14 Thursday, June 17, 2021 Sports France look the team to beat FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after first Euro 2020 games

goal decided the game in the France may have needed end,” he wrote on Instagram. an own goal to beat a “We threw everything into fitful Germany in their the game and put up a great fight. Of course we know that Euro opener but their we still have room for improve- organization showed why ment.” But giving your all is the they are world champions. least than can be expected of teams at the Euros. Guile and Vietnam sealed maiden progression to Round 3 of the Asian qualifiers. With every side having creativity are what will win the played once at the tourna- tournament and few teams have ment, Belgium are argua- shown enough of that, with eve- Vietnam make bly the only other side that ry side now having played once. France demonstrated spark could rival the French. on the break while their organi- zation and the incredible defen- history as last-12 DPA sive midfield abilities of N’Golo Berlin Kante offer a base that Germa- ny at times clearly lacked. finalised in Asia Germany’s Toni Kroos tried Coach Joachim Loew to put a very positive spin on must be pondering whether to Fifa.com their 1-0 defeat to France in switch Joshua Kimmich from Road to their European Championship right wingback to centre mid- The curtain finally came opener - but even many Ger- field against Portugal. Lose down on Asia’s second round Qatar 2022 many fans would struggle to and Germany could be out. of qualifying for the 2022 share his optimism. European champions Por- FIFA World Cup Qatar™ with ● Iran, UAE and China “We implemented much tugal won 3-0 against Hunga- the last 12 line-up complete af- stage late comebacks of what we set out to do,” the ry in the other Group F opener ter the closing matchday. told ZDF after the on Tuesday but it did not tell Eight teams shored up pas- ● Uzbekistan suffer Group F clash in Munich. “We the full story. sage on Tuesday – Saudi Ara- surprise exit didn’t have fewer chances than Hungary, backed by the only bia, United Arab Emirates, IR France.” capacity crowd allowed at the Iran, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, The World Cup France took the lead tournament, impressed in the China PR and Vietnam – to through Mats Hummels’ un- first half and Portugal’s goals join the already-qualified Ja- dream is alive fortunate own goal on 20 min- – including two from Cristiano pan, Australia, Syria and Korea for the following utes – after a wonderful pass Ronaldo to become the outright Republic in the third round. from - but also had top scorer in all Euro finals – These teams will be divided Asian nations two goals in the second half only came in the last 10 minutes. into two groups of six with the Group winners: Syria, chalked off for tight offsides, Italy were decent but num- draw taking place on 1 July. with Kylian Mbappe’s pace and ber one-ranked Belgium are The sides will battle against Japan, Australia, Korea trickery causing real problems. perhaps the only side to have each other across seven months Republic, Saudi Arabia, Adrien Rabiot also struck matched France’s swagger so from 2 September 2021 – 29 the post for France while Ger- far, the 3-0 demolition of Rus- March 2022 with the top two IR Iran, United Arab many’s best effort saw Serge sia in St. Petersburg coming in each group qualifying for Qa- Emirates Gnabry scuff the ball just over without Eden Hazard starting tar 2022, while the two third- the bar. and with fellow genius Kevin placed teams will advance to Best runners-up: German pundits mostly France’s forward (L) and forward Kylian Mbappe look on at the end of a training session at De Bruyne not there at all. the fourth round play-off. Oman, China PR, agreed that France had de- the FC Bayern Munich Campus in Munich, German, on Wednesday.(AFP) If the Belgium duo get fit Vietnam proved the big- served to win and had created and also begin to shine, Pogba gest surprise packages by seal- Lebanon, Iraq, Vietnam more. The fact they can clearly rest of the tournament. Germany were lacking in hurts us a lot and for me and Mbappe will have some ing maiden progression to the play better should frighten the Even Hummels knew some areas. “The defeat especially because my own serious rivals. third round. Heart-breaking near-miss Uzbekistan, conversely, It proved a painful night for Uz- were eliminated in unexpected bekistan, whose hopes of a first fashion after losing to Saudi FIFA World Cup were shattered Arabia on the final matchday. after losing to Saudi Arabia 3-0 Meanwhile, Iran, China and in the closing matchday. It is Pogba plays down ‘friend’ UAE all overcame erratic form the first time that the Central early in this campaign with a Asians have suffered an exit at strong finish to progress. this stage since joining AFC in 1994, having reached the final Breakthrough for Vietnam qualifying round in each of the Ruediger’s cheeky bite This campaign saw the emer- past six World Cups. gence of Vietnam, who made DPA history by sealing maiden pro- Return to the elite Munich gression into the third round. Both Oman and Lebanon sealed Having reached the last eight their return to the third round France midfielder Paul Pog- in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, after missing out on the decisive ba does not want Germany’s the team continued to make stage on the road to Russia 2018. Antonio Ruediger to be pun- progress on the continental Despite losing to group winners ished for playfully biting him stage under coach Park Hang- Qatar in the return match, the through his jersey during the seo. Entering the back-end of Omanis claimed three straight world champions’ 1-0 win in the campaign as group lead- wins to secure their place among their Euro opener on Tuesday. ers, the Vietnamese registered the five best second-place finish- The incident was not acted back-to-back victories against ers to progress. Lebanon, who on by the referee or video as- Indonesia and Malaysia and finishing second in their group, sistant. advanced as one of the best only saw their progression con- A twitter pic of Cristiiano Ronaldo “He is my friend,” Pog- second placed finishers, de- firmed after both Jordan and with his mother Dolores Aveiro. ba told reporters. “I am not spite narrowly losing to hosts Uzbekistan lost in the closing someone who goes shouting UAE 3-2 in the concluder. matchday. for a card. I think he bit me a Ronaldo’s little, it is a friendly thing, we know each other very well.” mother lights The incident between the Chelsea defender and Man- Man City handed candle for chester United happened towards the end of Portugal, plans the first half. Spurs trip in Premier to visit final The pair hugged at the end of the game. League opener DPA Uruguay’s Luis Suarez Budapest was banned for four months DPA ners Chelsea welcome current- for fully biting Italy’s Gior- London ly managerless Crystal Palace ’s moth- gio Chiellini at the 2014 Germany’s defender Antonio Ruediger (L) vies for the header with France’s forward to Stamford Bridge while Ever- er has lit a candle for the World Cup. during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday. (AFP) Premier League champions ton, another side looking for a Portugal squad at Funchal’s Manchester City will start the new head coach, host South- cathedral on her home island defence of their title away to ampton, with Leicester fac- on Madeira – and it seems to Tottenham after the fixtures ing Wolves at the King Power have worked with the team for the 2021-22 season were Stadium in an early battle for beating Hungary 3-0 in their Murray and Venus given Wimbledon wildcards unveiled. Midlands bragging rights. opening Euro game with her City are among the sides Watford, the third promot- son scoring twice. DPA years after winning her first heavily linked with Spurs strik- ed side, take on Aston Villa at Ronaldo became the top Berlin Wimbledon title. er Harry Kane, throwing up Vicarage Road, Brighton visit scorer at Euro finals as he took Wimbledon did not take the tantalizing possibility that Burnley and West Ham are his tally to 11 goals. Former world number ones place last year due to the coro- the England captain could line away to Newcastle in the other His mother Dolores Aveiro Andy Murray and Venus Wil- navirus pandemic, but will be up against the north London matchday-one fixtures. told Portuguese media before liams have been given Wim- the first major outdoor sports club on the opening weekend. The Premier League cam- the match: “What counts is bledon wildcards. in England to be staged with Pep Guardiola’s side won paign concludes on May 22 winning.” She is so confident Three-time grand slam full capacity crowds for the fi- the division by 12 points last with Manchester City, Liver- the squad will defend their champion Murray missed nals weekend of July 10-11. term ahead of rivals Manches- pool and Chelsea all finishing Euro title she is already eyeing the French Open to focus on The Championships will ter United, who open their on their own turf - against a visit to the final in London. the grass-court season, hav- start at SW19 on June 28 with campaign against old foes Villa, Wolves and Watford, re- “I will only go to watch the ing been troubled by a groin 50 per cent capacity across Leeds at Old Trafford. spectively - while Manchester final. The party is here on Ma- injury. Britain’s Andy Murray practices ahead of his first round match against the venue grounds, Cen- Elsewhere on the weekend United round off the term at deira.” The 34-year-old Brit, France’s Bruno Paire during the ATP Championships at Queen’s Club tre Court and No.1 Court. of August 14, new boys Brent- Crystal Palace. As for how long her ranked 124th in the world, was in London on Tuesday. (AFP) Smaller show courts will be ford begin life back in the top There are a number of ear- 36-year-old son can keep go- emotional after beating Be- allowed to open at 75 per cent flight for the first time in 75 ly meetings between the ‘big ing at the top level, she had noit Paire 6-3, 6-2 in his first 34-year-old double Wimbledon at the grass-court major, also capacity from day one. years with a London derby at six’, who were all involved in another frightening prediction ATP Tour singles match since champion will play in his home received a wild card after From the fourth round, the home to Arsenal, while Cham- the Super League fiasco, with for defenders when it comes to March on Tuesday. major at the All England Club. dropping out of the top 100 in aim is to increase allocations pionship winners Norwich the weekend of September 25 his retirement date. Murray’s career was in Williams, a winner of five the rankings. for Centre Court and No.1 entertain Liverpool on their seeing a repeat of the Cham- “It will be another three doubt after he underwent Wimbledon singles titles and The 40-year-old American Court, rising to 100 per cent return to the Premier League. pions League final when Man- years or so,” she said. hip resurfacing in 2019, but the a six-time doubles champion will be in the singles draw 21 for the finals. Champions League win- chester City travel to Chelsea.