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Friday, June 22, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 8, 1439 AH Mbappe savours ‘dream come true’ GULF TIMES as France reach World Cup last 16 SPORT Page 2 CROATIA 3 ARGENTINA 0 Argentina, Messi on brink of exit after Croatia rout Argentina have just one point from two games, meaning they will probably have to beat Nigeria in their last game and hope other results go their way to avoid elimination

Croatia fans react in Zagreb after their national team beat Argentina 3-0 in the World Cup yesterday to power into the last 16.

AFP chip the ball just a few yards to Croatia’s Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia Rebic, following a Gabriel Mercado backpass. Rebic volleyed home with aplomb but vet- ionel Messi’s World Cup dream eran Caballero will have nightmares for was left hanging by a thread as the rest of his days at his mistake — likely Croatia powered into the last 16 to feature in any list of worst goalkeeping Lwith a 3-0 rout of Argentina here blunders for some time. yesterday And throughout it all Messi, arguably the Second-half goals from Ante Rebic, Luka world’s best player, remained a peripheral Modric and Ivan Rakitic sealed a deserved and largely ponderous figure, briefly victory as a poor Argentina were left on flashing to life on too few occasions. the brink of a humiliating first round exit. The 30-year-old’s dream of winning the The Group D defeat means Argentina World Cup now look remote. have just one point from two games, With all the pre-match attention on Messi meaning they will probably have to beat it was his Real Madrid counterpart Luka Nigeria in their last game and hope other Modric who provided the game’s true results go their way to avoid elimination. flashes of genius. The result left Argentinian fans in tears The Croatian was the one player to find inside the Nizhny Novgorod stadium, space and time in a bruising encounter while Diego Maradona watched from the and it was his moment of magic in the stands in stunned disbelief. second half which settled the encounter. Croatia took the lead after a horrendous Picking the ball up some 25 yards outside blunder by Argentine goalkeeper Willy the Argentina area, Modric had the option Caballero in the 53rd minute, the stopper of at least two passes but chose to bide chipping a clearance straight to Rebic his time before planting a fantastic shot who lashed home a thunderous volley. past a hapless Caballero. Real Madrid star Modric then produced Rakitic added a third when the game was an electrifying 80th-minute goal before up for Argentina. Messi’s Barcelona teammate Rakitic They had only threatened briefly before completed the scoring after Croatia sliced then to equalise with Meza and Messi apart Argentina’s hapless defence in in- almost scrambling in a goal in the 64th jury time. The defeat leaves the Argentin- minute. Beyond that Argentina looked ians facing an ignominious repeat of their largely clueless, and increasingly frus- 2002 campaign when they also went out trated by Croatia. Croatia’s Luka Modric at the group stage after being tipped as They could have taken the lead in the first celebrates scoring against possible World Cup winners. half but Enzo Perez missed pretty much Argentina yesterday. Inset: Messi All the attention after the 3-0 defeat will an open goal from just 12 yards in the shows his disappointment. focus on Argentina and Messi but it was 30th minute. also the result of a fine performance by It was to be Argentina’s only shot of the Croatia. half — and their best chance all evening. A curiously lifeless and uninspired Argen- Croatia went when Mario Mandzukic tine display was capped off by Caballero’s headed inexplicably wide in the 33rd mistake when he somehow managed to minute from just three yards.

Arab dismay — and jokes — aft er mass ouster

AFP Many fans took to social media to joke that they performance was a personal insult. they would flop on home soil, but some have teams than ever before. Nizhniy Novgorod now knew what FIFA stood for — “Football Is not “We’ve done everything we could for the predicted that Qatar will make history in 2022 Sides such as Saudi qualify for the World Cup via For Arabs”. national team players,” he thundered, before by becoming the first host team to lose their the Asian Football Confederation and Morocco, Others claimed that “Arab teams were years adding: “They’ve blackened my face.” opening game. Egypt and Tunisia via the Confederation of Afri- o-one expected Egypt, Morocco or behind Europe and Latin America”. Egypt’s tournament has been a fairytale turned Since controversially winning the right to host can Football — an Egyptian fan explained that in Saudi Arabia to win the World Cup Another drily noted: “Arab countries always horror story with the injury saga of their key the tournament, Qatar has said its World Cup football, they are “Arab first, Africans second”. but for all three to crash out on the diff er in everything but agree to leave the World player Mohamed Salah, whereas Morocco would be one for the whole region, a legacy now In eight years’ time, the AFC and the CAF will Nsame day was a disaster for Arab Cup together.” played well against Iran and Portugal but were under risk. The tournament could have a diff er- have 17 teams at the finals, instead of the nine football. Saudi Arabia were the most disappointed. They toothless in attack. ent flavour to any before with the vast majority at present. A similar poor performance in 2026 Between them they have so far mustered no were thumped 5-0 by Russia and then lost 1-0 to of the 1.5mn fans expected to attend coming as in Russia is sure to lead to other federations points, the tournament’s biggest thrashing and an unconvincing Uruguay. EXTRA SCRUTINY from the Middle East region, particularly the Gulf. questioning why these nations have so many just one goal — and that was a penalty. Saudi’s Argentinian coach Juan Antonio Pizzi Teams from the region were hardly alone in But an increasingly poisonous political dispute World Cup spots. The only Arab team now with any hope is was asked by journalists why the team had failed experiencing disappointment, but their failure between Qatar and its rivals, including Saudi and So despite the pride in Arab teams qualifying Tunisia, and they face the task of trying to beat a to make Saudi Arabian fans “proud” of their in Russia is especially relevant because the 2022 Egypt, threatens that. for Russia, for now there is disappointment and Belgium side who some tip to win the World Cup, team. World Cup will be held in the Middle East for the Saudis, and others from the region, are now bitter recriminations. after losing 2-1 to England in their first game. Turki al-Sheikh, the Saudi Arabian sports au- first time and the performance of Arab sides will banned from travelling to Qatar. As one fan tweeted: “We (Arabs) have to be Reaction was swift across the football-mad thority chief, lashed out at the players after the be closely scrutinised. In 2026 in North America, the first 48-team honest, we don’t deserve to play in big tourna- region after the losses on Wednesday. Russia debacle in a Twitter video, claiming the Russia defied pre-tournament expectations that World Cup, there will be potentially more Arab ments.” Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel had not conceded for 571 minutes before Australia’s Mile Jedinak scored yesterday 2 Gulf Times Friday, June 22, 2018

REPORT FRA 1-0 PER Mbappe savours ‘dream come true’ as France reach last 16 Paris Saint-Germain forward aged 19 years and 183 days becomes France’s youngest scorer at a World Cup

AFP pained we are eliminated, we are sorry Yekaterinburg, Russia that we could not give them a better tournament,” he said. “We thank our fans and people (from ylian Mbappe said that play- other countries) will have been sur- ing at a World Cup was “a prised by the passion and love our fans dream come true” after the have for us. teenager scored the winner in “It is something that is unique and Ka 1-0 victory over Peru to send France fantastic.” into the last 16 yesterday. France, one of the pre-tournament LLORIS LANDMARK favourites, join Uruguay and hosts Rus- After a slow start to the game, France sia in the knockout rounds with one began to impose themselves. group game to go — and condemned Antoine Griezmann drove straight at tearful Peru to an early exit. goalkeeper Pedro Gallese after Olivier Paris Saint-Germain forward Giroud — starting in place of Ousmane Mbappe — aged 19 years and 183 days — Dembele — set up the Atletico Madrid underlined his rich talent and became forward. France’s youngest scorer at a World Deschamps had clearly told his side, Cup when he poked home in the fi rst disappointing in beating Australia 2-1 half. in their opener, to go long and use Gi- Didier Deschamps’ side face Den- roud’s physicality. mark on Tuesday with top spot in Peru, unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Den- Group C at stake but progression to the mark in their fi rst game, took until the next stage assured. half-hour to have their fi rst serious In contrast, Peru face Australia chance, with recalled skipper Paolo with their fate sealed and just pride Guerrero stinging the legs of Hugo to play for in front of their passion- Lloris. ate and large following that has de- France captain Lloris, making his camped to Russia. 100th appearance for his country, was a “I have always said that the World bystander for long periods. Cup is a dream for any player and it On 34 minutes France went in front. was a dream for me too, it was a dream Paul Pogba cleverly played in Giroud, that came true and I hope there will be his shot took a defl ection and looped more days like this,” Mbappe, arguably over Gallese, allowing Mbappe to stab the best player in the world in his age into an open net. bracket, said afterwards. New-found confi dence ran through Deschamps, smiling broadly, admit- the French and Lucas Hernandez ted that his side were on the backfoot should have made it 2-0 just before the for the last 20 minutes and was unhap- break. py at the way they easily surrendered As in the fi rst half, Peru made the possession. better start to the second and mid- But with many of the other supposed fi elder Pedro Aquino arrowed a long- big guns at the tournament toiling, the distance rocket onto Lloris’s upright. former international midfi elder and France’s Kylian Mbappe (left) tries to score against Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during the match in Ekaterinburg yesterday. (AFP) But for all their possession, Peru — World Cup winner as a player said two in their distinctive white kit with red wins from two games should not be group) for the knockout stage,” he said. Some Peru fans were in tears even ance was in 1982 and they made this Gareca said his men had given their all sash — caused the French defence few sniff ed at. Several Peru players were in tears af- before kick-off — a generation of Peru- like a home game, ensuring their red but apologised to the legions of Peru- problems. “We will enjoy this victory and try to terwards, and although they had plenty vians have never known their country and white dominated the Yekaterinburg vian fans who had taken over the most Barcelona centre-back Samuel Um- recover and prepare for the next match of the ball in the second half, they cre- in the World Cup before. Arena. eastern city at the World Cup. titi was imperious alongside Real Ma- to make sure we are number one (in the ated very little. The South Americans’ last appear- Peru’s Argentine coach Ricardo “There was a mass of people, we are drid’s Raphael Varane.

REPORT DEN 1-1 AUS Jedinak makes Australia’s point against Denmark

Reuters Samara, Russia Aaron Mooy’s poor clearance While Denmark coach Age Ha- a bit of the charm from football.” was immediately returned into reide did not dispute the decision Having got back into the game, the area. Nicolai Jorgensen con- to award the penalty, he was an- Australia seemed imbued with aptain Mile Jedinak rode trolled and cleverly fl icked the noyed they had their own appeal a renewed sense of belief, surg- to Australia’s World Cup ball inside to Eriksen, who ghost- waved away in the second half ing forward whenever they could rescue with a penalty ed into space and lashed a sweet and fl agged up issues with the and roared on by the vast array to cancel out Christian half-volley on the rise which fl ew consistency of the VAR system. of green and gold clad fans in the Eriksen’sC superb opener for Den- high into the net. “There are people somewhere Samara Arena. mark, securing a 1-1 draw yester- It was Eriksen’s 13th goal in his in Russia deciding to look at this They could not turn that im- day that ensured Group C would last 15 appearances for his coun- because it looks like a penalty,” petus, however, into clear chanc- go down to the wire. try and underlined the pivotal he said. “But then you have other es, although second-half sub- Eriksen’s seventh-minute importance of the Tottenham situations when they need to look stitute Daniel Arzani brought an opener was fully deserved by Hotspur playmaker to the other- at, but they are not doing that... additional spark to the Australia the fast-starting Danes and the wise workmanlike Danes. To me, it was against us, but it attack and had a good shot par- quality of his half-volley fi nish was probably correct. It removes ried by Schmeichel at the death. was excellent in a tournament HEADER WIDE that has produced some wonder- They should have doubled their ful goals. advantage when Jorgensen Australia’s Van Marwijk says ‘last Jedinak, however, got Australia fl ashed a header wide as Austral- back into the game with his sec- ia looked ragged at the back and part of puzzle’ missing at World Cup ond penalty in Russia, awarded toothless up front. following the intervention of Yet just as in their opening AFP the VAR, and the draw kept the game, Australia were handed a Samara, Russia Socceroos just about alive in the route back into the match from tournament. the penalty spot, thanks to the Denmark moved on to four intervention of the Video Assist- isappointed coach Bert points and need at least a draw ant Referee. van Marwijk said Aus- against France in their fi nal game Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz Dtralia have to find “the to guarantee a last-16 spot. Aus- had failed to spot that Mathew last part of the puzzle” if they tralia’s destiny, however, is no Leckie’s header had struck the are to stay in the World Cup longer in their own hands. arm of Yussuf Poulsen, but after after a 1-1 draw with Denmark With one point, they must Australia’s Mile Jedinak (left) in action with Denmark’s Christian Eriksen during the match yesterday. (Reuters) being alerted to the incident by yesterday. win their last match against Peru the VAR, he pointed to the spot. Australia captain Mile Jedinak these two games. to stand any chance of going tralia coach Bert van Marwijk After their opening defeat by for the second match in a row. Danish keeper Kasper Sch- hit a VAR-assisted penalty to “The last part of the puzzle through, but results could still told reporters. “I have no infl u- France, Van Marwijk resisted the It looked a bad decision in the meichel had not conceded for earn the Socceroos’ first point is that we must make the dif- conspire to send them home. ence on the rest so I do not think temptation to draft in attacking early stages as Australia laboured 571 minutes, but Jedinak calmly in Russia after Christian Erik- ference by scoring one goal “For me it is important just about it. I will not sleep one sec- reinforcements, leaving veteran up front and the Danes tore into rolled home his penalty in the sen’s opener, giving Australia more than the opponent. that we have to beat Peru,” Aus- ond less.” forward Tim Cahill on the bench their opponents at a furious pace. 38th minute to level the scores. a glimmer of hope of reaching “I must be satisfied about all the last 16. the things we asked of (my Van Marwijk praised a team players). From the first day the that has “improved every team has improved every day Standings day” but bemoaned a lack and they surprised me today of clinical finishing after his again.” team missed chances to win Australia must beat Peru on P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts the game in the second half in Tuesday to have any chance Group A Group C Group E Group G Samara. of going further. Russia 2 2 0 0 8 1 6 France 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 Serbia 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Belgium 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 It followed a 2-1 defeat to In a blow to their hopes, strik- Uruguay 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 Denmark 2 1 1 0 2 1 4 Brazil 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 England 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 France in their opening match. er Andrew Nabbout looks set Egypt 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Australia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Switzerland 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Tunisia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 “We had chances to win and to be sidelined for the rest of Saudi Arabia 2 0 0 2 0 6 0 Peru 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Costa Rica 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Panama 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 we deserved to win, so I’m the World Cup after he injured disappointed,” the Dutchman a shoulder falling awkwardly. Group B Group D Group F Group H said. “I fully agree we should “I think the tournament is over Spain 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Croatia 2 2 0 0 5 0 6 Mexico 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Japan 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 have won. Against France we for him,” van Marwijk said. Portugal 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Iceland 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Sweden 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Senegal 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 also deserved more, I think. France were playing Peru in Iran 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 Argentina 2 0 1 1 1 4 1 Germany 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Colombia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 “We have one point and we the day’s second match in the Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Nigeria 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 South Korea 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Poland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 deserve four points from group. Brazil have not lost in their last 13 competitive matches 3 Gulf Times Friday, June 22, 2018

PREVIEW BRA vs CRC ST PETERSBURG, 3PM SPOTLIGHT Brazil game a Neymar fi tness family aff air not a concern for for Costa Rica’s Borges

Reuters but it’s still the game, it’s still en- Gelendzhik, Russia joyable and it’s still fun.” Brazil coach Tite Not only has the 30-year-old’s international career taken him in elso Borges will follow his father’s footsteps, during the ‘We want to win. It’s a World Cup. But the coach is not going to risk a player’s health’ in his father’s footsteps last World Cup in Brazil it also today when he plays for took him to Recife, where his fa- Costa Rica against Brazil ther’s parents came from. Cas the family’s World Cup odys- “It was crazy, because that was sey against the fi ve-time cham- where we beat Italy and ended pions continues. up qualifying for the quarter- Borges’ father, Alexandre Gui- fi nals,” Borges recalls. mares, grew up in Brazil until That 2014 side hit the head- he moved to Costa Rica with his lines by defeating Uruguay and parents when he was young. He Italy and drawing with England would go on to both play for and to top their group, before beating manage the ‘Ticos’ against Brazil Greece on penalties and losing a at the World Cup. quarter-fi nal shoot-out to the Now, 28 years after his father Netherlands. faced Brazil as a player at Italia In Russia, however, Costa Rica 90, it is Celso’s turn to put aside are already on the back foot hav- his strong family links to the ing lost to Serbia in their opening South Americans in a vital World game. Cup game. “I don’t think it was clear that “I can’t deny it, there is a con- any team deserved to win that nection, of course — my con- game, but sometimes football nection to Brazil is maybe not as is very complex — there’s a very strong as my father’s, but some thin line between winning and part of me still feels like it be- losing,” Borges said. longs there,” Borges told Reuters The Costa Ricans would not in an interview. fall into the trap of focusing all “I’m 100 percent Costa Rican their defensive eff orts on Ney- and I would choose Costa Rica mar, the midfi elder said. every time, but I cannot deny “If you concentrate too much this family connection. It’s just a on one guy, they can just put on very special feeling.” another in attack, so you just The feelings of his father, who have to be very organised, have managed Costa Rica in a 5-2 loss good communication and mark- to Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, ing. You can have everything may be slightly more mixed planned but with this kind of when his two nations face off on player, it’s tough.” Friday, however. Even with a decent result on “Of course my father feels Friday Costa Rica face an uphill Costa Rican, he left Brazil when task in their fi nal group game he was 12, but he has that Bra- against a Swiss side that drew zilian part that is very intense in 1-1 with Brazil in their Group E him,” Borges said. opener, but Borges said the squad “Whenever you play Brazil, could still advance to the knock- in any circumstance, it’s always out rounds. something special, it’s always “We Costa Ricans are capable of something diff erent. great things when we join togeth- “It’s the country with the most er and stay tight. I always think World Cups, so it’s very diff erent, there’s a possibility,” he said. Brazil’s Neymar (right) controls a ball next to head coach Tite during a training session in Saint Petersburg yesterday. (AFP)

Reuters ter sitting out Tuesday’s session due to a tential but we have to respect individual St Petersburg, Russia sore ankle. characteristics. I’m not going to take that Key facts “It’s about fi ve matches, that’s the away from anybody.” minimum you need to be full on and he’s Tite said he would name an unchanged If Brazil fail to beat Costa Rica eymar needs at least fi ve match- already started the process,” Tite told re- starting line-up for the match against they will equal their worst ever run of es to return to top form after porters. “There’s evolution taking place, Costa Rica to give his players a chance four winless games in the World Cup a long injury layoff , but Brazil so don’t worry. to show their character and defended his finals, a run that spanned the 1974 have not asked their talismanic “We want to win. It’s a World Cup. But policy of rotating captains through the and 1978 tournaments. Nforward to gamble on his fi tness just to be the coach is not going to risk a player’s tournament. Costa Rica achieved their best improve their chances at the World Cup, health or be dishonest to win. That’s a He also sprang to the defence of centre World Cup result four years ago coach Tite said yesterday. price that is too high to pay.” back Thiago Silva, who was heavily criti- in Brazil, where they reached the The fi ve-times world champions drew The 57-year-old, known for his empha- cised during the last World Cup in Brazil quarter-finals. They were knocked their opening Group E game against Swit- sis on the collective, also denied asking but has been named skipper for Friday’s out by the Netherlands on penalties. zerland 1-1 and play their second match Neymar to curb his individual attacking match. against Costa Rica in St Petersburg today. instincts in order to serve the team better. “If we took out everybody who was HEAD-TO-HEAD Neymar missed a chunk of the season “It’s not true. It didn’t happen,” he criticised in the last World Cup there Brazil Draw Costa Rica with a fractured right foot and sprained an- said. “All of the athletes have this respon- would be nobody playing. We wouldn’t 9 0 1 kle, but returned to play in Brazil’s last two sibility of playing for the collective and even have a national team. And life and friendlies before the World Cup and started also being individuals. football are not like that,” Tite said. Last meeting: Brazil 1 Costa Rica 0 their fi rst match of the tournament. “I’m not going to take Neymar’s initia- “There are a number of athletes who (2015, friendly) The 26-year-old has trained with the tive away from him. He is a genius... All have the maturity and experience to take on Costa Rica’s midfielder Celso Borges (centre) hits the ball during a rest of the squad for two days in a row af- of us have to help the team reach its po- the captaincy and Thiago is one of them.” training session in Saint Petersburg yesterday. (AFP)

PREVIEW SRB vs SUI KALININGRAD, 9PM Serbia take on Switzerland with Brazil looming

AFP these three points in the bag, but it’s Switzerland were ranked above Kaliningrad, Russia not over, Switzerland will be the hard- Key facts France and Spainn in sixth place before est match,” he said. the tournament and battled hard for a “I don’t want to do the maths for Switzerland opened their World point against a Brazil side led by Ney- erbia will attempt to wrap up now, if we draw it would not work, we Cup account with a gutsy 1-1 draw mar in their opener. qualifi cation to the World Cup want to win of course.” against five-times champions Brazil “It was very good teamwork on the knockout rounds today as they Serbia boast a host of current and while Serbia went top the group right side. It was almost a perfect game. take on a Switzerland team former Premier League talent, includ- with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica. It’s important to have this teamwork,” brimmingS with confi dence after grab- ing Manchester United Midfi elder Ne- said Arsenal-bound captain Stephan The Switzerland and Serbia bing a draw with Brazil. manja Matic. goals both came from set pieces, Lichtsteiner. The Serbs control their own destiny But their rising star is Lazio’s Sergej Steven Zuber scoring with a header Serbia have based themselves in in Group E after an opening 1-0 win Milinkovic-Savic, a rangy attacking from a corner for the Swiss while Kaliningrad — Russia’s European ter- against Costa Rica on Sunday, which midfi elder who has drawn comparisons Serbia’s captain Aleksandar ritory on the Baltic Sea — throughout came courtesy of a stunning Aleksandar to Serbian great Dejan Stankovic. Kolarov curled home a free kick for their stay in the tournament and tens Kolarov free-kick. Former coach Slavoljub Muslin, who the winner. of thousands of their countrymen are Victory over Switzerland in Kalin- led the team to qualifi cation for Russia, Serbia scored in every qualifier expected to travel for the game. ingrad today would guarantee Ser- reportedly paid with his job for failing and averaged two goals per game One sub-plot to watch for could be bia a place in the last 16, regardless of to select Milinkovic-Savic. but were limited to one goal in the Serbian fans’ treatment of Switzer- whether they win or lose their fi nal It’s not a mistake current coach their opening World Cup victory land’s three Kosovan-born players. group game with Brazil next week. Mladen Krstajic intends to repeat and over Costa Rica in Russia. Midfi elders Valon Behrami of Italian Roma star Kolarov acknowledged the Lazio man — who has reportedly Switzerland reached the last 16 club Udinese, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka that Serbia are in a strong position to attracted the interest of Real Madrid — in 2014, where they lost to Argen- and Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City were qualify for the knockout rounds for the was lively against Costa Rica. tina, and in 2006, when they lost to all born in Kosovo and all three played fi rst time since they competed along- “Milinkovic-Savic is a great player, Ukraine on penalties.. in the Brazil game. side Montenegro in 1998. with really exceptional technique,” said Kosovo was a former province of However the 32-year-old cautioned Swiss defender Denis Zakaria. HEAD-TO-HEAD Serbia, and Serbian fans gathered in that the Serbs would take nothing for “It’s not just him, lots of their play- The two sides have never met. Kaliningrad Tuesday night to celebrate granted against the Swiss. ers play for big clubs, but we also have Russia’s 3-1 over Egypt while chanting “It’s very important that we have good players.” “Kosovo is Serbia.” Switzerland’s forward Xherdan Shaqiri (left) and Serbia’s Nemanja Matic. (AFP) Iceland’s manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, was number two to Swede Lars Lagerback who steered Iceland to Euro 2016 4 Gulf Times Friday, June 22, 2018

PREVIEW NGA vs ISL VOLGOGRAD, 6PM FOCUS Khedira laughs Iceland step into the off early fl ights heat for showdown home joke for Germany

AFP cism. “I know for myself that I Sochi, Russia did not play well.” Khedira was often out of po- sition in the defensive midfi eld against Nigeria nder-fi re Germany when Mexico counter-attacked star Sami Khedira through the German ranks in the yesterday laughed off fi rst half on Sunday. Debutants Iceland are dreaming of knockouts, Nigeria are desperate for a win a cheeky off er of early “We have to play smarter, not flU ights home for the holders from like schoolboys, we have to play Reuters a Swedish reporter ahead of their all together,” he said. Volgograd/Gelendzhik, Russia crunch World Cup clash. “If the holes are as big as they Holders Germany will be were against Mexico, you’d need under intense pressure in the Usain Bolt and Carl Lewis to celand will try not to melt in the Group F clash in Sochi tomorrow close the gaps — which we’re fi erce heat of Volgograd when they against Sweden after suff ering not,” he said about himself and take on Nigeria in only their second a shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico in defensive midfi eld partner Toni ever World Cup match today after their fi rst match of the tourna- Kroos. Iimpressively holding twice champions ment. Should head coach Joachim Argentina to a draw at the weekend. The Juventus midfi elder kept Loew opt to drop Khedira from World Cup debutants Iceland are his cool when a Swedish tabloid his starting line-up, the 2014 dreaming of the knockout stage and writ- reporter handed him a home- World Cup winner can take it. ing a new chapter in one of the most out- made return ticket for the entire “I do not have a problem with standing stories of international football German squad. it at all. It’s not about names and in recent years. “I don’t think we will need playing in every game,” he said. In their way stand not only Nigeria, that until July 16,” said the smil- Loew described Khedira as who are desperate for a win after losing ing Khedira. The World Cup fi nal “indispensable” before the their opening game 2-0 to Croatia, but takes place in Moscow on July 15. World Cup started but the mid- also the challenge of searing tempera- The Germans are deadly seri- fi elder is aware of criticism lev- tures in the southern Russian city. ous ahead of the Swedish match, elled both at him and Kroos from Weather forecasters are predicting heat knowing a second defeat will ef- Germany’s defence. of 32 degrees Celsius (90°F) at kickoff fectively send them home at the “We should not let ourselves time today, 10 degrees hotter than when end of the group stages. be tempted by the situation and Iceland pulled off their 1-1 draw with Ar- Despite calls to drop him, ignore a task, just because it’s gentina on Saturday. Khedira insists he can handle the tempting to push forward,” said “Of course we’ve talked about it,” as- pressure and shore up the Ger- centre-back Mats Hummels in sistant coach Helge Kolvidsson told re- man midfi eld, which was badly Sochi in a thinly veiled dig. porters on Wednesday at their training exposed by the Mexicans. Khedira knows the spotlight camp in Gelendzhik before Iceland make Ex-Germany stars Lothar will be on him in Sochi but has the journey to Volgograd. Matthaeus and Stefan Eff enberg the experience after 76 interna- “We have doctors... and we’re trying to said Khedira should be dropped tionals to rise to the occasion. prepare as good as we can, if it’s going to Nigeria’s German coach Gernot Rohr (centre) leads a training session in Volgograd yesterday. (AFP) after his woeful display. “We are under pressure even help with vitamins or stuff like that, but “I have no problem with that earlier than usual,” he said. “We it’s going to be the same for both teams.” at all, I can live with it,” said have to win, we have no wild card Iceland, who feature many players Key facts Khedira, referring to the criti- — no bonus.” based in northern European countries, have chosen a resort near Sochi, on Rus- Iceland are appearing in their sia’s hot Black Sea coast, to help their ac- first World Cup after a run to the climatisation. quarter-finals in Euro 2016 which Kolvidsson said the players were mind- included a knockout win over ful of Nigeria’s long experience at the top England. table of world football. Nigeria are appearing at their “They’ve been in the World Cup fi nals sixth World Cup finals and have fi ve times, three times they have moved missed only one since they first on to the next round,” he said. “We are qualified in 1994. here for the fi rst time.” Nigeria have got past the first round three times. GUDMUNDSSON DOUBT Nigeria’s coach is German Ger- In a potential blow for Iceland, winger not Rohr, a former Bayern Munich Johann Berg Gudmundsson — who is player who has also managed the central to the team’s quick, counter-at- national teams of Gabon, Niger and tacking style — is a doubt after tearing a Burkina Faso. muscle in the Argentina game. Of the teams at the World Cup, Playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, who re- Nigeria had the youngest squad covered from injury just in time for the during the qualifying matches World Cup, played 90 minutes against with an average age of just under the South Americans, raising hopes he 25. Iceland had the second-oldest will remain fi t for Nigeria. squad, averaging 29 years of age. While a draw for Iceland would keep Iceland’s fans are famous for their knockout hopes alive, Nigeria, who their “thunderclap” chants. are bottom of Group D, are under huge pressure to get all three points with man- HEAD-TO-HEAD ager Gernot Rohr saying his team must Nigeria Draw Iceland win. Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is expected to stay fit for today’s match against Nigeria. (AFP) 0 0 1 Striker Odion Ighalo promised Nigeria would be on the front foot after manag- from the Croatian one,” Ighalo told FIFA’s So far, only one team from Africa have Last meeting: Nigeria 0 Iceland 3 ing only two chances on target against website. “We want to attack that game won at the Russia World Cup — Senegal (1981, friendly) Croatia. and we want to create chances because who beat Poland 2-1 on Tuesday — add- “The Iceland game will be diff erent only with chances you score goals.” ing to the pressure on Nigeria.

SPOTLIGHT From reserves to World Cup, Nigeria keeper comes of age

Reuters In normal circumstances, Uzoho On the World Cup debutants Iceland Volgograd, Russia would not be anywhere near the start- — who pulled off one of the biggest sur- ing 11 in Russia. prises of the tournament so far by draw- But fi rst-choice goalkeeper Carl ing 1-1 with twice champions Argentina ven as part of the youngest Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leu- — Rohr downplayed suggestions that his side at the World Cup in Rus- kaemia last year and his replacement team were favourites to win. sia, Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Daniel Akpeyi appeared jittery in the “They had such a great match against Uzoho stands out as a novice in few games he played. Argentina. We know it will be very dif- internationalE football. So, with the World Cup approaching, fi cult to beat them,” he said. The gangly 19 year-old has played Rohr searched around for a replace- While Nigeria are the youngest team at only seven times for his country and ment and identifi ed the young Uzoho. the World Cup, based on the age of their even fewer for his club, Deportivo La “We found Francis who was playing squad during the qualifi ers, Iceland are Coruna of Spain where he has mostly some games with La Coruna and he’s among the oldest, giving them the edge appeared for the B team. even playing with the second team,” the in terms of experience, Rohr said. Yet coach Gernot Rohr has entrusted German manager said. “We sent our Yet the Africans might have one fac- him with the gloves for the tourna- goalkeeping coach twice for two weeks tor on their side on today: the heat of ment, including today’s high-pressure to La Coruna to have special work. He Volgograd in Russia’s south, where Group D game against Iceland in Vol- prepared him very well.” temperatures are expected to be around gograd, a match that the manager says Uzoho appeared alongside Rohr at 32 degrees Celsius (90F)when the Nigeria have to win after their opening yesterday’s pre-match news confer- match kicks off at 1800 local time (1500 2-0 defeat to Croatia. ence, underscoring his status as Niger- GMT). “He is the youngest goalkeeper in the ia’s fi rst-choice goalkeeper. “Let’s have a little advantage also,” World Cup,” Rohr told reporters yester- “I know what Nigerians expect from Rohr said. “They have around 20,000 day. “But he is cool-headed and a very their goalkeepers,” he said when asked (fans) from Iceland. It will be an away good worker in training. I think he will about former occupants of the role. “I game for us... Perhaps the temperature be a good solution for the future for Ni- just try for now not to think about them is better for the African players. It is geria.” so it won’t get to me.” possible.” Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (right) attends a training session in Volgograd yesterday. (AFP) For the fi rst time in 40 years, Iranian women were legally permitted to watch a football match in a stadium on Wednesday. 5 Gulf Times Friday, June 22, 2018

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Beckham tips England v Many roads lead Argentina fi nal to the World Cup Garbage man, peanut seller and fish monger overcome obstacles to realise their dream on the biggest sporting stage

DPA Yekaterinburg

t a time when Lionel Messi and Former England footballer David Beckham attends an event for a Cristiano Ronaldo are usually sportswear company in Beijing. still in bed, possibly dreaming Aabout future heroic feats, Gabri- AFP United and Real Madrid mid- el Victoria is already out and about. A fa- Beijing fi elder, a veteran of three World ther of three, Victoria gets up at 3am in Cups, warned that the road the morning and heads out to the streets ahead looked hard for Gareth of Panama City, where he works as a gar- ormer captain David Southgate’s team. bage man. Beckham has tipped “I’m very happy that we won Now, for the next few weeks, he is a England to play Lionel the fi rst game in the group,” he match offi cial at the football World Cup in Panama’s defender Roman Messi’s Argentina in the said. “England is a very young Russia. “The job isn’t easy,” Victoria told FWorld Cup fi nal, refl ecting ris- team, they don’t have a lot of Torres attends a training the news site Telemetro. session at the Olympic ing optimism about the Three experience yet and the journey He trains as a referee in the afternoons, Sports Center in Saransk Lions’ chances after a positive of the World Cup will become and this has fi nally brought him to the yesterday. Torres used to sell start in Russia. harder and harder because World Cup. fish as a child on the streets Beckham was speaking at a there are many good teams in “There were four years of preparation, of Panama City. promotional event in China af- the tournament.” Beckham’s physical and written tests and several in- ter England beat Tunisia 2-1 in assessment may also have been ternational games. With a lot of eff ort their opening game, boosting infl uenced by the struggles of and sacrifi ces, I’ve achieved wonderful their chances of reaching the some of the top teams in the things,” Victoria said. knockout rounds. early games, including Mexico’s There are other background stories that England have long stuttered defeat of defending champions do not seem to fi t into the glittering world on the big stage and they last Germany. Argentina, who could of football and its millionaires. Iceland reached the World Cup quar- meet England in the semi-fi nals achieved cult status long ago. Their coach ter-fi nals in 2006, when Beck- or fi nal, drew 1-1 with Iceland in Heimir Hallgrimsson is actually a dentist ham was captain. Their only their fi rst game as Messi, their and usually drinks in a pub with fans be- World Cup fi nal was way back talisman, missed a penalty. fore international matches. Defender Bir- in 1966, when they beat Ger- Beckham added that China, kir Saevarsson wanted to become a pilot many at Wembley. which craves becoming a foot- and got his licence before fi nally starting “I believe Argentina will play ball power but has reached only his football career. Meanwhile, he works against England in the fi nal,” one World Cup to date, was in a salt factory. Beckham predicted at an event headed in the right direction — But there is some glamour. to promote China’s largest col- but still had a long way to go. Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldors- legiate football league. “In the future this country son, who saved Messi’s penalty in their “I think obviously my choice really does have real opportu- opening 1-1 draw against Argentina, is in- would be England to win the nities to become one of the big volved in the fi lm business. competition, but that’s me be- powerhouses in this sport, but In 2012 he shot the promo for Iceland’s ing biased and passionate about it takes a lot of investment, a lot contribution to the Eurovision Song Con- my country,” he added. of hard work, but it’s going in test. Before the World Cup, he took the But the former Manchester the right direction,” he said. time to watch videos of Messi’s penalty kicks. “I did my homework,” Halldorsson said. Costa Rica midfi elder Celso Borges Iranian women attend World Cup viewing is a heavy metal drummer. Last year, he played songs by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses Tehran: In defeat, Iranian The police eventually relented and Nirvana at a charity concert in the women experienced a victory after the Ministry of the Interior capital San Jose with musician and come- on Wednesday, with Iran’s 1-0 gave the instruction to let eve- dian Kurt Dyer. World Cup loss to Spain mark- ryone into the stadium. There can be some crazy twists and ing the first time in 40 years “We are always powerless to turns on the way to the World Cup stage, that women have been legally two things,” said one police as England striker Jamie Vardy knows all permitted to follow a football off icer at the arena, according too well. At the age of 20, this son of a match in a stadium in the to social media. “Women and crane operator was still playing football country. football.” Most of the women in the amateur seventh league when au- The game was in Kazan, Russia following the game on televi- thorities forced him to wear an electronic but Iranian women attended sion inside the arena were able ankle tag as punishment after a fi ght. a public viewing of the match to directly experience a sta- Today he is a favourite of the England in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. dium atmosphere for the first fans. Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi did not “That was the real big victory,” time. “I did not know that it was even dare to dream of a football career four said women’s activist Tajebeh so much fun to roar for two years ago when he was making a living as Siawoshi, according to Iranian hours and be close to a heart a carpenter in the slums of Mediouna. In news agency ISNA. attack,” a woman wrote on Twit- a minor local tournament two years ago, After national and international ter. Activists are confident that his talent was noticed by the coach of Mo- protests against the long-stand- this could be the impetus to a rocco’s B-team. ing ban on women attending complete lifting of the women’s Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi sold peanuts stadiums, the Iranian authorities stadium ban. at a young age in Lagos, which eventually permitted women access to Women in Iran have been earned him the nickname “peanut boy.” the stadium to watch the game banned from entering stadiums He also washed car windows and sold on a big screen. However, the since the Islamic Revolution in water until he had enough money to buy momentous occasion was 1979, with ultra-conservative football boots. He now plays in the Pre- almost scuppered at the last clerics arguing that women mier League for Leicester City. minute with police wanting to should not witness frenetic Panama’s captain, Roman Torres, had cancel the entire viewing, citing male fans and their pithy to sell fi sh as a child. Today he is a nation- Cup for the fi rst time with a decisive goal tryman Victoria, he is performing in the dreams,” Victoria said. “It’s hard, but not “infrastructural deficiencies.” slogans. al hero, getting his team into the World against Costa Rica. Now, like his coun- great stadiums of Russia. “Fight for your impossible.”

BOTTOMLINE For Iceland fans, team is family — oft en literally Reuters The connections go on: A pal of Arnason is and Viking imagery. Volgograd best friends with the wife of Iceland’s goal- Iceland’s ‘Cinderella story’ has smitten keeper while a cousin played football with many football aficionados, especially those another player. disgusted by corruption scandals engulfing ne Iceland fan went to primary school And Arnason’s father, in Volgograd for the FIFA and put off by the diva-like attitude of with a player’s father. Another sup- game too, is old friends with the father of Al- some leading players. porter’s son used to regularly wait on fred Finnbogason, who scored against twice But one downside to hailing from such Othe team at a bar. And yet another fan world champions Argentina in their opening a small place is that privacy is not always is related by marriage to the squad’s chef. game on Saturday which ended 1-1. an option. Iceland fan Svavar Asmundsson With a population of around 350,000, Ice- “I added an 11 on my Iceland team shirt in said his son used to regularly pour drinks for land is the smallest nation to ever qualify for a honour of my friend’s son,” said Arni Sigurds- members of Iceland’s team while working at a World Cup. So, for fans descending on Russia son. bar in capital Reykjavik. for the Nordic island’s first ever appearance at But, true to Iceland’s no-frills reputation, “It was all good... But some of them are a lit- the tournament, the national team is often a that’s as far as the preferential treatment tle crazier than the others!” said Asmundsson, a deeply personal affair, with many supporters goes. 59-year-old who works in the fi shing industry. boasting blood ties or personal links with the “I cheer for the team — I don’t cheer extra Still, the close-knit community never feels players. hard for anyone. We are probably all related suff ocating, said the father of midfi elder Bir- Bjarni Arnason, a 31-year-old Icelandic somewhat anyway!” added engineer Sigurds- kir Bjarnason, who was also in Volgograd to see architect who travelled to Volgograd to watch son, 61, with a chuckle. his son play Nigeria — Africa’s most populous his team play Nigeria in Group D on Fri- That attitude is reflected on the pitch too. country with close to 200mn people, some 571 day, fondly recalled playing handball at high Coach — and part time dentist — Heimir times Iceland’s population. school with Iceland defender Ragnar Sig- Hallgrimsson insists that all players are treat- “I know who the fathers and mothers of all urdsson. ed equally. the players are. Many parents I knew before, “He was really good!” laughed Arnason, The team had a thrilling run at 2016 Euro- but most of them I met after they started to play decked out in the Iceland jersey on Thursday. pean championship, eliminating big-name together,” said the midfi elder’s father Bjarni “He was so good that the football team want- England and advancing to the quarter-finals, Sveinbjornsson, a 55-year-old electrician. “It’s ed him to just play football.” File photo of Icelandic fans cheering their team in Moscow. propelled by their “thunder-clapping” fans kind of a family.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, June 22, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY CRICKET Saleem steers Friends XI to England give Cipriani four-wicket win

By Sports Reporter Clive (34 with fi ve fours) and Doha Manjula (33 with two sixes and a four) enabled Doha Bank to put up 131 for six. Rassal hit aleem’s magnifi cent a six and two fours to get 21 in fi rst start since 2008 91 in 37 deliveries fi red 18 balls. Asif Umer picked two Friends XI to a thrilling for 20, while Suresh, Sherin ‘We have elected to play Cipriani ahead of Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option’ four-wicket victory and Mansoor got one each. overS Gladiators Club in the B Early blows, mainly by AFP and C Divisions category of Sajith (three for 18), had Se- Johannesburg England Fly-half Danny Cipriani the Ramadan Cup Twenty20 lex reeling at fi ve for 59. But (left ) with teammate Mike Brown Cricket Tournament quarter- Mansoor and Suresh stemmed during a training session. (AFP) fi nals after a marathon chase. the rot and collected 62 runs ly-half Danny Cipriani At the Asian Town Cricket for the sixth wicket to clinch will make his fi rst start Stadium in Industrial Area, the issue. Mansoor cracked a for England since 2008 Gladiators Club were lifted six and half a dozen fours in when they play a dead- to a massive 190 for seven by 44 not out, Suresh posted 37 rubberF Test against South Africa Kaleem, who smashed three with a six and three fours. Asif in Cape Town tomorrow. sixes and eight boundaries in Umer’s 22 in 14 balls were also “We are expecting a wet and his 74. He was also involved quite handy. windy day at Newlands and have in a 92-run stand for the fi fth In the semi-fi nals today, elected to play Danny Cipriani wicket with Shahbaz, whose Selex will clash with Al Ham- ahead of George Ford to give us 51 contained three sixes and ra, while Friends XI take on a left-foot kicking option,” ex- fi ve fours. Commercial Bank Qatar. plained coach Eddie Jones. Dawood (three for 25) and His inclusion in place of Ford Alam (two for 40) were the BRIEF SCORES is one of four changes – three most successful bowlers. Ha- Friends XI beat Gladiators enforced – from the team that mad and Javed shared two. Club by four wickets lost the second Test and the se- Saleem provided the Gladiators Club: 190 for seven ries in Bloemfontein last week- springboard to the chase as he (Kaleem 74 in 49 balls, Faraz end. Loosehead prop Joe Marler blasted six sixes and 11 fours 22 in 15 balls, Shahbaz 51 in replaces Mako Vunipola, who in his fi ery 37-ball 91. After he 32 balls; Alam 2/40, Dawood returned home last weekend for set the tone, a seventh-wicket 3/25) family reasons. stand, shared by Hamad (39 Friends XI: 195 for six in 18 Number eight Billy Vunipola, not out with fi ve fours) and overs (Saleem 91 in 37 balls, Mako’s brother, was ruled out of Syed, saw Friends XI home Hamad 39 not out in 35 balls) the Cape Town fi nale by injury, with two overs to spare. Man of the match: Saleem and Nathan Hughes comes in. Syed slammed three sixes (Friends XI) Illness forced at change at and two boundaries to post Selex beat Doha Bank by loose forward with Brad Shields an unbeaten 28. Anwar, Avtar, four wickets sidelined and Chris Robshaw Kaleem, Arun and Shahbaz all Doha Bank: 131 for six (Clive recalled just one week after be- picked a scalp each. 34 in 35 balls, Manjula 33 in 27 ing dropped for the fi rst time by In another match, Selex balls, Rassal 21 in 18 balls; Asif Australia-born Jones. also qualifi ed for the semi- Umer 2/20) There are three chances to the fi nals after a four-wicket tri- Selex: 134 for six in 17.2 overs bench with prop Alex Hepburn, umph against Gladiators Club. (Suresh 37 in 36 balls, Man- lock Jonny Hill and loose forward Suresh won the man of the soor 44 in 26 balls, Asif Umer Sam Simmonds promoted in a perate to snap a fi ve-Test los- match award for his 37-run 22 in 14 balls; Sajith 3/18) 6-2 forwards/backs split. Jones ing streak. Before touring South SA pick ‘retired’ 37-year-old sub, change five knock and one wicket. Man of the match: Suresh said: “We will need to jump out Africa, England lost Six Nations A 72-run alliance between (Selex). of the blocks quickly again and Championship matches against South Africa have included “retired” 37-year-old Willie le Roux, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, make sure we maintain that pres- Scotland in Edinburgh, France Schalk Brits as a replacement and made five Handre Pollard and Mbonambi for the tour finale sure and make good decisions. in Paris and Ireland in London. changes for a dead-rubber third Test against at Newlands stadium. Referring to the changes, “I have been really impressed The dramatic loss of form came England in Cape Town tomorrow. Erasmus said: “No one is out of the team because with the fortitude of the squad after Jones had won 24 of his fi rst Former SpringBoks hooker Brits recently an- of a lack of form. The changes are due to our under Owen Farrell, who is 25 Tests since succeeding Stuart nounced his retirement having helped Saracens long-term planning for the 2019 Rugby World a young captain, and with a Lancaster in 2015. win the English Premiership. He returned home Cup as we continue to build squad depth and number of young players who Team (15-1) to meet friends and watch the England series capacity. The series might be won, but we still have really stuck to the task. Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry only to get a shock call-up because coach Rassie have an important Test match on Saturday. We “We have had a really upbeat Slade, Owen Farrell (capt), Mike Erasmus valued his experience so much. are going to face a very determined English side training week. We are up for the Brown; Danny Cipriani, Ben With injured first choice hooker Malcolm Marx who will be looking to end the series on a high, battle and are going to rip in on Youngs; Nathan Hughes, Tom unavailable, South Africa started with Bongi “I expect a very physical and close-fought game. Saturday. Curry, Chris Robshaw; Maro Mbonambi and brought on Akker van der Merwe We are desperate to win and make it 3-0 while “I want another committed Itoje, Joe Launchbury; Kyle Sin- for the first and second Tests. Erasmus has rested England will be desperate to win the game and performance where it will be ckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler both for Cape Town, giving experienced Chiliboy make it 2-1.” While praising the SpringBoks for Saleem of Friends XI (left) and Suresh of Selex crucial to maintain our compo- Replacements: Luke Cowan- Ralepelle a start with Brits poised to come off victories in Johannesburg (42-29) and Bloem- sure when the heat is on.” Dickie, Alec Hepburn, Harry Wil- the bench. Full-back Warrick Gelant, centres fontein, Erasmus said he wants to see much While only pride is at stake liams, Jonny Hill, Mark Wilson, Jesse Kriel and Andre Esterhuizen, fly-half Elton more improvement. He vowed that there was no after South Africa won 42-39 Sam Simmonds, Ben Spencer, Jantjies and Ralepelle come in after a series- danger of South Africa “getting carried away” by Team Sky hit back at ‘ill-informed’ in Johannesburg and 23-12 in Denny Solomona. clinching 23-12 win last weekend. They replace the two close-fought triumphs. Hinault over strike comments Bloemfontein, England are des- Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS). Five-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault’s call for riders to strike ahead of next month’s race in protest against defending champion Chris Froome is “irresponsible and Ireland series win would send strong World Cup message ill-informed”, according to Team Sky. Froome tested positive for excessive levels of the asthma drug Salbutamol following Six Nations champions Ireland have a gilt- scored how good the world’s second in Japan. The Wallabies have made minimal a urine sample at last year’s Vuelta a Espana. The 33-year-old edged opportunity to send a strong mes- best side are in Melbourne, producing a For the Sydney match, Schmidt made five changes to the team that was utterly Team Sky rider has denied any wrongdoing and is confident sage to their fellow World Cup contenders performance that Schmidt’s coaching changes to a side that had dominated the dominated in the second test with Lukhan that he will be cleared after an investigation by the sport’s with a victory in the series-deciding third staff are expecting to build upon on in second test to the point the 26-21 score- Tui brought in as blindside flanker to governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). test against Australia tomorrow. Sydney. line was hardly a fair reflection of how bolster their lineout. Team Sky said they were fully focused on the race, which The Irish have not won a series in “I... expect us to get better... and I think much his team had controlled the game. The loss of scrumhalf Will Genia to a bro- begins on July 7, and would not let Hinault’s “uneducated com- Australia since 1979 but after rebound- if that’s the case, then we’re looking He bulked up his loose forward trio, ken arm, however, could be pivotal. ments” hinder preparations. “Chris has not had a positive test, ing from a Brisbane loss with victory in at a pretty special 80 minutes on the with Leinster number eight Jack Conan Replacement Nick Phipps has battled rather an adverse analytical finding for a prescribed asthma Melbourne last week, Joe Schmidt’s side weekend,” Ireland forwards coach Simon brought into the side and captain Peter behind Jake Gordon for game time with medication,” Team Sky said in a statement yesterday. will be full of confidence heading into the Easterby said earlier this week. O’Mahony moving from blindside flanker the New South Wales Waratahs in Super “As an ex-rider himself, Bernard will appreciate the need for fair- clash at Sydney Football Stadium. (1005 “We’re playing for something special, to the unfamiliar openside of the scrum. Rugby this season and is unlikely to ness for each and every athlete. And at the current time, Chris GMT kickoff ) something that hasn’t been done. Number eight CJ Stander has moved to provide the running threat or delivery to is entitled to race.” The Wallabies had looked vulnerable “To win a test series in the southern hemi- blindside and with no specialist openside flyhalf Bernard Foley that Genia does. Hinault was quoted by British media as saying: “Christopher before the series began, but a strong sphere is a diff icult thing to do. We found flanker in the side, Schmidt’s plans to at- Wallabies coach Michael Cheika would Froome should not be at the start of the Tour. The peloton defensive eff ort against an under-strength that out in South Africa when we were 1-0 tack the breakdown with bulk rather than also expect greater production from should put its feet to the ground and say, if he is starting the Irish side earned them a surprise 18-9 vic- up and we came away with a 2-1 loss. speed has indicated a desire to continue players like centre Samu Kerevi, who has race, we won’t start. Quite simply because he has tested posi- tory in Brisbane. “These experiences are great for what to target the dual threat of David Pocock done little on attack and looked puzzled in tive, for me this is not an abnormal test. The people at the UCI With star flyhalf Johnny Sexton restored will happen hopefully in 15, 16 months and Michael Hooper and blow them off defence, and more competitiveness from should have said, you have been caught, so you should not be to the starting lineup, the Irish under- time,” he added of next year’s World Cup the ball. their unchanged tight five. racing.”

FOCUS Fired-up France demand respect from NZ AFP not that they were bad, they’re as they prepared this week. “We Dunedin, New Zealand the best team in the world and feel that there is still freshness we tried really hard to put a lot in training, even after the weight of pressure on them,” the South of a long season. There is also a fi red-up France are African-born Le Roux said. mental freshness, the players are demanding respect as “I fi nd it disrespectful against really motivated,” he said. they head into the fi nal us and for them, I think they gave With the match being played Test against New Zea- it all.” The All Blacks led 21-6 at under the roofed Dunedin Stadi- landA in Dunedin tomorrow, say- half-time and lost the second um, and a fast-paced clash like- ing they plan to continue where half 7-5, spending much of the ly, Brunel has made two changes they left off in the second Test. time starved of possession. After to his starting lineup. Clermont Although the All Blacks won a controversial yellow card in the pair Wesley Fofana and Remi the second Test 26-13, France fi rst Test and a red card that was Lamerat will replace captain were a man down for most of the rescinded after the second Test, Mathieu Bastareaud and Geof- game after fullback Benjamin there was ample motivation for frey Doumayrou in the centres. Fall was wrongly sent off and the French. “From the very start I knew also dominated the second half. “Our goal for this tour was to I was going to play Fofana and The world champion All come here and be competitive Lamerat. They did not come to Blacks were subsequently criti- and we’ve come off the back of New Zealand to sit at the beach,” cised for not putting away France a long season,” Le Roux said. “To Brunel said. A thigh injury meant the way they had with the 52-11 have a victory, it would be good the 44-Test Fofana was not con- victory in the fi rst Test. But lock to then go on holiday and not sidered for the fi rst two Tests. Bernard Le Roux called the reac- have to explain to everyone why The only other change in the tion “disrespectful” to France, we took a lot of points in New France line up sees Felix Lambey saying they did not get the credit Zealand or not performed as we replace lock Paul Gabrillagues they deserved. should have.” on the bench. Scrum-half Mor- “We had a good game, we put Coach Jacques Brunel said he gan Parra will captain the side in a lot of pressure on them. It’s could sense the pride in his squad Bastareaud’s absence. France’s Bernard Le Roux (left) and coach Jacques Brunel during a media conference in Auckland yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Friday, June 22, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS FOOTBALL Manchester United complete Brazilian Federer saves two Fred signing

Reuters “Fred will complement our London other midfi elders’ qualities, which we need; his creative brain and passing vision will anchester United give us another dimension to match points to enter have completed our game,” Mourinho said. the signing of Fred won three Ukrainian Brazil midfi elder league titles with Shakhtar af- FredM from Ukraine’s Shakhtar ter joining from Brazil’s Inter- Donetsk on a fi ve-year con- nacional in 2013. tract, the English Premier United also signed Portu- League club said yesterday. guese full back Diogo Dalot British media reported from Porto this month. Halle quarter-fi nals that United will pay Shakhtar about 52 million pounds ($70 Juventus sign midfielder ‘At the end it was extremely close, I was fortunate to have made it today’ million) for the 25-year-old. Can from Liverpool “This is the biggest club in the Juventus have completed AFP world and I am delighted to be the signing of German mid- Halle Westfalen, Germany a part of this amazing team,” fi elder Emre Can from Liver- Fred told United’s website. pool on a four-year contract, “To work with (manager) the Italian champions said orld number one Jose Mourinho, who has won yesterday. Roger Federer kept so many trophies in his time as The 24-year-old will join his quest for a 10th a coach, is an opportunity not the Turin-based club on a free Halle grasscourt title to be missed. transfer when his contract at Walive by saving two match points “I cannot wait to get started Anfi eld expires at the end of to defeat France’s Benoit Paire and to meet my new team- the month. 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) and make the mates. I would like to thank Can, who joined Liverpool quarter-fi nals yesterday. everyone at Shakhtar Donetsk in 2014, made his 167th and Federer will face Australia’s for everything they have done fi nal appearance for the Mer- world number 60 Matthew for me over the past fi ve years.” seyside outfi t when he came on Ebden, who defeated Germany’s “Fred is in the Brazil World as a substitute in their Cham- Philipp Kohlschreiber 4-6, 6-1, Cup squad, but was an un- pions League fi nal defeat by 6-2, for a place in the semi-fi - used substitute for the 1-1 Real Madrid last month. nals. draw with Switzerland in their He has been capped 20 Federer’s preparations in the opening game. times by Germany but missed build-up to the defence of his Fred will compete for a mid- out on Joachim Loew’s World Wimbledon title had been running fi eld place with Paul Pogba and Cup squad. smoothly, with a title last week Nemanja Matic next season as Can becomes Juve’s second in Stuttgart and a solid opening United aim to challenge cham- signing of the close season fol- Halle win for the top seed. pions Manchester City for the lowing the arrival of goalkeep- It was a tough fi ght yesterday, Premier League title. er Mattia Perin from Genoa. however, with the 36-year-old missing two match points in the fi nal-set tiebreak and then sav- ing two for Paire. Muguruza crumbles against ‘shaking’ The top seed fi nally won on his Strycova in Birmingham third match point when Paire re- turned long. Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza fell in the second “You need to take the right de- round of the Birmingham grass court tournament yesterday to cisions along the way,” Federer Barbora Strycova, the 24th ranked Czech. said of the dramatic tiebreaker. Strycova beat the top-seeded Spaniard, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour, 26 “You need some luck also, I Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates winning against Benoit Paire of France during their ATP tournament in Halle, Germany, yesterday. (AFP) minutes. guess. “I’m a fighter and I like to fight, on and off the court,” said Stry- “It was a tough match played However, his escape act cova. “Sometimes when you fight, you’re rewarded and I’m very at good level. He served well and against Paire means he has now Djokovic crushes Dimitrov to reach win No.799 happy with my match today.” was hard to break. won 18 straight matches on his Just 10 days before Wimbledon, the third-ranked Muguruza favoured grass surface, a run of Novak Djokovic swept into the Queen’s Club quar- “Grigor made some crucial double faults today made 29 unforced errors. After dropping the first set, she led 4-2 Federer is seeking a 99th success dating back a year. ter-finals and recorded his 799th career win with that handed me the first set. He loves playing on in the second before collapsing and losing the last four games. career title this weekend Federer is seeking a 99th ca- a 6-4, 6-1 demolition of Grigor Dimitrov yesterday. grass, he’s a great quality player,” he said. Serving for the match, Strycova squandered three match points, and could possibly be reer title this weekend and could Djokovic needed only 65 minutes to crush world “Being able to get the first set under he belt was a the last with a double fault, before steadying to seal victory. playing for his 100th at possibly be playing for his 100th number five Dimitrov in the second round of the huge confidence booster for me. “It went so quick and I was serving well, nearly two aces and I Wimbledon next month at Wimbledon next month, Wimbledon warm-up event. “I made three double faults in the last game and was 40-0 and I was shaking,” Strycova said at the press confer- where he has won eight of his 20 In the last eight, the former world number one was serving with new balls which usually, on ence. “It was always going to be Grand Slam trophies. faces the winner of the all-French clash between grass, is easier. “I’m leading and I’m shaking. I was questioning. Then I start to tight. At the end it was extreme- Ebden reached the semi-fi nals Adrian Mannarino and Julien Benneteau. “I made it stressful for myself. I’m glad I manage be very nervous. My hands were shaking. I was like, ‘Why I am ly close, I was fortunate to have in the Netherlands last week, “Hopefully we can get 800 tomorrow,” said the to close it out.” shaking? This is not a Grand Slam final.’” made it today.” where he lost to Jeremy Chardy. Serb. Strycova now has a 4-3 record against Muguruza and three of Federer, who won the opening The Australian needed just If Djokovic is successful in his next match, the the Czech’s victories over Top 5 opponents have come against set with back-to-back aces, fell over 90 minutes to beat Kohls- Serb will become only the 10th man in the Open the Spaniard. 4-0 down in the second set as chreiber, the 2011 title winner era to join the 800-win club. “Every time I play her, I have to play my best tennis, and it hap- Paire rallied. The Swiss got one in Halle. The Aussie fi red seven It was Djokovic’s first win over a top 10 player pens,” Strycova said. of the breaks back but could not aces while breaking four times. in just over a year and the impressive display Fourth seeded Czech Petra Kvitova, twice a Wimbledon cham- work his usual magic as the con- Kohlschreiber is usually suggested he made the right decision to play at pion and the winner in Birmingham last year, took the first four test was squared at a set each. strong in his homeland where Queen’s for the first time since 2010. games against Russian Daria Gavrilova on the way to a comfort- The victory in just under two he is 121-64 with fi ve of his eight Djokovic is a lowly 22nd in the ATP rankings after able 6-2, 6-2 victory. hours left Federer with a perfect ATP titles coming in Germany. an embarrassing French Open quarter-final de- 6-0 record over Paire, who an- In other second-round feat against Italian journeyman Marco Cecchinato grily slashed his racquet across matches, Croatian Borna Co- extended his wretched run in 2018. the grass in moments of des- ric beat Nikolaz Basilashvili 6-4, Hampered by an elbow injury last year, he has peration, drawing jeers from the 6-2 while Italy’s Andreas Seppi failed to reach the semi-finals in any of his last crowd. “I created quite a few op- put out former champion Flo- five Grand Slam appearances. portunities, but maybe I was a rian Mayer of Germany 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic hasn’t earned a major title since compet- bit tentative at times,” Federer ing his career Grand Slam by winning the 2016 said. “I was disappointed with SECOND ROUND RESULTS French Open. my serve in the second set, being Roger Federer (SUI x1) bt Benoit Dogged by rumours that he no longer has the broken twice. Paire (FRA) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7) motivation to return to the top, the 12-time Grand “That is not allowed to hap- Matthew Ebden (AUS) bt Philipp Slam winner decided to start his bid for a fourth pen, I need to clean that up. But Kohlschreiber (GER x6) 4-6, 6-1, Wimbledon crown by accepting a Queen’s wild it was not a bad match for me.” 6-2 card. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic applauds the crowd Had he lost yesterday, Fed- Andreas Seppi (ITA) bt Florian Speaking after finishing off former Queen’s win- after winning against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov erer would have surrendered the Mayer (GER) 6-2, 6-4 ner Dimitrov, Djokovic admitted his confidence is during the second round match of the Queen’s world top ranking to Rafael Nad- Borna Coric (CRO) bt Nikoloz finally starting to return. Club Championships in London yesterday. (AFP) al at Wimbledon. Basilashvili (GEO) 6-4, 6-2.

FOCUS Hamilton not sweating on Mercedes upgrade Reuters in the year, but practice will be Le Castellet more important than usual given Ricciardo expects Red Bull to ramp up contract talks the lack of past data. Vettel said he did not think the Daniel Ricciardo expects Red Bull to ramp up Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, that ercedes kept every- engine upgrade, if it happened, discussions about a new contract now that they Renault-powered McLaren had made a $20 million one guessing yester- would necessarily make a big have sorted their engine supplier, amid talk of approach, Ricciardo joked it was not enough. day whether Lewis diff erence to the outcome. “I be- interest in the Australian from Formula One rivals He did not rule anything out, however. Hamilton will have lieve they’re very strong no mat- McLaren and others. The 28-year-old Ricciardo, “Everyone’s talking about Mercedes and Ferrari as Man engine upgrade for the French ter what...some races suit you a winner of two of the last seven races including the potential places for me to go but I’m aware there’s Grand Prix but the Formula One bit better for some reasons and showcase Monaco Grand Prix, is a free agent at the obviously going to be interest from other teams and world champion said he was not others don’t,” he told reporters. end of 2018 and mulling his options. Red Bull, who I guess McLaren is probably one of them,” he added. sweating either way. “Even if they stay with that have 20-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen on “It probably depends as well on what Fernando The Briton and team mate engine, with that advantage a long-term deal, this week announced they were (Alonso) does, if he stays or if he goes. If he does go, Valtteri Bottas are due to have Pit crew members push the Mercedes of British driver Lewis Hamilton they’ve had in that race (Bar- switching from Renault to Honda from 2019 and then I guess they will probably want a more experi- fresh engines for Sunday’s eighth on the pit lane at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, southern celona) we can all put a lot of are now turning their attentions to completing enced driver to come in. I guess we’ll see.” round of the championship, with France, yesterday. (AFP) horsepower and a lot of down- the driver line-up. “I haven’t been pushed yet but I Asked whether he was talking with Ferrari and the rules limiting drivers to three force and our car still would lack would say there will be a bit of movement probably champions Mercedes, Ricciardo said he was not power units for the 21-race sea- ton told reporters on Thursday. duction of an upgrade for anoth- pace compared to them. in the next week,” Ricciardo told reporters at the personally but acknowledged his management son. The upgrade was supposed “I don’t know what the team er seven races, unless a penalty “Is it all in the car? All in the French Grand Prix. “Ideally for them, they’d want might be. “I don’t know. People talk, people have to have been introduced in Can- have planned for me. The fresher was taken. Hamilton is a point engine? I don’t think so,” added something sooner rather than later. Probably in coff ees and stuff . And Red Bulls,” he said. ada two weekends ago but was engine this weekend will be great behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, the German, the only driver to the next two weeks would be ideal for them,” he The Australian said his priority remained to be in a postponed late in the day due to as it will have more power than both of them four-time world have won three races this year. added. “For me personally, I think it would be nice car with championship potential, and he would not a ‘quality issue’. the one I used at the last race. I champions, ahead of Sunday’s “They had obviously a great to go on the summer (August) break knowing what make a change just for the sake of it, but recog- A Mercedes spokesman said trust the team, and if we have to race which is the fi rst French weekend (in Barcelona) and eve- I’m doing, so then I can actually enjoy (it). nised there was an attraction in joining a team on the plan was to have it at Le use the older-specifi cation en- Grand Prix in a decade and fi rst rybody else was a little bit be- “If I’m on the phone for two weeks of the August the rise. “Obviously McLaren and Renault aren’t Castellet but fi nal confi rmation gine, I am not worried.” at Le Castellet since 1990. hind. Other weekends it’s been break, trying to still figure out my future, it prob- there today but maybe they will be there in a year would not come until Friday The older-specifi cation en- The track shares some charac- the other way around, so we’ll ably won’t be that good.” or three years’ time. You never really know,” he practice. “The championship is gine would still be a fresh one but teristics with Barcelona, where see how it’ll be this week and Asked about German media reports, quoting Red said. all about tiny margins,” Hamil- its use would preclude the intro- Mercedes were dominant earlier then the weeks after.”

Friday, June 22, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING SPOTLIGHT Sri Lanka skipper appeals ban over 60th Ascot win for ball tampering: ICC

AFP spin. His action was picked up Colombo on television images. Srinath also said that Chandimal had been less than ri Lanka captain Di- convincing in his defence. Dettori; al-Attiyah’s nesh Chandimal has “During the hearing, Di- appealed his one- nesh admitted to putting match ban for ball something in his mouth but tamperingS during a Test couldn’t remember what it against the West Indies, the was, which I found uncon- International Cricket Council vincing as a defence,” he said. said yesterday. At the time of the incident, Chandimal, 28, was found Chandimal denied charges Baghdad triumphs guilty of changing the condi- fi led by on-fi eld umpires Al- tion of the ball during the sec- eem Dar and Ian Gould, and ‘He was a lion, he refused to lie down and fought everyone off ’ ond day’s play of the second third umpire Richard Kettle- Test, which concluded in a borough. Agencies draw at Gros Islet on Monday. Sri Lanka’s coach Chandika Ascot, United Kingdom He was slapped with two Hathurusingha and manager suspension points and fi ned Asanka Gurusinghe face sepa- 100 per cent of his match fee. rate charges of “acting con- ohamed bin Hamad The points equate to a ban trary to the spirit of the game” Khalifa al-Attiyah’s from one Test or two ODIs or during the ball tampering Baghdad capped the two T20s. drama. day’s proceedings Following the ruling, Chan- There were concerns that Mwith a thrilling victory in the dimal was set to miss his side’s the Test match was in jeop- King George V Stakes Handi- third Test in Barbados starting ardy when Chandimal refused cap, even as Frankie Dettori rode tomorrow. to lead his team onto the fi eld his 60th Royal Ascot winner But the skipper “had ap- after he was informed of the yesterday. pealed against the match ref- charge and the application of Dettori and trainer John Gos- eree’s fi ndings,” the ICC an- a fi ve-run penalty. den continued with what has nounced on an offi cial Twitter Sri Lankan cricket has been a successful meeting so account. lurched from one controversy far for the duo with Stradivar- A judicial commissioner to the next, with allegations of ius taking the Group 1 Gold Cup will be appointed to hear match fi xing and corruption yesterday. Chandimal’s appeal though a compounding the national In the fi nal race of the day, date has not been set. team’s worst streak on record. Andrea Atzeni was astride Mark Sri Lanka’s cricket board The island’s state-run Daily Johnston-trained Baghdad. has not commented on the News on Thursday demanded Atzeni had the three-year-old ruling. the ICC hand Chandimal and Frankel colt track early leaders But offi cial sources say its the two offi cials at the centre before fi ghting it out with Jim expected Chandimal will be of the latest scandal the maxi- Crowley-helmed Corgi on the allowed to play in the third mum possible penalty. home straight. Test pending a hearing. “If the ICC goes soft on Johnston’s ward, however, Match referee Javagal Sri- these individuals they are held on in a close fi nish that saw nath had said Chandimal ap- going to lose control of the Dettori sneak up on the inside on plied an artifi cial substance to whole circuit,” the newspaper First Eleven for third. the ball in violation of the ICC declared. Earlier in the day, Frankie Det- Code of Conduct. “They have to make an ex- tori celebrated his 60th Royal The player was suspected of ample of them because if they Ascot winner in a memorable using saliva and a sweet that don’t, every Tom, Dick and sixth Ascot Gold Cup success on he had in his mouth to tamper Harry is going to do it and get Stradivarius. Frankie Dettori celebrates with the trophy after winning the 4.20 Gold Cup riding Stradivarius at the Royal Ascot yesterday. (Reuters) with the ball and give it more away with it.” The 47-year-old Italian was headed briefl y in the fi nishing – said he had to remind Dettori straight but summoned a fi nal that it wasn’t just him who had burst out of the John Gosden- won the race. “I had to tell him New Bangladesh coach Rhodes trained colt to edge French as he came back to the enclosure confi dent ahead of West Indies tour raider Vazirabad with Irish run- that he had been riding a horse,” ner Torcedor, who led into the “He is a gorgeous horse.” Newly appointed Bangladesh cricket coach Steve Rhodes pre- straight, third. However, 65-year-old Gosden dicted a competitive Test series in the West Indies next month Victory for Gosden and Det- said despite his gentle ribbing but said there was no reason the team could not win. tori was the perfect antidote to of Dettori, he had special abili- The ex-England wicketkeeper was formally introduced as the crushing disappointment of ties too. “There was a nasty fake the Tigers’ coach on Wednesday after his appointment was their odds-on chance Cracks- news story that he was going to confirmed earlier this month following a long hunt for a new man getting beaten in Wednes- retire around the Epsom Derby,” coach for the Test minnows. Rhodes, who has never previously day’s feature race the Prince of said Gosden. coached a national team, will make his debut during the Test Wales’s Stakes. “However, he is still riding series in the West Indies in July. The first Test will be played in Although Gosden has giv- with hunger and enjoying it. Antigua from July 4 while the second and final Test will be held en Stradivarius the nickname “He is a great family man but in Kingston, Jamaica from July 12. “If we get the team work ‘Mickey Mouse’ Dettori sum- he said to me the other day I am right and team feel right, then it gives better chances to be moned up another image of an going to ride for another fi ve successful in West Indies,” Rhodes said in his first formal press animal when describing him. years. if Mike Smith can win the conference as coach. He said the team would try their best “to “He was a lion, he refused to Triple Crown aged 52 (on Justify win the series”. lie down and fought everyone this year) then I see no reason “We all know that the task is a diff icult one. Only two Test off ,” said Dettori. Dettori said why I can’t carry on.” matches. We can come out from those traps and start the Test Ascot had a special quality about Vazirabad’s trainer Alain de matches well, and then there is no reason why we can’t win,” he it that sparked something in him. Royer Dupre was delighted with said, referring to the team’s recent poor form. Bangladesh, who “I come alive here,” he said. “I the performance of his runner are also scheduled to play three ODIs and as many Twenty20 think the crowd lifted him. The and said he might well come internationals on the West Indies tour, will leave home on June Gold Cup is the showcase of the back next year and even the 23. Talented fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will miss the tour week and to ride the fi rst one for Goodwood Cup later this season through injury, which Rhodes said was a blow for the team’s John and his wonderful team is very might be on the agenda. prospects in the Caribbean. After Sri Lankan Chandika Hathu- special. “I give them big kisses.” “I am very proud of him, he is rusingha left the Bangladesh head coach position, the team – For Gosden – celebrating his a wonderful horse,” said de Royer ranked eighth in the ICC Test ranking – has seen a dip in form. 47th career win at the meeting Dupre. Baghdad ridden by Andrea Atzeni (R) wins the King George V Stakes at the Royal Ascot yesterday. (Reuters)

CRICKET Finch, Marsh hit tons before England fi ght back AFP SCOREBOARD But Head got himself out on 63 when he Chester-le-Street, United Kingdom carelessly hit a long-hop from leg-spinner Australia Adil Rashid to Willey at deep midwicket. A. Finch lbw b Wood ...... 100 England captain Eoin Morgan brought on ustralia’s Aaron Finch and Shaun T. Head c Willey b Rashid ...... 63 Test skipper Joe Root, as his fi rst change and Marsh both hit hundreds before S. Marsh c Overton b Willey ...... 101 saw the part-time off -spinner’s 10 economi- England fought back to hold the M. Stoinis b Wood ...... 1 cal overs cost just 44 runs. world champions to 310 for eight in A. Agar c Buttler b Rashid ...... 19 Finch pulled Overton for six to go to 90 be- theA fourth one-day international at Chester- fore completing a 105-ball century including A. Carey c Overton b Willey ...... 6 le-Street yesterday. T. Paine lbw b Willey ...... 3 six fours and three sixes. The tourists, 3-0 down in this fi ve-match M. Neser c Buttler b Willey ...... 2 He received excellent support from Marsh series after England posted an all-time one- J. Richardson not out ...... 5 in a stand of 124. day international record 481 for six during a N. Lyon not out ...... 3 Finch’s 11th ODI century ended on exactly 242-run win at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, were Extras (lb3, w4) 7 100 when he was lbw to a Wood delivery that on course for a large total at 225 for one in the Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 310 cut back. 40th over. Did not bat: B Stanlake Wood made it two wickets for two runs in But fast bowler Mark Wood took two wick- Fall of wickets: 1-101 (Head), 2-225 just fi ve balls when later in the same over he ets in an over on his Durham home ground (Finch), 3-227 (Stoinis), 4-256 (Agar), clean bowled Marcus Stoinis with a similar before left-arm quick David Willey topped 5-296 (Carey), 6-296 (Marsh), 7-299 delivery that cut back in. that with three wickets in the 48th over on his (Neser), 8-305 (Paine) Marsh went to his hundred in style by way to fi gures of four for 43. Bowling: Wood 9-1-49-2 (2w); Willey 7-0- launching Rashid for the fourth six of a 91- Although Finch (100) and Marsh, whose 43-4; Root 10-0-44-0 (1w); Overton 7-0- ball innings. 101 was his second hundred of the series, 55-0; Rashid 10-0-73-2 (1w); Ali 7-0-43-0. Rashid’s fi nal over cost 25 runs. both reached three fi gures, neither lasted A ball after Alex Carey holed out off Willey, long after posting their respective centuries. Marsh was also dismissed when he found a Even so, Australia’s total topped the previ- Finch was, however, given a reprieve on backpedalling Jason Roy at long-on who, be- ous Riverside ODI ground record of 307 for eight when a diving Alex Hales at midwicket fore he stepped over the boundary, reverse- fi ve, made by England against New Zealand failed to hold onto what would have been a fl icked the ball back infi eld for Overton to 10 years ago. brilliant catch following a fi ercely hit pull off complete an extraordinary catch. It was no surprise when Australia captain Wood. Paine survived the hat-trick, but two balls Tim Paine, who fi elded fi rst at Nottingham, Craig Overton, given an ODI debut after later Willey had Michael Neser caught behind decided to bat when he won yesterday’s England rested fellow paceman Liam Plun- by Jos Buttler. toss. kett, saw his fi rst ball at this level – a short Finch celebrated his return to his regu- and wide delivery outside off stump – cut to Australia’s Shaun Marsh celebrates his lar opening berth, after D’Arcy Short was the boundary by Travis Head. century during the fourth ODI against dropped, by pulling the fi rst ball of the match, This was one of nine fours he struck in a England at The Riverside in Chester-le-Street, a Wood long hop, for four. 43-ball fi fty. England yesterday. (AFP)