SPORT Sunday 3 June 2018 PAGE | 26 PAGE | 27 Rossi back on Neymar set to return pole at Italian for Brazil against MotoGP Croatia

Al Kharaitiyat QFA delegation to attend sign Iraq defender Faez FIFA Congress in Moscow QNA DOHA: Al Kharaitiyat have signed Iraqi defender Ali Faez THE PENINSULA FIFA World Cup will then be “I have no doubt that if there is from Al Shorta on a one- decided by up to 207 football a confederation that has the season deal. DOHA: Qatar Football Association nations in a public vote on June capacity to properly rank all of its The 23-year-old put pen (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin 13. nations, that is CONMEBOL. As we to paper at the club’s head- Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani will Among other topics of dis- want to do ourselves justice, I want quarters in the presence of Al attend the 68th FIFA Congress to cussion will include the joint pro- to deliver a letter of application Kharaitiyat President Sheikh be held in Moscow. posal made by the South American signed by 10 countries of CON- Khalifa bin Thamer Al Thani. The QFA President will be Football Confederation (CON- MEBOL, so that the 2022 World Cup He had passed medical accompanied by Saud Al MEBOL) to carry out a feasibility can be contested by 48 teams.” tests at Aspetar Hospital and Mohannadi, the Vice President and study on the possible increase of CONMEBOL is backing a joint agreed the financial details a host of top officials, for the June the number of teams from 32 to 48 bid by Argentina, Paraguay and and contract duration with 13 meeting which will take place at in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. Uruguay to host the 2030 the club. the Expocentre in the Russian The member countries of CON- tournament. Faez, who previously capital. MEBOL include Argentina, Bolivia, Qatar, who will host the 2022 played in the Turkish league, FIFA President Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, FIFA World Cup, are getting ready will be registered on Al will head the Congress discussions. Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and to stage football’s showpiece event Kharaitiyat’s roll instead of A number of key decisions are set Venezuela. for 32 teams. Uzbek midfielder Sanzhar to made at the annual gathering of In April, CONMEBOL President A strong Qatari presence will Tursunov. The club will FIFA officials. Alejandro Dominguez presented a also be seen during the Congress heavily count on Faez to help The hosts of the 2026 FIFA formal letter was presented to FIFA and the 2018 FIFA World Cup that the team regain balance and World Cup will also be decided on President Infantino seeking an kicks off on June 14. improve on last season, June 13. Currently there is a com- increase in the number of teams for Hani Ballan, a member of the which saw the club end the bined North American bid com- the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Executive Committee of the QFA and season 11th and second from prising of the United States, Canada letter was signed by the region’s 10 Chairman of the QFA Referees Com- bottom. and Mexico. Morocco is the other member associations. mittee, Naji Al-Juwaini, executive Faez is the first signing bid country aiming to win the rights Dominguez, speaking at the director of the QFA Referees for Al Kharaitiyat who to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. confederation’s congress in Buenos Department, international referee The President of the Qatar Football Federation appointed Tunisian Nassif Al In a procedural step, the FIFA Aires, said in April: “You all know Abdulrahman Al Jassim and Assistant (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani Bayawi as their next coach. Council has to approve both can- that our qualifying system is the International referee Talib Al Marri (left) with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino at theFIFA The club also renewed the didates at a June 10 meeting in fairest, but it is also the most will also be in Russia to carry out headquarters in Zurich in this file photo. contract of Moroccan mid- Moscow. The hosts of the 2026 thankless. various World Cup-related roles. fielder Anouar Diba. Serena sets up Sharapova blockbuster as Nadal downs ‘familiar’ foe Gasquet AFP Serena Williams of the US in action during her third comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win over RESULTS round match against Germany’s Julia Goerges at Australia’s Sam Stosur. PARIS: Serena Williams set up a Roland Garros in Paris, France yesterday. Spanish third seed Muguruza, MEN mouth-watering French Open the 2016 winner in Paris and the THIRD ROUND showdown against bitter rival reigning Wimbledon champion, (ESP x1) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA Maria Sharapova yesterday as fired 15 winners past Stosur, the x27) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Rafael Nadal kept his bid for an 34-year-old 2010 runner-up and Maximilian Marterer (GER) bt Jurgen Zopp 11th title on track with a 16th former US Open champion. (EST) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 successive win over childhood pal The Spaniard goes on to face Richard Gasquet. Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine who (ARG x11) bt Borna Coric Three-time champion Wil- knocked out Slovakian 19th seed (CRO) 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 liams made a nonsense of her 451 Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-4. Kevin Anderson (RSA x6) bt Mischa Zverev world ranking to reach the last-16 Estonian 25th seed Anett Kon- (GER) 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) with a ruthless 6-3, 6-4 romp past taveit made the last 16 for the first Marin Cilic (CRO x3) bt Steve Johnson (USA) German 11th seed Julia Goerges. time by downing Czech eighth 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 Sharapova, the 2012 and 2014 seed Petra Kvitova who saw her (ITA x18) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR winner in Paris, was equally 13-match win streak end in a x16) 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 impressive, seeing off Czech sixth horror show of 57 unforced errors. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x5) bt Albert seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-1. Kontaveit next faces US Open Ramos (ESP x31) 7-5, 6-4, 6-1 Sharapova and Williams have champion Sloane Stephens, the David Goffin (BEL x8) bt Gael Monfils (FRA met 21 times, with the American American 10th seed, who saw off leading the head-to-head record Italy’s Camila Giorgi 4-6, 6-1, 8-6. x32) 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 19-2 after 18 consecutive wins. Argentinian fifth seed Juan Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt (FRA The Russian has not beaten Martin del Potro reached the x15) 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 her nemesis since 2004 -- before fourth round for the first time in even the birth of Twitter and six years by seeing off Albert WOMEN YouTube. match before serving a 15-month victory on Chatrier to reach his against the German who was Ramos-Vinolas 7-5, 6-4, 6-1 to set THIRD ROUND Williams, the champion in doping ban. 40th last-16 at a Slam. hobbled by a right knee injury. up a last-16 tie with either Simona Halep (ROU x1) bt Andrea Petkovic 2002, 2013 and 2015 and playing Five-time He also took his run of con- Former champion Garbine American John Isner or Pierre- (GER) 7-5, 6-0 her first Slam since giving birth to champion Sharapova hadn’t secutive completed sets at the Muguruza reached the last 16 for Hugues Herbert, the only Elise Mertens (BEL x16) bt Daria Gavrilova her daughter in September, last played on Court Philippe Chatrier French Open to 34, just seven shy the fifth successive year with a remaining Frenchman in the draw. (AUS x24) 6-3, 6-1 played a major at the Australian since a quarter-final exit in 2015. of the record held by Bjorn Borg Angelique Kerber (GER x12) bt Kiki Bertens Open in 2017 while two months However, she made up for lost between 1979 and 1981. (NED x18) 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) pregnant. time by firing 18 winners past an Nadal, who lost only two Rafael Nadal keeps his Playing again in her striking under-cooked Pliskova in just points in the first five games, will Caroline Garcia (FRA x7) bt Irina Begu (ROU) all-black catsuit, the 36-year-old under an hour. next play Germany’s world bid for an 11th title 6-1, 6-3 fired 20 winners past Goerges Meanwhile, Nadal, who turns number 70 Maximilian on track with a 16th Garbine Muguruza (ESP x3) bt Sam Stosur while committing just 12 unforced 32 on Sunday, continued his bid Marterer. successive win over (AUS) 6-0, 6-2 errors, three of which were in the for an 11th French Open title and Nadal played down thoughts childhood pal Richard Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) bt Magdalena Rybarikova first set. 17th major by brushing aside that he is unbeatable on clay -- Gasquet. (SVK x19) 6-2, 6-4 “I think there is a lot of things Gasquet to claim a 16th consec- Austrian is the Serena Williams (USA) bt Julia Görges (GER in her game that she’s done much utive win over his childhood only player to win against him on x11) 6-3, 6-4 better than I have... Numbers don’t friend. the surface this year in Madrid. Three-time champion Maria Sharapova (RUS x28) bt Karolina Pliskova lie,” admitted Sharapova of facing The world number one’s Women’s top seed Simona Serena Williams (CZE x6) 6-2, 6-1 her fellow former world number record at Roland Garros now Halep, twice a runner-up, was beat 11th seed Julia Anett Kontaveit (EST x25) bt Petra Kvitova one. stands at 82 wins and just two shunted out to Court 18 for her Their most recent clash was losses. third round clash against experi- Goerges 6-3, 6-4. (CZE x8) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) at the 2016 -- it The 16-time Grand Slam enced Andrea Petkovic. Sloane Stephens (USA x10) bt Camila Giorgi was also to be Sharapova’s last champion eased to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 But she prevailed 7-5, 6-0 (ITA) 4-6, 6-1, 8-6 26 SPORT SUNDAY 3 JUNE 2018 Vaughan steps up England build 128-run lead to attack on Broad keep Pakistan under pressure

REUTERS REUTERS Asad Shafiq takes Dom Bess’ LEEDS: Former England LEEDS: Every England batsmen catch as captain Sarfraz Ahmed captain Michael Vaughan contributed but not one reached looks during second day at (pictured below) stepped up a half-century as Joe Root’s side Emerald Headingley Stadium, his spat with paceman Stuart ratcheted up the pressure on Leeds, yesterday. Broad yesterday as rain Pakistan in the second Test to prevented any play on the lead by 128 at the end of a rain- second morning of the second affected second day at Head- Test against Pakistan at ingley yesterday. Headingley. By the late close, England Vaughan, who played 82 had reached 302 for seven with times for his country, is now Jos Buttler (34) and Sam Curran an outspoken media pundit (16) still at the crease. and angered Broad after Eng- After the morning session SCOREBOARD land’s first- Test rout at Lord’s was lost to the weather, England Pakistan (I innings) ...... 174 by suggesting they should mixed watchful defence with England (I innings) A Cook c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali ...... 46 consider dropping the occasional attack to increase K Jennings c S Ahmed b Faheem Ashraf .....29 31-year-old bowler for his their stranglehold on the game J Root c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 45 lacklustre performance. and further their chances of lev- D Bess c Asad Shafiq b Shadab Khan ...... 49 The loss was the first time elling the two-Test series. D Malan c Haris Sohail b Mohammad Amir .28 England had been beaten in Their batsmen looked much J Bairstow c Sarfraz Ahmed b F Ashraf ...... 21 the opening Test of a home more impressive in Leeds, J Buttler (batting) ...... 34 summer since 1995. building a strong platform from C Woakes c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohd Abbas .. 17 S Curran (batting) ...... 16 Broad, who has taken 414 which their bowlers can attack Extras (B8, LB9) ...... 17 Test wickets at an average of today. Total (7 wkts) ...... 302 29 since making his debut in Root (45), Dominic Bess (49), To bat: S Broad, J Anderson 2007, responded by saying Dawid Malan (28), Jonny Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-104, 3-138, 4-200, the criticism “lacked logic” Bairstow (21) and then Buttler 5-212, 6-260, 7-285 and claimed that Vaughan all kept the scoreboard ticking Bowling: Amir 21-4-64-2; Abbas 22-8-60-1; Has- had not “got much insight into over without anyone threat- an 19-4-68-1; Ashraf 17-4-43-2; Shadab 17-2-50-1 Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, the changing room”. ening three figures. Resuming Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed On the field Broad took on 106 for two when the rain (capt/wkt), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mo- three wickets on Friday as relented, England showed their hammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas England ran through Pakistan aggressive intentions by taking on the first day at 21 in the first three overs. Headingley. Root was first to go, edging Undeterred, Vaughan a ball aimed across him by continued his attack yes- Mohammad Amir after adding Pakistan will rue dropping terday, telling the BBC: “My 16 to his overnight score. him when still in single India’s Saha ruled out of lone concern is that he is speaking Malan also played himself figures -- Hasan Ali spilled a like that after one good day. in before departing to Amir’s sharp chance at midwicket -- “You have got to be first ball after tea while, at the and, try as they might, the Afghanistan Test, Karthik in careful when you choose a other end, 20-year-old night- tourists failed to coax him into time to come out and attack watchman Bess fell one run another indiscretion. REUTERS like Stuart did last night. short of his second successive When Chris Woakes (17) expected to be around five to six “England are still 68 runs Test half-century. was out, Buttler was joined weeks.” behind Pakistan. They haven’t With plenty of cloud by Curran, who had a mem- MUMBAI: India’s Wriddhiman India will also be without won this Test match yet. overhead and the floodlights on, orable final day as a teenager Saha (pictured) has been ruled regular captain Virat Kohli “The comments last night conditions were never easy and by becoming the 9th suc- out of this month’s one-off Test against Afghanistan. were geared as though even the dashing Bairstow and cessive batsman to reach against Afghanistan with a The batting mainstay opted England had won the game. Buttler failed to dominate. double figures. thumb injury that will need up to play for the English county He’s a senior member of the The Yorkshire keeper looked to six weeks to heal, the Board championship side Surrey in team and I don’t think it was at ease in his home surroundings of Control for Cricket in India June but was ruled out after the right time to plan that and struck successive boundaries (BCCI) said yesterday. injuring his neck while fielding attack.” in the 80th over before thin- The 33-year-old wicket- during the IPL. edging his next ball to the keeper. keeper injured his right thumb Saha has been India’s That left Buttler, back in the side England mixed while playing for Sunrisers regular gloveman since the after being recalled for the pre- Hyderabad against Kolkata retirement of former captain vious Test, to again prove there is watchful defence Knight Riders during the Indian Mahendra Singh Dhoni in more to his game than one-day with occasional Premier League on May 25. December 2014. belligerence. attack to increase Saha will be replaced by “He was under observation He has played 32 Tests and Just as at Lord’s in the first Dinesh Karthik for the match by the medical staff of the BCCI averages above 30 with the bat. Test, where he led the resistance their stranglehold starting June 14 in Bengaluru, and the management has India begin their tour of with a fine 67, Buttler looked on the game when Afghanistan will make decided to give him adequate England in July with three perfectly at ease in the longer and further their their debut in the five-day rest before the start of the Twenty20 internationals and form of the game, taking full chances of levelling format after being granted full England Test series,” the BCCI three one-day internationals advantage of the occasional member status along with said in a statement. before a five-Test series starting good fortune that came his way. the two-Test series Ireland last June. “Saha’s recovery period is in August. Rossi back on pole at Italian MotoGP AFP ITALIAN GRAND PRIX GRIDS LUCO DI MUGELLO, ITALY: First row Motorcycling star Valentino Rossi 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1:46.208, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ snatched his first pole position Ducati) at 0.035sec, 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 0.096 in over a year-and-a-half with a blistering pace giving him more Second row records at his home track ahead 4. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Suzuki) 0.139, 5. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/ of the Italian MotoGP yesterday. Ducati Pramac) 0.237, 6. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) à 0.246 The Yamaha rider clocked a Third row new best time of 1min 46.208sec around the Mugello track to put 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.292, 8. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/ him ahead of two Spanish riders: Honda) 0.605, 9. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 0.622 Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo at MotoGP2 0.035sec, with Rossi’s Yamaha First row team-mate Maverick Vinales, 1. Mattia Pasini (ITA/Kalex) 1:51.575, 2. Marcel Schrötter (GER/Kalex) who was 0:096 off the pace, MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi takes a bend during the qualifying completing the front row for at 0.030sec, 3. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 0.067 session at the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello track, yesterday. today’s race. Second row It will be the 55th pole 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Kalex) 0.346, 5. Simone Corsi (ITA/Kalex) position in MotoGP – 65 in all new lap record which had been fast and steady.I want to give my Italian Ducati rider Andrea classes – for the former seven- 0.384, 6. Romano Fenati (ITA/Kalex) 0.398 achieved earlier in the day by best to win at least one race, if Dovizioso, winner last year in time world MotoGP champion Third row Spanish world champion Marc not more with them (Ducati), but Mugello, starts from the third and first since the Japanese 7. Luca Marini (ITA/Kalex) 0.404, 8. Lorenzo Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) Marquez of Honda. this race will not change my row in seventh.

Grand Prix in October 2016. 0.508, 9. Joan Mir (ESP/Kalex) 0.525 Championship leader future in Ducati.” Vinales speed In the 250cc category, Italy’s Rossi also becomes the first Marquez will start in the second up to the front row after coming Mattia Pasini starts on pole ahead rider to start from pole position row from sixth on the grid with through the first qualifying of Kalex team-mates Marcel seven times at Mugello. Italy’s Andrea Iannone (Suzuki) round. Schroetter of Germany and “I’m very happy, it’s a sur- 2008, and has started on the the time of 1’46.2 I thought ‘It alongside Danilo Petrucci “In the morning I had tried a Spain’s Alex Marquez. prise,” said the 39-year-old. front row 12 times. could be...’ It was very (Ducati) in fourth and fifth more aggressive bike and instead After 125cc qualifying “Starting on pole here at “In the last free practice emotional. position. I lost speed. For the qualifying session, three Honda riders start Mugello is always special, beau- session we tried harder tyres but “Tomorrow will be a bit “I’m very happy, finally a we fixed things and it went well,” on the front row with Spaniard tiful,” continued Rossi, who won I was in trouble, with the harder, but for now I want to little bit of satisfaction,” said said the Spaniard. Jorge Martin on pole ahead of the Italian MotoGP race seven medium tyres it was better, the enjoy the moment.” Lorenzo. “We can do better and I’m Japanese pair Tatsuki Suzuki and years in a row between 2002 and bike was good and when I saw Rossi shaved 0.231 off the “I have a good feeling, I am sure we can have a good race.” Ayumu Sasaki. SUNDAY 3 JUNE 2018 SPORT 27 FIFA report favours North America’s 2026 World Cup bid over Morocco REUTERS tournament will be chosen at US, Canada and Mexico bid scores 4 out of 5 “The Morocco 2026 bid is Cup bidding that voters over- the FIFA Congress on June 13, Morocco bid awarded 2.7 in 220-page FIFA report well presented and strong in looked the technical qualities of ZURICH: The three-nation where each of the 211 member terms of government com- respective bids and based their United States-led bid to host the associations hold one vote, pro- Hosts set to be chosen at June 13 FIFA Congress mitment, but would need to choices on an exchange of 2026 World Cup outscored its vided the two bids are first newly build most of its tour- political and personal favours. rival Morocco as both passed an rubber-stamped by the policy- nament-related and wider infra- For the same reason, the vote inspection of their facilities and making FIFA Council. Morocco has proposed using from the US, Canada and Mexico structure,” it said. was extended to the FIFA Con- infrastructure, global soccer The report said that “both 14 stadiums in 12 cities, all plans to use 16 stadiums across “The United 2026 bid, on the gress instead of being restricted body FIFA said on Friday. bids have been deemed eligible within a 550 km radius of Casa- the same number of cities, to be other hand, has promising levels to the extinct executive com- The joint US, Canada and on the basis of having met, or blanca. Nine of those stadiums selected from 23 candidates, of infrastructure already in place mittee, the predecessor of the Mexico bid was given an overall exceeded, the minimum hosting would be built from scratch and and says it will help FIFA and fully-operational.” FIFA Council. score of four out of five by a requirements for the 2026 FIFA the other five would require achieve new records for Forecast revenues were Even so, there is still concern five-man FIFA task force which World Cup technical extensive refurbishment. attendance and revenue. $7.2bn for a tournament in that politics will play a significant evaluated the two bids while evaluation.” The North African nation It says that all of its planned Morocco and $14.3bn for a North role in the vote on June 13 espe- Morocco was awarded 2.7 in a The US hosted the finals in plans a total investment of stadiums already exist and have American tournament, which the cially after US President Donald 220-page report. A minimum 1994 and bid unsuccessfully for nearly $16bn, mostly on a capacity of at least 68,000. report said gave the latter a Trump made clear in a Tweet score of two was required to 2022 while Mexico staged the improvements to infrastructure FIFA’s report said the “strong advantage.” that he expected countries that stay in the contest. 1970 and 1986 tournaments. which the bid says the country amount of new infrastructure The report was more forth- receive American economic and The decision means that the Morocco has already made four needs anyway. required by Morocco “cannot be right than its predecessors after other forms of support to deliver hosts for the 48-team failed bids to host the World Cup. The so-called United bid overstated.” criticism during previous World votes for his nation’s bid.

Rookies Sterling sorry remain as Neymar set to return for for late Shin trims arrival at Korea’s squad Brazil against Croatia England camp REUTERS AFP AP World Cup, getting his place tough opponent, and SEOUL: South Korea coach back in the starting lineup coaching assistant Cleber LONDON: Gareth Southgate Shin Tae-yong has handed LIVERPOOL: Neymar is set alongside Miranda, leaving Xavier said it was a test has revealed Raheem Sterling former Barcelona youth to play for Brazil today for his Paris Saint-Germain similar to the one Brazil will has apologised to his England player Lee Seung-woo a the first time since being teammate Marquinhos out. face against Serbia. team-mates after reporting ticket to the World Cup finals injured in February. “It was very difficult to “Croatia has many late for their World Cup after naming him in his final But the striker will only choose,” Tite said. “When players in Italy, Spain. Their training camp. 23-man squad for Russia. come on in the second half Marquinhos got injured a midfielders are great and Sterling had been due to Lee only won his first of the friendly game against few months ago, Thiago they play with two lines of arrive at St George’s Park last full cap on Monday in Croatia in Liverpool, Brazil stepped in and did great. four players. Luka Modric Tuesday, a day later than the Korea’s 2-0 win over Hon- coach Tite said at a news Sometimes it pains my here is different from the bulk of the squad due to a per- duras but survived the cut conference yesterday. heart and I have to decide. one of Real Madrid. It will sonal commitment which along with fellow rookies Neymar has been side- It would be fair to have any be a great test,” Xavier said. delayed his post-season Moon Seon-min and Oh lined for more than three of those three in the team.” Modric said Brazil was holiday in Jamaica. Ban-suk, who were surprise months due to surgery on Still, Tite said he could better than the team which But his return flight inclusions in Shin’s initial his right foot. change his mind before the opened the 2014 World stopped in Miami rather than 28-man squad announced “He will be on the World Cup begins. Brazil’s Cup against Croatia in Sao continuing direct to England, last month. bench because he is in the opener is on June 17 against Paulo. Brazil won that game meaning the Manchester City Lee, 20, has been viewed process of recovery and will Switzerland. Costa Rica and 3-1 with two goals from winger did not arrive until the as Korea’s most promising play in the second half Serbia are also in Group E. Neymar. following morning. player for years, having come because this is a match to Brazil’s coach denied “But we have improved Sterling phoned ahead to through Barcelona’s famed La prepare the whole team,” that the midfield formation too, so this will be a good warn of the delay, but England Masia academy and while he Tite said. with Casemiro, Fernandinho game,” Modric said. boss Southgate took him aside signed for Italy’s Hellas “I don’t know who will and Paulinho would be too matches,” said captain to discuss the matter further Verona last August, Barca leave. He has to have a cautious. Thiago Silva this week. when he belatedly checked in reportedly have a buy-back leading role, but the others Midfielder Renato “By the time of the at the national football centre. option. have to have leading roles Augusto, who plays more World Cup you will see Southgate has made it Tottenham Hotspur as well.” as a pacemaker, was injured great football.” clear he demands the highest forward Son Heung-min and Brazil’s team was earlier in the week during professional standards and the captain Ki Sung-yueng, who unveiled as Alisson; Danilo, training and replaced by 23-year-old got the message left Swansea City after they Thiago Silva, Miranda and Manchester City’s that he had to take his England were relegated from the Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho Fernandinho. commitments seriously. English Premier League last and Fernandinho; Philippe Five-time World Cup A chastened Sterling asked month, headline the Korean Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus and champion Brazil will not Southgate if he could say sorry squad while Crystal Palace Willian. have a single captain for to the squad for his lateness. attacker Lee Chung-yong was Asked whether that the tournament and “He was given off until the among those to have been would be his starting lineup 21-year-old striker Gabriel Tuesday night and he arrived cut. if the World Cup began Jesus will lead the team on on the Wednesday morning, The Koreans suffered a now, Tite said “Yes” three Sunday. so he was late,” Southgate 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and times. “We will keep sharing said. Herzegovina on Friday in “At this moment they (the captaincy) in the World “There was a mix-up on their final World Cup are the best and we have Cup. But with athletes that flights and a connection. In warm-up before they head to to work with the current are more experienced, fairness to him he wanted to Europe to begin their prepa- moment,” Tite said. they will be used more,” apologise to the group, rations for Russia, where they That would mean Tite said. explained his commitment to defender Thiago Silva, Bra- Croatia was deliber- will meet Germany, Mexico Brazil’s Neymar in action during a training session at the team, and it’s done. zil’s captain at the 2014 ately picked by Brazil as a and Sweden in the group Anfield in Liverpool, Britain yesterday. “That was accepted and stage. everybody has moved on.” Clinical France beat Italy England down Nigeria at Wembley 3-1 in warm-up fixture REUTERS REUTERS shot was parried by Salvatore Sirigu into LONDON: England beat Nigeria 2-1 in the path of Umtiti, who poked the ball a friendly on Saturday that provided NICE: France showed the full range of home from close range. some clues as to how coach Gareth their attacking weapons as they N’Golo Kante came close to doubling Southgate will line up his still experi- continued their preparations for the the tally after 20 minutes but his mental side when the World Cup gets World Cup in convincing fashion with a 20-metre shot hit the post. underway in two weeks’ time. 3-1 win over Italy in a friendly on Friday. Les Bleus earned a penalty for a First-half goals from Gary Cahill Roberto Mancini’s second game in Rolando Mandragora foul on Lucas and captain Harry Kane helped charge of Italy, who did not qualify for Hernandez, which Griezmann coolly England to victory at Wembley Stadium the World Cup, provided a decent chal- converted in the 29th. in their penultimate warm-up match lenge with Mario Balotelli looking dan- Deschamps’s side let their guard before taking on Tunisia, Panama and gerous on his club turf at Nice. down when keeper Hugo Lloris failed to Belgium in Group G in Russia. England’s Gary Les Bleus, who take on Australia, Peru deal with Balotelli’s free kick and The Africans, who also head to Cahill (second and Denmark in Group C in Russia this defender Leonardo Bonucci followed up Russia later this month, pulled a goal right) scores their month, prevailed thanks to goals by to fire home in the 36th. back shortly after the break through first goal yesterday. Samuel Umtiti, Antoine Griezmann and France responded and after a Alex Iwobi but only fleetingly Ousmane Dembele. lightning quick counter-attack, Dembele threatened the hosts for much of the Four days after beating Ireland 2-0 hit the bar with a fine shot. It was just a game. Champions League final a week earlier, the penalty area and Nigeria goal- in Paris, France faced tougher opposition rehearsal for a similar move after the Southgate has yet to settle on his Eric Dier looked confident as the keeper Francis Uzoho allowed it to but their firepower made the difference break, when the Barcelona striker this preferred starting team and fielded holding player in midfield. squeeze past him. even if coach Didier Deschamps made time curled another beautiful shot into Jesse Lingard alongside fellow attacking Southgate will take comfort from The Super Eagles will need to seven changes to the team. the top corner. midfielder Dele Alli on Saturday, pro- the performance of Cahill whose pow- improve when they take on Croatia, Paul Pogba started in midfield but Salvatore Sirigu spared Italy more viding England with pace and creativity erful headed goal from a corner after Iceland and Argentina in Group D in produced a below-par performance, pain when he tipped away substitute that led to a string of first-half chances. seven minutes will strengthen his Russia. meaning the inconsistent Manchester Florian Thauvin’s volley five minutes Wing backs Kieran Trippier and claim for a place in the heart of England are due to finish their United player could lose a starting spot from time. Ashley Young added to England’s defence. preparations for the World Cup with a to Corentin Tolisso. France will finish their preparations attacking power. The Three Lions took control of friendly against Costa Rica in Leeds on France took the lead after eight for the World Cup with a friendly against With Jordan Henderson rested after the game in the 39th minute when June 7. Nigeria play the Czech Republic minutes when Kylian Mbappe’s fierce the United States in Lyon on June 9. his appearance for Liverpool in the Kane drilled a shot from the edge of in a friendly on June 6. SUNDAY 3 JUNE 2018 SPORT 25

I did not putt well today. It 6.00PM 12.00PM could have been easily a nice Tiger Woods, after a FOOTBALL TODAY’S little 62 or 63. I turned it into strong start at rain-hit Brazil vs ACTION French Open: Men’s a 67. I was hoping the delay Memorial Tournament Croatia pre-quarter-finals wouldn’t be that long. Qatar’s Abdulla finishes third at Kazakhstan Rally

THE PENINSULA way to crucial championship 26 points. “I say thank you to points. my co-driver Nasser. The nav- AKTAU CITY KAZAKHSTAN: They managed to reduced igation was very difficult and Qatar’s Adel Abdulla closed the Al-Shegawi’s lead from 56 to an the terrain was not easy. He had gap on FIA T2 World Champi- unofficial 26 points on an event to concentrate at high speed. It onship leader Ahmed where victory fell to Russia’s was a good experience with a Al-Shegawi by finishing in a Konstantin Ivanov after early new car for me. It is the second hard–earned third overall in the leader Kirill Chernenkov of time I drive this car. Now we category for series production Kazakhstan sustained time pen- have six more rounds in the cross-country vehicles at Rally alties after mechanical issues. championship. Kazakhstan yesterday. Adel said: “Thankfully we Adel Abdulla’s campaign to The fifth round of the FIA finished the race in third win back the FIA T2 Champi- World Cup for Cross-Country position and we won three onship is running with valuable Rallies was fought out over six stages out of the six. Today we support from the Qatar Motor days and around 1,900 compet- didn’t push. We drove normally and Motorcycle Federation itive kilometres in the western to reach the finish. There was (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar. Kazakh deserts. no need to push anymore. After “I also thank the Qatar Adel and fellow Qatari all the problems we had in the Motor and Motorcycle Feder- navigator Nasser Al Kuwari second day with the accident ation and Ooredoo for their rented a Toyota Land Cruiser with the front screen, we are support.” Action in the FIA and overcame early delays to happy to get the 30 points. This World Cup for Cross-Country set three fastest stage times is very important for the cham- Rallies resumes with the Italian from the six specials on the pionship. The gap is now only Baja next month.

RALLY KAZAKHSTAN 2018 Rally Kazakhstan – T2 positions after SS6 (provisional): 1. Konstantin Ivanov (RUS)/Alexandr Gorkov (RUS) Toyota Land Cruiser 28hrs 37min 08sec 2. Marat Abykayev (KAZ)/Nursultan Abykayev (KAZ) Toyota Land Cruiser 29hrs 12min 20sec 3. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) Toyota Land Cruiser 32hrs 21min 50sec

4. Kirill Chernenkov (KAZ)/Alekey Mun (KAZ) Nissan Patrol 136hrs 44min 09sec FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – T2 standings after round 5 (unofficial): Qatar’s Adel 1. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU) 125pts Abdulla (right) and 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 99pts Nasser Al Kuwari 3. Konstantin Ivanov (RUS) 50pts celebrate their 4. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS) 42pts third place finish. 5. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 36pts Woods shoots 67 as two Smith heads leaderboard share lead at Memorial AFP uses the numerical designator “6” with her name to distin- AFP Tiger Woods of the United States hits his third shot on MIAMI: Australian Sarah Jane guish her from five other the first hole during the third round of The Memorial Smith fired a second-round Korean pros with the same DUBLIN, UNITED STATES: Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on Friday. 67 to grab a four-shot club- name. Tiger Woods ignited the crowd house lead as dangerous Ariya had birdied her first with a sensational hole out for weather halted play at the US hole and was six-under for the eagle, but a storm delay Women’s Open in Alabama tournament through eight holes dampened his charge at the on Friday. when the horn sounded to end Memorial where he was six shots Smith carded her second play for the day. behind halfway leaders Joaquin straight five-under round for a Lee, meanwhile, slipped Niemann and Kyle Stanley. 10-under total of 134 at Shoal down the leaderboard with a Woods, a three-time Creek, where thunderstorms second-round 75 that left her champion at Muirfield Village, led to extensive delays on a eight adrift. bounced back after three- course that had been soaked Smith, 33, is hoping for a putting his opening hole. He earlier in the week. breakthrough victory despite birdied four holes from the third Seventy-eight players were lacklustre results so far in a through the ninth to make the unable to complete the second season in which her best finish turn at three-under for the round. was a tie for 26th at the Kia tournament. Smith’s fellow Australian Su Classic. With 97 yards to the flagstick Oh made it into the clubhouse “I was definitely nervous, at the par-five 11th, Woods on six-under 138 after a but not like I’ve been in the landed his wedge shot some six second-round 68. past,” Smith said of heading feet behind the flag, fans roaring Oh said her effort included out early with a share of the their delight when his ball spun flagstick at the par-three 12th, also dropped a shot after missing worried about how his surgi- “nothing outstanding” although lead. back into the hole for an eagle. but moments later play was sus- the green at the 17th and signed cally repaired back would she putted well and dealt “I was actually kind of “I had 97 yards and normally pended due to the threat of for a five-under 67. respond. calmly with the challenges of happy with how I handled it a it is a 60-degree sand-wedge for thunderstorms.The former “I did not putt well today. It “I was hoping the delay the soggy course. bit more today.” me but it was perfect with the world number one resumed play could have been easily a nice wouldn’t be that long,” he said. “It’s weird, because it’s Smith teed off on 10 and slope there behind the flag so I staring at a six-foot birdie putt little 62 or 63,” said Woods who “I really didn’t sit down as I playing longer because it’s so promptly birdied 11, 12 and 13. took off about 15-yards on a 56 and with an expectant crowd finished the day with a five- was walking back and forth to soft, but it’s hot so the irons are She nabbed two more birdies and I hit a little dead one in awaiting his move to six-under under total of 139. keep it loose and keep myself going really far,” said Oh, who before the turn and another at there,” Woods said. “It just he failed to hit the hole and “I turned it into a 67.” After warm because these are the said she was also constantly on the par-five third before her worked out perfectly.” walked off with a par. the miss on 12, Woods said, “I things I don’t know yet.” the lookout for mud that might only bogey of the day, a three- The noise was so loud that It was the first of three birdie missed everything”. There were no such worries affect the flight of her ball. putt at eight. many of Woods fellow compet- putts Woods faced over his Woods admitted that the for 19-year-old Chilean Smith had shared the “I just felt really easy,” said itors, including World No. 1 Justin closing seven holes. He rolled in first weather delay he’s faced Niemann, who closed with a overnight lead with Thailand’s Smith, who is seeking a first Thomas, simply stopped play. just one -- a 12-footer for birdie in his comeback from injury birdie in a 68 to join Stanley on Ariya Jutanugarn and South win since joining the tour in A surging Woods then hit the at the par-five 14th -- and he this season had him a little 11-under par 133. Korea’s Lee Jeong-eun -- who 2006