Established 1961 15 Sports Monday, March 29, 2021 Ronaldo fumes after World Cup qualifying winner denied, Belgium held

PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s arm- De Bruyne’s pass, turned his marker and drilled the band to the ground in anger after being controver- ball under goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik for his 19th goal sially denied an injury-time winner as Portugal blew in his last 16 games for Belgium. a two-goal lead against Serbia in World Cup quali- fying on Saturday, while Romelu Lukaku’s 59th Luxembourg stunner international goal salvaged Belgium a 1-1 draw with Roberto Martinez’s men almost took the lead 14 the Czech Republic. The Netherlands saw off Latvia minutes from time, but after Lukaku teed up De 2-0 after their opening Group G defeat by Turkey, Bruyne, the Manchester City midfielder smashed a who backed up that performance with an impressive low shot against the post. “If you look at Czech 3-0 victory over Norway. Republic’s results these last months, we knew that it Portugal drew 2-2 in Belgrade, despite Ronaldo would be a tough game,” Belgium captain Jan believing he had scored the winner in the third Vertonghen told VTM. “They created the good minute of stoppage time when the ball appeared to chances, won almost every second ball. But at home cross the goalline before Stefan Mitrovic cleared. we are stronger.” But without technology in use, the goal was not In the other Group A game, Luxembourg pulled awarded and a fuming Ronaldo was then booked for off a shock 1-0 win over a lacklustre Republic of his protests. Ireland in Dublin. Ireland were toothless in attack At the final whistle he stormed from the pitch, and the visitors made them pay in the 85th minute throwing his captain’s armband to the ground. “I with Dynamo Kiev forward Gerson Rodrigues’s always give and will give everything for my country, winner. It was only Luxembourg’s sixth victory in that will never change,” Ronaldo later posted on his World Cup qualifying since their first involvement Instagram page. “But there are difficult times to deal in 1934. with, especially when we feel that an entire nation is ’s Netherlands gave the 5,000 fans being harmed.” allowed into the Arena in Portugal coach Fernando Santos told RTP: “We something to cheer as ’s 32nd- scored a goal that was not given when the ball went minute curling effort and ’s second- BELGRADE: Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo holds his captain armband moments before he in. In a match of this level, that isn’t possible.” Portugal half header saw off Latvia. “We know that goal dif- threw it to the ground and left the pitch at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group A football match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, in Belgrade, on had appeared to be cruising to three points in ference will be important in these qualifiers,” said Saturday. —AFP Belgrade when 2-0 up through Liverpool striker De Boer, who also saw De Jong and Diogo Jota’s first-half double. But Nemanja Radonjic’s hit the woodwork in the first World Cup qualifier to half-time introduction proved crucial for Serbia as he be refereed by a woman — France’s Stephanie twice as Turkey beat a dangerous Norway side. three years ago, moved top of the early Group H set up Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic to net in Frappart. “We deserved to win with at least five Leicester center-back Caglar Soyuncu also table with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia, who had the first 15 minutes of the second period. goals. We tried everything.” enjoyed a fine performance as he netted the second started their campaign by beating 2018 runners-up Belgium, the world number one-ranked side, sit goal and helped keep Borussia Dortmund striker Croatia. Croatia struggled to find their best form behind the Czech Republic on goal difference in the Human rights protest Erling Braut Haaland quiet. “Last year we’ve quali- again, but Mario Pasalic’s header five minutes early Group E standings. Lukas Provod put the The Netherlands players followed Norway and fied for Euro 2020 and now we’re fighting for a spot before the break helped Zlatko Dalic’s men edge out Czechs ahead shortly after half-time in Prague with Germany by protesting in support of human rights in the World Cup,” Soyuncu told .com. “We Cyprus 1-0 in Rijeka. Slovakia are already strug- a magnificent long-range strike, his first internation- in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup finals will be want to be there.” gling in their bid to qualify, after being held to a 2-2 al goal. Ten minutes later, Lukaku collected Kevin held. Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan scored Russia, World Cup quarter-finalists on home soil home draw by minnows Malta. —AFP

end of the qualifiers and group favorites Portugal Irish captain Coleman awaiting them on September 1 some are already speculating on his successor. Ireland have not won a seeks the calm after competitive fixture since beating Gibraltar 2-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier in June 2019. Footballers must Kenny said the loss was “unacceptable” but the Luxembourg storm added he did not fear for his immediate future. “No, I don’t, no. I don’t at all,” said the 49-year-old change mindset over DUBLIN: Ireland must pick themselves up and Irishman. Their fortunes have slumped dramatically “keep going through the storm” said captain since qualifying for the Euro 2016 finals. brain injuries: Union Seamus Coleman after minnows Luxembourg Coleman captained the Irish when they lost hon- inflicted a humiliating 1-0 defeat on them in their orably 2-1 in the last 16 clash with eventual finalists LONDON: Football faces a huge challenge in tack- 2022 World Cup qualifier. France, who went on two years later to be crowned ling the issue of brain injuries — including changing Whatever the end destination is after coming world champions. The Everton stalwart admitted the mindset of players who are prepared to stay on through the storm it is pretty much certain it won’t Saturday’s loss was his most embarrassing moment DUBLIN: Luxembourg’s striker Gerson Rodrigues (left) the pitch until they “cannot walk any more”. That is be Qatar for the 2022 finals which the Irish last in football but they had to move on. “The only thing celebrates with teammates at the final whistle during the warning from John Mousinho of the reached in 2002. Ireland sit bottom of Group A we can do is keep your head down, keep going the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 group A qualification Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), speak- without a point, four behind leaders Serbia and through the storm,” he said. “You’ve got to be football match between Ireland and Luxembourg at ing at a time of growing concern over the potential in Dublin on Saturday. —AFP Portugal who drew 2-2 in Belgrade. resilient in this game and you’ve got to take what’s long-term health risk to players. They had opened their campaign with what was coming as professionals.” A 2019 study carried out in Scotland found that generally viewed as a decent performance in the 3-2 Coleman said it was up to him and other senior reached the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup going professional footballers were three-and-a-half defeat by Serbia. Luxembourg’s win — just their players to lift the spirits of the younger genera- out to Spain on penalties. times more likely to die from neurodegenerative sixth in World Cup qualifiers — is probably their tion. “You’ve got to take what’s going and hope “Embarrassing. Awful. Out worked, outfought, disease compared with members of the general finest result since they drew 0-0 with France in a the younger lads aren’t tainted by that,” said out passed & outclassed by LUXEMBOURG. population. England 1966 World Cup winner Bobby 2018 World Cup qualifier in Toulouse. Coleman. “As senior players, we have to take it on Another WC without qualification,” said Kilbane. Charlton recently became the latest high-profile Qatar are the next opposition for Stephen the chin and take the deserved criticism. But it will Arguably Ireland’s most embarrassing defeat was former player to be diagnosed with dementia. Kenny’s side when they play them in a friendly in take a while to get over that one. It’s embarrass- neatly summed up by the legendary Irish televi- Mousinho, who plays for Oxford United in Hungary tomorrow. A win for the Irish would at ing, full-stop.” sion commentator George Hamilton in his sign off. English football’s third tier, told this week’s virtual least give former Ireland Under-21 boss Kenny his Players who enjoyed happier times with Ireland “The sky over Dublin 4 (the area of Dublin where Sports Resolutions conference that the game was first win in 11 games. were scathing about the performance. One of those Lansdowne Road is situated) weeps tears of lagging behind rugby in giving information to play- However, with his contract lasting only till the was Kevin Kilbane, a key player in the team that pain.” —AFP ers about the risks of repeated heading of the ball and concussions. But he said there was growing awareness of the problem — the PFA partly funded “Today he proved he is a champion and I know he is the study in Scotland and is supporting other Favorite Mystic Guide going to get better and better,” added Saez. “What research projects. a nice horse, he has all the ability. It’s an honor for Dawn Astle, the daughter of England forward powers to Dubai me. This was my dream as a little kid and I can’t Jeff Astle, who died in 2002 at the age of 59 from a believe I’m here now. It’s a dream come true.” neurodegenerative condition caused by repeating Mystic Guide, trained by Michael Stidham, heading of a ball, has campaigned for better World Cup triumph secured victory by three-and-three-quarter recognition of the link between football and dementia. DUBAI: Favourite Mystic Guide romped to an lengths. The race was run in a sombre atmosphere She was scathing about the lack of action from impressive victory for Godolphin under Luis Saez in after the death of prominent racehorse-owner football authorities when she gave evidence this the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum earlier this week to a committee of British lawmakers that is Saturday. The four-year-old American colt, priced at week. “I want to start by giving my condolences on investigating concussion in sport. “For almost 20 6/4, sat in a handy position for the majority of the 10- the passing of Sheikh Hamdan,” said Stidham, who years now football has failed to act and failed to furlong race before sweeping past long-time leader claimed the biggest success of his career. “I am so protect its players — men, women, children, all at Hypothetical and powering away from his rivals. “I happy to be here and the horse performed to his DUBAI: Mystic Guide, ridden by Luis Saez (left), com- risk potentially,” Astle said. can’t believe it, that was our plan,” Saez said. “I knew capability. It’s a beautiful thing.” petes in the $12 Million Dubai World Cup at Meydan “I think football doesn’t want to think it can be a he was going to give me that kick and he did.” The start was delayed as both Frankie Dettori’s racecourse on Saturday. —AFP killer,” she added. “I know it can be because it’s on The Japanese-trained Chuwa Wizard finished ride Great Scot and the fancied Military Law had to the bottom of my dad’s death certificate.” strongly to take second place, with Magny Cours be withdrawn. Earlier in the day, British trainer John Mousinho, who sits on the management committee snatching third from Hypothetical. Saez, whose Gosden enjoyed a brilliant Group One double as who also guided Mishriff to victory in the world’s of the players’ union, believes it is easier to change mount Maximum Security was famously stripped of Mishriff won the Sheema Classic and Lord North richest race at the Saudi Cup last month. “He the organization’s attitude than that of the foot- the Kentucky Derby in 2019 for interference, took the Dubai Turf. “He’s the horse who’s going to brought me to that next level by winning the Saudi ballers it represents. claimed one of the biggest wins of his career. make my career hopefully,” said jockey David Egan, Cup and this is just the icing on the cake.” —AFP Footballers’ DNA Spain’s Valverde had to settle for “If you ever see a footballer who sustains some- Yates wins in fourth place, 1min 03sec behind. thing that either is concussion or close to concus- sion, anyone who watches football knows what Colombia’s bike exchange rid- their reaction is,” he said. “They don’t want the er Esteban Chaves won both Catalonia as physio on for starters and if the physio comes on points and mountain jerseys they are waving them away immediately. They while Deceunick Quick-Step Ineos dominate don’t want extensive treatment or to be assessed tyro Joao Almeida of Portugal properly — they want to carry on.” BARCELONA: Adam Yates won was best young rider Belgian Mousinho said a refusal to accept injury was the Tour of Catalonia yesterday Thomas De Gendt, riding for the part of a footballer’s DNA. “That, unfortunately, is with teammates Richie Porte and Lotto-Soudal team, claimed the the nature of professional footballers,” he said. Geraint Thomas completing an seventh stage, coming home “They are hot-wired from a very young age to dis- all Ineos Grenadiers podium alone, 22 seconds clear of Matej regard not just brain injuries but all sorts of atop Barcelona’s Montjuic. This Mohoric. injuries. I’m guilty of this throughout my career. trio held on to the first three De Gendt was part of a break- Obviously, anyone who plays sport at a decent lev- places despite efforts to dislodge away at the foot of the category el knows you basically play until you cannot walk them in the 133 kilometre closing three Creu d’Ordal climb before any more. That is the case really with brain injuries stage around Barcelona, princi- going it alone with Slovenia’s and I think that we downplay it far too much as pally by home team Movistar’s Mohoric on the last lap of footballers.” Alejandro Valverde. Montjuic. In third on the day Rugby allows temporary replacements under its Yates topped the general came Hungarian Attila Valter, the Head Injury Assessment protocols, which involve classification by 45sec from Groupama rider crossing the line checks in the calm setting of a medical room. The Porte with Wales’ 2018 Tour de 1min42s back. Yates was going , by contrast, is trialing permanent France champion Thomas third at one better after his runner-up concussion substitutes, which can take place after BARCELONA: Team Ineos’ British rider Adam Yates (center) competes in the final 49s. Unable to break the status finish in the race in 2019 for his an on-field clinical assessment. The PFA would like first victory since the UAE Tour stage of the 100th Volta Catalunya 2021, a 133-km race starting and finishing in quo over the final six circuits of Barcelona, yesterday. —AFP to see temporary substitutes in football. —AFP the category two Montjuic climb in February of last year. —AFP