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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 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 , 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: 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 ’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 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, ’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 , 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 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 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 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. Now we have to finish it off on Arena started five attacking players, with Pulisic ball in, completing a 112-yard US move. Pulisic tumbled alternative materials from alternate suppliers.” Tuesday in Trinidad.’ flanked by and , and over as the ball rolled in for his eighth goal in 19 inter- Only the Khalifa International Stadium, which will Playing his first international match since he turned Altidore and Wood up top. Panama coach Hernan Dario national appearances, his fourth in the hex. also host the world track championships in 2019, has 19 last month, Pulisic was moved to central midfield Gomez said the U.S. was “superior in total” and the “Jozy just laid it off to me and I was just gone, I been completed. Qatar is building another seven sta- score could have been 10-0 at halftime. guess,” Pulisic said. Pulisic created the second goal diums for use by 32 teams at the tournament in five from the left flank and sparked the attack from the years. “I’m very happy to say that our project scale is opening whistle with pace and ball control seldom seen “On a night where so much was on line, maybe when he played the ball between his feet and faked on time and there is no significant impact on our proj- from an American. “He was able to just disrupt them in everything, we played in a way from the get-go that Michael Murillo on the left flank. Pulisic broke free and ects,” Al Thawadi said. “As of today we haven’t seen a so many ways and you saw the difference he can make gave no doubt as to who was going to win the game,” fed Altidore, who split the center backs and redirected significant impact on the cost. There might have been in the middle of the park, being able to go each way US captain said. Pulisic fed an open the ball in from 5 yards for his first goal of the hexago- some minimal increase in terms of establishing alter- and just being so dynamic,” Altidore said. “I hate to Altidore for a good opportunity in the third minute, nal - the 11th of 14 US goals in the hex that Pulisic native supply chains but these have been absorbed kind of pour too much praise on him. I know he’s a Arriola shot wide in the fourth and Wood in the fifth. played a part in.—AP very, very quickly and been normalized as these sup- ply chains have been put in place.” Qatar is investing more than $150 billion on infra- Chris Durkin said after scoring the second goal in the ed volley from just past the penalty spot that deflected structure to handle the World Cup in the tiny desert Americans’ 3-0 victory Friday. “It presented a tough in off a defender after India failed to clear Blaine Ferri’s nation. Under pressure from activists, Qatar has been US beat host India game for us, because I could tell the Indian players were corner kick. compelled to raise living standards and worker rights obviously very confident.” Josh Sargent converted a Carleton, who made his debut for the large migrant workforce being relied on to con- penalty kick in the first half, and Chris Durkin and for Atlanta United in May, rounded Moirangthem to struct venues. Al Thawadi said organizers are “always 3-0 in Under-17 Andrew Carleton added goals in the second. “We didn’t score on a counter in the 84th after an Indian shot hit improving” worker welfare standards. Qatar has also play great, to be fair. I think we can play much better,” the crossbar and George Acosta collected the ball and staved off calls for the country to be stripped of the World Cup after facing nvestigations into the conduct World Cup opener US coach John Hackworth said. “Our execution wasn’t made a through pass. of its bid. FIFA ethics investigators found that the good in the final third.” Sargent, a forward from “It was a little bit frustrating. I felt like I almost had a NEW DELHI: When US players walked onto the field Qataris used a full range of lavishly funded state and O’Fallon, Missouri, who signed with Germany’s Werder couple earlier in the game.” Carleton said. “I feel like we sports agencies to deliver the victory in the 2010 vote. for their opener at the Under-17 World Cup against Bremen last month, was tripped in the penalty area and were persistent, like we fought through it.” The US out- But a World Cup bidding report, published for the first India in New Delhi, they were greeted by India Prime beat Dheeraj Moirangthem to the goalkeeper’s right shot India 19-8 and leads Group D on goal difference time in June, concluded there was no “evidence of any Minister Narendra Modi, dressed in white, in front of a with a penalty kick in the 30th minute. over Ghana, which opened with a 1-0 win over improper activity by the bid team.” —AP crowd of 46,312. “I think it was amazing. I know walking Durkin, who debuted for DC United in the 2016 US Colombia. The Americans play Ghana tomorrow in New out of the tunnel I had a smile on my face,” US defender Open Cup, doubled the lead in the 51st with a left-foot- Delhi and Colombia on Thursday at Navi Mumbai. —AP