SPORT Thursday 21 June 2018 PAGEE | 19 PAGPAGE | 24 Senagal are prideide ofof RonaldoRona earns edgy Africa after breakingaking PortugalPortu win as continent’s losingg rurunn MoroccoMoro crash out

Costa nets lucky winner as Euro giants Spain survive scare

AFP Spain’s Diego Costa shoots at goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup : A lucky Diego Costa’s Group B match against Iran at goal handed World Cup the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia hopefuls Spain their first win of yesterday. Spain beat Iran 1-0. the World Cup although dogged Iran came close to causing a major upset yesterday. The victory in Kazan puts the 2010 winners on course for the last 16. Costa, who scored twice in a 3-3 opening draw with Por- tugal in Sochi, courted contro- versy early in the Group B encounter when he stepped on the toes of Iran ‘keeper Ali Bei- ranvand as he waited to kick the ball out. His gesture went unpun- ished, and the Atletico striker required another stroke of luck on 54th minute when his shot came off to beat Beiranvand after he had been sent through by Andres Iniesta. The entire Iranian bench poured onto the pitch when fired an equaliser for the Lions of Persia just before the hour. But the thousands of Iranian supporters that filled the sta- diuum with the sound of pitch looking rather red-faced. ’s men coming Spain, however, were still vuvuzelas throughout were left Costa got so frustrated with close in the final minutes when flattering to deceive. disappointed when it was ruled Iran’s defensive tactics that he midfielder headed On a rare counter goal- out for offside. approached Beiranvand and just over. keeper was left Spain coach provocatively stepped on his Shortly after the restart an irate when Taremi rose to head welcomed Real Madrid’s Dani toes, leaving the ‘keeper in corner was flicked on by a metre wide. Carvajal back into the starting visible pain. Costa to Gerard Pique but his Moments later, the stadium line-up following his recovery It went unpunished by Uru- effort was cleared off the line. erupted when Ezatolahi fired from a hamstring injury suffered guayan referee Cunha, who had ’ drive from through a packed Spain area to in the Champions League final awarded France a historic first 20 yards was then parried by beat De Gea but the assistant win over Liverpool. VAR-assisted penalty that saw Beiranvand, who palmed the referee’s flag was up. With Lucas Vazquez score Les rebound away before Lucas In the final quarter hour replacing Atletico Madrid mid- Bleus’ opener in a 2-1 win over Vazquez could pounce. Iran battled for a late fielder Koke, it gave La Roja a Australia. Some great vision from equaliser, but after distinctively Real Madrid feel. Spain resumed in more pos- Iniesta, and a slice of luck, showed class to nutmeg Pique By the end of a pulsating itive fashion after the break, however broke Iranian hearts deep on the left and fire over opening half in which Iran’s Beiranvand forced to produce when Costa spun and latched an inviting cross, Taremi’s defence thwarted the few real heroics twice in the space of on to the ball before seeing his thundering header flew just chances La Roja were able to four minutes. shot rebound off Ramin over the bar as a relieved De Spain’s Diego Costa celebrates after scoring their winning create, Hierro’s men left the But Iran refused to buckle, Rezaeian and into the net. Gea looked on. goal.

Spanish players YESTERDAY'S RESULTS celebrate after Diego Costa GROUP B PORTUGAL 1-0 MOROCCO scored their winning goal GROUP A against Iran URUGUAY 1-0 SAUDI ARABIA yesterday. GROUP B SPAIN IRAN IRAN 0-1 SPAIN 1 0 TODAY'S FIXTURES GROUP C DENMARK vs AUSTRALIA DIEGO COSTA - 54' 3.00PM

GROUP C FRANCE vs PERU 6.00PM

GROUP D ARGENTINA vs CROATIA 9.00PM 18 SPORT THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018

Uruguay and Russia in knockout phase

AFP The Saudis managed to have plenty of early possession, although without : Uruguay booked their place looking overly threatening, only to gift in the World Cup knockout stage along Uruguay a 23rd-minute lead. with Russia yesterday, as Luis Suarez Al-Owais -- winning only his second scored the winner on his 100th inter- cap after replacing Abdullah Al- national appearance in a 1-0 victory Muaiouf in goal -- completely missed over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don. a floated Carlos Sanchez corner and The South Americans take on the Suarez tapped in his 52nd international hosts in their final Group A match on goal unmarked at the back post. June 25 with top spot on the line, while That strike was Suarez’s sixth Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been World Cup goal and made him the first eliminated after both suffered back- Uruguayan to score in three separate to-back defeats. finals. Russia and Uruguay will face one “The goal was special because I of the top two from Group B in the last wanted to make up for the other day 16 -- either Portugal, Spain or Iran. against Egypt,” said Suarez. The 31-year-old Suarez, whose pre- Juan Antonio ’s Saudi Arabia vious two World Cups both ended in continued to look far more assured on bans after his infamous 2010 handball the ball than they did in the 5-0 against Ghana and bite on Italy’s drubbing by Russia on the opening day Giorgio Chiellini four years later, took of the tournament, with Hatan Bahbri advantage of a goalkeeping error by firing a wild volley over shortly after Mohammed Al-Owais to put Uruguay seeing a long-range effort tipped away ahead midway through the first half. by Fernando Muslera. Oscar Tabarez’s side missed plenty Uruguay began the second period of opportunities to add further goals, with greater purpose, and Suarez went but a toothless Saudi outfit never seri- close to a second when Al-Owais ously looked like snatching a point. palmed clear his low free-kick. “His sense of responsibility is The three points and a last-16 spot remarkable,” said Tabarez of Suarez. should have been wrapped up just “He assumes the pressure which after the hour mark, but Sanchez he lives under and it gives him a unique headed over when unmarked at the character. Even when he doesn’t play back post from a wonderful Edinson well, he always believes he can make Cavani cross. a contribution for the team.” The South Americans continued to Uruguay, semi-finalists eight years be wasteful in front of goal, as Martin ago in South Africa, have now reached Caceres sent a header flying off target the knockout stage for the third from the 33-year-old Sanchez’s straight time, while Saudi Arabia will free-kick. try again in their search for a first Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani World Cup win since 1994 in their final came close to emulating Suarez by game against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. scoring in a third World Cup, but his Suarez made a bright start, looking low shot was smothered by the Uruguay’s forward Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring to make amends for his poor per- onrushing Al-Owais. SAUDI ARABIA URUGUAY during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group A match formance in the opening 1-0 win Uruguay showed all their know- against Saudi Arabia at the Rostov Arena in Rostov- against Egypt, firing a left-footed how and experience, though, as On-Don yesterday. volley from Cristian Rodriguez’s Atletico Madrid defensive pair Jose 0 1 knockdown that was blocked by Ali Gimenez and Diego Godin helped see Al-Bulayhi. out the closing moments with ease. SUAREZ - 23' Player union blasts concussion management AP about the importance of proper examined both by the team treatment, which is why I was doctor and an independent MOSCOW: The impact to his surprised at seeing the behavior neuro-trauma expert approved head was so violent that Nordin on the touchline,” FIFA medical by the league. Amrabat can’t remember the chief Michel D’Hooghe said The team doctor decides World Cup match at all, even yesterday. whether a player suffered a con- though he was playing in it. “We wrote to them after that cussion, with consultation from the “Five, six hours, gone. Totally to say it appeared the guidelines independent expert. Players diag- gone,” the Morocco midfielder were not correctly followed,” he nosed with concussions start a five- said of the concussion sustained said. step protocol that includes addi- in his team’s opening match “I will now ask for an expla- tional testing as the player against Iran. nation from the Moroccan team progresses from light exercise to “When you think about it, it doctor about what has happened football contact. There is no time is a little bit scary.” so that he played again.” limit, but it generally takes five days Five days after a clash of He added: “FIFA has no or more. The NFL diagnosed 281 heads sent him to hospital for a authority over this. We produce concussions during the 2017 season. brain scan and 24 hours of the guidelines but it is the team Amrabat said his brain scan medical supervision, the doctors who make the decision.” showed no damage. But he said 31-year-old was back in the FIFPro said Amrabat he cannot remember anything Moroccan lineup Wednesday shouldn’t have played again so from the Iran game, “from the and played the entire match in a soon. first minute ‘til I wake up in the 1-0 loss to Portugal, in defiance “Four years on from the hospital.” of FIFA guidelines and his team debacle of the last World Cup, To broadcaster NOS, he doctor. where several players did not added: “On the bench I asked the The players’ union, FIFPro, receive adequate care, football same thing 10 times. After the was highly critical of what it has not made sufficient progress match in the changing room I called “yet another alarming in concussion management,” asked where I sat and I asked my example of a player being put in FIFPro said. brother six times if he’d gone on harm’s way.” “Repeated calls to implement as a substitute.” Despite having expressed Morocco’s forward Noureddine Amrabat (front) with head gear vies for ball possession with Portugal’s world-class standards have been “I have a bit of pain here if I shock about Morocco’s initial defender Raphael Guerreiro during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B match at the Luzhniki Stadium overlooked.” press it,” he said running his pitch-side treatment of Amra- in Moscow yesterday. The new case comes amid finger along the area just left of bat’s concussion last Friday, rising concern in soccer about his left eye, “but in the end you tournament organizer FIFA But the player said that he the long term.” appeared to ignore the guide- the risks of concussion and the want to play in a match like this. absolved itself of any responsi- overruled the physician. This wasn’t the first time that lines after Amrabat collided with potential degenerative damage I had a helmet sent over from the bility in the team decision to field A week without playing “is concussion management in Iran midfielder Vahid Amiri on to players’ brains from Netherlands. But in the end. I felt him again so quickly. Amrabat the official time to recover, football has come under the Friday. repeatedly heading balls. Brit- more tired than normal, quite wore a padded skull cap for a official time for your safety. I spotlight at the World Cup. Jolted Television images showed ain’s associations are funding a quickly, heavy legs. But generally quarter-hour but took it off decided to make it shorter,” by criticism of concussion cases the apparently dazed Amrabat study to try to determine it went reasonably well.” because he was too hot. Amrabat said after the loss, at the 2014 tournament, FIFA being sprayed with water and whether players are more prone Herve Renard, the team’s After the initial concussion which eliminated Morocco from introduced guidelines intended slapped on the face, seemingly to developing dementia. French coach, praised Amrabat diagnosis, Morocco team doctor contention. to provide players with better to wake him from his stupor. Other sports have more rig- as “a warrior.” Abderrazak Hefti had said “I felt good. It’s the most protection and give team doctors “There was a very clear con- orous concussion protocols. “It’s because his spirit is Amrabat wouldn’t even train for important. I am my own doctor. more authority. cussion and we have instructed NFL players with concussion amazing and I was lucky to have a week. And hopefully nothing bad for Moroccan team officials them very clearly and we spoke symptoms during a game are a player like this.” THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 SPORT 19

Iceland fans Senegal are pride of Africa after show their Viking spirit breaking continent’s losing run - in a Lada REUTERS AFP VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA: Two SOCHI, RUSSIA: Senegal are Iceland fans have paid proving to be Africa’s saving homage to the spirit of the grace at the World Cup. Take Vikings by travelling away their win over Poland on 5,000km (3,107 miles) in a Tuesday and it is six defeats in Russian-built Lada to support six for the continent’s represent- their team at the World Cup. atives in Russia. Postal service worker After Nigeria and Algeria Kristbjorn Hilmir Kjartansson both reached the knockout phase and his friend Gretar Jonsson, four years ago, following Ghana’s a film student, took 14 days to run to the quarter-finals in 2010, make the trip from Reykjavik it is looking like 2018 will be a to Moscow. step backwards for Africa on the “It’s the spirit of biggest stage. adventure,” Jonsson said as Following all the excitement he showed off the car near the of their first appearance at the Volgograd Arena on finals since 1990, the Pharaohs Wednesday. find themselves staring at the “You know the Vikings exit door after less than a week were great explorers, sailors of competition. and fighters, so we have a Hector Cuper’s side have little bit of their desire to have been hampered by the fitness an adventure... it’s crazy but problems of Mohamed Salah, it’s so much fun.” The pair, who played no part in the 1-0 both 30, painted the car in the defeat against Uruguay in red, white and blue colours Yekaterinburg. of their national team before On Tuesday, Salah was back taking a ferry from Iceland to but unable to prevent Egypt from Denmark. losing 3-1 to Russia in Saint They then drove south to Petersburg, his late penalty Senegal players taking part in a training session in Kaluga, yesterday, during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. Germany, crossed through proving a mere consolation. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and “It is very difficult to know guaranteed to make a group- Oghenekaro Etebo’s own- almost held Gareth Southgate’s Africans toil, Senegal did their finally reached Moscow, what would have happened (had stage exit. It took a late, late goal and a Luka Modric penalty side to a draw in Volgograd in bit by battling to a 2-1 win over where they watched Iceland he not been injured) but we own-goal from the unfortunate did for a Nigerian team almost their opening game. Poland on Tuesday in Group hold twice world champions know the quality he has,” said to condemn unrecognisable from that They recovered from con- H. Argentina to a 1-1 draw on Cuper. them to a 1-0 defeat against Iran beaten by France in the last 16 ceding an early goal and losing Sadio Mane was seen as the Saturday. They then drove Egypt have still never won a in their opener. four years ago. goalkeeper Mouez Hassen to man dangerman, but it was the south to Volgograd ahead of match at the World Cup in six On Wednesday, Cristiano Epitomising this youthful injury, equalising courtesy of a pace of Mbaye Niang, and a their team’s second game attempts. Only Honduras (nine) Ronaldo’s early header gave Por- side was Francis Uzoho, who Ferjani Sassi penalty. mistake by Poland goalkeeper against Nigeria on Friday. have played more games at the tugal a 1-0 victory in Moscow, at 19 years and seven months However, ’s late Wojciech Szczesny, that Kjartansson dreamt up finals without a single victory, with Morocco’s second-half became the second-youngest strike saw the north African clinched it for Senegal after the idea of attending the and the Pharaohs know a draw onslaught in vain. goalkeeper to play in a World side lose 2-1, and they have Thiago Cionek’s own goal put World Cup after winning the for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia But despite being the first Cup. now gone 12 World Cup games them ahead. Lada - which fittingly sports will see them eliminated. nation to be knocked out, the “Sometimes we were a little without winning since beating The Lions of Teranga are a logo depicting a Viking Herve Renard’s Morocco did hope will be that this can be a bit naive on set pieces but we Mexico in 1978. now dreaming of a repeat of sailing ship - in a competition not concede a single goal in their learning curve for their talented will work on it,” said Rohr, Only Bulgaria (17 games) their run to the quarter-finals run by a travel agency. final qualifying group. But younger players. whose team face Iceland next. have endured a longer drought, in 2002. There has only been one scoring goals has been their big Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles Tunisia coach Nabil and it is hard to see them “Of course we represent our hiccup during the journey, problem in Russia. were poor as they started their Maaloul had confidently ending their run when they play country but I can also guar- when the car’s engine over- Somehow, despite two campaign with a 2-0 defeat asserted before the World Cup the Belgians next, with Hassen antee that the whole of Africa heated in the middle of encouraging displays against against Croatia in Kaliningrad in that his side would qualify from out of the rest of their is supporting us,” said Moscow. A group of locals, Iran and Portugal, the Atlas Lions a difficult group, also containing a group also containing campaign. impressive Senegal coach Aliou however, quickly helped fix have no goals, no points and are Argentina and Iceland. Belgium and England and they Having seen their fellow Cisse. the problem. Film-making a ‘passion’ for Iceland’s goalkeeping hero AFP Russia’s Black Sea coast it when I was young, that’s A side-effect of Iceland’s Iceland’s yesterday. what I got sucked into after first appearance at football’s goalkeeper Hannes GELENDZHIK, RUSSIA: “It’s not the usual combi- high school,” he said. biggest tournament has been Halldorsson (right) While Iceland’s World Cup nation, to be a footballer and Highlights in his film- that Halldorsson has not and Iceland’s coach is famously a dentist, filmmaker,” said the 34-year- making CV include the video watched every game on TV as forward Alfred and its squad has a old who saved a penalty from clip for Iceland’s 2012 Euro- he did at previous World Cups. Finnbogason boardgame publisher and a during the Nordic vision song contest entry, a “Now I almost don’t know during a press wine importer in its ranks, minnows’ 1-1 draw with rousing World Cup promo- who is playing or what is going conference in goalkeeper-filmmaker Argentina Saturday. tional film for the team, and a on except for our games,” he Kabardinka Hannes Halldorsson says his Cultivating an interesting commercial for a World Cup said. yesterday. job on the side sets him apart. side line of work is common corporate sponsor. “We are very focused only “Filmmaking must be up in Iceland’s semi-professional He was “staying out” though on our plans, so while the there as one of the strangest league, said Halldorsson, who of helping a fly-on-the-wall doc- games are rolling in the video jobs in the team,” Hall- now plays for Randers in umentary film crew that is fol- room it’s not like watching a dorsson told reporters at the Denmark. lowing the team’s progress in World Cup thoroughly as team’s training base on “I always had a passion for Russia. usual”. Free kick crackers make it ‘set-piece World Cup’

AFP Lionel Messi and . “At Euro 2016, in total 30 World Cup in Brazil, not Goalkeepers in the past Aliou Cisse, coach of percent of goals were scored including penalty shootouts. have complained about World YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA: Senegal, said: “We know that from set pieces and the last There have already been 10 Cup balls that wobble and dip VAR and a trio of spectacular nowadays defensive systems World Cup in 2014 the number awarded in Russia even though unpredictably, making it a free kicks have led to a spike in are very tight so set pieces will was around 38 percent.” Dav- the tournament is still only in its nightmare to catch or stop, par- the number of goals from set be decisive weapons during the idsen, a UEFA Pro coach from early stages. VAR has vastly ticularly when the likes of plays in Russia, with some group matches.” The numbers Denmark, added: “Cup tourna- increased the number of spot Ronaldo have perfected their already calling it “the World Cup bear that out. Following Swe- ments will always have a higher kicks because more infringements technique from set plays to get of set pieces”. den’s 1-0 win against South set-piece scoring percentage are being seen than before. But maximum movement. With all the teams having Korea on Monday, thanks to a than domestic leagues because the tournament in Russia has also The Telstar 18 ball played at least one game, penalty awarded with the help it’s ‘easier’ to prepare and train thrown up three spectacular used for this World Cup was roughly half of the goals at the of VAR, football analytics firm set pieces, and national teams direct free-kick goals. supposed to be more stable in tournament so far have come Opta Sports said 53.8 percent have the time issue of having Ronaldo completed his hat- the air. Not so, say several goal- from set pieces -- which will dis- of the 26 goals up to that point few training sessions together trick with a late strike in the keepers, including Russia’s Igor appoint the football purists. had come from set plays. during a year, so it’s difficult to thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain Akinfeev, who believes the ball It led to one joke doing the That chimes with the calcu- work detailed on your style of while Aleksandar Kolarov fired at this tournament is partly rounds on social media saying lations of Mads Davidsen, tech- play. home the winner for Serbia in responsible for goals from long- Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo asks that the Video Assistant nical director at the Chinese top- “There is no doubt VAR has their 1-0 victory over Costa Rica. distance such as Philippe to review the VAR during the World Cup Referee (VAR) system, which tier side Shanghai SIPG, who had an effect as well.” There Aleksandr Golovin struck a Coutinho’s curler from open play match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow is making its World Cup debut, said: “That is significantly higher were 13 penalties awarded stunner for hosts Russia in their for Brazil and free kicks like the yesterday. will have more assists than than previous tournaments. during the whole of the 2014 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia. ones by Ronaldo and Kolarov. 20 SPORT THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 SPORT 21

Peru capable of beating Australia look anyone: Coach Gareca France vow to ramp up the to save World

REUTERS   Cup campaign YEKATERINBURG: Underdogs Peru are capa- ble of beating anyone at the World Cup and - # intensity with a win over Peru will not allow France to bully them in their      Group C clash, coach Ricardo Gareca said      AFP The defender also backed France’s forward Kylian Mbappe (centre) runs with team-mates during a training session at the Glebovets Stadium in Istra, Moscow yesterday, AFP yesterday. Manchester United midfielder ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2018 Group C match against Peru.   Gareca said the Incas, who played some YEKATERINBURG: With their Paul Pogba, who struggled for KAZAN: Captain Mile Jedi- attractive soccer in going down 1-0 to Den- title rivals failing to fire, France consistency in the nak says Australia cannot *+  , mark in their first game, would not change have vowed to ramp up the inten- last season and at times found afford to focus solely on      their approach against the highly-fancied sity and put their stamp on the himself on the bench. dangerman Christian Erik-    French today. World Cup with victory over Peru Pogba, 25, told French televi- sen when they face “This involves playing to our style and not today. sion at the weekend that he was Denmark looking for the letting France push us around. We are obvi- (    Didier Deschamps’s team “the most criticised player in the win that could save their ously not going to be able to control France were far from fluid against Aus- done well or not so well and all world”. World Cup campaign.  *    all the time but we want to develop our style    tralia in their opening game in agree that we will have to increase “Not bitter,” was Varane’s A gut-wrenching 2-1 of play. Our intention is to win,” he told a news     Russia, needing VAR (the Video our physical intensity and improve assessment of Pogba, before add- defeat to France in their conference. Assistant Referee) and consequent our attitude in general,” Real ing to the press: “If you could be Group C opener has left the    )& The Argentine acknowledged his players  + Antoine Griezmann penalty, then Madrid defender Raphael Varane, a little bit more positive as well, Socceroos targeting a win would probably be outgunned by France in an own goal about 10 minutes the France vice-captain, said on that would be cool.” today as they seek to qual-     * every area of the pitch at the Ekaterinburg from time, to snatch a 2-1 win. Tuesday. France’s talented but young ify from the group stages.     Arena. “I don’t know if we’ll be on the same But, while unconvincing, a “Other teams (among the squad will be favourites against a Tottenham Hotspur level anywhere, to be honest,” he said. French side featuring a misfiring favourites) did not win or even Peru side beaten 1-0 by Denmark midfielder Eriksen, who # + ( But he stressed Peru, appearing at the front three of the usually prolific lost. We won, but we know that in their opener. scored 11 of Denmark’s World Cup for the first time in 36 years, would  Griezmann and starlets Kylian there are things to improve on. We But Peru, backed by their goals in qualifying, is the not be overawed.     Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele know what direction we need to vocal fans who have travelled in key threat for Age “No matter the circumstances, we are very ,-$   + at least avoided embarrassment. go in.” numbers, were the better side for Hareide’s side at the used to being the underdog in this sort of sit- With holders Germany losing Deschamps, a World Cup win- long spells against the Danes and Samara Arena.  uation, we are used to living on the edge,” he  ! "#  to Mexico and Spain, Argentina ner as a player in 1998, has an missed a golden opportunity to go But Jedinak, who     in front when Christian Cueva bal- said. '  $ and Brazil all drawing their open- impressive selection of forwards scored from the penalty $%$ #  + ( “I think that we can beat any team - we ing games, the Peru clash is a to choose from and could give looned his penalty over Kasper spot against France, says have the tools to win. We know how to han-   ) prime opportunity for the French Olivier Giroud a start. Schmeichel’s crossbar. improving on a disciplined $%% + (  # dle ourselves in this sort of extreme ' !  ' to stake their claim as the team to Talking to the press ahead of Another defeat for Peru, who performance -- which saw  ! "#  situation.” % !( )!" %' beat in Russia. the Group C game in Yekaterin- will again be sporting their dis- Antoine Griezmann hit a Gareca declined to say if veteran striker “We took stock of what was burg, the most eastern city at this tinctive red sash shirts, could spell VAR (Video Assistant '   , who looked sharp as a substi- % !(  " % World Cup,p, Varane leapt p to the the end of their hopespg of reaching Referee)-assisted penalty   ) "# '   tute against Denmark, would start the game. defence of MbaMbappe,ppe, who faded thethe kknockoutnockout rounrounds,ds, in in t htheireir f irstfirst before an Aziz Behich own & !  ' He said the decision had nothing to do with aafterfter a strostrongng stastartrt agaagainstinst WorldWorld Cup sisincence 1982. goal in the dying minutes %& !( )!" %& the 34-year-old’s fitness, noting rather that Guer- “Honestly I didn’t see any difference. What Australia.Australia. TheThe 34-34-year-oldyear-old stri strikerker Pao Paololo -- is also key for %$ !(  " % I saw in the first half, I also saw in the second,” Guerrero,Guerrero, who won a late reprieve rero had been the last player to join the squad “This“This is a plaplayeryer that is 19 Australia. "# '   after winning a reprieve from a doping ban. he said. “If we’ve reached this stage of the years old and who did what few toto play in Russia after his drugs “We know he (Eriksen) “Paolo is not constrained in any way,” said competition, it’s because through the whole oror no plaplayersyers did ((inin plaplayingying forfor banban was overturneoverturned,d, came came on on f orfor is a fantastic player and Gareca, who also dismissed the idea that Peru process we’ve been able to play as a unit, even FranceFrance at such a young ageage).). HeHe the last 30 minutes against Den-Den- obviously he’s got a huge role to play for them,” said Jedinak. had improved after Guerrero came on in the when very important players were not hashas a llotot ooff tatalent,”lent,” saisaidd Varane,Varane, markmark anandd Peru’s aall-timell-time l leadingeading A solid defensive display against France won Australia plaudits second half against Denmark. available.” 25. goalscorergoalscorer looks likely to startstart.. but Bert van Marwijk’s men are on the ropes. And with the psychological advantage of a 1-0 win over Peru from their opening game, in which goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pro- duced a string of fine saves to deny the South Americans, the Danes can afford to be more flexible with their strategy. Australia, on the other hand, showed little attacking threat against   France, their best opportunity coming from a deflected header that had goalkeeper Hugo Lloris scrambling to save early on. ArgentinaArgentinag rallyral behind Messi   Schmeichel, the son of Manchester United goalkeeping great Peter,      will prove another formidable obstacle to Australia’s plans. Kasper has already beaten his father’s record for the longest time    without conceding a goal -- 534 minutes to Peter’s 470. And against Australia, he will look to extend that streak. ahaheadead ooff kkey Croatia clash Australia’s Trent Sainsbury, too, impressed on his World Cup opener against the French. And the Jiangsu Suning defender, 26, believes Australian confi- France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris arrives for a press AFP LegendLegend DDiegoiego MMaradonaara called the three points in their 2-0 win against dence is “still running high”. “I don’t think that’s going to change until conference yesterday, on the eve of their FIFA IcelandIceland result a ““disgrace”disgra and warned Nigeria in their opening game, but their the last game against Peru,” said Sainsbury, whose strong perform- World Cup 2018 Group C match against Peru. NIZHNIZHNYNY NOVGORNOVGOROD:OD: AArgentinargentina araree coachcoach JorgeJorge Sampaoli he would not be mood can hardly be described as ance against France saw several clubs contact his agent on the rallying around captain Lionel able to returnreturn to ArgentinaArgen with similar euphoric. telephone before the first half was even over. MeMessissi as ththee SSouthouth AmAmericanerican performances.performances. They came into the tournament     Lacking attacking options in Kazan, Australian fans will hope Van giants prepapreparere for their crucicrucialal AAddingdding to the sensenses of disappoint- under a cloud, with captain Luka Modric      Marwijk bends to popular demand to give 19-year-old starlet Daniel GGrouproup D clash with CCroatiaroatia ment,ment, MMessi’sessi’s missemissed penalty was charged with perjury in a corruption Arzani his full debut, having come off the bench against France. Hundredth cap means today. accompaniedaccompanied byby 1111 ununsuccessfuls shots, scandal which has rocked Croatian     Messi made an unhappyunhappy tthehe momostst in a World CCupu game without football. start to the World CuCupp on on Satu Satur-r- returnreturn by a sinsinglegle playe playerr since Italy’s Luigi good shape and that’s good for us.” And striker Nikola Kalinic has left  ! dday,ay, mmissingissing what would have bbeeneen aa RivaRiva iinn 11970.970. Despite the solitary point against Ice- Russia due to a back injury, says coach nothing if we fail: Lloris winningwinning pepenapenaltyltyty as as Argen Argentinatina were were he heldld Argentina’sArgentg ina’s playerplayers however have land, Argentina can take solace from a Zlatko Dalic, but amid reports he refused tot a 11-1-1 draw by mminnowsinnows IcelaIceland.nd. beeneenen qquickuickikt ttoo clos cloclosel e rank ranks around the Bar- performance which saw them muster 26 to come on as a substitute after being It was a result thatthat has celonaceelona susuperstar.perstar. shots and have 72 per cent possession left out of the starting line-up. AFP France, one of the favourites to win the rrenewedenewed ddoubtsoubts aaboutbout AArgenti-rgenti- “WeWe araree all with hhim,im he knows that against Iceland. Off-field problems for now though World Cup, laboured against Australia on Sat- na’snna aabilitybilibility to momountunt a hehe can count ononn th theesue susupport of all of us Sampaoli is reportedly considering have not affected them and they are  YEKATERINBURG: France captain Hugo urday, needing an Antoine Griezmann penalty sustaisustainedainedne chchallengeallenge at tthishis mmore tthanhan ever,” ssaidaid AArgentina striker several changes for the game, including expected to field an unchanged team,     Lloris said that reaching a landmark 100 and own goal 10 minutes from time to grab a Worldrld Cup,CuC ffourour yyearsears af afterter PPaulo DybalaDybala.. drafting in young forward Cristian Pavon which also includes Messi’s Barcelona appearances for France will mean nothing if vital three points. they rreachedeacheachechedchehed thethe ffinalinal iinn “WeWe araree here to help him every for Angel Di Maria for more creativity up teammate Ivan Rakitic. $%&   ! they fail to beat Peru in their World Cup clash “I have played a World Cup before so felt BrazilBrBBrazil.. moment,mmoment, and ooff coucourserse we will be at his front. The teams have met only once $%%' !   today. the pressure before, maybe that is different AnotherAnother adveaadverserse side,”s DDybalaybala addeadded.d. Similarly in midfield, Paris Saint- before in the World Cup, in 1998, when The 31-year-old Tottenham Hotspur goal- to my team-mates, but we hope to play bet- outcomeoutcome todatodayodaday and DefenderDefender CriCristianstian An Ansaldi meanwhile Germain’s Giovani Lo Celso could start Argentina won 1-0 and were the only  ! "#  keeper will make a piece of personal history ter and if we do not raise our levels against manym mmayay eveevennns starstartt insistediinsisted Messi was ining goodo spirits despite as Argentina seek more attacking team that year to prevent Golden Boot in Yekaterinburg’s Group C encounter, bar- Peru we will have problems.” to considerconsider the thet IcelandIcelandand setbacsetback.back. options, possibly at the expense of winner Davor Suker from scoring. $   ring any last-minute injury. Peru were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Den- uunthinkablenthinkable -- that “WeWWe alall l know know whatwhat Messi represents Lucas Biglia. One other possible omen for today;    AArgentinargentina cocoulduld be toto our team and to our our country,” Ansaldi Their jobs would be to supply Messi when Riva racked up his unwanted A successive victory in Russia will effec- mark in their first game, missing several  ( tively put the French into the knockout phase, chances and a penalty. on thetheirir way outout aatt said. and goalscorer against Iceland Sergio record in 1970, the Italian legend !  but Lloris and manager Didier Deschamps Lloris looks certain to face striker Paolo the grgroupoup ststage,age,ag “Not onlyo nly is hehe ththeebe b best player in the Aguero with the kind of service on which promptly scored two goals in his next %&' !( )!" %) know the team will have to play a lot better Guerrero, Peru’s talisman who won a late mirrorinmirroringg ththeireir wworldorld oon the pitch, he is they would thrive in a potential 3-3-3-1 match. %' !(  " % than they did in squeezing past Australia 2-1 reprieve to play in Russia after his drugs ban shock firstfirst roundround also best player off formation. Argentina will be hoping for the in their tournament opener. was overturned. exit iinn 20022002.. ththe field. He’s in Croatia may have secured a vital same from Messi. "# '   “It is great personal pride to reach this The 34-year-old, who was surprisingly a Australian players symbolic number but today I must say that it substitute against Denmark, says he acciden- warm up during is secondary,” said the stopper, speaking to tally ingested cocaine in tea. We are all with him, he We all know what Messi represents a training session the media on Wednesday. Lloris -- along with the captains of Aus- at the Samara “We are in the midst of the World Cup and tralia and Denmark -- had voiced support for knows that he can count to our team and to our country. Not Arena in Samara when you have the taste of it you know that Guerrero in a letter to FIFA in a bid to save the on the support of all of us only is he the best player in the world yesterday, on the you cannot find it elsewhere and have to enjoy forward’s World Cup. Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi more than ever: Argentina on the pitch, he is also the best player eve of their World it. Asked why he spoke up for Guerrero, takes part in a training session at Cup 2018 Group “The best way to enjoy it is to keep win- Lloris said: “Playing in a World Cup is unique, the team’s base camp in Bronnitsy, striker Paulo Dybala off the field: Cristian Ansaldi C match against ning and that is important too for the dynamics a very special moment in a career, and this is near Moscow yesterday. Denmark. of the team.” the case for him. 22 SPORT THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 French GP: Hamilton boosted for triple-header REUTERS champion does so on Sunday, he That should change as of this “It“It makes preparinpreparingg for the formerformer doubledouble worldworld supportsupport forf theirtheir firstfirst homehom will take another record from weekend, with Mercedes weekendkend a bit trickier than usual, championchampion AlonsoAlonso race,race, aas will the country’scountry LE CASTELLET, FRANCE: Lewis retired great Michael Schu- planning on making the change but thathat eelementlement ooff tthehe uunknownnknown wonwon thethe LeLe MansMans FormulaFormula OOnene driversdrive Hamilton (pictured) can expect macher; that of the most wins at and Hamilton determined to hit also adds to the challenge.challenge. 24 HoursHours at the RRomainomain GrosjeGrosjeana a welcome boost in engine different Grands Prix. back hard in the first of three “The“The triple header ... will test weekend.weekend. (Haas),(Haas),, rookie PiePierrer power this weekend as Formula The pair are tied on 22 at races on successive weekends. all F1F1 teams to their limits, but RenaultRenault GaslyGasly (Toro Rosso)RossR One embarks on an unprece- present, although Hamilton “I’m really going to make also offers the chance to scscoreorer a will have and Esteban OcOcono dented triple-header at a French already holds the record for dif- sure that we come back strong lot ofof points over the course of plentyplenty ofof (Force(Force India).India).) Grand Prix returning to the ferent tracks (25) after winning at the next race,” he said after threee weeksweeks -- whichwhich Sauber’sSauber’s CCharlesharl calendar after a decade’s in Azerbaijan this year. Canada. is preciselyrecisely wwhathat LeclercLeclerc is thethe mmosto absence. Hamilton is one point behind The France-Austria-Britain we’ree setting out locallocal of thethe llot,ot, growigrowing Le Castellet’s Paul Ricard Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel after sequence of races poses a fresh to do.”d o.” upup in MoMonaco,nacon , aboutabo circuit last hosted a Formula One seven races, with the German logistical challenge for teams McLaren’sLaren’s threethreee hours up the roadro race in 1990, before 10 of the taking the lead in Canada two hitherto committed only to back- Fernandonando from the circuit betbetweenwe current 22 drivers were born, weekends ago when he cele- to-back weekends, with the Alonsonso and MarseilleMarseille and ToulonToulon.. and has been reconfigured from brated his 50th career win. 21-round season hurrying to the Ferrari’srari’s the one fondly remembered by Ferrari and other rivals had halfway point. Kimii RaiRaik-k- older generations. an engine upgrade for that race The three-in-a-row format konen,en, 36 France’s most recent Grand and Mercedes did not. was scheduled specifically to and 38 Prix was at Magny-Cours in Reigning champions Mer- avoid a clash with the World Cup respectively,ectively, 2008, the year Hamilton won his cedes had delayed the intro- soccer final in Russia on July 15. are tthehe only first world championship with duction of their planned upgrade “France should be an inter- currentrrent McLaren, and it remains a rare due to what they said was a esting race. We don’t often get to driversers to have country that has yet to see the ‘quality issue’, a problem that race on a track where we have wonn a grand prix Mercedes driver triumph. also affected customer teams little to no historical data,” said on FrenchFrench soilsoil If the four-times world Williams and Force India. team boss Toto Wolff. -- althoughalthot ugh

STATISTICS FOR FRENCH GP LAP DISTANCE: 5.842km. Total dis- tance:309.626 km (53 laps) No race at the circuit since 1990. Italian Baja: Qatar’s Abdulla Start time: 1410 GMT (1610 local) RACE WINS: Canada was championship leader Sebastian Vettel’s third win in seven races this season for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo have two wins apiece. Hamilton has 64 victories from 215 races aims for maximum points and is second in the all-time list behind seven-times world champion Michael THE PENINSULA Qatar’s Adel Abdulla in action in Schumacher (91). Vettel has 50, Ricciardo this file photo. INSET: Abdulla reacts seven. PORDENONE: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla is during the last race. Ferrari have won 232 races since 1950, in north-eastern Italy this weekend McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 78 bidding to close the gap on the FIA T2 and Red Bull 57. Former champions World Championship leader Ahmed McLaren and Williams have not won since Al-Shegawi at the Italian Baja, round 2012. six of the FIA World Cup for Cross- POLE POSITION: Hamilton has a record 74 Country Rallies. career poles, Vettel 54. The Qatari reduced the Saudi Max Verstappen, at 20-yearsold, can still driver’s T2 lead to just 26 points with become the youngest ever pole sitter this third place at the recent six-day event season. The current youngest is Vettel, who in Kazakhstan and will be hoping to did it at the age of 21 years and 72 days. guide his Toyota Land Cruiser to the cat- PODIUM: Hamilton has 122 career podi- egory win across the demanding gravely ums and is second on the all-time list be- flood plain tracks that make up the hind Schumacher (155). Vettel has 103, route for the three-day event in Italy. Kimi Raikkonen 94. French navigator Jean-Michel Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas has had four Polato replaces Adel’s usual partner second-place finishes in seven races. Nasser Al Kuwari in the battle for POINTS: Vettel leads Hamilton by a single honours for drivers of series pro- point. duction cross-country vehicles. Hamilton is on a record run of 32 successive Adel said: “I have a new car and a scoring finishes, going back to Malaysia new team and no Nasser Al-Kuwari this 2016 when he last drew a blank. week. He is busy with his job with the Mercedes are 17 points ahead of Ferrari in World Cup. This race I will be with the constructors’ championship. Jean-Michel. He was with me in 2016 Russian rookie Sergey Sirotkin (Williams) is for three races in Italy, Hungary and the only driver on the starting grid yet to Poland. He has good experience. score a point in his career. “For sure, I am coming here to win Haas’s Romain Grosjean has yet to open his this race. It is important for me. We account for 2018 and including last season will try to do our best and aim for the the Frenchman has not scored for 11 races maximum points. I never try the car in a row. before. This race can be tricky in some T2 STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 5 FRANCE: Sunday’s race will be the first places and fast. We cross some small French Grand Prix since 2008, when it was rivers. It can be risky in some places, 1. Ahmed Al-Shegawi (SAU) 125pts but it is a good race and a challenge 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT) 99pts at Magny-Cours. That race was won by for me.” Adel Abdulla’s campaign to 3. Konstantin Ivanov (RUS) 50pts Ferrari’s now-retired Brazilian Felipe Massa. win back the FIA T2 Championship is Ferrari have won the three most recent 4. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS) 42pts French Grands Prix -- with Kimi Raikkonen running with valuable support from 5. Marat Abykayev (KAZ) 36pts the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- in 2007 and Michael Schumacher in 2006 6. Alexey Titov (RUS) 25pts eration (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar. -- and six of the last eight. In addition to Ahmed Al Shegawi Apart from Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso is and his French co-pilot Laurent Lich- the only current driver to have won in tleuchter, the Qatari also faces T2 com- France (in 2005). petition in Italy from the Polish crew and scrutineering, get proceedings between San Lorenzo de Arzena and Val- vasone and the Arzena areas. Le Castellet last hosted an F1 grand prix in of Tomasz Baronowski and Grzegorz underway today at Fiera Pordenone and the vazone on Saturday morning and the The final action takes place on two 1990, with Frenchman Alain Prost handing Konczak in a Toyota LC155 and their event fires into life with a podium start cer- timed section will be repeated later in the reverse passes through a special stage Ferrari their 100th win. fellow countrymen Tomasz Piec and emony in the town centre tomorrow evening day on two occasions before the overnight between Valvasone and San Lorenzo di There will be three French drivers in the Michal Marczewski in a Toyota Land and the opening super special stage on a halt in Pordenone. The action takes place Arzena on Sunday, before the podium in race - Romain Grosjean (Haas), Esteban

Cruiser. track between Cordenons and Zoppola. over gravelly river beds crossing San Piazalle Venti Settembre in the centre of Ocon (Force India) and Pierre Gasly (Toro

Formalities, such as documentation Teams will tackle a selective section Giorgio della Richinvelda, Spilimbergo, Val- Pordenone. Rosso) -- and three teams using French engines: Renault, McLaren and Red Bull.

Golf: Aussie great Thomson dies Peter Thomson. REUTERS record only since matched by it was a great privilege to have Honorary Member of The Royal American Tom Watson, who a man of his talent, passion, and Ancient Golf Club of St MELBOURNE: Five-time British won the last of his five titles in wisdom and grace be such an Andrews and will be sorely Open champion Peter Thomson 1983. integral part of the PGA of Aus- missed by all of us at The R&A,” died at his home in Melbourne “A gentleman of the game, a tralia and our sport.” Chief Executive of The R&A yesterday after a four-year battle legend of Australian sport and Thomson also had 13 other Martin Slumbers said in a with Parkinson’s disease, Golf an immortal of the PGA of Aus- top-10 finishes at the British statement. Australia said. He was 88. tralia, Mr Thomson’s contri- Open and won 24 other tourna- “Peter was a true gentleman Considered one of Australia’s bution to golf and our Associ- ments in Europe. He won events and will be forever remembered greatest golfers, Thomson was ation was immense and will live in Asia and South Africa and throughout the world of golf as the first from the country to win forever in our hearts and the clinched 11 victories on the U.S. one of the great champions of the British Open when he took pages of history,” CEO of the PGA Senior PGA Tour, including nine our wonderful sport.” A suc- the title in 1954. He won it again of Australia said on their website. in 1985 alone. cessful golf course designer upon in 1955, 1956 and 1958, and was “This is a sad day for Aus- His only other major victory his retirement, Thomson was the runner-up in 1957. tralian golf but we reflect on the was the PGA Seniors’ Champi- Australian PGA President for 32 Thomson won the fifth of his life of Peter Thomson with onship in 1984. years and helped establish the British Open titles in 1965, a respect and pride knowing that “He was a distinguished Asian Tour. THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 SPORT 23 Ashes to kick off Wawrinka falls new World Test to Querrey at Championship AFP chance to engage regularly with international cricket NEW DELHI: The Ashes that has meaning and the Queen’s between arch rivals England possibility of a global title at and Australia will kick off the the end”. mammoth new World Test The new Future Tours Championship in July next Programme (FTP) released year, according to a world by the ICC features all series governing body schedule and tournaments of Test, ODI released yesterday. and Twenty20 cricket for the The nine top-ranked 2019-2023 period. sides in the world will New Test entrants Ireland compete in the new tour- and Afghanistan will play nament, with each side against each other in Feb- playing six series on a home- ruary next year and go onto and-away basis against play 12 five-day games each mutually selected opponents between 2019 and 2022. in a two-year cycle. Afghanistan have Sam Querrey of the US celebrates The five-Test Ashes will matches scheduled at their after winning his second round kick off the first champi- home base India and away match against Stan Wawrinka of onship in July next year, with against Australia, while Switzerland, yesterday. the top two teams to square Ireland will host New off in a June 2021 final. Zealand and travel to Other Test series in the England. AFP programme include the West The 12 Test playing third seed Kevin Anderson. Indies’ three-Test tour of nations and the Netherlands Switzerland’s Stan Tiafoe next faces France’s India and New Zealand will also participate in a : Stan Wawrinka’s Wawrinka reacts during Jeremy Chardy, who beat Rus- hosting Sri Lanka, both in 13-team one-day interna- Wimbledon preparations the match. sia’s Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (8/6), July, while the last league tional League that will act as suffered a blow as the Swiss 6-3. game will be in April 2021 a qualification pathway for star crashed to a 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), Meanwhile, Britain’s with the West Indies visiting the 50-over 2023 World Cup. 6-1 defeat against Sam Querrey former top-50 player Dan Sri Lanka. Hosts India along with at Queen’s Club yesterday. Evans was left off Wimbledon’s Meanwhile Pakistan, who the seven highest-ranked Wawrinka has struggled to wildcard list yesterday fol- start their Test championship sides in the ODI league at the return to peak form since sus- lowing his recent return from journey in October next year end of March 2022 will taining a left knee injury last a one-year ban for cocaine use. in Sri Lanka, have not been directly qualify, while the year that required two opera- Evans, who reached a given a series against India bottom five sides will get a tions and wiped out the second career-high 41 last year shortly amid growing political ten- second chance to enter half of the Swiss star’s season. before announcing he had sions between the two through qualifiers. Still hampered by the tested positive for cocaine at countries. problem this term, Wawrinka the Barcelona Open, was not South Africa will kick The structure of the was sidelined again for three even handed a wildcard into start their campaign in India men’s FTP (2018-23) months in between a second next week’s qualifying tour- in October 2019. includes: round exit at the Australian nament held at Roehampton. The ICC gave its nod to →ICC Cricket World Cup - Open and a first round loss in The 28-year-old could still the Test championship last 2019 and 2023 the French Open. end up in the main draw year as part of measures to →ICC World T20 - 2020 and The three-time Grand Slam although he would have to go boost the flagging fortunes of 2021 champion had swatted aside through pre-qualifying. the traditional five-day →World Test Championship British youngster Cameron Evans, now ranked 340, format beloved of purists but Cycle 1 - 2019-2021 (final Norrie in the first round of the has shown good form since his with often lacklustre spec- 2021) Wimbledon warm-up at return and reached the final of tator and television viewer →Cycle 2 - 2021-2023 (final Queen’s. the Nottingham Challenger last numbers. 2023) But Wawrinka faded badly week where he lost to Aus- ICC chief executive David All bilateral Tests, ODIs and in the final set against Querrey tralia’s Alex de Minaur. Richardson called it a T20Is outside of the above as the American world number He was given a wildcard “genuine solution that gives competitions 13 condemned the 33-year-old into this week’s Queen’s Club fans around the world the to his seventh defeat in his last tournament but lost in the first nine ATP Tour matches. round to Adrian Mannarino. It is a major setback for Two-time Wimbledon Wawrinka ahead of the July 2 champion Andy Murray had start of Wimbledon, where he quarter-finals. American looking to add a second ATP been outspoken about Evans’ has never made it past the prodigy Frances Tiafoe moved title to his maiden success at doping ban and was asked on quarter-finals. into his first ATP Tour grass- Delray Beach in February. Tuesday whether he thought Aussie coach Querrey, who won Queen’s court quarter-final with a 6-4, The 20-year-old out- his Davis Cup team mate Justin Langer in 2010, will play Croatian top 2-6, 6-4 win against Argen- lasted Mayer to stop the world should be given a wildcard seed Marin Cilic or Luxem- tina’s Leonardo Mayer. number 38 building on his sur- into the grasscourt Grand bourg’s Gilles Muller in the Tiafoe, ranked 62nd, is prise first round victory against Slam.

Khachanov ambushes Nishikori in Halle again AFP Halep withdraws from HALLE Westfalen, Germany: Karen Khachanov handed Eastbourne to rest Japan’s Kei Nishikori a second straight loss on German grass, ahead of Wimbledon beating the seventh seed 6-2, Inexperienced Australia 6-2 yesterday at the ATP Halle REUTERS event. In 2017, the 36th-ranked LONDON: World number one Simona Halep learning the hard way, Russian also beat Asia’s top has pulled out of next week’s Nature Valley player in the second round here, International in Eastbourne as she looks to when Nishikori was forced to regain full fitness ahead of Wimbledon. says coach Langer quit with a hip injury. The 26-year-old Romanian ended her long wait for a maiden Grand Slam title with the Nishikori has a mixed record REUTERS at the Wimbledon tune-up French Open triumph this month but said she the world. I’ve never seen any- event, dominated over the past sustained an Achilles tendon injury during the thing like that,” the 47-year-old decade and a half by Roger tournament. LONDON: Australia were former Australia batsman told Federer with nine titles. “I’m very sorry to announce that I’m with- handed a reality check as they reporters. The number 27 Japanese is drawing from next week’s Nature Valley Inter- suffered their biggest one-day “Hopefully, our young guys coming back from wrist injury national,” Halep said in a statement posted international defeat when they can learn from it. It doesn’t get problems and working to rebuild on Twitter yesterday. lost to England at Trent Bridge, harder than that... their top his ranking, which once placed “I was experiencing Achilles tendon pain said coach Justin Langer, who three are brutal.” him firmly in the Top 10. and inflammation during the French Open and added that his young side were Langer said it was not the He began 2018 by playing a it has yet to fully recover. I’ve been advised learning the hard way. right time to make wholesale lower-level Challenger tour- Russia’s Karen Khachanov returns the by my doctors that it needs more rest while England amassed 481 runs changes but he was open to the nament before returning to the ball to Japan’s Kei Nishikori during continuing treatment.” as they thrashed Australia by idea of off-spinner Nathan ATP in February. their match in Halle, yesterday. 242 to take an unassailable 3-0 Lyon getting his first match on The 28-year-old reached the lead in the five-match series. the tour. semi-finals here in 2014 and The latest defeat means “I don’t like to chop and 2015 but also exited injured in “He was playing good, but Wimbledon.” Khachanov aces against his Japanese Australia have now lost their change; you’ve got to build 2016 and a year ago, when he nothing special, I couldn’t make advanced to the Friday quarter- opponent, who was broken four last four ODI series and have something,” he said. quit against Khachanov trailing a first serve and I should have finals against Spanish fourth times. dropped to sixth in the rankings “You’re not going to learn 3-2 in the first set. stayed back more at the baseline. seed Roberto Bautista Agut, a The Russian 22-year-old but Langer said they can only anything in the changing “I made too many unforced “Khachanov hits a flat ball 6-4, 7-5 winner over Dutchman stands 1-1 with Bautista Agut, improve from here. rooms. Nathan Lyon has played errors, I had a lot of mistakes,” and that makes it not so easy on Robin Haase. after splitting wins on clay and “It’s no fluke that they a lot of international cricket - Nishikori said. grass. I need to train more before Khachanov managed seven hardcourt. (England) are number one in he might play at some point.” THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2018 SPORT 24

Ronaldo earns Portugal 1-0 win as Morocco’s hopes end AFP

MOSCOW: Cristiano Ronaldo followed up his opening game heroics at the World Cup with MOROCCO PORTUGAL the only goal in a 1-0 win for 01 Portugal against Morocco as the European champions RONALDO - 4' edged closer to the last 16. The Real Madrid star tional goalscorers. struck in the fourth minute in The Real Madrid forward Moscow to surpass Hungarian threatened a second soon legend Ferenc Puskas as after, swivelling on the edge Europe’s all-time leading of the area and scuffing just scorer with 85 international wide after a powerful run from goals. left-back Raphael Guerreiro. Victory sent Portugal top Mehdi Benatia forced a of Group B on four points smart low save from Rui ahead of Spain’s game against Patricio at a corner for Iran in Kazan, as a second Morocco, before Hakim Ziyach straight defeat for Morocco skipped his way into the Por- condemned the African nation tugal area, his goal-bound to an early exit in their first effort blocked by an out- World Cup appearance since stretched leg. 1998. Joao Moutinho then Morocco coach Herve nipped in ahead of Mbark Renard opted for a back four, Boussoufa to get a vital clearing with Manuel Da Costa and touch in the six-yard box as Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) vies for coming into the Morocco consistently targeted the ball with Morocco’s defender Mehdi Benatia side, to provide added pro- the right side of the Portuguese during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B match tection against the “absolutely defence. at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, yesterday. exceptional” Ronaldo after his - Moroccan penalty hat-trick against Spain. appeals - A crude lunge from But his plans were torn Benatia on Ronaldo left the Morocco goalkeeper El Morocco continued to Benatia, the Juventus defender Ronaldo leads apart within minutes at the Portugal skipper writhing Kajoui kept his side in the carve out opportunities as neatly shifting the ball onto his Luzhniki Stadium as Ronaldo around in pain, while Morocco game when he stuck out a Patricio clung on well to a left boot only to lash over the bar Cristiano Ronaldo leads all scorers at wriggled free of the imposing felt aggrieved when Nordin strong left palm to repel a curling Belhanda shot, and the as Morocco’s frustrations the 2018 World Cup after the Portu- Da Costa to bury an unstop- Amrabat was hauled down by Goncalo Guedes effort fol- Portugal keeper pulled off an mounted. gal star netted his fourth goal of the pable header past a helpless Guerreiro as he muscled his lowing Ronaldo’s lofted pass even better save minutes later. The lively Ziyach nipped tournament in the 1-0 group-stage Monir El Kajoui. way into the area. over the top. Another dangerous delivery past Fonte in the closing minutes It was Ronaldo’s fourth Khalid Boutaib was flat- Ronaldo blazed over from from Ziyach was flicked on by but found Pepe standing in his defeat of Morocco yesterday. goal of the tournament, more tened by Jose Fonte in an aerial 15 yards after a quick free-kick Belhanda, with new Wolves way, with Benatia hammering In his second game of the World Cup, than his combined tally at challenge that again had the caught Morocco out, Guedes’s signing Patricio flinging over one final chance to seal Ronaldo overtook Denis Cheryshev three previous finals, and left Moroccans up in arms, with miscued attempt rolling invit- himself to his right to magnif- Morocco’s fate. Portugal will of Russia, who has scored three him trailing just Iran’s Renard warned for gesturing ingly to the five-time world icently claw the ball to safety. meet Iran in their final group goals so far. (109) on the list of top interna- for the video assistant referee. player of the year. A further opening fell to game on June 25. Ronaldo and Morocco - a love World Cup affair made in Marrakech inspires unusual AFP fields in Peru MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: AP Cristiano Ronaldo has fallen under the charm of Morocco, and the feeling is mutual with LIMA, PERU: Excitement for soccer has reached a fever pitch in the Portugal and Real Madrid Peru’s crowded capital, where a lack of open spaces has forced star adored by millions of fans residents to play pickup games squeezed against Incan ruins or from the North African kingdom. in pre-colonial cemeteries. There may be no statue yet Inspiring this passion is Peru’s first qualification to play in a honouring Ronaldo, who led World Cup in 36 years. While the team lost its first match in this Portugal against Morocco in the year’s Cup to Denmark, it faces France tomorrow and hopes are World Cup yesterday, as there high again. is in his hometown of Funchal, As many watch the matches from Russia on television sets, but he will soon have a hotel in others are organizing impromptu games in this capital teeming his name. with archaeological ruins peppered throughout an urban sprawl Ronaldo’s love affair with that experts say grew without proper planning for parks and sports Morocco began in Marrakech in fields. December 2014 at the Club Fields used in pickup games range from manicured grass to World Cup which Real competed informal quadrangles etched into the dirt - many next to ancient in after winning their 10th cemeteries, religious complexes and the remnants of pre-colonial Champions League title. neighborhoods. Community leader Valeriano Amaru stands on Morocco’s (right) in action with Portugal’s Cedric Soares during the World Cup Group For the first time Ronaldo one such field as children practice their soccer moves next to a B match at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, yesterday. experienced at first hand his vast complex of crumbling adobe walls known as the Huaquerones popularity from a country where ruin in Lima’s Ate-Vitarte district. divided loyalties over Real and top up his perma-tan. player, his shirts and momentoes incredible, it’s been six months “A ton of us have played here,” Amaru said, recalling playing Madrid and Barcelona can split Even his beloved mum of his career. However, only true now that Cristiano hasn’t on such impromptu pitches for half of his 60 years. families in two. Dolores has fallen under fans will enjoy washing their face stopped telling us I’m going to Lima is home to the largest number of pre-colonial archaeo- Ronaldo was “enchanted by Morocco’s spell, judging by in the morning confronted by a open up in Marrakech’”. logical sites in the Americas, with more than 400 “huacas,” meaning “an exceptional quality of life photos posted on Instagram of giant view of the man himself with Ronaldo’s name brings with “sacred places” or “oracles” in the Quechua language. While their that he hadn’t come across her in front of a plate of his sunglasses acting as mirrors. it a certain cache. use for pickup soccer games has surged with World Cup fever, it before, and that was so close to couscous, or visiting Jemaa Two more branches are soon “I won’t disguise the fact that is a longstanding practice since the sites often provide the only where he lived too”, someone El-Fnaa square in Marrakech to open in Madrid and New York. it’s good publicity for the open spaces in poor, crowded neighborhoods. close to the player said. where tourists can pick up The 160-room establishment venture, which has been mar- Playing soccer in the ruins is technically not allowed, but the ‘CR7’ was hooked, and replica shirts of her son. in Marrakech is due to welcome keted around the world,” he rules are applied flexibly since games often coincide with religious returned the following year, Ronaldo has a 50-percent its first guests by early 2020. says. festivals, community celebrations - or now with the World Cup. catching up with his Dutch- stake in the Portuguese hotel “He really does have a per- Given his links with Ronaldo, The Huaquerones site served as a military base in the govern- Moroccan friend, kickboxer Badr chain Pestana through his own sonal connection to the city,” Slitine could has a problem ment’s battle against insurgents in the 1980s and “even the sol- Hari. ‘CR7 brand, and he announced Nabil Slitine, chief of the deciding who to support when diers would play pickup games here,” Amaru said. According to the Spanish in January he would be opening Downtown Hotel Corporation Ronaldo’s Portugal face Morocco He said the World Cup has gotten children in Peru excited press, whenever he has free time his fifth hotel in Marrakech. project where the CR7 hotel is in the World Cup. about soccer because “they want to emulate the players on our Ronaldo takes a private jet from He already has branches in due to be built, told AFP. “In business, I’m 100 national team,” many of whom come from poor neighborhoods. the Torrejon de Ardoz airport Funchal and Lisbon in Portugal-- “From my first meeting with percent for Cristiano but in the Lima’s lack of open or public spaces is due to a lack of urban beside Real’s training ground to not surprisingly the rooms feature the Pestana group to explore the World Cup I’m 100 percent planning as its population exploded over a half century, growing return to the country he loves -- dozens of photographs of the project they told me ‘it’s Moroccan.” fivefold to its current 9 million residents, experts say.