Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, October 8, 2017 Spain makes it to World Cup, Serbia unable to clinch a spot Serbs can still secure first place with a home win against Georgia BARCELONA: Spain secured its 11th straight World Cup alive after defeating Moldova 2-0 in Dublin. Wales and appearance aided by Italy’s home draw against Macedonia Ireland meet tomorrow to decide their fate. on Friday, while Serbia blew a chance to make it to next year’s finals in Russia after a loss at Austria. Spain com- GROUP G fortably defeated Albania 3-0 in a match in which defender Spain defeated Albania with first-half goals by Rodrigo, Gerard Pique, an outspoken defender of Catalonia who Isco, and Thiago Alcantara in a match marked by mixed had been harassed by Spanish fans during the week, reaction toward Pique, who was booed and applauded by received a mixed reaction from the home supporters. different parts of the crowd of nearly 30,000 fans in “Despite everything that happened this week we were Alicante. able to play a great match,” Isco said. “We have to be Many fans have targeted Pique for being openly critical proud of having already qualified for the World Cup with of the Spanish government’s handling of the independence one game yet to be referendum organized by played.” Italy practically Catalonia on Sunday, secured a playoff spot but when authorities and vot- it was jeered by fans after ers confronted each other drawing with Macedonia in violent clashes. 1-1 in Turin. Even a victory Iceland tops Italy’s chance of win- would have kept the ning the group ended with Italians in a difficult posi- group after its a surprise draw in Turin. tion to surpass Spain for Defender Giorgio Chiellini first place in Group G win at Turkey put the Italians ahead because of its worse goal shortly before halftime but difference. Macedonia substitute Serbia needed a win Aleksandar Trajkovski against Austria to clinch equalized near the end. its spot from Group D but “The jeers at the end were it lost 3-2 in Vienna, while Wales kept its chance alive by deserved looking at how we played after the break,” Italy beating Georgia 1-0 despite Gareth Bale’s absence. coach Gian Piero Ventura said. Iceland stayed on the path to becoming the smallest nation Liechtenstein fell at home to Israel 1-0 for its ninth to qualify for the World Cup after beating Turkey 3-0 in straight loss. Liechtenstein has been outscored 35 to one. Group I. The group winners automatically qualify, while the best GROUP I eight second-place finishers from the nine groups advance Iceland was at the top of the group after its stunning 3- to the playoffs. Here’s a look at the action: 0 win at Turkey. With Finland surprisingly holding Croatia to 1-1 away, and Ukraine taking three points from Kosovo GROUP D after a 2-0 away win, the tightest group in European qual- Serbia conceded an 89th-minute goal in its loss to ifying will have to be decided tomorrow in the last round already-eliminated Austria, while Wales won at Georgia of matches. without injured star Gareth Bale thanks to a goal by Tom Iceland leads with 19 points, and Croatia and Ukraine Lawrence just after halftime. are two points behind. Turkey is out of contention with 14 The Serbs can still secure first place with a home win as well as Finland with 8. Iceland is a clear favorite when it DUBLIN: Ireland’s Harry Arter, right, and Moldova’s Petru Racu battle for the ball during the against Georgia tomorrow. But Wales was only a point hosts last-placed Kosovo in its last qualifier, while Croatia 2018 World Cup qualifying, group D match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Friday. — AP behind Serbia, and Ireland was another point back and still has to travel to Ukraine. — AP US back on track for Qatar World World Cup, Pulisic Cup head says leads rout of Panama blockade poses ORLANDO: Christian Pulisic burst up the field, scoring with a brilliant touch to complete an 11-second, break- ‘no risk’ to event neck, field-length attack just eight minutes in. Then his cross found Jozy Altidore’s right foot like an arrow LONDON: The regional blockade on Qatar poses “no striking a bull’s-eye, leading to a two-goal lead in the risk” to the 2022 World Cup going ahead, the tourna- 19th minute. Exhale, US fans. ment head said on Friday, maintaining that logistical Altidore converted a penalty kick with a chip in the obstacles are being overcome and building work is 43rd after Bobby Wood was fouled, Wood added a goal continuing with only “minimal” cost increases. in the 63rd and the United States routed Panama 4-0 The energy-rich nation’s land border and its air and on Friday night to put the Americans back on track to sea routes have been closed off for four months since reach next year’s World Cup. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab “We needed a win, but the job’s not done,” Pulisic Emirates launched an economic boycott. It has forced said. The US ended a three-match winless streak in World Cup organizers to find alternative sources for qualifying and with 12 points moved two ahead of materials to complete the venues being used by the Panama into third place - the last automatic berth - in region’s first major soccer tournament. the North and Central American and Caribbean region. “We have come under criticism and attack over the Honduras has nine points going into its match Saturday years, but we have always faced our critics,” Qatar at Costa Rica, which is second with 15. World Cup supreme committee secretary general Goal difference means the Americans put themselves Hassan Al Thawadi told The Associated Press. “Our in great shape to reach an eighth straight World Cup, projects are going ahead as scheduled. This (block- ORLANDO: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States attempts a shot on goal during the almost certainly with a win Tuesday in their finale at ade) is no risk in relation to the hosting of the World final round qualifying match against Panama for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Orlando City Cup.” The diplomatic crisis that has torn apart the Gulf already eliminated Trinidad and Tobago and likely with Stadium on Friday in Orlando, Florida. — AFP Cooperation Council stems from allegations Qatar a draw against the Soca Warriors if Honduras fails to supports for extremist groups in the region, charges win Saturday at Costa Rica. The U.S. is plus-five to denied by Doha. minus-two for Panama and minus-seven for Honduras. young kid. He’s got a lot of work to do. But you can’t After Gabriel Gomez broke free from Omar When Qatar’s sole land border with Saudi Arabia “We’re well positioned to hopefully qualify for help not see the difference he makes when he’s on the Gonzalez and shot wide from 19 yards, Tim Howard’s was closed and sea traffic cut off, World Cup organiz- Russia. The game in Trinidad is not going to be an easy field, especially when he’s in the middle of everything.” goal kick was headed forward by Wood about 10 yards ers were forced to instigate their “Plan B,” including one,” said coach Bruce Arena, who led the US at the Tension had built after last month’s 2-0 loss to Costa past midfield. Altidore one-timed the ball square to a brining in supplies from Turkey. The Qataris express 2002 and 2006 World Cups, then returned after the Rica in New Jersey and a 1-1 tie at Honduras. The sprinting Pulisic, and the midfielder reached back with confidence FIFA is not exploring a “Plan B” of its own Americans opened the hexagonal last fall with two Americans had dropped to fourth, which earns a playoff his left leg to flick the ball ahead. Pulisic jumped to for an alternate 2022 host. losses under Jurgen Klinsmann. next month against Australia or Syria, and were in dan- avoid defender Roman Torres’ challenge and used the “Every project has contingency plans and we have “This team went from 0-2 in November with a ger of finishing fifth and missing the World Cup for the outside of his right foot to play the ball forward. had contingency plans in place from the very start,” Al minus-five goal differential, we’re now at plus-what, first time since 1986. As goalkeeper Jaime Penedo came off his line, Pulisic Thawadi said in an interview during a visit to London five, right?” Arena said. “I know everyone thought we A loss would have meant the US could finish no bet- used the outside of his right foot again to tap the ball to attend a summit staged by the Doha-based sports were going to qualify in whatever, six games in 2017. It ter than fourth. “Of course there was pressure,” wide and jumped over Pinedo’s outstretched arm. At organization, Aspire Academy. “Once the blockade doesn’t happen that way. So I think we’re moving along defender Matt Besler said. “We all felt it and felt a big the edge of the 6-yard box and just 2 yards from the came into play we contacted the main contractors, we well. We’ve advanced from sixth to third position with responsibility for the team and for our country.” endline, Pulisic reached with his right foot to slot the put in place alternative supply chains, we sourced goal differential.