Djokovic downs Ronaldo scores Nishikori to reach Euro goal record ATP Tour Finals as Germany toils

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 17 18 Nigeria revive Cup bid as South Africa qualify Page 19

LONDON: Slovenia’s Alez Mertelj (lower center left) scores past England’s goalkeeper during their Euro 2016 Group E qualifying soccer match at . — AP Rooney dazzles on 100th cap

LONDON: marked his 100th cap haven’t faced that (going behind).” England debut at right-back and he helped cre- but it was the visitors who made the break- five goals of Charlton’s overall record of 49. with a valuable goal as England hit back to beat The win strengthened England’s position atop ate an early chance for with a through. then had to block from Kevin Slovenia 3-1 yesterday and preserve their perfect Group E ahead of the resumption of qualifying burst down the flank, only for the teenager to Andraz Kirm whipped a free-kick into the Kampl after Jagielka tied himself into a knot in a start in Euro 2016 qualifying. matches in March and means that ’s drag wide. England box from wide on the left and dangerous position, but in the 65th minute After a dire first half at a subdued Wembley side will travel to Glasgow for Tuesday’s friendly England monopolised possession, but their Henderson rose higher than everyone at the near England completed the turnaround. Stadium, Slovenia took a surprise 57th-minute against Scotland with their post-World Cup lack of invention made for a torpid first half on a post, only to head the ball past Joe Hart for an When ’s deflected cross was lead when England’s headed momentum intact. pitch that bore the scars from last weekend’s NFL own goal. blocked at the near post by Handanovic, the ball the ball into his own net. “It was not going to be easy. They were disci- match between the Dallas Cowboys and the Slovenia were threatening to spoil Rooney’s squirted up into the air and Welbeck threw him- But Rooney equalised almost immediately, plined and well organised,” said Hodgson. “When Jackonsville Jaguars. big day, but the 29-year-old elected to take mat- self in to send it trundling into the net. scoring his 44th international goal from the we went a goal down, it was very important to Having won their previous two group games ters into his own hands. Visiting captain Bostjan Seven minutes later the Arsenal striker com- penalty spot to move level with third-place break back and in the end it turned out to be a without conceding a goal, Slovenia were content Cesar was celebrating his own milestone-a pleted his brace, neatly exchanging passes with Jimmy Greaves in the all-time England scoring very good victory.” Rooney was accompanied by to sit deep and counter-attack, but they almost record-breaking 81st cap-but barely a minute Sterling before steering the ball past Handanovic chart, before Danny Welbeck’s brace secured vic- his young sons Kai and Klay as he led the teams went ahead when Milivoje Novakovic headed after Henderson’s goal, he clipped Rooney’s heels to score his fifth goal in four qualifying games. tory. onto the pitch and he was then presented with a narrowly wide at a corner. England forced as the England captain surged into the box. “In the end we can be sorry, because we “It was a good day in the end,” said Rooney. commemorative golden cap by England and Slovenia back at the start of the second half, Rooney blasted the ensuing penalty inside missed a nice opportunity,” said Slovenia coach “We had to show character and that will be good United great Bobby Charlton. Rooney heading wide and then teeing up Phil Handanovic’s right-hand post, equalling Greaves’s Srecko Katanec. “England had some problems for us in the team. Since the World Cup, we Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne made his Jagielka to work Samir Handanovic with a header, tally of 44 England goals and closing to within and we couldn’t take this opportunity.” — AFP

MOSCOW: Russia’s performs Italy target Croatia jinx during the short program at the Cup of Russia ISU Grand Prix event. — AP : Italy host Croatia at the San Siro today Dortmund are expected to spearhead Italy’s in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier with misfiring attack as the hosts bid to claim a first win over striker ’s place in the team Croatia in 72 years (although Croatia was part under threat. The four-time world champions of the former Yugoslavia from WWII until are in reconstruction mode after a second 1992). straight first-round exit from the World Cup Roma , who will where mercurial striker Balotelli failed to live pick up his 100th cap, should marshall the up to expectations. After a poor start to his midfield in the absence of Juventus stalwart Liverpool career, Balotelli was sidelined by and of Paris Saint new coach for their opening Germain. three Group H wins against Norway, For former Milan forward Zvonimir Boban, Azerbaijan and Malta. now a respected football pundit in Italy, their And without him Italy are currently run- absences could be telling. “Without Pirlo and ning second behind leaders Croatia on goal Verratti, Italy are a lot less fluid,” Boban told difference. To general surprise, Conte called Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday. Italy’s last vic- Balotelli into his squad for Croatia and a tory over Croatia came months before the friendly against Albania on Tuesday in Genoa. country entered World War II - when Vittorio Speculation from Italy’s Coverciano training Pozzo’s side ran out 4-0 winners at Genoa’s ground this week suggested it could be Luigi Ferraris stadium in April 1942. In their six Balotelli’s last chance to convince Conte that meetings since then, Croatia have won three he still has a future in blue. and drawn three against Italy. Although Balotelli is reported to be suffer- Boban, who also underlined the impor- ing from a minor hamstring injury and is not tance of Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, expected to start against Niko Kovac’s side, added: “It will be a tactical, difficult and physi- the Reds striker has been watched closely all cal game. It will probably end in a draw. We’ll week. “Today he’s here and he has to answer put Italy in difficulty.” Croatia have scored nine to me. I will judge him by what he does in the goals in three wins over Malta (2-0), Bulgaria next seven to nine days,” said Conte. (1-0) and Azerbaijan (6-0) and Modric is hop- Italy’s players, at least in public, have been ing Pirlo’s absence swings the game in their quick to rally to Balotelli’s cause. “Until now favour. “Pirlo usually plays a crucial role for Balotelli has been training well and that’s Italy so there’s no doubt they will miss him,” what counts,” said Juventus defender Giorgio said Modric, who was among 12 players rest- Fernandez and Hongo bag titles in Moscow Chiellini. “For you (media), what counts is how ed in midweek when Croatia faced Argentina MOSCOW: Spain’s European champion Javier second after the short programme, claimed her drop down to third. Local favorite Anna many times he sneezes, goes to the toilet, calls in London. Fernandez romped to the men’s title at the Cup of first senior title with a delightful free routine set to Pogorilaya, who took gold in her first assignment his mum or his girlfriend. “All we care about is “The battle in midfield could be decisive.” Russia yesterday thereby clinching a place in the “Carmen” by Georges Bizet. at Skate Canada but was third after the opening the squad, winning on Sunday and this is De Sciglio, however, believes Conte has ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final. “It’s amazing. I’m very happy to win,” said the day, improved her position with a solid perform- something you can’t do on your own, we have instilled Italy with enough tactical nous and The popular 23-year-old thrilled the local 18-year-old Hongo, who is in her maiden season ance of “The Firebird Ballet Suite” by Igor to do it together.” belief to end their winless run against the crowds with a series of quads in his free routine to on the senior circuit. “I’m trying hard to get closer Stravinski to finish as runner-up. Milan midfielder Mattia De Sciglio called Croats, whose biggest achievement interna- “The Barber of Seville” by Gioacchino Rossini. to skaters like ,” she added. Hongo The Russian also booked her place at the Grand on the media to “leave him alone” and added: tionally was their third place finish at the 1998 Fernandez racked up a total of 265.01 points, a scored a personal best free skate mark of 118.15 to Prix finals in Barcelona. “I was too nervous today,” “He’s always in the spotlight because of his World Cup. “We’ve worked hard on all our clear 13.01 ahead of Russia’s Sergei Voronov in sec- take her to a career best sum of 178pts and Pogorilaya said. “I was hoping to enjoy my skating unique character, but he’s a good guy and phases of play, and that has simplified ond, while the Czech Michal Brezina was third on leapfrog overnight leader Alaine Chartrand. in front of the home crowd but it didn’t work out easy to get along with. things,” he added. “We’re not afraid (of 241.23 points. The Canadian had led after the opening day, that way. It’s too hard to skate at home. I could “On the pitch he has what it takes to come Croatia). We have to be vigilant because they In the women’s section, Rika Hongo of Japan, but an error-strewn free programme saw her hardly keep myself under control.” — AFP back and prove people wrong.” Sassuolo’s have a lot of quality players, but we are bet- and of Borussia ter than they are.” — AFP