SPORTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016

Japan on high alert for Saudi ‘provocateurs’

TOKYO: Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic yesterday that way-they are specialists at provoking free kicks.” technically and in all elements of the game. They warned his players against Saudi Arabia’s “specialists “We’ve been penalised a lot in our last few games have real quality so we need to be on our game.” in provocation” in a home World Cup qualifier this and those penalties have cost us,” he added. “I have Japan, who face Oman in a warm-up game in month that could potentially decide his own future. to drill it into the players not to be so naive this time Kashima next Friday before tackling the Saudis, will The Franco-Bosnian, whose position as head because this is a game we have to win.” be spearheaded by talismanic forward Keisuke coach has been plunged into doubt after a disap- Japan conceded a penalty in their shock 2-1 home Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa. pointing 2018 qualifying campaign, has named a defeat to UAE in September and another when they However, Halilhodzic must hope for an improve- full-strength side for the November 15 clash in drew 1-1 with Asian Cup-holders Australia in ment on the recent form with a difficult run of Saitama. Melbourne. games to come while rumours of a rift between the “Firstly, it’s a six-pointer and we know we must With Japan currently out of the automatic quali- coach and his players have done little to help the win,” said Halilhodzic, who will be desperate for fying spots and facing a battle to reach a sixth suc- team’s flagging morale. victory after watching the Blue Samurai slip to cessive World Cup, Halilhodzic knows another slip- Japan trail Group B leaders Saudi Arabia, who third in their group in the final round of Asian 2018 up against the high-flying Saudis could cost him have 10 points from four matches, and Australia, on qualifying. his job. eight points, with only the top two teams from the “But we also know Saudi Arabia win a lot of free “Saudi Arabia are improving,” said the firebrand two groups qualifying automatically for the 2018 kicks and penalties. Fifty percent of their goals come former Algeria coach. “Arab sides are getting better World Cup in Russia. — AFP

Manchester City look to Five-star Aduriz cap week to remember returns for Spain : Veteran striker , fresh from his five- haul for in the Europa League, has LONDON: Manchester City will have the been rewarded with a call up yesterday for Spain’s 2018 chance to put daylight between them- World Cup qualifier against Macedonia and friendly selves and their title rivals when the against England. Premier League leaders try to cap a The 35-year-old Basque forward became the first player memorable week by beating to score five goals in a Europa League match in Thursday’s Middlesbrough at Eastlands today. 5-3 win over Belgian side Genk and the first to score a hat- City lead on goal difference from trick of penalties in the competition. Arsenal and Liverpool, with Chelsea just Spain take on Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier in a point further back. on November 12 and England at Wembley in a Arsenal are not in action until friendly three days later. tomorrow when they face Tottenham Aduriz, who has scored just one goal in his nine Hotspur in the North London derby, appearances for Spain, got a surprise call up to Euro 2016 with Liverpool also at home to Watford but has been overlooked since. that day. But his ten goals this season has encouraged new Tuesday finally saw City get the bet- Spain coach Julen Lopetegui to recall him along with ter of Barcelona as they beat the Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, with Cesar Spanish giants 3-1 in the Champions Azpilicueta, Sergio Asenjo and also returning League. to the 25-man squad. “He achieved a difficult exploit for a It was a particularly sweet victory for striker, scoring five goals,” said Lopetegui. City manager Pep Guardiola, who made “But we were already considering him before yester- his name as both a player and coach at day’s game, we were following him over the past month. Barcelona. The match also saw City fans’ He’s in great form and can give us something.” favourite Sergio Aguero lead the attack Aduriz will face stiff competition from Chelsea’s Diego after he was controversially left out of Costa, the top scorer in the Premier League, and young the starting side for the 4-0 loss in Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Barcelona a fortnight ago-a move that Stalwarts Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, sparked concerns regarding his MANCHESTER: File photo, Manchester City’s Yaya Toure waits for play to and are out injured, the first time Spain have Eastlands future under Guardiola. resume during the English Premier League soccer match between played without Pique or Ramos since 2009. But the City boss has insisted he Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford Stadium, “We have a lot of absentees but we have confidence in wants Aguero to stay and the 28-year- Manchester, England. With a 110-word apology, Yaya Toure is hoping to the players we’ve selected,” added Lopetegui, who has old Argentina forward said: “I’m never mend his relationship with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and continued with his policy of rotating goalkeepers. angry. I respect every manager’s deci- regain his place in the team. — AP This time Villarreal’s Sergio Asenjo has been given the sion. “He said it was a tactical thing and nod following Adrian San Miguel and with I obviously respect that.” difficult to talk about,” he said. manager, believes his side may be pay- Lopetegui insisting the door is not closed on emblematic Middlesbrough are managed by Arsenal have not lost in any competi- ing he price for fighting on two fronts. goalkeeper . Guardiola’s fellow Spaniard Aitor tion since the opening day of the season “To play the Champions League and Casillas, 35, who has played a record 167 times for Karanka and he for one was not sur- and their midweek 3-2 win away to Premier League, two of the toughest Spain, has not been called up since Euro 2016 where he prised by City’s midweek win. Bulgaria’s Ludogorets, with Mesut Ozil’s competitions in the world, it’s good to was ’s backup. “They have amazing players and they superb solo goal completing a come- analyse how we deal with that,” he said. have all the alternatives so (for them) it back from 2-0 down, has left the Jose Mourinho will hope his Spain squad was just another game,” said Karanka, Gunners well-placed to qualify for the Manchester United side, already eight Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United/ENG), whose Boro side beat Bournemouth 2-0 last 16 of the Champions League. points adrift of top spot, can provide Pepe Reina (Napoli/ITA), Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal) last weekend. Having played 75 minutes against him with some respite at second-bot- Defenders: Sergi Roberto (FC Barcelona), Dani Carvajal Chelsea, fresh from a 2-0 win over Ludogorets, Wales midfielder Aaron tom Swansea on Sunday following a (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Marc Bartra (Borussia Southampton and without the distrac- Ramsey who has spent several weeks mediocre display in a 2-1 Europa League Dortmund/GER), Sergio Escudero (Sevilla), Inigo Martinez tion of European football, will bid to out with a hamstring injury-is eager to loss away to Fenerbahce. Mourinho, set (Real Sociedad), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal/ENG), Cesar keep pace with City at home to Everton. start against Spurs at the Emirates, say- to serve a touchline ban at the Liberty Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG) Since reverting to a back three, man- ing: “Of course I’m ready.” Stadium, accused his team of treating Midfielders: (FC Barcelona), Ander ager Antonio Conte has seen his side By contrast, Spurs were lacklustre in a the match like a “summer friendly”. Herrera (Manchester United/ENG), Juan Mata (Manchester keep four clean sheets but the Italian 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Basement club Sunderland travel to United/ENG), (Manchester City/ENG), Koke has no time for title talk at this stage of Champions League at Wembley. Bournemouth on Saturday in search of (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/GER), the season. They may boast the Premier League’s their first win of the season, with cham- Francisco Alarcon “” (Real Madrid) lone remaining unbeaten record and are pions Leicester at home to West Brom. Forwards: (Chelsea/ENG), Alvaro Morata ‘TOUGHEST COMPETITIONS’ just three points off top spot, but Spurs West Ham will hope there is no (Real Madrid), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), “In this moment it’s not important to have not won any of their last six games repeat of the crowd trouble that has (Manchester City/ENG), Victor Machin “Vitolo” (Sevilla), Jose look at the table. If you ask me a predic- in all competitions. marred their recent home games when Callejon (Napoli/ITA), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid). — AFP tion of our championship now, it’s very Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham Stoke visit the London Stadium. — AFP