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SPORT Wednesday 20 June 2018

PAGEE | 1199 PAGPAGE | 24 Big guns tippedped to JapanJapan create history bounce back afteafterr wwithith win over failing to eexcelxcel 10-10-manm Colombia

Russia on a roll as Egypt bite the dust

AFP goals in his debut season for Liverpool and former : Chelsea left-back Yuri The return of Mohamed Zhirkov wasn’t afraid to Salah from injury couldn’t test his fitness with a prevent World Cup hosts series of robust Russia virtually sealing challenges. their place in the last 16 by But Zhirkov’s best beating Egypt 3-1 piece of defending was a yesterday. last-ditch tackle that pre- An own by Egypt vented Salah a simple tap captain Ahmed Fathy in at the back post. opened the floodgates on It took 40 minutes for a sodden night in Saint the ’s Petersburg before goals Golden Boot winner to from have an attempt on goal and fur- as the ball fell kindly on thered Russian hopes the edge of the area, but they can defy pre-tour- even on his favoured left nament expectations foot his effort curled with a deep run into the beyond ’s far latter stages. post. Salah did net Egypt’s Shorn of Salah at his first goal at a World Cup best and facing the hosts, since 1990 from the Egypt had an uphill task penalty spot after he had as it was without gifting been hauled down 17 Russia the initiative as minutes from time, but it they did in calamitous was too little, too late for fashion at the start of the the Pharaohs. second-half. Russia will be guar- There appeared little anteed a place in the last danger when Roman 16 and Egypt eliminated Zobnin’s off-target shot unless Saudi Arabia beat dribbled towards goal, but Uruguay today. under pressure from Salah was making his Dzyuba, Fathy threw an first appearance since outstretched right leg injuring his left shoulder towards the ball and when falling heavily after turned it into his own net. being dragged to the Having got the bit of ground by Real Madrid luck they needed, Russia captain Sergio Ramos in showed they have the the Champions League quality to trouble more final just over three weeks fancied nations with a ago. brilliantly worked second His presence in the that was swept home by starting line-up after Cheryshev for his third Russia’s midfielder Denis Cheryshev (bottom, right) shoots to score their second goal sitting out Friday’s 1-0 goal of the World Cup against Egypt during the 2018 World Cup Group A match played at the Saint Petersburg defeat to Uruguay pro- from Mario Fernandes’s Stadium in Saint Petersburg yesterday. voked a feverish cross. excitement from the thou- Three minutes later it sands of Egyptian fans that was 3-0 as the towering Russia virtually seal their YESTERDAY'S RESULTS poured into the 6ft 4in (1.96 metre) place in the last 16 by beating 65,000-capacity Saint Dzyuba demonstrated Egypt 3-1. GROUP H Petersburg stadium to quick feet to free himself COLOMBIA 1-2 JAPAN almost even up the inside the area before Salah scores the only goal for numbers in the stands slotting low past a helpless Egypt after making his first GROUP H 1-2 SENEGAL with the hosts. Mohamed El-Shenawy. appearance since injury lay-off. However, Russia had The Video Assistant Russia take a huge step GROUP A enjoyed a far more pos- Referee (VAR) system RUSSIA 3-1 EGYPT itive start in thrashing proved its worth to give towards the knockout phase Saudi Arabia 5-0 to snap Egypt a glimmer of hope of a World Cup for the first TODAY'S FIXTURES a seven-game run without when referee Enrique time in 32 years. a win heading into the Caceres had initially GROUP B tournament and their awarded a foul outside the , greater confidence box rather than a penalty VS MOROCCO showed early on. when Salah was pulled by 3.00pm Aleksandr Golovin and Zhirkov. Cheryshev were at the Salah smashed the GROUP A heart of most of Russia’s 10th penalty of the tour- , Rostov-On-Don best moves against the nament into the roof of the RUSSIA EGYPT Egypt’s URUGUAY VS SAUDI ARABIA Saudis and both came net, but it was little con- Mohamed Salah 6.00pm close to breaking the solation as Russia took a looks dejected deadlock with long-range huge step towards the 3 1 after losing GROUP B strikes. knockout phase of a A. FATHI - 47' OG M SALAH - 73' PEN to Russia 3-1 Kazan Arena, Kazan VS SPAIN Salah looked far from World Cup for the first CHERYSHEV - 59' yesterday. 9.00pm the player who scored 44 time in 32 years. DZYUBA - 62' 18 SPORT WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018

Neymar limps out of training, Senegal’s players celebrate after victory over Poland in setting alarm Moscow, yesterday. bells ringing AFP

SOCHI: Neymar hobbled out of a training session yesterday, setting alarm bells ringing in the Brazil camp as they prepare for their second World Cup group game against Costa Rica on Friday. “Neymar came out of training today (yesterday) with a painful right ankle,” said Vinicius Rodrigues, a spokesman for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). He put the knock down to the number of fouls Neymar received in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don in Brazil’s opening Group E outing. The 26-year-old could be seen grimacing as he held his right ankle after feeling pain as he took part in a light session for those who had started that game. Neymar had not taken part in training on Monday, as the side returned to their base in on Russia’s Black Sea coast. Rodrigues confirmed the problem concerned the Paris Saint-Germain star’s ankle and not the foot he fractured in February, an injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the Senegal pip Poland for club campaign. “As soon as he felt the pain he went to the physio. He will stay there for today and tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, and will train as first African win at Cup normal tomorrow,” added Rodrigues. AFP Neymar only made his give Poland hope, but they comeback from the foot oper- were unable to make up the ation as a substitute in Bra- MOSCOW: Senegal recorded deficit despite four minutes of zil’s 2-0 friendly win over the first African win at the 2018 injury time. Croatia on June 3. World Cup when they beat On Sunday, Senegal play He scored in that game, Poland 2-1 yesterday thanks to Japan, who beat Colombia 2-1 and then made his first start a deflected own earlier in the day, while Poland since the injury, also scoring, goal and a terrible error by will face the South in a 3-0 win over Austria in Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Americans. Vienna just before Tite’s Szczesny. Earlier, Mane was pro- squad flew to Russia. West Bromwich Albion moted to captain Senegal in the Brazil are due to travel Grzegorz Kry- match. today to Saint Petersburg, chowiak got Poland back in the Senegal coach Aliou Cisse where they will play Friday’s game with an 86th-minute benched his regular captain game. header but Senegal hung on at Cheikhou Kouyate of West Moscow’s Spartak Stadium. Ham, giving his star player In a match billed as a Mane added responsibility as straight fight between super- the West Africans open their strikers World Cup campaign. and Sadio Mane, neither scored Veteran Poland defender but Liverpool striker Mane set Senegal’s Moussa Wague failed to recover Neymar could be up Idrissa Gueye for the shot (left) and Salif Sane (right) from a shoulder injury for the seen grimacing as that took a wicked deflection in action against Poland’s match and was also named on he held his right off Cionek, leaving Szczesny Kamil Grosicki, yesterday. the bench by coach Adam totally wrong-footed in the Nawalka, who reverted to a ankle after feeling Polish goal for Senegal’s opener four-man defence in his pain as he took part on 37 minutes. After a tight first half hour, down the Polish striker as he but Khadim Ndiaye -- the only absence. in a light training The west Africans doubled it was the always-threatening charged towards goal. He African-based player in Sen- As expected, Bayern their lead on the 60-minute Niang who was at the heart of escaped with a yellow card. egal’s squad -- pushed it away. Munich sharpshooter Lewand- session yesterday. mark when the experienced Senegal’s opening goal. Lewandowski curled the Krychowiak connected owski led the forward line and Juventus goalkeeper had a The Torino winger won the free kick over the Senegal wall with Kamil Grosicki’s cross to captained Polish team. moment to forget. ball on the halfway line and fed Krychowiak put Poland in Mane who rolled it sideways to trouble with a woeful bouncing Everton striker Gueye, whose back pass, but Szczesny opted shot skewed off Cionek’s leg rashly to charge out of his and into the net. penalty area. The speedy Senegal, the 2002 quarter- Mbaye Niang got in front of his finalists, could have pressed defender, nicked the ball away home their advantage two from Szczesny and rolled it into minutes later but Salif Sane the empty net. failed to connect with a header. The goal sparked wild cel- Minutes after half-time, ebrations among the Sen- Sane was fortunate not to be egalese players and incredulity sent off for a challenge on among Poland’s. Lewandowski when he brought

SENEGAL POLAND 2 1 Qatari referees Al Marri, Al Jassim officiate Moscow game Qatari referees Taleb Al Marri (left) and Abdulrahman Al Jassim (second left) along with Poland’s 37-og Krychowiak - 86' Robert Lewandowski (third left), referee Nawaf Shukralla (third right) and Senegal’s Sadio Mane Niang-60' (second right) pose for a group picture before the match. Brazil’s forward Neymar during a training session yesterday. WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018 SPORT 19

Brazil complain to FIFA over Big guns tipped to bounce non-use of VAR technology back after failing to excel REUTERS SOCHI: The Brazilian REUTERS pedigree can take you a long Football Confederation (CBF) way, while Iceland’s run to the has asked FIFA why the Video SAMARA: Traditionally the stage quarters at Euro 2016 was the Assistant Referee (VAR) was on which the biggest teams latest example of how caution not used to review two key parade their talents, this year’s has become a reliable means of decisions they believe hindered World Cup has seen the Goliaths over-achieving. their side during Sunday’s 1-1 of international football stumble Germany’s efforts to break draw with Switzerland. when faced with industrious down Mexico seemed particu- Brazil players complained opponents of a lesser stature. larly futile -- the more resources long and hard that defender Brazil, Germany and they committed to attack, the Miranda was pushed by Argentina have lifted 11 World more they looked vulnerable to Steven Zuber when he Cups between them, but all failed the counter-punch. headed home Switzerland’s to win their opening games in Even their own players could equaliser early in the second Russia, prompting questions see they had fallen into carefully half of their Group E opener about whether this was a tem- laid trap, with centre back Mats on Sunday. porary blip or indicative of a Hummels saying Germany’s They also believe Gabriel major shift in the balance of failure to plug defensive holes Jesus was manhandled inside power. had been the subject of “internal” the penalty area and should Add in 2010 champions discussions. have been awarded a spot Spain failing to beat Portugal and Breaking down a heavily- kick. Neither incident France’s struggle to overcome manned defence is of course appeared to be reviewed. one of the supposedly weakest harder when your star turn does “The CBF requires to Australia sides in recent years not join the party and Brazil and know from FIFA the reason and a pattern emerges. Argentina will want to see more the technology was not used Germany’s 1-0 defeat by from their talismanic talents. in key incidents during the Mexico was not unprecedented, Lionel Messi, the game’s game,” the organisation said but was still statistically master magician who is yet to lift in a statement. remarkable. a senior international trophy, VAR is being used in the The holders have lost their looked like the weight of the world World Cup for the first time was on his shoulders as he missed and, according to FIFA, a penalty against Iceland. should only “correct clear and Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during the match against Iceland on Saturday in Moscow. RIGHT: Brazil’s Neymar, the most obvious errors and missed Brazil’s Neymar during a training session in Sochi, yesterday. expensive soccer player on the incidents in clearly defined planet, fared no better as he match-changing decisions”. Brazil, Germany opening game before with -- Manchester United manager with Switzerland, both came up made his competitive return Brazil believe the two and Argentina have Joachim Loew’s side joining Jose Mourinho is firmly in the against teams happy to sacrifice after a lengthy injury absence incidents, neither of which lifted 11 World Cups Spain (2014), France (2002), blip camp. attacking intent in favour of rigid against Switzerland. they referred to directly, are between them, but Argentina (1990 and 1982) and “They all will qualify and the defensive organisation and Her- The Paris St Germain covered by that explanation. Italy (1950) in suffering that best of these top teams will come culean levels of industry. forward spent much of the match The technology has been used all failed to win their ignominy. in the knockout,” the Portuguese Mexico took it one stage rolling on the floor as the Swiss, sparingly in Russia with only opening games in Yet this was Germany’s first said. further, combining a defensive who committed 19 fouls, 10 of one major dispute, a penalty Russia, prompting opening-game defeat since 1982 To do that, however, they wall with a rapid-fire counter- which were on Neymar, tested awarded to France against questions about and the only time in World Cup will need to reassert their supe- attack that left Germany’s ageing his injured foot. Australia that was initially history that they, Brazil and riority against lesser sides on rearguard outgunned. With players like Neymar turned down. whether this was a Argentina had all failed to win paper who seem to have collec- Manning the barricades is and Messi under-par, the fear of The penalty, which was temporary blip or their first matches. tively settled on a blueprint for not a new idea for smaller coun- facing Brazil or Argentina is scored by , indicative of a major Not everyone is convinced a frustrating more talented tries hoping to upset the odds. somewhat lessened. helped France to a 2-1 victory. competition that has only had opponents. Costa Rica showed four years As the tournament wears on Meanwhile, Iran have suf- shift in the balance of eight winners in its 88-year Argentina, who were held to ago in reaching the quarter- it will become apparent whether fered a blow ahead of power. history has suddenly witnessed a 1-1 draw by tiny Iceland, and finals that the ability to frustrate it has gone for good or will return Wednesday’s World Cup a levelling of the playing field Brazil, who shared the spoils opponents with a far greater with a vengeance. Group B clash against Spain with versatile defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi ruled out of the rest of the tournament England’s forward by injury. celebrates after winning the Cheshmi, who started England have a new prince World Cup match against Tunisia Iran’s opening 1-0 victory in Volgograd on Monday. over Morocco in central defence, suffered a muscle injury in training on Sunday - and his name is Harry and would be sidelined for four weeks, according to the Iran football Federation. AFP second in breathless fashion game. We got lucky and we with a clever, composed, far- got the goal in the end,” he VOLGOGRAD: Harry Kane rose post header as the clock ticked said. Dramatic emphatically to the World Cup past 90 minutes to give He is now on the path to challenge in England’s England a precious 2-1 win. joining the company of England win opening match against Tunisia lost track of Kane England World Cup legends. Tunisia, scoring a last-gasp only twice from set pieces in The last man to score winner to give Gareth South- 91 minutes. It cost them two twice for England in a World breaks 2018 gate’s side lift-off in Russia. goals, and the match. “He is Cup match was 1986 Golden It was a remarkable World the optimal striker,” said Boot winner Gary Lineker, TV record Cup debut for Kane, who bore Maaloul. against Cameroon in Italia 90. the added pressure of the Kane was less enthused And in one match Kane AFP captain’s armband and the about his treatment, but now has doubled the World weight of a nation on his knows he is a marked man Cup goals tally of England’s LONDON: England’s 24-year-old shoulders. and can expect more of the record scorer Wayne Rooney, last-gasp win against Critics were sharpening same as the tournament who played in the 2006, 2010 Tunisia at the football their pencils. He had never progresses. and 2014 tournaments. World Cup was Britain’s won a trophy with Tottenham. “I was a bit disappointed Kane’s stats are com- most-watched television He had never scored in a by the referee not saying any- pelling: he has eight goals in programme of 2018, major tournament. He had thing on corners, I couldn’t get the six games he has worn the attracting a peak failed to find the net in four them off me,” Kane said. England armband, 11 in his audience of 18.3 million, appearances at Euro 2016 “But all we can do is get past eight games for the according to the BBC and in the big Champions on with the game.” Three Lions. yesterday. League matches against the Kane largely disappeared “If he hadn’t scored, I’d be Monday evening’s likes of Real Madrid. for the 80 minutes that sep- answering questions about his game in Volgograd, Kane, scorer of a arated his goals, but he has ability to score in tournament which was decided by remarkable 59 Premier that indefinable quality that football,” said Southgate, captain Harry Kane’s League goals in the past two elevates great strikers above almost tired of people doubting injury-time header, had seasons, was even goaded by the rest -- he will always, Kane’s ability. a 69.2 percent audience a Russian reporter in the pre- somehow, find a way to earn “The only thing he hasn’t share at its peak, beating match press conference about one last chance, and one is done now is score in August. last month’s royal his lack of silverware. generally all he needs. He’s moved every other wedding. “Maybe I’ll be sitting here “In the back of our minds, barrier, and I’m personally Around three million in four weeks with the big we thought that it could be delighted for him.” requests were also made gold one,” he quipped back. one of those days where it There will be harder to stream it online, He had a score to settle and doesn’t go our way,” Kane battles ahead, Belgium lie in making it the highest all he needed was two oppor- admitted after the match. wait after Panama on Sunday. ever live audience for an tunities on Monday at the Vol- “But that’s why you work But Monday was a dream online BBC broadcast. gograd Arena, just two strikes so hard, so you can go to start for Harry, England’s new England won 2-1 on target. He scored both, the 90-plus minutes to win a prince. and will next play Panama on Sunday. 20 SPORT WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018 WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018 SPORT 21

Spain’s in action during a training Centurion Suarez seeks session on the eve of their FIFA 2018 World Cup match against Iran yesterday. ‘Hero’ Ronaldo and Portugal World Cup redemption

AFP Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in action during a training session at the Rostov look to eliminate Morocco Arena in Rostov-On-Don yesterday, on the eve of the Russia 2018 : For a player World Cup Group A match against Saudi Arabia. who has made so many headlines at the World Cup, it is appropriate that AFP “For me the most important thing is to Herve Renard’s men face a monumental Luiz Suarez will make his 100th appear- emphasise what the team did against one of challenge, with games to come against Por- ance for Uruguay at football’s biggest MOSCOW: will attempt to the favourites to win this World Cup.” tugal and Spain, but midfielder Faycal Fajr is tournament. follow up his World Cup opening game hero- Despite lifting the trophy at Euro 2016, adamant all is not lost for the Atlas Lions. Barring any last minute disasters ics for Portugal against a Morocco side licking Portugal are not widely viewed as among the “If I said that we don’t believe we can the Barcelona striker will reach his cen- their wounds after a crushing last-gasp defeat. favourites in Russia but can take a big step qualify it would be a lie,” said Fajr, one of 17 tury of games for the Celeste today A hat-trick from the five-time world towards the last 16 with victory over Morocco players born abroad in Morocco’s 23-man when they play Saudi Arabia in Ros- player of the year snatched a thrilling 3-3 in Moscow today. squad. tov-on-Don in Group A’s second round draw for the European champions against “I think we are stronger than Morocco if “I could throw out some examples, like of matches. Spain in a heavyweight Group B showdown we compare the two teams, but I’m not say- the Argentina draw (1-1 with Iceland). Where The match should be routine and in Sochi. ing the game will be easy for us,” striker Andre there’s a will there’s a way. (The Portuguese) could secure Uruguay’s passage to the It was Ronaldo’s 51st career hat-trick, and Silva told reporters at Portugal’s training base. Morocco did not concede a single goal in have two feet, two legs and they are humans knockout stage, but with Suarez foot- the 51st in the tournament’s history, as the “We cannot underestimate them and must the final qualifying round as they sealed a like us.” ball fans know that very few things are Real Madrid star became just the fourth player have respect for any opponent. Any game at return to the World Cup for the first time in “We lost a battle but we haven’t lost the mundane. to score in four World Cups. the World Cup is difficult.” 20 years, but their knockout hopes hang by war. We’re not dead,” he added.” The last two World Cups have seen “I am very hhappy,appy, it’s a nice personpersonalal It wilwilll bebe jjustust the the seco secondnd mee meetingting b etweenbetween a thread afterafter a a 95th 95th-minute-minute o ownwn goa goall by by A zizAziz Renard lamenlamentedted th thatat Morocco Morocco w wereere “cru “cru-- SuarezSuare exit in ignominy. recordrecord to hahave,ve, one more in in my my caree career,”r,” said said thethe two councountries,tries, afterafter MorocMoroccoco beabeatt PortPortu-u- BouhaddouzBouhaddouz aagainstgainst Iran.Iran. cified by ouourr ownown errors”errors” inin tthehe loss to Iran, In 2010, the forward was sent off Ronaldo.Ronaldo. galgal 3-1 in tthehe grogroupup stastagege at tthehe 1986 1986 f infinals.als. butbut tthehe FrenFrenchmanchman is is use usedd to to d edefyingfying th thee odd odds,s, afterafter making a last minute “save” Destiny awaits as SpainSpain having led ooutsidersutsiders ZamZambiabia to a surprise trtri-i- aagainstgain Ghana, which helped avoid umphmph aatt theth 20122 AAfricafricarica CupCupupp of of NatioNat Nations.ns. defeatdefea and saw the South Americans Hee ththethenn becabecameme thethe first first coaccoach coach to to wwi winn theh the progressprogr to the last four.   !"!" !"!"!""      continentalcontininentaental title titletle withwit with t wotwoo difd differentferenferentn team teamsams threeth three TheT incident became so infamous yearss lalater, guiguidingding thethee IvoryIvory Coast Coastt to to gl glory.oory.r it gogott its own Wikipedia entry -- Sua- take on rock-solid IIranran #!$% &'((#!$% &'(( MoroccMoroccorocco wwill need RenardRenardrd to to co conjurenjureure up up rez eeven described it as the best save      moremoo magicm agicgic ttoo prevpre prevententen an an early earlyarlyy exit,ex exit, altho althoughoughu ofof tthehe tournament -- but that was noth-      FajrFajajr ssaysaysysy ththee moodd in ththee cacamp remaremainsmains inging ttoo what happened four years later. AFP positive.posipositive.e. In 2014, he was banned from all  !"  “Even afterer tthethee dedefeat,feafeeat, thetheh atatmos-mos- footballfootb for four months and fined after KAZAN: Spanish playmaker Isco say phere was tteterrific,”errificrrrificiffic,”””h he said.d “We’veWe’ bitingbiting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, the third today’s match against Iran will deter- %)&*"%+) beenbeeen wwaitingaitingit ng for for t thishhiss mmo momentmentt f orforr2r 202 20 bitingbiting incident of his career. mine their World Cup destiny as they    years,yearsyearears all MMoroccansoroccaansn havhhavee been UruguayU players have hit out at the seek to register their first win in Russia     waitiwaitinwaitingting for thishis fforor 20 years. way Suarez was subsequently treated following a gripping 3-3 draw against  ( ()( ()  We’reWe’rrer one bibigg famifamfamily.”mily.” by ttheh footballing authorities, but their Portugal. protestsprote have garnered little empathy &     ''"" '   Champions in 2010 and among the outsoutsidei the country. favourites this year, Spain’s World Cup      SuarezSu is a player loved and loathed ambitions were kept in check, almost in equaleq measure; his on-field behav- !  '' single-handedly, by a stunning Cristiano iour hhas been questionable but not so Ronaldo hat-trick. hhisis tatalent. The draw came just two days after  ( ()  against Spainn wiwillll bbee tthehe UniverseUniverse CCupup DespiteD the ever-present contro- Spain’s campaign was thrown into dis- final,” said thee former former Real Real Madrid Madrid coach coach.. versies,versi the 31-year-old is Uruguay’s array by the shock sacking of coach Julen   ' '"   & “It was nnotot a mmira-i r a - recordrecor goalscorer, scoring 51 times in   9999 mmatches. Lopetegui following an untimely    cle that we won.n.. announcement by Real Madrid that he What can hap-p-      FiveF of those have come in the would join the 13-times European cham- +,#-..#+)$ pen once in a "#$%"#$% !!   '' WorldWorl Cup and despite a sluggish start pions after the tournament.    while is a inin UUruguay’sr 1-0 opening game win Fernando Hierro, Spain’s sporting group of peo--      againstagain Egypt, the match against a weak director, is now at the helm but barely    ple, when theyey    SaudiSaud Arabia side may offer him the a week into the tournament La Roja --  are united, canan    chachancen to celebrate his centenary in expected to join Brazil, Germany and    create superper    style.style. France in the latter stages -- have     stories and superuper      UruguayU may make changes to mid- endured more drama than they would things. field,field bringing in Carlos Sanchez and          have wanted or expected.    “Our attitudeude isis toto trytry CristianCri Rodriguez ahead of Nahitan “It’s a crucial match that will deter-  '   and make thehe impossiimpossibleble  '  '     NandezN and Giorgian De Arrasca- mine our World Cup destiny,” said Isco. possible.” etae today. “We want to score from the opening Iran sit top of the pile as the only Yet keepingping tthehe SpanisSpanishh Saudi Arabia still smarting minute, even though that won’t be easy. Group B team with a win so far, an armada at bayay to claim the point from their opening day 5-0 drub- “We will stick to the style that defines achievement that sparked incredible that would boostoost hhopesopes ooff quaqualify-lify- bing by Russia, could make us as a team, but we have to pass the ball celebrations in the streets of ing for the lastst 1616 lookslooks aa talltall ordorder.er. wholesale changes as they des- around a lot more and maintain posses- and elsewhere throughout the Islamic Iran have nevernever b beateneaten a a European European peratelyp try to stay in the sion. If we play quickly across the pitch, republic. side at a Worldrld CupCup ---- theirtheir onlonlyy prev previ-i- tournament.to the chances will come. I hope we score Coach concedes Iran ous victory wasas a a 2-1 2-1 win win over over the the United United TheT Saudis preparations were jolted quickly.” now face one of the biggest challenges States in Francence inin 1998.1998. by a mid-airm mishap on Monday when Iran kicked off their campaign with in their World Cup history, but main- Despite thehe frustration of conceding thethe pplane carrying them to Rostov suf- a 1-0 win against Morocco, thanks to a tains they can “make the impossible an 88th-minuteute equ equaliseraliser to to Ronaldo Ronaldofol fol-- feredfered a fire in one of its engines. late own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz, pil- possible”. lowing two goalsoals fromfrom DieDiegogo Costa Costa and and TheT aircraft landed safely after what ing the pressure on Spain at Kazan Arena “If the game against Morocco was a stunning ststrikerike frfromom NNacho,acho, Isco Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during a training session yesterday. oneone oof the Saudi players called a “sim- today. the World Cup final for us, the game believes Spain’s resolve remains intact ple malfunction”. Iran look to fighting spirit to contain mighty Spain After 5-0 thrashing in opener, Saudis face feared Uruguay REUTERS still wanted his side to be positive. about how US sanctions had impacted and replaced with Hierro, who Queiroz “I have to say, if there was a magic on his team’s preparations - robbing said he had once tried to sign as a player. KAZAN: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said potion to stop Spain that we could buy them of two warm-up matches and a kit “I admire him so much,” he said. “He’s REUTERS 2002 while a 2014 friendly ended in “Easy, easy. We need to keep a cool joy of the Saudi fans,” said Saudi Ara- he could offer no magic potion to help for a million dollars we would buy it,” deal - but said they would never use the a very skilled person and I think he’s the In my team nobody a draw. head. We know that any game here is bia midfielder Taisir Al Jassim. his side cope with the might of Spain but he told a news conference on the eve of issue as a post-match excuse. right person to unite the Spain team, which ROSTOV-ON-DON: After shipping In another potential source of reas- very hard, and we need to think of it A victory may cement Uruguay’s promised his players would fight, fight the clash. “Whatever happens, no excuses, no so easily could have become divided. points fingers at each five goals against hosts Russia - the surance for the perennially that way. I think that if Uruguay do position as the group’s leaders, lining and fight again when they meet the “What we can do is keep our deter- explanations, we just play for the shirt,” “We saw that against Portugal, they other, we take our own lowest-ranked team in the World Cup, underachieving Saudis, the usually things right we have a lot of chances of them most probably for a tough sec- former world champions today. mination and our capacity to endure he added. played like a team united.” responsibilities. When you Saudi Arabia could probably do with ruthless Suarez missed three chances passing,” said Gimenez, who scored the ond-round clash against Spain or The Iranians top Group B after beat- suffering. “In my team nobody points fingers Queiroz rued the loss of central finish the game, you must Iran’s forward facing a rival other than South Amer- against Egypt on Friday in their open- 89th-minute header against Egypt. Portugal. ing Morocco in their World Cup opener “When we defend, which we will at each other, we take our own respon- defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi for the tour- ican powerhouse Uruguay and its star ing game. Saudi Arabia seem unlikely to emu- If history is anything to go by, Saudi be sure you can hold your but it is fair to say the hard work really have to for many moments, we will fight sibilities. When you finish the game, you nament to a training ground incident but celebrates after forward Luis Suarez. But Group A favourites Uruguay are late the surprisingly strong Arabia’s Argentine-born coach Juan starts in Kazan, where they take on the collectively. What we cannot do is to must be sure you can hold your head up reiterated that his players would only head up in the dressing winning their Today, the two Group A teams will still widely expected to clobber Saudi performances of underdogs Mexico and Antonio Pizzi could become the next Spanish before heading on to defend and then surrender, that would in the dressing room, you must do the draw more strength from adversity. room, you must do the opening match face off in Rostov-on-Don, with Uru- Arabia, the second-lowest World Cup Switzerland, and the players themselves coaching casualty if Saudi authorities to play European champions Portugal. be dishonest. shirt proud. Tomorrow will be no “The harder it gets, the harder my shirt proud. Tomorrow will of the FIFA guay hoping to appease some worries team in the FIFA rankings at No. 67. seem to be preparing the ground for react with the anger displayed after past The 65-year-old Portuguese poly- “When we have the ball, we must different.” players fight, they will give everything,” be no different: Iran coach 2018 World after only beating Egypt 1-0 thanks Nevertheless, the South Americans another defeat. defeats. glot was very happy to concede the try to win. What happens then is up to Spain drew 3-3 with Portugal in their the former Real Madrid coach said. Cup against to a late goal. are guarding against complacency. “There is no doubt that facing the The Saudis gave Carlos Alberto Par- favourites tag to Fernando Hierro’s team the football gods.” Group B opener only two days after “We have to play to win and we have Carlos Queiroz Morocco in Saint Bizarrely, two-time World Cup Asked by a reporter whether beating Uruguayan team is difficult and that it reira the chop after a 4-0 loss to hosts with its “many, many great players”, but Queiroz reprised his complaints coach Julen Lopetegui had been sacked to play our best game ever.” Petersburg on champions Uruguay have never the Saudis would essentially guaran- is known for its international stars, but France in the group stages in 1998 - Friday. beaten the ‘Green Falcons’. tee passing the group stage, defender we are determined to improve our even though four years earlier he had Saudi Arabia won a friendly in Jose Gimenez pushed back. image from the previous match and the won the World Cup with his native. 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018

Kicker Federer breezes past Bedene banned for AFP “The ball bounces up higher six years for into my strike zone. I was con- HALLE WESTFALEN, necting well on returns and I fixing GERMANY: Roger Federer could read his serve. AFP began his last week of pre- “I played a solid first set once Wimbledon competition with a I figured out how to break him. 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Slovene Aljaz In the second I was able to hold LONDON: Argentinian tennis Bedene yesterday to reach the all of my serves. player Nicolas Kicker was second round of the ATP Halle “For a first round and banned for six years and fined grass event. without much play n this court, $25,000 (21,500 euro) for The world number one needs It was fine, I’m very happy.” fixing two matches on the to lift a record 10th title here on Federer’s straightforward second-tier Challenger Tour, Sunday in order to remain at the victory in 71 minutes marked his the Tennis Integrity Unit summit of the rankings and 17th straight on the grass dating announced yesterday. assure himself the top seeding to June, 2017, when he lost in Kicker, 25, was found at Wimbledon starting a week Stuttgart to Tommy Haas. guilty of contriving the from Monday. The Halle defending outcome of a match at the “I got out of the box well, I champion, who has a laneway ATP Challenger event in felt good right away,” Federer leading to the stadium named in Padova, Italy, in June 2015 said. his honour, has won exactly half Federer took back the top He fired seven aces and “It’s a pity that the match and another match at the “This is an easier court to of his 18 grass trophies at the ranking from Rafael Nadal for never faced a break point; he ended as it did. It was a tough Baranquilla Challenger in play than last week in Stuttgart. wooded north German venue. the second time this season last next plays Benoit Paire, who fight, I wish him a good recovery Colombia in September that week in Stuttgart as he returned defeated American Steve as soon as possible.” Kohlsch- year. to competition for the first time Johnson 7-5, 7-6 (7/5). reiber was joined in the second He was also found guilty in three months after avoiding Home fans were kept happy round by compatriot Florian of failing to report a corrupt the clay season to prepare fully as Philipp Kohlschreiber Mayer, who upset last weekend’s approach and of not cooper- for the grass. The 36-year-old advanced 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 as Hun- champion in the Netherlands ating with a TIU investigation Swiss got off to an early break in garian opponent Marton Fucs- Richard Gasquet, the eighth seed, into the allegations made the opening set against the 72nd- ovics was unable to continue 6-2, 6-2. against him. ranked Bedene, who briefly after hurting his left thigh in a Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas The TIU said half of played for Britain. fall on the grass. stepped onto the grass and Kicker’s ineligibility period, The top seed swept up the set Kohlschreiger, who lost in emerged with a defeat of which is backdated to May 24, and finished off the win after last week’s Stuttgart first round, Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-2, was suspended on the basis Switzerland’s Roger Federer eyes breaking for 5-4 in the second was more pleased with his per- 7-6 (7/3). that he commit no further the ball during his match against set. The Swiss delivered a formance here. Russian Karen Khachanov breaches. Slovenia’s Aljjaz Bedene at the ATP one-two finishing punch of “Today was definitely an put out Mischa Zverev 7-6 (7/5), Kicker is currently ranked Gerry Weber Open in Halle, western backhand down the line and improvement,” the German said. 6-3 while Australian Matt Ebden at 100 in the world having Germany, yesterday. forehand winner to advance with “The quality was higher and I felt overwhelmed Tunisia’s Malek reached a career high of 78 ease. better on court. Jaziri 6-0, 7-6 (7/2). in June 2017. Kyrgios ruins Murray’s comeback; Djokovic cruises AFP with her, so we managed to do couldn’t secure a fairytale that. “We were very far away comeback as Kyrgios recovered LONDON: Troubled Novak from any tennis court, in nature, from first set accusations of Djokovic made a strong start to and it was the best way to clear ‘tanking’ (losing without trying his Wimbledon preparations the mind.” A sterner test lies in to win) to knock out the five-time with a 6-2, 6-1 demolition of wait for Djokovic in the second winner of the Wimbledon Australian qualifier John Millman round against 2017 ATP Finals warm-up event. at Queen’s Club yesterday, while champion Grigor Dimitrov. Finally back on court for the Andy Murray returning to action World number five Dimitrov first time since a Wimbledon after almost a year on the side- beat Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur quarter-final defeat against Sam lines lost to Nick Kyrgios. 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in his opening Querrey 342 days ago, Murray Djokovic is a lowly 22nd in match as the Bulgarian bids to had low expectations of his the ATP rankings after an embar- win Queen’s for the second time return after several aborted rassing French Open quarter- In other first round action comeback attempts. final defeat against Italian jour- yesterrday, former Wimbledon But the two-time Wimbledon neyman Marco Cecchinato finalist Milos Raonic was leading champion, whose ranking has extended his wretched run in 6-1, 3-1 when Indian qualifier plummeted to 156, will have 2018. Yuki Bhambri retired due to a taken heart from the way he The 31-year-old Serb, ham- knee injury. competed, even if there were pered by an elbow injury last But Canada’s Raonic, who signs of rust in his shot-making year, has failed to reach the reached the Stuttgart final last and movement at times. semi-finals in any of his last five weekend, then announced he Reigning Queen’s champion Grand Slam appearances. would be pulling out of the tour- Feliciano Lopez advanced with Djokovic hasn’t earned a nament himself after suffering a a 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3 victory major title since competing his shoulder injury that could put his against Belgian fourth seed David career Grand Slam by winning Wimbledon participation in Goffin. the 2016 French Open. doubt. Lopez had been due to play Australia’s Nick Kyrgios (right) shakes hands with Great Britain’s Andy Murray after winning his first Dogged by rumours that he Meanwhile, Murray endured Raonic next, but instead the round match at the Queen’s Club in London yesterday. no longer has the motivation to a frustrating return from his Spaniard will get a walkover into return to the top, the 12-time injury nightmare as the former the quarter-finals. Grand Slam winner decided to at Queen’s since 2010, Djokovic in the first five games of the “I had to take some time off world number one was beaten South African third seed start his bid for a fourth Wim- was quickly in the groove on second set to see off Millman the court, you know, recharge 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 by tempera- Kevin Anderson suffered a sur- bledon crown by accepting a grass as he romped to a first with ease. the batteries physically and mental Australian Kyrgios. prise 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) Queen’s wild card. round win in 65 minutes. “Look, it’s not the first nor the mentally. Murray gave an encouraging defeat by Argentina’s Leonardo With Wimbledon starting on Breaks in the fifth and last match that I lost in my life. I “I went hiking with my wife display in his first competitive Mayer. July 2, Djokovic was desperate seventh games sealed a one- know how to deal with these with no kids for five days, if you match in 11 months after finally French qualifier Julien Ben- to improve his lacklustre 14-8 sided first set. particular situations,” Djokovic really want to know. “It was a recovering from the hip problem neteau beat former Wimbledon record in 2018. Barely tested by the world said when asked how he handled wonderful time after two years that required surgery in January. runner-up Tomas Berdych 7-5, And, in his first appearance number 63, Djokovic broke twice the French Open setback. with not having a break only But the 31-year-old Scot 3-6, 6-3.

South Africa’s Duane Jones says England will emerge Vermeulen is challenged by England’s Denny Solomona in the Second Test at the stronger after winless run Free State Stadium, in Bloemfontein, South REUTERS series to the Boks by virtue understand that -- but we “Every team I’ve ever expect to keep winning Africa on Saturday. of an unassailable 2-0 lead are working at finding been involved with goes endlessly,” he said. DURBAN: Under-fire but England can end the ways to be better. through these periods and “You have these England coach Eddie Jones disappointing tour on a “You have to stay you have to be able to get periods when it’s tough, has backed the positive note with victory together and believe the through it,” he said. but you have to battle commitment of his players at Newlands. way you are doing things “They’re painful, and through it. It builds resil- and believes they will save “We are disappointed is right. The team is very everyone knows better ience, it builds the char- their best for last to avoid to lose the series, these are together; the group of than you at the time, but acter of your team, it builds a whitewash in the third tough times at the players we have here are once you get through it you memories and once you and final test against South moment, but in terms of working really well have the hallmarks of a get out of it you get a Africa in Cape Town on preparing for this week, together. champion team and that is stronger team.” Saturday. we need to find a way to “We were better on the where we are going, I have If England lose on Sat- Jones has been criti- put our best performance weekend and we’ll be no doubt about it.” urday it will signal the cised for a one-dimen- out there on Saturday,” he better this weekend.” After winning 24 of his worst run of form for the sional game-plan and his told reporters. Jones says there is first 25 tests in charge, it side since they lost seven management style in the “We have a great nothing unusual in his appeared Jones could do tests in a row in 2006. wake of a fifth test loss in bunch of players, couldn’t side’s slump and no wrong, but he added it Jones could take some a row when England were work with a better team, believes they will come was unrealistic to expect comfort from the fact that defeated 23-12 by the they are so committed to out of it with a better that run to continue they made the World Cup Springboks in Bloem- be the best they can be and chance of lifting the without hurdles along the final the following year fontein last weekend. at the moment we’re not Rugby World Cup in way. where they lost to South That result handed the -- we know that and Japan next year. “You cannot just Africa. WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018 SPORT 23 Stokes out New ODI record: Hosts England of England T20 squad smash 481, humiliate Australia AFP

AFP HIGHEST TOTALS IN ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS NOTTINGHAM: England all- rounder Ben Stokes was left NOTTINGHAM: England set a TEAM SCORE OPPOSITION GROUND MATCH DATE out of the squad announced new world record total of 481 Tuesday for the upcoming England 481/6 Australia Nottingham Jun 19 2018 for six as they beat Australia by Twenty20 internatonal England 444/3 Pakistan Nottingham Aug 30 2016 242 runs to win the third England’s Alex Hales matches against Australia and one-day international at Trent Sri Lanka 443/9 Netherlands Amstelveen 4 Jul 2006 (left) celebrates his India. Bridge yesterday. South Africa 439/2 West Indies Johannesburg Jan 18 2015 century at Trent The 14-man squad did Victory gave 2019 World South Africa 438/9 Australia Johannesburg Mar 12 2006 Bridge cricket ground contain Surrey seamer Sam Cup hosts England an South Africa 438/4 India Mumbai Oct 25 2015 in Nottingham, central Curran, who made his Test unbeatable 3-0 lead in their Australia 434/4 South Africa Johannesburg Mar 12 2006 England, yesterday. debut against Pakistan at five-match series with the world South Africa 418/5 Zimbabwe Potchefstroom Sep 20 2006 Headingley earlier this champions. India 418/5 West Indies Indore Dec 8 2011 month. Hundreds from Alex Australia 417/6 Afghanistan Perth Mar 4 2015 England said Monday the Hales, who made 147 on his India 414/7 Sri Lanka Rajkot Dec 15 2009 hamstring tear Stokes suf- Nottinghamshire home India 413/5 Bermuda Port of Spain Mar 19 2007 fered before that second Test ground, and Jonny Bairstow, Sri Lanka 411/8 India Rajkot Dec 15 2009 against Pakistan was “pro- whose 139 was his fourth South Africa 411/4 Ireland Canberra Mar 3 201 gressing well”, and it was pos- century in six matches at this South Africa 408/5 West Indies Sydney Feb 27 2015 sible hoped he could play in level, helped England surpass the three-match Twenty20 England 408/9 New Zealand Birmingham Jun 9 2015 their own previous all-time series against India starting India 404/5 Sri Lanka Kolkata Nov 13 2014 ODI record of 444 for three on July 3. against Pakistan set at Trent New Zealand 402/2 Ireland Aberdeen Jul 1, 2008 That remains a possibility Bridge in 2016. India 401/3 South Africa Gwalior Feb, 24 2010 as the Durham star will travel World champions Australia with the squad selected for SCOREBOARD those three matches and the could only manage 239 for nine preceding one-off Twenty20 in reply as they suffered their England fixture against Australia, J Roy run out (Short/Paine) ...... 82 Australia 14th defeat in 16 completed J Bairstow c Richardson b Agar ...... 139 D Short c Ali b Willey ...... 15 which will follow the ongoing ODIs. A Hales c Agar b Richardson ...... 147 T Head c and b Ali...... 51 one-day international series, S Marsh c Plunkett b Ali ...... 24 This was also Australia’s J Buttler c Finch b Richardson ...... 11 at Edgbaston on June 27. Fast heaviest defeat at this level, in M Stoinis run out (Bairstow/Buttler) ...... 44 bowler Mark Wood, a county E Morgan c Paine b Richardson ...... 67 A Finch b Rashid ...... 20 terms of runs, surpassing a M Ali run out (Paine) ...... 11 G Maxwell c Plunkett b Willey ...... 19 colleague of Stokes’s at 206-run loss to New Zealand in J Root (not out) ...... 4 T Paine c Hales b Rashid ...... 5 Durham, has been rested Adelaide in 1986. D Willey (not out) ...... 1 A Agar c and b Rashid ...... 25 from the squad, with Jake Ball By contrast, this was Eng- Extras (B1, LB8, NB3, W7) ...... 19 J Richardson st Buttler b Ali ...... 14 now in contention to win his England’s Jonny Bairstow land’s biggest victory in the Total (6 wkts) ...... 481 A Tye (not out) ...... 5 first Twenty20 cap. celebrates his century B Stanlake st Buttler b Rashid ...... 1 format, topping their 210-run Did not bat: L Plunkett, A Rashid, M Wood Middlesex batsman during the third One-Day Fall of wickets: 1-159, 2-310, 3-335, 4-459, 5-459, Extras (LB10, W6) ...... 16 win against New Zealand at Total (all out) ...... 239 Dawid Malan was a surprising 6-480 International (ODI) cricket Edgbaston in 2015. Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-95, 3-100, 4-152, 5-173, omission given he has four match against Australia at Bowling: Stanlake 8-0-74-0 (1w); Richardson 6-190, 7-194, 8-230, 9-236, 10-239 The series continues at 10-1-92-3; Agar 10-0-70-1 (2w); Tye 9-0-100-0 fifties in just five T20 inter- Trent Bridge cricket ground Chester-le-Street, the head- Bowling: Wood 7-0-38-0 (2w); Willey 7-0-56-2 national appearances in Nottingham, central (2nb, 1w); Maxwell 2-0-21-0; Stoinis 8-0-85-0 (4w); Root 2-0-19-0; Ali 5-0-28-3; Plunkett 6-0-41- quarters of northeast county (1nb, 2w); Finch 1-0-7-0; Short 2-0-23-0. 0; Rashid 10-0-47-4. including two in succession England, yesterday. Durham, on Thursday. in England’s most recent matches in New Zealand. England Twenty20 squad for Australia and India matches: Eoin Morgan (Mid- Chandimal banned for ball tampering dlesex, capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny AFP SCOREBOARD points and was fined 100 per Chandimal had been less than Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Sri Lanka (I Innings) ...... 253 6-62-8 (4nb), J Holder 15-5-38-0 (2nb, 3w), M Cum- cent of his match fee. The points convincing in his defence. Ball (Nottinghamshire), Jos GROS-ISLET, SAINT LUCIA: Sri West Indies (I Innings) ...... 300 mins 13-1-44-0 (3nb), D Bishoo 11-0-58-0, R Chase equate to a ban from one Test or “During the hearing, Dinesh Buttler (Lancashire, wkt), Sam Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal Sri Lanka (II Innings) 10-1-38-0, K Brathwaite 1-0-4-0 two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever admitted to putting something Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran will miss his side’s third Test K Perera c wkpr Dowrich b Gabriel ...... 20 West Indies (II Innings) comes first for the player, Chan- in his mouth but couldn’t (Surrey), Alex Hales (Notting- against the West Indies after M Udawatte c Bishoo b Roach ...... 19 K Brathwaite (not out) ...... 59 dimal will now miss the day/ remember what it was, which I hamshire), Chris Jordan being found guilty of ball K Rajitha lbw Gabriel ...... 0 D Smith c de Silva b Rajitha ...... 1 night Barbados Test, starting found unconvincing as a (Sussex), Liam Plunkett D de Silva c Smith b Gabriel ...... 3 K Powell c Udawatte b Rajitha ...... 2 tampering by the International K Mendis b Gabriel ...... 87 S Hope b Lakmal ...... 39 from Saturday. Explaining the defence,” he said. (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid Cricket Council yesterday. D Chandimal c wkpr Dowrich b Roach ...... 39 R Chase b Lakmal ...... 13 decision Srinath said he had At the time of the incident (Yorkshire), Joe Root (York- Chandimal was found guilty R Silva c wkpr Dowrich b Gabriel ...... 48 S Dowrich c de Silva b Dananjaya ...... 8 reviewed the images carefully. Chandimal denied charges when shire), Jason Roy (Surrey), of changing the condition of the N Dickwella c Powell b Gabriel ...... 62 J Holder (not out) ...... 15 He commented: “Dinesh they were filed by on-field David Willey (Yorkshire) ball during the second day’s play A Dananjaya b Gabriel ...... 23 Extras (B-10) ...... 10 took something from his pocket umpires Aleem Dar and Ian of the second Test, which con- S Lakmal lbw Gabriel ...... 7 Total (60.3 overs) ...... 147 and put it into his mouth. After Gould, and third umpire Richard L Kumara (not out) ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-8, 3-55, 4-64, 5-117 FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) cluded at Gros Islet on Monday. Extras (b-12, lb-8, nb-11, w-3) ...... 34 To bat: D Bishoo, K Roach, M Cummins, S Gabriel sucking or chewing whatever he Kettleborough. There were con- “It is clear that Dinesh Chan- put in his mouth for a few cerns that the Test match was in Jun 27, Edgbaston: England vs Total (all out)...... 342 Bowling: S Lakmal 17.3-3-48-2, K Rajitha 13-3-23- Australia lone Twenty20 (1730) dimal applied an artificial sub- Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-34, 3-44, 4-48, 5-165, 2, L Kumara 10-3-28-0, A Dananjaya 19-7-33-1, D De seconds Dinesh then proceeded jeopardy on the third morning stance to the ball, namely saliva 6-199, 7-298, 8-307, 9-334, 10-342 Silva 1-0-5-0 to spit on his finger and polish on Saturday when Chandimal Jul 03, Old Trafford: England vs containing the residue of some- Bowling: K Roach 21-3-78-2 (2nb), S Gabriel 20.4- Result: Match drawn the ball with his saliva which refused to lead his team onto the India, 1st T20 (1630) thing he had in his mouth, an would have contained the field for the continuation of the Jul 06, Cardiff: England vs India, action which is prohibited under residue of the artificial substance Windies first innings after he was 2nd T20 (1630)

the ICC Code of Conduct,” said The player was suspected of more spin after television images that he had in his mouth, on two informed of the charge by the Jul 08, Bristol: England vs India, match referee Javagal Srinath using saliva and a sweet to picked it up. The Sri Lanka separate occasions.” umpires and the application of 3rd T20 (1300) after the judgement. tamper with the ball and give it captain got two suspension The referee also said that a five-run penalty. Red Bull to leave Renault for Honda: Statement AFP with Honda already equipping years which would leave the the Toro Rosso team, likewise door open to a tie-up with the PARIS: The Red Bull Formula Red Bull Formula One team in owned by Red Bull, an Austrian likes of Aston Martin from 2021 One team announced yesterday action in this file picture. beverage company. when new F1 technical rules it is splitting with Renault and The French constructor come into effect. will use Honda engines from next stressed the 12-season part- After the Vettel years of season after agreeing an initial nership had been a successful plenty, relations between two-year deal. one, bringing 57 victories and Renault and Red Bull deterio- Red Bull “has reached an eight world titles -- drivers and rated as wins became rarer agreement with Honda Motor Co constructors included. although Horner Renault, Ltd to race with the Japanese “In an extremely Christian Horner added said manufacturer’s power units for demanding and competitive their partnership had comprised the 2019 and 2020 Formula 1 environment we are proud of “a period during which we expe- seasons,” it said in a statement. the extraordinary results rienced some incredible Red Bull team principal achieved with Red Bull Racing moments together” albeit “we Christian Horner said: “This over the past 12 seasons, in par- sometimes had our multi-year agreement with ticular, the four Drivers’ and differences.” Honda signals the start of an Constructors’ World Champi- Managing director Cyril Abit- exciting new phase in Aston onships and 57 wins we have eboul had been waiting for Red Martin Red Bull Racing’s efforts taken together,” Renault said. Bull to declare whether their to compete not just for grand prix The French firm said it would tie-up, contracted through to wins but for what is always our focus on the “strong progression year-end, would be continuing goal -- championship titles. of Renault Sport Formula One or not. “After careful consideration Team, while continuing to foster Renault will continue to and evaluation we are certain the fresh relationship with power its works team as well as this partnership with Honda is McLaren Racing.” McLaren, with whom it began a the right direction for the team. German driver Sebastian partnership this year after the We have been impressed by which matches our own.” Honda “Having two teams means of winning races and Champi- Vettel scored a quadruple run of latter came off three poor Honda’s commitment to F1, by president Takahiro Hachigo wel- we can access twice as much onships, building two strong championship successes seasons with Honda engines. the rapid steps they have made comed a “deal that is fair and data as previously. We believe partnerships.” between 2010 and 2013 before Renault Sport F1 is based in in recent times with our sister equitable for all parties” which that working with both Toro For Renault Sport F1, the reliability issues hit the following the Parisian suburb of Viry-Cha- team Scuderia Toro Rosso, and he said would boost their Rosso and Red Bull Racing will move “is a natural evolution for year. tillon and at Enstone, near by the scope of their ambition, chances of winning titles. allow us to get closer to our goal Renault and Red Bull Racing,” The deal will run for two Oxford in England. WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018 SPORT 24

Colombia will bounce back, says coach

REUTERS

SARANSK: A shock 2-1 loss to Japan will be a ‘bitter memory’ for Colombia, coach Jose Pekerman (pictured, below) said, but he vowed the stamina and nerve showed by the South Americans despite being a man down will propel them to victories in Group H. Colombian mid- fielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off in the third minute for deliberate handball, the second fastest red card in World Cup history, stunning a stadium packed with Japan’s forward Yuya yellow-shirted Colombia Osako (centre) celebrates fans. with team-mates after “We were expecting scoring the winning goal something completely against Colombia in Saransk, different. We were yesterday. hoping to start with a victory,” said Pekerman. “The positive side of all this is that you could see the team managed to rise to the occasion and managed to get a draw... that’s a very good reaction,” added Japan create history with Pekerman. “If we can do that it shows that we have the wherewithal to move forward with the other matches and even win win over 10-man Colombia them. We can make up for this first defeat in the AFP next two matches.” Japan’s midfielder Japan fans Pekerman defended SARANSK: exacted celebrates after scoring their his strategy, which sweet revenge for Japan first goal against Colombia go wild after included subbing in yesterday as the Blue Samurai yesterday. attacking midfielder and beat Colombia 2-1, becoming the shock victory 2014 Golden Boot winner first Asian side ever to beat a James Rodriguez, who South American team at the had been left out of the AFP World Cup. starting line-up due to Osako’s 73rd-minute winner muscle pain. meant the Japanese avenged TOKYO: Japan erupted with “The players that I their 4-1 mauling in the group joy yesterday as football fans subbed onto the pitch stages of Brazil 2014 as Colombia exchanged beery hugs after shows that I was not played with a man down for 86 their team stunned Colombia expecting a defensive minutes in Saransk. 2-1 in their World Cup opener style of play... I wanted After leaving Brazil without in Russia. to play along the sides so a win four years ago, Japan made Many supporters, the that they could pass balls a dream start to their Russian majority the worse for wear forward so that we could campaign even though head after a boozy evening glued cause Japan more coach Akira Nishino was only to the television, celebrated problems,” said appointed in April. with one for the road -- while Pekerman. In an explosive start to the still managing to keep one eye But it was all in vain Group H clash, Colombia on the clock to check they when Japan’s Yuya defender Carlos Sanchez earned could make trains home. Osako leapt above his the first red card of Russia 2018 “You beauty!” screamed marker to head a corner with a handball after just four Ken Adachi, a 36-year-old into the net for the 73rd- minutes. computer salesman, almost minute winner. Japan took a shock lead falling off his stool in a Tokyo “Right now our pain when Shinji Kagawa netted the sports bar when Yuya Osako is precisely because after resulting penalty before Juan scored Japan’s second goal that huge effort after Quintero equalised with a free- under Japan’s wall and crept against 10-man Colombia. scoring that goal... we kick for Colombia to make it 1-1 inside the post shortly before “I didn’t think we had lost because we were at half-time. half-time. The goal was con- much of a chance against a worn down, we were Brazil 2014 topscorer James firmed by goal-line team from South America,” tired and even if I tried Rodriguez came on for the last technology. admitted Adachi after the subbing on a couple of half-hour after labouring in Japan pressed after the final whistle sounded a little fresh players it was very training with a calf strain but break, forcing Colombia goal- before 11pm local time. hard for us to recover could not pull his side level after JAPAN COLOMBIA keeper David Ospina into a “Revenge is sweet possession and Japan Osako’s goal. string of saves. though.” had its opportunities,” Travelling Colombia fans To a deafening roar from “That was so amazing,” Pekerman said. turned the into 2 1 Colombia fans, Rodriguez came squealed 21-year-old student “This is going to a sea of yellow, but were soon on for Quintero on 58 minutes, Kaori Hagino, her nails leave us with a bitter stunned into silence. Kagawa - 6' PEN Quintero - 39' just before Barrios earned a painted red and white in the memory.” Osako - 73' yellow card for clattering colours of Japan’s national Memorable victory Kagawa from behind. flag. “Maybe now we can get for Blue Samurai When Osako fired in a shot bettered only by the 52 seconds Japanese pressure paid off to the final,” she added. from Japan’s first attack, Sanchez it took Jose Batista of Uruguay when Osako, who was a con- Hundreds of fans Japan become the first blocked the effort with a raised to be sent off against Scotland at stant menace to the Colombia wearing blue Japan shirts Asian side ever to beat arm. Mexico ‘86. defence, leapt highest from a spilled out onto the iconic a South American team Referee Damir Skomina After the dismissal, Colombia corner and guided his header in scramble crossing in Tokyo’s at the World Cup. showed him a straight red card poured forward and their off the post with 17 minutes to trendy Shibuya district to after pointing to the spot without captain Radamel Falcao twice go. chant football songs as the referring to the Video Assistant went close. The goal jolted Colombia revelry continued. Colombia defender Referee (VAR). Colombia coach Jose into life as Rodriguez then As many over-exu- Carlos Sanchez earned The Colombians bitterly pro- Pekerman made a tactical switch Barrios went close at the other berant supporters weaved the first red card of tested but Kagawa drilled home on 31 minutes, with Wilmar end. in and out of cars, police Russia 2018 with a the spot kick to put Japan ahead Barrios replacing Juventus mid- Bayern Munich star Rod- perched on vans with loud- handball after just four in the sixth minute. fielder Juan Cuadrado. riguez earned a late yellow card speakers politely urged minutes. It was the second-fastest red The pressure paid off as for sliding into Japan midfielder them to obey the traffic card in World Cup finals history, Quintero’s low free-kick flew . lights.