before leaping for the ball to play in the third Test having and that caused him to lose his failed a concussion test after balance. By running into Lien- being upended by Fall 12 min- ert-Brown, Fall “was denied utes into Saturday’s match in the time and the space to put Wellington won by New Zea- himself in a position to avoid a land 26-13. collision” with Barrett. From the angle he saw the “We did not consider that players collide, referee Angus the player’s actions, in the cir- Gardner issued the red card cumstances of this case, were under rugby rules, aimed at deliberate or reckless,” it said. eliminating head injuries. French Rugby club Tou- But immediately after the lon confi rmed that they had game, the All Blacks sympa- signed All-Black winger Ju- thised with Fall. New Zealand lian Savea, the top try scorer coach Steve Hansen appealed in the 2015 World Cup, for for an easing of the rules when two seasons. Savea, who is 27, dealing with accidental play in scored eight tries as New Zea- which someone was injured. land won the last World Cup. “There’s got to be some He has 46 tries in 54 All Black wriggle room for that. It’s appearances but has not been spoiling Test matches – red picked since July 2017 as coach cards for unintentional inci- Steve Hansen has preferred dents,” he said. Rieko Ioane.

Australia upset with Ireland’s ‘blocking’ of fullback Folau Australia are considering lodging a complaint with match off i- cials against what they consider Ireland’s illegal blocking tactics St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris pitches during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports on fullback Israel Folau, according to Wallabies attack coach Stephen Larkham. Reuters jams by walking three, hitting fi eld line plated Pham, and a before Gattis and Gonzalez de- McCullers allowed a two- Ireland edged the second test 26-21 in Melbourne on Saturday St. Louis two and committing a throwing throwing error by shortstop Ad- livered RBI singles for a two-run run homer to Hunter Dozier, to set up a decider in the three-match series but their treatment error on a bad pickoff attempt. dison Russell on Jairo Munoz’s lead. his third, in the third inning but of Folau and slowing down of Australia’s ball at the breakdown Behind 2-0 on the count to infi eld hit scored Molina. Correa (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) pro- pitched eff ectively through six have infuriated the hosts. ive Cardinals pitchers Kris Bryant in the third with the Chicago shortstop Javier Baez duced a sacrifi ce fl y in the ninth innings, allowing four runs (two “It’s in our hands, it’s something that we have to sit down with combined for a four-hit bases full, Flaherty got a mound left the game in the third inning inning that scored Alex Breg- earned) on six hits and two walks the referees and discuss,” Larkham said. “They might have a dif- shutout Sunday night as visit from catcher Yadier Moli- after getting hit on the left elbow man. with nine strikeouts. ferent opinion and every team in world rugby uses it and every the St. Louis avoided a na. Three pitches later, Flaherty by a Flaherty fastball. Baez will The Astros hit into four dou- Left-hander Tony Sipp (2-0) team in Super Rugby uses it as well. seriesF sweep from the Chicago was walking off the mound after be X-rayed on Monday. ble plays and appeared primed to notched the win with a scoreless “But for us I think it’s two-fold. It’s one, getting the kicks accurate Cubs with a 5-0 win at Busch whiffi ng Bryant. Meanwhile Carlos Correa be undone by those missed op- seventh inning. so that our chasers aren’t running between two or three guys, Stadium in St. Louis. The Cubs loaded the bases opened the eighth inning with portunities. Royals second baseman Whit and then to bring it to the referees’ attention just to make sure After starter Jack Flaherty again in the fourth, but Flaherty a game-tying home run be- Brad Keller dipped in and out Merrifi eld departed in the sec- that everything is legal there. battled through fi ve innings, slipped a 3-2 fastball past Quin- fore Evan Gattis and Marwin of danger, allowing three runs on ond inning after fouling a pitch “I think Ireland did a fantastic job at slowing the ball down and John Brebbia (1-1), Austin Go- tana for a called third strike. Gonzalez added run-scoring nine hits and three walks over six off his left knee. Adalberto again you’ve got to look at their tactics and say: is it something mber, Jordan Hicks and Bud Those missed opportunities fi - singles as the Houston Astros innings for Kansas City. Mondesi replaced Merrifi eld we need to bring up with the referee?” Norris each handled an inning. nally came back to haunt Chi- capped a perfect road trip with He induced three of the four during the at-bat and struck out. The 44-year-old admitted Australia’s kicking was particularly Brebbia earned his fi rst MLB win cago in the sixth. a 7-4 comeback victory over double plays and kept the Astros poor in Melbourne but was confident the side would improve as the Cardinals snapped a four- A bases-loaded double play the Kansas City Royals on Sun- at bay after surrendering two RESULTS for the series decider in Sydney on Saturday. game losing streak. ball off Molina’s bat scored Bad- day. runs in the fi rst inning on back- Astros 7 Royals 4 “There’s putting the ball out, there’s execution and accuracy of Jose Quintana (6-5) sailed er with the fi rst run. Jedd Gyorko The Astros extended their to-back RBI singles from Correa Athletics 6 Angels 5 our kicks, and then looking at our chase line and how we can fix through fi ve scoreless innings laced an RBI single to center that winning streak to 11 games and and Gurriel. Rangers 13 Rockies 12 that,” he said. before giving up singles to Har- plated Pham for a 2-0 lead. fi nished 10-0 on their trip by The Royals pulled even in the Orioles 10 Marlins 4 Meanwhile, New South Wales Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon rison Bader and Tommy Pham Matt Carpenter touched Brian stringing together fi ve consecu- bottom half of the fi rst. Astros Mets 5 Diamondbacks 3 has joined the squad in place of Will Genia, who will miss six to start the sixth. Quintana was Duensing for a solo homer in the tive hits leading off the eighth. right-hander Lance McCullers Braves 4 Padres 1 weeks with a broken arm. charged with two runs on four seventh, his 10th of the season. Correa socked his 13th homer off walked Alex Gordon and Mike Blue Jays 8 Nationals 6 “He’s an integral part of the team, there’s no doubt about that, hits, walking two and striking Duensing hung a 1-2 curve Royals reliever Brandon Mauer Moustakas and both scored, Rays 3 Yankees 1 he’s part of our strategy group and he’s had a very good combi- out three. over the middle and Carpenter (0-3) to knot the score at 4-all with Gordon coming home on a Indians 4 Twins 1 nation there with the forward pack and the backline,” Larkham Flaherty permitted only two lined it 369 feet into the front before Yuli Gurriel chased Mauer throwing error by Bregman. Reds 8 Pirates 6 said of Genia before Gordon was included in the side. hits and fanned seven in his start, row of seats behind the right with a single. McCullers turned a sparkling Tigers 3 White Sox 1 “So he’s definitely a big loss but in saying that, we’ve got really touching 97mph on the radar fi eld wall. Tim Hill replaced Mauer defensive play to retire shortstop Phillies 10 Brewers 9 good experience in Nick Phipps, Joe Powell’s been around the gun and using a wipeout slider to St. Louis tacked on two more but didn’t provide much relief Alcides Escobar, but Moustakas Giants 4 Dodgers 1 team now for the last 12 months and we’ll have to bring some- dominate Chicago hitters. But he runs in the eighth. Molina’s hit- for the Royals, surrendering a scored on the play to pull the Red Sox 9 Mariners 3 one else into the team now.” put himself in two bases-loaded and-run double down the left pinch-double to Tyler White Royals even. Cardinals 5 Cubs 0

RUGBY Jones admits to no magic solution for dire England form AFP reporters in Bloemfontein. “We’ve got 25 (play- Durban ers) sitting at home who aren’t available for se- lection. These (the touring party) are the best players we’ve got. ddie Jones may be feeling a sense of “I haven’t had too many times when I have ex- déjà vu as his tenure as England coach perienced this and it’s tough. My job is to make reached a new low on Saturday with a the team win and it’s not winning.” fi fth successive test defeat, a run of form Jones feels that the situation is not as dire as similarE to the end of his four years in charge of results suggest and that the team is not far off Australia more than a decade ago. where they should be. England lost 23-12 to South Africa to surren- “I am doing as well as I can. In these sorts of der the three-game series in Bloemfontein on situations you get a lot of advice, there is a lot of Saturday with the fi nal match to come in Cape things wrong. But we are only two or three per- Town this weekend, where another defeat would cent away from turning this around.” signal the side’s worst run of form since 2006. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has come out BRUTAL BOKS in support of Jones in the wake of the latest loss, England have historically struggled in South while the coach has blamed the series defeat on Africa, winning three of their 15 tests, and Jones injuries, a rejuvenated Springbok side and the says the diffi culty of playing in the country diffi culty of playing tests in South Africa. should not be underestimated. When Jones was sacked as coach of Australia “Each moment in South Africa is hard be- in December 2005, he had lost eight of his last cause of the way tests are played here,” he said. nine tests with a side that was also beset by in- “They are probably the most pressurised jury. games in the world here. I don’t know why, but After this tour, England will come up against that’s how it is. It’s a diffi cult place to win that is the Springboks once more in the fi rst of their why England have a poor record here.” home autumn internationals at Twickenham Jones won 24 of his fi rst 25 tests in charge of in November, followed a week later by world England, including a joint world record 18 in a champions New Zealand and then what should row, and would have felt untouchable. But he be a home banker against Japan. will know from experience that coaches are The opportunities to end their dismal run im- judged on the present and he needs to engineer mediately though are not getting any easier. a quick turnaround in results or fi nd his fall from “There is no magic solution here,” Jones told grace as rapid as his spectacular rise. England coach Eddie Jones (right) looks on during the warm up of the second Test against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, June 19, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS CRICKET Stokes and Woakes to miss rest of Wawrinka ends Australia ODI series

AFP squad during the 4th and 5th London ODIs (against Australia on Thursday and Sunday) at Riv- erside and Old Traff ord.” alismanic England all- Woakes, 29, injured a thigh wretched run with rounder Ben Stokes muscle during the second Test and paceman Chris with Pakistan at the begin- Woakes will miss the ning of June which the ECB Tremainder of the One Day In- say “was at least in part due ternational series with Aus- to a fl are-up of a chronic right tralia the England and Wales knee problem”. Cricket Board (ECB) an- Aside from missing the ODI nounced yesterday. series with Australia he’ll also solid start at Queen’s Stokes’ hamstring injury – miss the lone Twenty20 inter- which he suff ered in the lead- national against Australia at ‘Mentally it’s tough when you see how far you are and how long it will take. Still now, it’s not easy’ up to the second Test with Edgbaston, on June 27 and the Pakistan – the ECB says is three T20s at home to India in AFP progressing well and are hope- July. London ful the 27-year-old will be fi t “He (Woakes) has had an for the T20 series with India injection for the knee issue next month. last Monday and will now un- tan Wawrinka kicked off England lead the fi ve game dertake a rehabilitation and his Wimbledon prepara- series with Australia 2-0 with conditioning programme to tions with a 6-2, 6-3 win three matches remaining. address both injuries,” read the over British youngster “He can bat fully and is now ECB statement. CameronS Norrie in the Queen’s able to run at 90 percent ca- “A date for return cannot be Club fi rst round yesterday. pacity,” read a statement from specifi ed at this stage, but he Wawrinka has struggled to the ECB. “He will commence will not be available before the return to peak form since suf- his return to bowling pro- India ODI series.” fering a left knee injury last year gramme this week. The three-match one-day that required two operations and “The plan is for Ben to con- series against India starts at wiped out the second half of the tinue his rehabilitation pro- Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Swiss star’s season. gramme with the England July 12. Still hampered by the problem this term, Wawrinka was side- lined again for three months in FOCUS between a second round exit at the Australian Open and a fi rst round loss in the French Open. The 33-year-old arrived in Spin rivals in South west London having lost six of his last seven ATP Tour matches and, given grass has never been African squad Wawrinka’s favourite surface, he might have feared more misery AFP at the pre-Wimbledon event. Johannesburg But the three-time Grand Slam champion had an oblig- ing opponent in wild card entry pin rivals Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj were both Norrie. Wawrinka hardly had to included yesterday in South Africa’s squad for a fi ve- break sweat to see off Norrie and match one-day international series in Sri Lanka starting next faces former Queen’s win- next month. ner Sam Querrey of the United SBut there was no place for fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon States, who beat British wild Philander, although selection convener Linda Zondi said both card and ATP Tour debutant Jay could be contenders for a place in South Africa’s squad for the Clarke 6-3, 6-3. Cricket World Cup in England next year. “Mentally it’s tough when you “We are looking to broaden our talent pool,” said Zondi. “Con- see how far you are and how long ditions in England are likely to be very diff erent from those in Sri it will take. Still now, it’s not Lanka. We will be trying a lot of combinations before the World easy,” Wawrinka said of his Cup.” injury woes. Imran Tahir, South Africa’s leading one-day spinner, was not “It takes time to get where you included for the Sri Lanka series but Zondi said this was because want to be. I need to be really pa- Djokovic, the biggest names in fi ne and I played three quality the selectors wanted to see left-arm wrist spinner Shamsi and or- tient with myself, to accept less the Queen’s draw, are both due matches in Stuttgart. Pretty dis- Nishikori survives opening grass test in Halle thodox left-armer Maharaj in action “so that we can get a clearer in a way, because, when you win in fi rst round action today. appointed I didn’t win against Japan’s Kei Nishikori had to fight through a tiebreaker to start his picture as to who our second-best spinner is.” Grand Slams, I always expect so Djokovic plays Australian Roger but it was a good match,” grass season with a win yesterday as he beat Matthias Bachinger in Both Shamsi and Test regular Maharaj were named last week in much from myself.” qualifi er John Millman and Mur- Kyrgios said. the ATP Halle tournament. The seventh seed who has twice played South Africa’s squad for two Test matches, which will precede the In other fi rst round action, top ray will make his fi rst appear- “I’m feeling confi dent. I’m ex- semi-finals at the event, worked for just under 90 minutes to beat one-day series. seed Marin Cilic made a fl ying ance for 11 months after fi nally cited (to play Murray), obviously his 159th-ranked German opponent 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) and reach the The one-day squad includes opening batsman Reeza Hendricks start to his bid for another strong recovering from a hip injury that one of my better mates on tour. second round. Nishikori, a former top 10 regular now ranked 27th and fast bowler Junior Dala, who have both played in Twenty20 grass-court campaign with a needed surgery in January. “It’s just good to see him back after wrist injuries last season, was joined in the second round by internationals but not in one-day internationals. All-rounder 6-3, 6-4 win over Spanish vet- ultimately. I think it’s been pret- fourth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat the second Chris Morris was not available because of injury. eran Fernando Verdasco. ‘Awesome’ Murray ty shitty without him. German on the day, putting out Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-1. The same squad will do duty for a one-off Twenty20 interna- Former US Open champion The former world number “To see him healthy is the “It’s never easy but I think I played a very solid, decent match,” tional at the end of the tour. Cilic is bidding for a second one faces a tricky opener against main thing. I think he’s awesome Nishikori said. “He can be dangerous on grass, he came to net well. Queen’s title and a fourth ap- talented but temperamental for the sport.” “If he had won the second set, it could have been tight, you never SOUTH AFRICAN SQUAD : Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim pearance in the fi nal after losing Australian Nick Kyrgios, who Kyrgios has a well-earned know what can happen in the third. I’m happy with how I’m playing Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Reeza Hen- last year’s title match against Fe- pushed Roger Federer to three reputation as one of the tour’s and looking forward to the next round. dricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, liciano Lopez. sets before narrowly losing in more controversial fi gures after “Everything is working well but I cannot expect to much coming David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, The world number six, who the Stuttgart semi-fi nals at the some petulant behaviour in the back from injury. I’m just glad to be back at this level again.” Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi. fi nished as Australian Open run- weekend. past. Dutchman Robin Haase provided early drama with his 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 ner-up in January, was back on Murray, a two-time Wim- The 23-year-old remains comeback victory over Portugal’s Joao Sousa. FIXTURES grass in London for the fi rst time bledon winner, has admitted he combustible, but for now he Roger Federer, who won in Stuttgart on Sunday, returned to Ger- July 7-8, Warm-up match, Colombo since his tearful injury-plagued doesn’t have great expectations insists he’s focused on ruining many after a rapid visit to Switzerland. July 12-16, First Test, Galle Wimbledon fi nal defeat against at the start of his comeback after Murray’s return. The 20-time Grand Slam winner raced home by car Sunday night July 20-24, Second Test, Colombo Roger Federer last year. Cilic so long on the sidelines. “Early in my career prob- from southern Germany to watch Switzerland draw Brazil 1-1, then July 26, One-day warm-up match, venue to be confirmed made short work of Verdasco Finally free of a nagging elbow ably didn’t play my best against flew to Halle yesterday to prepare for his opening match. July 29, First one-day international, Dambulla and his second round opponent injury, world number 21 Kyrgios Andy. I wasn’t as confi dent back The 36-year-old took back the top ranking form Rafael Nadal for the August 1, Second one-day international, Dambulla is Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, has grander plans – starting with then as I am now,” he said. second time this season on Monday, but, according to the ATP, has August 5, Third one-day international, Kandy who beat rising Canadian star securing his fi rst win over his “Hopefully I’ve still got more to win a record 10th Halle crown if he is to enter Wimbledon on the August 8, Fourth one-day international, Kandy Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 good friend at the sixth attempt. to show him. Maybe we’ll see top world ranking. August 12, Fifth one-day international, Colombo (8/6). Andy Murray and Novak “I feel good. My elbow is tomorrow.” August 14, Only Twenty20 international, Colombo

MOTORSPORT Winning triple crown ‘very tempting’, says Alonso AFP Alonso. in 2015, but he only entered one race, while Le Mans, France “The Indy 500 is part of the Triple Crown Alonso signed for the entire endurance sea- and it’s really a very important goal. It’s at- son and, after winning the fi rst two rounds, is tractive trying to conquer it and see if you can leading the overall standings. ernando Alonso admitted Sunday be an even better and more complete driver.” Toyota is the only manufacturer with a that attempting to win the Indy 500 Alonso shared the driving at Le Mans in the team in the World Endurance Champion- and become just the second man to Toyota No8 and clearly demonstrated his skill ships after the withdrawals of Audi and Por- win motor racing’s Triple Crown and adaptability as a driver to the 256,900 sche in the last two years. wouldF be “very tempting”. spectators. Their work on reliability over the winter Alonso helped Toyota win their fi rst Le In his fi rst driving stint on Saturday, has paid off with no sign of the mechanical Mans 24 Hour Race on Sunday alongside Ja- Alonso made two breathtaking overtaking failures that had plagued the team since 2012. pan’s Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi. manoeuvres to pinch fi rst place from the The only Toyota problem this weekend The Spaniard won the race at his fi rst at- other Toyota, No7, with Argentine Jose Maria came 90 minutes before the end when Japa- tempt to give the Japanese manufacturer, Lopez at the wheel. nese Kamui Kobayashi crawled into the pit which had at times seemed jinxed, victory at Late at night, after Buemi drew a one at the wheel of the Toyota No7 almost out of their 20th attempt. minute “stop and go” penalty, Alonso took fuel. Alonso, a double Formula 1 world cham- over and sparkled in the darkness as he closed As the clock ticked past 24 hours, the re- pion, was the star turn as he became the the gap. lief was visible on all the faces of the Toyota sixth driver to complete the Monaco-Le Alonso climbed out of his car smiling after crew in the pit and the winning drivers as Mans double after Tazio Nuvolari, Maurice that shift scarcely showing signs of fatigue. they completed a victory lap with Alonso and Trintignant, Bruce McLaren, Jochen Rindt “I felt good at night. I was in the zone and I Buemi sitting on the car as Nakajima, who and Graham Hill. pushed to catch up,” he said. completed the last stint, drove. Only Hill also won the Indy 500 for what Nakajima then took the lead and with Mike The Toyotas fi nished fi rst and second in has become known as the Triple Crown of Conway incurring a stop and go penalty for the top category, Le Mans Prototype 1, where motor sports and is 36-year-old Alonso’s Toyota No7, Alonso’s team was able to pull the competition was eight non-hybrid pro- avowed goal now he has slipped down the away fi nish just over a lap ahead. totypes run by private teams. Five of those pack in F1. Before the race, Buemi who, like Nakajima, failed to fi nish, including the SMP Racing car “I went there (the Indy 500) last year with- had been vainly chasing a Le Mans victory driven by another former F1 champion Jen- out any particular objective. We were lead- since 2012, said Alonso “was a real plus for son Button failed to fi nish. ing the race, we were close to victory, but we the team.” Toyota’s closest challengers were the two missed the opportunity (Alonso retired with The last F1 driver to win at Le Mans was Rebellion Racing cars which fi nished 12 laps Spain’s driver Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium with his trophy after winning the 86th Le Mans engine failure 21 laps from the fi nish),” said Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg with Porsche back. 24-hours endurance race, at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. (AFP) Tuesday, June 19, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

GOLF/US OPEN Koepka makes history, fends off Fleetwood to retain title Floridian becomes third man since the second world war to win back to back, Fleetwood shoots a record-equalling 63 and loses by a shot Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the By Ewan Murray key moments; the 28-year-old rattled for a European player when the lead- US Open Championship trophy at Shinnecock Hills Golf The Guardian home a bogey putt at the 11th when erboard is laden with stars and stripes. Club on in Southampton, New York. (Getty Images) a far higher score had looked prob- Dustin Johnson, one of four co- able. He also saved par from tricky leaders at the start of the day, delivered he only problem with Tommy situations at the 12th and 13th before the kind of wasteful putting perform- Fleetwood’s making of history a wonderful approach to the par-fi ve ance which also undermined his US was Brooks Koepka’s eager- 16th gave him the two-shot cushion Open dream at Chambers Bay in 2015. ness to do likewise. On a Long that was to prove crucial. For so long, The world No 1 fi nished third at plus- TIsland Sunday when Fleetwood joined this looked like being Fleetwood’s ma- three on account of a 70. Patrick Reed’s the elite group who have shot 63 in the jor. The Southport man was six shots charge had fuelled prospects of victory US Open, the Englishman’s bid for a adrift of the lead after 54 holes, mean- at the Masters and US Open in the same maiden major title came up agonis- ing his fi nal round was over by 4pm. season. He played his fi rst seven holes ingly short. Koepka is just the third What a fi nal round it was, though; in fi ve under par. The brakes were soon man since the second world war and Fleetwood made eight birdies and one applied, however, Reed dropping shots the seventh in history to defend the US bogey, at the 9th. There was a bitter- at the 9th, 11th and 12th. His 68 meant Open title successfully. sweet element, too, as he missed birdie fourth place, one ahead of Tony Finau. Koepka’s triumph came by one shot, chances at the 16th and 18th – the lat- The USGA, so wounded by fi erce at one over par, from the inspired ter from nine feet – when seeking to criticism of the course set-up on day Fleetwood. Koepka was even aff orded become the fi rst player to post 62 in three, loosened the shackles for the the luxury of a bogey at the last before the US Open. closing day. That, of course, suggests signing for a 68. The Florida native will “I knew I had chances for the record the tournament organisers are unclear not be in the ever-growing queue for but it is something very special to as to what precisely they want from the those looking to criticise the United shoot 63 in the fi nal round of the US US Open. The dramatic shift in scoring States Golf Association. It has, after Open,” he said. “It feels strange to feel patterns between rounds three and all, bestowed $4mn worth of cheques a little disappointed not to have shot four hardly pointed towards a planning on him over back-to-back Junes. 62 but it’s been a great day and to equal masterclass. Rickie Fowler’s 65 was Koepka had not foreseen this sce- the record is very special. There’s not 19 shots better than he had produced nario even two months ago. He had many people who have done it, so it’s on Saturday. Fleetwood improved 16 fallen victim to a long-term wrist in- very special and one of the best days strokes from day three. Hideki Mat- jury so serious that the lifting of a cof- I’ve ever had on a golf course. suyama signed for a 13-shot swing to fee cup was problematic. After a doctor “The crowds were amazing. They the good. Phil Mickelson, the man at remedied the problem, he set his sights are always great with me and I am very the centre of epic controversy, turned on defending the trophy claimed at grateful for the support I get over here. an 81 into a 69 before beating a hasty Erin Hills 12 months earlier. It was, at When I went on that run on the back retreat to avoid post-round interviews. that stage, a long shot. Koepka’s versa- nine I was just loving getting every- Justin Rose left himself with too much tility was demonstrated here. Whereas body going and roaring for me. It was ground to make up having produced a year ago he indulged in a scoring blitz very cool. That walk down 18 will live sixes at the 4th and 5th. A 73 and plus- to win at 16 under par, Shinnecock Hills with me for a long time.” seven total meant a share of 10th. His required a battle-hardened approach. Indeed, by the time he took to the fellow Englishman, Tyrell Hatton, was Koepka had been unfl appable when 72nd green the American galleries a shot better off and tied sixth. Yet this reaching the turn in 33 and notching a were chanting the name of Fleetwood. was Koepka’s day, again. What a lucra- birdie at the 10th. Thereafter came the Such a scenario is almost unheard of tive habit.

LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES

281 - Brooks Koepka 75-66-72-68 Fitzpatrick (ENG) 73-70-75-70 ner 70-74-79-69, Russell Henley 69-73- 282 - Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 75-66- 289 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 76- 77-73, Matthieu Pavon (FRA) 71-77-74-70, 78-63 72-68-73 Charles Howell III 71-72-77-72, Branden 283 - Dustin Johnson 69-67-77-70 290 - Li Haotong (CHN) 79-68-74-69, Grace (RSA) 76-69-72-75, Justin Thomas 284 - Patrick Reed 73-72-71-68 Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 75-70-79-66, 74-70-74-74, Bryson DeChambeau 76-69- 285 - Tony Finau 75-72-66-72 Paul Casey (ENG) 73-73-73-71, Louis 73-74, Ian Poulter (ENG) 69-72-76-75 286 - Xander Schauff ele 72-74-72-68, Oosthuizen (RSA) 74-72-75-69 293 - Pat Perez 73-71-77-72, Bill Haas Daniel Berger 76-71-66-73, Tyrrell Hat- 291 - Steve Stricker 73-75-73-70, Rickie 76-72-74-71, Brian Harman 74-70-78-71, ton (ENG) 75-70-72-69, Henrik Stenson Fowler 73-69-84-65, Charley Hoff man Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP) 73-71-76-73, (SWE) 71-70-74-71 71-69-77-74, Brian Gay 73-74-70-74, Dylan Gary Woodland 79-69-70-75 287 - Justin Rose (ENG) 71-70-73-73, 287 - Meyer 77-69-71-74 294 - Sam Burns 71-76-75-72, Ryan Fox Webb Simpson 76-71-71-69 292 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 75-72-72- (NZL) 73-72-74-75, Patrick Rodgers 288 - Russell Knox (SCO) 73-71-75-69, 73, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 74-72-77-69, 72-72-83-67, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) Zach Johnson 73-73-72-70 Matthew Alex Noren (SWE) 72-72-77-71, Jason Duf- 76-72-73-73

CRICKET FOCUS Sri Lanka press for series leveller North, South Korea AFP to be in violation of the code of agree to joint teams Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia conduct regulations in relation to “changing the condition of the ball.” for Asian Games asun Rajitha struck There were concerns that the two early blows as Sri Test match was in jeopardy on Reuters will be held in Indonesia Lanka pressed for a the third morning on Satur- Seoul from mid-August to early series-levelling victory day when Chandimal refused to September. Kon the fi nal day of the second lead his team onto the fi eld for They agreed to create com- Test against the West Indies at the continuation of the West he two Koreas agreed bined teams for the upcoming the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Indies fi rst innings after he was yesterday to march games and for other interna- Lucia yesterday. informed of the charge by the together under a uni- tional competitions, such as On a day when their captain, umpires and the application of a fi ed peninsula fl ag a shooting competition set to Dinesh Chandimal, who has fi ve-run penalty. andT form combined teams begin in August in the South. been charged by umpires Aleem Play was delayed for two hours to compete in the next Asian They will hold more discus- Dar and Ian Gould with ball tam- as animated discussions took Games, they said in a joint sions to work out details. pering on the second day of the place involving Srinath and Sri statement, in the latest sign of The South will send a del- match, is likely to know his fate, Lankan team offi cials. a thaw between the old rivals. egation of 100 people, in- the tourists stayed focused on It required clearance from Both sides also agreed at a cluding about 50 players and events on the fi eld to reduce the Sri Lanka Cricket authorities round of talks on their heav- referees, for the basketball hosts to 55 for three in their sec- in Colombo to clear the team to ily fortifi ed border to hold a friendly in Pyongyang next ond innings at lunch after they continue the match under pro- series of basketball matches month, and another series of were set a victory target of 296. test. SLC also issued a statement in the North Korean capital of matches will be held in Seoul Shannon Gabriel took the last saying they were satisfi ed their Pyongyang on July 3-6, mark- later in the year, Jeon said. two wickets of the Sri Lankan players were not involved in any ing the anniversary of a July 4, “Today’s meeting was to second innings within minutes wrongdoing, based on the infor- 1972, inter-Korean agreement follow up on the achievement of the start of play to fi nish with mation provided to them by the on unifi cation, they said. we made during the recent Ol- the outstanding innings analysis offi cials on location. Should he The agreement comes amid ympics by boosting more reg- of eight for 62 and match fi gures be found guilty though, Chandi- a range of talks as part of ef- ular, various sports exchanges of 13 for 121, the third-best by mal faces a one-Test suspension forts to promote reconcilia- including friendly matches, a West Indian in Tests and the which will rule him out of the tion, including opening mili- joint participation in global best-ever by a Caribbean bowler Kasun Rajitha (centre) of Sri Lanka celebrates the dismissal of Devon Smith of West Indies during day 5 of last match of the series. tary hotlines and arranging events and joint training,” said in home conditions. the 2nd Test at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St. Lucia, yesterday. (AFP) While the International reunions for families of Ko- Lee Hae-don, an offi cial from When he wrapped up the Sri Cricket Council’s Cricket com- reans divided by the 1950-53 the sports ministry who took Lankan innings for 342 by bowl- not out) stood fi rm, Sri Lanka’s Shane Dowrich, who has spectator to all that history if he mittee has recommended an Korean War. part in the talks. ing Akila Dananjaya, Gabriel also bowlers continued to create enjoyed an excellent series so is found guilty of ball tampering. increase to the penalty for ball “We shared the view that reached the landmark of 100 problems at the other end. far with the bat, will partner While he has challenged the tampering to suspension for four sport initiated inter-Korean Test wickets. Lahiru Kumara, who has Brathwaite at the start of the charge, match referee Javagal Tests or eight One-Day Interna- rapprochement and coopera- Rajitha, the debutant fast- proved a handful for the West afternoon session as the Sri Srinath will be required to ad- tionals, that has yet to be ratifi ed tion,” Jeon Choong-ryul, sec- medium bowler who claimed Indies batsmen with his pace Lankans try to get the better of judicate in a hearing immedi- by the ICC. retary-general of the Korean three wickets in the fi rst innings, and relentless hostility, forced their opponents and the unpre- ately upon the conclusion of the Sport and Olympic Commit- rocked the West Indies with the Shai Hope to retire hurt on six dictable weather to square the match to make a fi nal determi- BRIEF SCORES tee, who led the talks, told a wickets of Devon Smith and Ki- with a painful blow on the hip. series ahead of the fi nal Test be- nation on the Sri Lankan’s skip- Sri Lanka 253 (D. Chandimal news conference. eran Powell within the space of Information from the dressing ginning in Barbados on Saturday. per’s fate. 119 n.o., K. Mendis 45; S. Gabriel The athletes from the two three deliveries. room suggests that he will be It will an historic occasion Evidence to be presented 5-59, K. Roach 4-49) and 342 sides will march together Smith chased a wide ball to able to bat if necessary. as the fi rst day/night Test to be against Chandimal will include (K. Mendis 87, N. Dickwella 62, under a unifi ed peninsula South Korea’s chief delegate be caught at by Dhananjaya de His replacement at the crease, played in the Caribbean and will video footage from the television R. Silva 48, D. Chandimal 39, S. fl ag and the country name Jeon Choong-ryul (left) with Silva at second slip while Pow- Roston Chase, looked set to ac- also be starting on the 90th an- broadcasters which appear to Gabriel 8-62) “Korea” during the opening his North Korean counterpart ell turned the second delivery he company Brathwaite off the niversary of the West Indies’ fi rst show him taking sweets from his West Indies 300 (D. Smith 61, and closing ceremony of the Won Kil U during their talks faced unerringly into the hands fi eld at the lunch interval but day of Test Cricket against Eng- pocket and placing them in his S. Dowrich 55, R. Chase 41; L. Asian Games, as they did in regarding unified teams for of Mahela Udawatte at forward was bowled by the persevering land at Lord’s in London on June mouth and subsequently apply- Kumara 4-86, K. Rajitha 3-49) the Winter Olympics in South the Asian Games at the south square-leg. Suranga Lakmal for 13 in the last 23, 1928. Yet it is quite possible ing saliva onto the ball in a man- and 55-3 (K. Brathwaite 32 n.o., Korea in February. side of the truce village of While Kraigg Brathwaite (32 over before the break. that Chandimal will only be a ner that the umpires determined K. Rajitha 2-15). The next Asian Games Panmunjom yesterday. (AFP)