SPORT

Monday 12 June 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Bolt shakes off nervesves Pakistan, SL Young Lions win to win final race onn set for Trophy England's first world Jamaican soil 'quarter-final' title in 51 years Qatar eye full points Nadal against South Korea in qualifying game claims The Peninsula atar will be looking for full points when Qthey take on South Korea in the key FIFA 2018 10th World Cup qualifying match tomorrow at Al Sadd Stadium. The 2022 World Cup hosts have slim chances of making it to Russia via the French play-off route and for that a win against South Korea will be do or die battle for Qatar 4-1 in their latest trip coach Jorge Fossati (pic- to Doha, in the same stage tured) team. of the 2014 World Cup Buoyed by a noisy home qualifiers. Open crowd, Qatar will be look- They also won the home ing to pull of a big upset in leg 2-1 and combined this Doha to keep them afloat with this editions 3-2 win for the Russia trip. from home leg makes it Qatar have just four three wins on the bounce points and cannot finish in for the Koreans in compet- title one of the top two spots that itive games against Qatar. guarantee an automatic South Korea do come berth in Russia. They can, with some troubles in away however, climb up to third, games. They were beaten which secures a place in a 1-0 by China in their latest series of play-offs. away trip to leave them Paris media lit up at that point with Qatar are at the bottom win-less in three away Reuters women's semi-finalist Timea Bac- of Group A with a massive matches in the campaign so sinszky of Switzerland tweeting eight point gap with the far. They lost to Iran and laycourt king Rafa Nadal "OMG!" third placed Uzbekistan. drew blank in the draw regained his Roland I'm a little emotional. The nerves and Wawrinka, who had been on For South Korea, this is against Syria in previous Garros throne after two adrenaline I feel on this court is impossible an 11-match winning streak on a key fixture as they must two trips. years in exile with a clay, was being hunted down mer- win to get away from Elsewhere, China's slim brutal 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to compare: Rafael Nadal cilessly and his frustration boiled Uzbekistan in the race for World Cup qualification Cmauling of Swiss Stan Wawrinka over as the Spaniard closed in on second spot in the table. hopes could finally end this to complete 'La Decima' a two-set lead, the Swiss wreck- Qatar had so far failed week while Iran could yesterday. ing his racket frame after a missed to make the home advan- become the first Asian Rewinding the clock to the forehand. tage count as they managed nation to book their place days when he was untouchable on just one win from their in next year's finals in the crushed brick dust, the turned the final into an exhibition rigueur for an expectant Court three matches at Doha, Russia. 31-year-old turned 2015 champion of his claycourt supremacy – tak- Philippe Chatrier as the final 'Amazing' Nadal while losing in the remain- Carlos Queiroz's team Wawrinka into a human punch ing his record to an began with temperatures hover- ing two. take on Uzbekistan in bag, winning in just over two eye-watering 79-2. ing around the 30 degrees The hosts can take Tehran today knowing a hours. As a weary Wawrinka sliced a Celcius mark -- optimum condi- better than ever, encouragement from the fact win over the Central Asian This title, a record 10th at a volley into the net on match point tions for Nadal's monstrous they haven’t lost to Qatar nation will ensure the Ira- single in the profes- Nadal collapsed on his back on the topspin game. says Wawrinka since the narrow 1-0 defeat nians qualify for the World sional era, was arguably the most baseline. Wawrinka, who spent nearly during the 1994 Asia Cup. Cup for the second time in impressive of his 15 majors, "I'm a little emotional," Nadal five hours more on court than Nadal Paris They can boast of a six match a row, the first time the though, as it arrived three injury- said before his tearful uncle Toni, to reach the final, looked confused AFP unbeaten streak with four country will have secured a plagued years after the last one his career-long coach who will and heavy-legged although he did wins and two draws in it. place at back-to-back when he beat Novak Djokovic here take a back seat at the end of the have a glimmer in the third game tan Wawrinka said Rafael The Koreans defeated tournaments. in 2014. year, handed him La Coupe des when Nadal, still settling down, Nadal was back at the He also did it without dropping Mousquetaires. saved a break point. Speak of his powers after a set and conceding only 35 games "The nerves and adrenaline I Nadal failed to convert any of storming to an incredible 10th in seven matches. Only Bjorn Borg, feel on this court is impossible to the four break points he had in the French Open title yesterday. Second win for Qatar who conceded 32 on his way to compare." following game, but drew first Swiss third seed Wawrinka the 1978 title, has been a more Wawrinka said he had not blood the next time an opportu- was trying to win his second ruthless champion. found his best level but paid trib- nity arose to take a 4-2 lead. Then Roland Garros title in three Third seed Wawrinka, having ute to the man he beat to win the he switched on the afterburners, years but was blown away by beaten world number one Andy first of his three grand slam titles taking Wawrinka out of the equa- Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. Murray with a majestic display of in Australia in 2014. tion, and minutes later the Swiss "For sure he's playing the firepower in a gruelling semi-final, "For sure he's playing the best wafted a forehand long to hand best he's ever played. That's arrived full of hope as, at 32, he he's ever played. That's for sure. Nadal a second break of and for sure. But not only here," tried to become the oldest French Not only here," Wawrinka said. the opening set. said Wawrinka, who lost for Open winner since Andres Gimeno "It's a tough loss. But I played Wawrinka was flat, striking the first time in four Grand in 1972. against the biggest clay-court not a single winner off his glori- Slam finals. But the barrel-chested 'Stani- player ever." ous single-handed in the "I think since the beginning mal' was powerless as Nadal Straw hats and fans were de first set, and with less than an hour of the year, you can see he's on the clock his task already playing more aggressive, stay- looked forlorn. ing more close from the line. FRENCH OPEN WINNERS SINCE 2000 Nadal got a time violation at "But that's clearly his best 2017 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 the start of the second, but he ever play. That's why he's 2016 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) bt Andy Murray (Britain) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 Wawrinka could not slow the winning so much again." 2015 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) bt Novak Djokovic (Serb) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 6-4 Spaniard's charge as he bounded Wawrinka admitted the 2014 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 into a 3-0 lead in the second hav- daunting mental challenge of 2013 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 ing won seven games in a row. facing Nadal on his favourite 2012 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 With the crowd attempting to surface contributed heavily to 2011 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt (Switzerland) 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 lift Wawrinka he stopped the rot the crushing defeat. 2010 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Robin Soderling (Sweden) 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to hold, firing himself up with a "He's playing his best level 2009 Roger Federer (Switzerland) bt Robin Soderling (Sweden) 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 roar of "C'mon". on clay. Five-set match, you 2008 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 Nadal was relentless though, know, it's going to be a really Fernando Gonzalez (3) and Edson Alberto 2007 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 pinning Wawrinka back behind tough challenge when you play Valencia Gonzalez (7) of Venezuela block Ahmed 2006 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Roger Federer (Switzerland) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 the baseline. Even when he was against him," said the Swiss. Noaman (right) from Qatar during the 2017 FIVB 2005 Rafa Nadal (Spain) bt Mariano Puerta (Argentina) 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 stretched the response was "I didn't play my best ten- 2004 Gaston Gaudio (Argentina) bt (Arg) 0-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 8-6 emphatic, one astonishing fore- nis for sure, I was a little bit World League Group 3 match in Tallinn, Estonia 2003 (Spain) bt Martin Verkerk (Netherlands) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 hand, whipped from close to the hesitant with my selection of yesterday. Qatar won 3-1 (27-29, 25-16, 45-43, 2002 Albert Costa (Spain) bt Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain) 6-1, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 front row of seats to land in a blur shots." 25-13) to register their second successive win.

2001 Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) bt Alex Corretja (Spain) 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0 of yellow in the corner, drawing "Physically I felt good, but The Al Anabi also defeated Greece 3-0 (25-23, 2000 Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil) bt Magnus Norman (Sweden) 6-2, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 gasps from the crowd and mentally it was tough," he said. 25-21, 29-27) on Saturday. applause from Wawrinka. Social SPORT 12 JUNE 2017 MONDAY 21

South Africa's Bolt shakes off nerves to win Frittelli claims debut tour title

Atzenbrugg, Austria final race on Jamaican soil AFP outh Africa's Dylan Frit- Farewell season fireworks lit the sky. telli won his maiden Bolt said the reception he SEuropean Tour title yes- Jamaican speedster received was larger and louder terday, a final round of says his farewell than he anticipated. five-under-par 67 allowing season is more about "I never expected this. I him to triumph by one shot saying thank you to knew it was going to be big but at the Austrian Open. the stadium was jam-packed Frittelli, 27, carded six his fans than trying to with people supporting me I birdies and one bogey to fin- break his world appreciate that," he said. ish 12 under par, one stroke records of 9.58 "To see everybody turn out clear of England's David seconds in 100 metres shows that what I have done for Horsey, Finland's Mikko and 19.19 seconds the sport is a big deal to them." Korhonen and his fellow in the 200 metres. Since this was his first race South African Jbe Kruger. of 2017, Bolt said his biggest con- Once a playing partner of cern was just putting on a good Jordan Spieth while at college Kingston, Jamaica show. in the United States, Frittelli AFP The Jamaican speedster says lost in a play-off in the China his farewell season is more Open in April and now has a sain Bolt partied with about saying thank you to his Tour victory to his name. his devoted fans in fans than trying to break his He almost found himself an emotional fare- world records of 9.58 seconds in another play-off this time, well at the National in the 100 metres and 19.19 sec- but Kruger's own fine round Stadium on Satur- onds in the 200 metres. Bolt was was tarnished by a bogey at Uday as the world's fastest man honoured during a 20 minute the last, a 67 seeing him fall ran his final race on Jamaican ceremony on the infield which one shot shy. Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after winning his final race in home country during the Racers soil. was attended by his coach Glen "I'm really happy with the Bolt wanted to go out in a Grand Prix at the national stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday. Mills and Sebastian Coe, presi- way the week went -- super blaze of glory as he won the 100 dent of the International stoked to get my first win on metre "Salute to a Legend" race been that nervous to run the 100 flashing his signature lightning- big. But I couldn't have done it Association of Athletics the European Tour -- I think in front of a raucous crowd of metres," said Bolt, who is retir- bolt pose for the final time at without the support of my par- Federations. it's been a long time coming 30,000 on the same track where ing in August following the home."There is no words," Bolt ents." The nine-time Olympic Coe thanked Bolt saying, and I am glad to be inside the he launched his international World Championships. said. "From world juniors to now gold medallist Bolt did not run "Our words are modest but our winner's circle," Frittelli told career at the world juniors in "Just the atmosphere and the I have always been getting great in the fastest 100 metre race of thanks our mountainous. Europeantour.com. 2002. people. The support they came support from Jamaica. the evening, but his devoted fans "His contribution has been Sitting 17th in the Race to The 30-year-old Bolt leaped out and gave me, it was really "I never thought I would ever didn't care. mammoth. A figure to all of us Dubai, the win boosts his out of the blocks and cruised to nerve-wracking." reach this height in track and He ran in front of a sea of in his sport and I wish him the chances of qualifying for next victory in a time of 10.03, well After the race the Bolt took field. My only aim was to be a green and yellow clad Jamaican best of luck. There is nowhere month's British Open at Royal below his world record time but a victory lap then returned to the 200 metre Olympic champion. fans who showed their pride by else I would rather be as presi- Birkdale. good enough to beat a solid field. track and the No. 5 lane where "I have done all I have done. dancing, waving flags and blow- dent of IAAF than in this stadium "Hopefully I get into The "I don't think I have ever he kissed the finish line before Being a legend now is something ing vuvuzela horns while with you tonight." Open with this performance and it should move me up the Race to Dubai and open up some more doors down the road," he added. He had started the day on Ostapenko's glory shines seven-under, two shots behind overnight leader Felipe Aguilar. The Chilean had led after light on emerging new era each of the opening three rounds but fell away after carding five bogeys in a Paris Maria Sharapova at the 2006 US week," Martina Navratilova, a three-over-par round of 75. AFP Open, but remarkably middle winner of Grand Slam singles aged in terms of first-time major title, told the Channel. erena Williams has served winners. "(Ostapenko) played like a as the face of women's ten- Twelve women captured champion that she now is, her Cabrera Bello Snis for the best part of two their maiden Slam title while still first major title but surely not the decades, but Jelena Ostapenko's in their teens, Martina Hingis' last one," Navratilova added on improbable French Open suc- 1997 triumph at Twitter. The Latvian, the first chips in for Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko poses with her trophy after winning cess belatedly signals the arrival just 16 years and four months a woman to win her debut tour- of the next generation of stars. record that looks more secure level title at a Slam since Barbara her final match of the French Open against Romania's Simona share of lead The 20-year-old Latvian, the than ever. Jordan at the 1979 Australian Halep at the Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday. lowest-ranked Roland Garros But Ostapenko's dazzling Open, is just the third major Miami champion in tournament history, shot-making paired with her champion born in the 1990s. Ostapenko. Russia's Kasatkina down any comparisons."But I've AFP bludgeoned her way to the title fiery temperament provided a Ostapenko joins Petra Kvi- downed Ostapenko in the final recently played some good ten- in a manner much befitting her refreshing change-up from the tova, who won Wimbledon in at Charleston earlier this year, nis and if I can carry on, that pain's Rafa Cabrera Bello idol. too-often defensive mundanity 2011 and 2014, and last year's while Konjuh enjoyed a break- would be just great." As for chipped in twice for "Serena was always, like, of the women's tour. French Open champion Garbine out performance at the 2016 US Ostapenko, she is not content to Sbirdies in a five-under- kind of my idol, because I really "We need personalities, and Muguruza in a select group. Open where she reached the simply bask in the glory of par 65 to grab a share of the enjoyed watching her," said she's a personality," seven-time But she believes that class quarter-finals. Vondrousova, becoming the first Latvian to lead at the Fedex St Jude Clas- Ostapenko after becoming the French Open winner Chris Evert will soon grow, with the likes of beaten in the semi-finals by conquer one of tennis' flagship sic in Memphis on Saturday. first unseeded winner in Paris told Eurosport. Daria Kasatkina, Ana Konjuh and Ostapenko as she went on to tournaments. Cabrera Bello topped the since 1933. "She's feisty, she's outgoing 17-year-old Marketa Vondrous- claim the 2014 junior Wimble- "It was always my goal to leaderboard alongside Stew- "She's a great champion. I and she's right in your face, but ova starting to make an impact. don crown, is being hailed as a win a Grand Slam title, now I art Cink and Ben Crane after think she's playing probably sim- isn't that the new generation "I mean, our year, 1997, is rising star in the mould of want to win them all," said the third round and the ilar to my style, so she was my anyway?" pretty strong because we have a Navratilova. Ostapenko. 33-year-old from Gran idol." "Some players come of age lot of players in top 100 and top "I'd say I have a pretty long "Of course, there will be Canaria is now in the hunt for Ostapenko is the youngest during tournaments. Jelena 50, as well. So I think it's maybe way to go there," said Vondrous- more pressure but I will try and his first USPGA Tour win. Grand Slam champion since Ostapenko did it right here this kind of new generation," said ova recently, attempting to play deal with it." "Obviously, those two chip-ins helped," said Cabrera Bello, who has won a total of five tournaments in his career, including two on the Last-gasp Solomona try gives England victory European Tour, after his round at TPC Southwind. "The one on the third hole San Juan, Argentina British and Irish Lions tour of forgotten as the Pumas went shadow of the Andes moun- (from 48 feet) was tough and AFP New Zealand. ahead on eight minutes when tain range. the one on the fourth (from The Argentines shrugged a grubber kick from the pivot It was yet another England 33 feet) was tricky. ubstitute winger Denny off woeful recent form playing sent debutant winger Emiliano turn-over that led to them "I've been hitting the ball Solomona scored a 79th- as the Jaguares in Super Rugby Boffelli over and the fly-half scoring a try and taking the well and trusting my putting. Sminute try on his debut to and came tantalisingly close to converted. lead for the first time in a west- The difference (on the PGA give England a thrilling 38-34 a first win over England in Ford opened the England ern city hosting the Red Roses Tour) is that the courses are triumph over Argentina on Sat- seven Tests. account by defying prolonged for the first time. much different on the week- urday in the first Test of a They led 17-13 at half-time whistling to slot a penalty as After a lot of unstructured end than what you play on two-international series. and looked set for victory the end of the first quarter movement, winger Marland Tuesday and Wednesday. It's The New Zealand-born when veteran substitute fly- approached. Yarde eluded a diving tackle always changing." Rugby League convert cut half Juan Martin Hernandez Play was often scrappy, by prop Enrique Pieretto to Cabrera Bello, Cink and inside from the touchline near dropped a goal for a three- bordering on chaotic, with lots score in the corner. Ford con- Crane all stand at nine under the halfway line, evaded three point lead with three minutes of turn-overs, many of them verted for a 13-7 lead. 201 after 54 holes. Pumas and dotted down left. steals by England, and plenty But the hosts finished the Cink is looking for his first England's wing Denny Solomona between the posts. The first scoring chance of of handling errors. half strongly and scored 10 win since the 2009 Open at celebrates after scoring the winning Fly-half George Ford con- the match fell to star Argentine Another Ford penalty on unanswered points for a Turnberry. The veteran had try against Argentina during their verted for a personal tally of fly-half Nicolas Sanchez, but 27 minutes narrowed the gap 17-13 half-time advantage opened up a two-stroke lead Rugby Union test match at San Juan 23 points as England won his penalty attempt flew right to one point as a blazing before a near-capacity on the front nine before three del Bicentenario stadium in San despite lacking 30 of their best and wide. desert sun beat down on the crowd in the 25,000-seat bogeys on the home stretch Juan, Argentina on Sunday. players, primarily due to the His miss was soon Estadio Bicentenario in the stadium. saw him finish with a 69. 22 SPORT MONDAY 12 JUNE 2017

Kohli salutes Ruthless India cruise into semis intense India's demolition job London Monday's Group B meeting AFP between Sri Lanka and London Pakistan. AFP ndia swept into the Cham- Kohli's men will face Group pions Trophy semi-finals A runners-up Bangladesh in Bir- irat Kohli hailed and eliminated woeful mingham on Thursday as they India's intensity as South Africa as Shikhar bid to make the final for the Vthe key to their Dhawan and Virat Kohli fourth time. eight-wicket demolition Iinspired the holders' eight- South Africa could have no of South Africa as the wicket victory yesterday. complaints as they limply holders stormed into the Kohli's side avoided the departed the tournament after a Champions Trophy embarrassment of an early exit second successive defeat. semi-finals. as they survived a do or die They will need a far more Kohli's side had to showdown to advance from determined effort to prosper win their final Group B Group B in style. when they face England in one- fixture at The Oval to Having dismissed South day and Test action shortly. avoid an embarrassing Africa for 191, two-time cham- Quinton de Kock's 53 was the exit and they rose to the pions India cruised home with only score of any substance from challenge with a ruthless 12 overs to spare at The Oval. the spineless South Africans, who display. In-form opener Dhawan was had three men run out in a The India captain the key figure with 78 from 83 wretched performance. claimed it was their best balls, including 12 fours, while AB De Villiers was especially performance in this captain Kohli weighed in with a culpable as he threw away his year's tournament and typically elegant 76. wicket for the third time in a he felt their steely focus It was a nerveless perform- miserable tournament for the was the difference ance from India, who had come South Africa captain. between the teams. under fire after failing to defend After the flurry of South Afri- "We wanted to step a total of 321 in their heavy can run outs, India were lucky up that intensity. This is defeat against Sri Lanka. not to follow suit at the start of probably our best game India's captain Virat Kohli (centre right) shakes hands with South Africa's JP Duminy after their India join England and Bang- their chase. so far," Kohli said. ladesh in the semi-finals, with Dhawan called for a single ICC Champions Trophy match at the Oval in London yesterday. "When the opportu- the remaining place in the last that was never on and David nity comes your way, four going to the winner of Miller narrowly missed the stumps with Rohit Sharma not fine leg narrowly evaded the div- majestic four back down the you have to grab it. even close to making his ground. ing Morkel. After driving Andile ground. "It was a good toss to SCOREBOARD Sharma celebrated his Phehlukwayo for a soaring six As the partnership between win. The fielders backed SOUTH AFRICA 6-167, 7-178, 8-184, 9-184. escape by smashing a four and to reach 21, Kohli edged the same Dhawan and Kohli went past our bowlers." Q De Kock b Jadeja ...... 53 Bowling: Kumar 7.3-0-23-2 (2w); Bumrah 8-0-28-2 a six off successive balls from bowler towards Hashim Amla, 100, it was clear there would be Shikhar Dhawan's 78 H Amla c Dhoni b Ashwin...... 35 (2w); Ashwin 9-0-43-1 (3w); Pandya 10-0-52-1 (3w); Kagiso Rabada. but the slip fielder couldn't make no late fightback from South and Kohli's 76 were the F du Plessis b Pandya ...... 36 Jadeja 10-0-39-1. Another aggressive shot from a tough low catch. Africa. key contributions as A B De Villiers (run out) ...... 16 INDIA Sharma proved his downfall as With such a small target, Kohli hardly had to break India chased down 192 D Miller (run out) ...... 1 R Sharma c De Kock b Morkel ...... 12 a mistimed slog was caught India were never in danger of sweat as he reached his 68th ODI with 12 overs to spare. J P Duminy (not out) ...... 20 S Dhawan c Du Plessis b Tahir ...... 78 C Morris c Kumar b Bumrah ...... 4 V.Kohli (not out) ...... 76 behind by Quinton de Kock off falling behind the run rate and fifty. By the time Dhawan was Kohli saluted Dha- A Phehlukwayo lbw Bumrah ...... 4 Yurvaj Singh (not out) ...... 23 Morne Morkel. Dhawan kept them on cruise dismissed by Tahir, his side had wan's composed knock K Rabada c Dhoni b Kumar ...... 5 Extras (LB-2, W-1, NB-1) ...... 4 Keen to avoid further costly control with some lusty blows reached 151 and the large Indian and pin-pointed the M Morkel c Kohli b Kumar ...... 0 Total (for 2 wkts in 38 overs) ...... 193 mishaps, India went conserva- off Imran Tahir. following in the capacity crowd needless run-out of I Tahir (run out) ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-151. tive and scored only 37 from the Dhawan has been in fine were in party mood. South Africa captain AB

Extras (LB-6, W-10) ...... 16 Bowling: Rabada 9-2-34-0; Morkel 7-1-38-1 (1nb); first 10 overs. form of late and he brought up Fittingly for such a one-sided De Villiers as another

Total (all out in 44.3 overs) ...... 191 Phehlukwayo 5-0-25-0; Morris 8-0-40-0 (1w); Tahir But Kohli gradually began to his 29th ODI half century, and affair, the winning blow was a crucial moment. Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-116, 3-140, 4-142, 5-157, 6-0-37-1; Duminy 3-0-17-0. take more risks and his pull to third in three matches, with a huge six from Yuvraj Singh. "It's always good to get him out early, he can hurt you," Kohli said of Bangladesh's De Villiers. Mahmudullah Bangladesh lower expectations "It was a decent celebrates their wicket to bat on. It was victory in the ICC important for someone Champions Trophy to bat until the end. match against New after reaching the semi-finals Shikhar's intent was outstanding." Zealand in Cardiff India will face Group on Friday. London go all the way to win the title," Bang- A runners-up Bangla- Reuters ladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza told desh in the semi-finals in reporters in Cardiff. Birmingham on Thurs- ngland's resounding victory over "It's a tournament of the top eight day as they aim to make Australia on Saturday enabled I think everyone has teams and more challenging than the the final for the fourth E Bangladesh to book an unex- contributed to what World Cup. So, to be in the semi-final time. De Villiers' side, pected spot in Champions Trophy is itself an achievement for us. It is who face England in semi-finals but the South Asians are we are today. The also a reward for our continued effort Test and one-day action playing down expectations of going whole nation will be towards improving our game." later this summer, were all the way to claim a maiden major "I think everyone has contributed never in contention title. with us as they were to what we are today. The whole against India and the The hosts had already qualified in our desperate times nation will be with us as they were in skipper conceded they before the Edgbaston encounter but and good times: our desperate times and good times." could have no com- relished the chance to put one over Number six Mahmudullah and all- plaints abut the result. their bitterest rivals and eased to a Mashrafe Mortaza rounder Shakib Al Hasan made the "It's not an ideal way 40-run win in the rain-affected Group highest partnership for any wicket in to finish. Credit to them A finale to end Australia's interest in an ODI for the side when they put on in those first 15-20 overs, the competition. 224. they put the pressure on That loss enabled Bangladesh, "We have given him (Mahmudul- us," De Villiers said. who had stunned New Zealand the lah) a role around six months ago, "We normally don't previous day, to advance at their bal tournament for the first time. which is to bat at number six. He has bat that way. We never expense and the Tigers are keeping "It's a big thing for our cricket. It responded well batting there," the- got going. It's very sad their feet firmly planted on the ground is an opportunity for us but I want to batting coach Thilan Samaraweera obviously," he added. after reaching the last four of a glo- request everybody not to think we will said. Pakistan and Sri Lanka set for Trophy 'quarter-final'

Cardiff first up in a tournament featur- when rain stopped play with Sri Lanka too did not lack AFP ing the world's top eight one-day their side 119 for three off 27 for support at the Oval as they international teams. overs. turned the tables on India in akistan and Sri Lanka head But Pakistan bounced back Trying to explain the turna- dramatic fashion. into their concluding group to beat top-ranked South Africa round in his team's fortunes, Set 322 for the victory, Sri PChampions Trophy group by 19 runs on Wednesday at Edg- Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed Lanka knocked off the runs match knowing it's a virtual baston -- the ground where they said: "We had a good bowling with eight balls to spare thanks 'quarter-final' after producing had succumbed so to India just meeting. to contributions from Kusal two of the tournament's biggest days earlier. "We took wickets. If you take Mendis (89), Danushka Gunath- upsets so far. And 24 hours later, Sri Lanka wickets, every good team feels ilaka (76) and all-rounder Today's match in Cardiff has had a winning return at the Oval under pressure." Mathews (52). the look of a 'dead rubber' about courtesy of a stunning seven- Pakistan were also inspired "It's one of the top wins, to it after Pakistan suffered a 124- wicket success against India. by playing in front of a partisan beat India," said Mathews. run thrashing by arch-rivals and Having conceded 319 for crowd, something they have "The bowlers did brilliantly Champions Trophy title-holders three against India, Pakistan rarely enjoyed since a 2009 ter- to restrict India to 321. It was a India in their opening Group B restricted South Africa to 219 for ror attack on the Sri Lanka team very chaseable target. match. eight. bus in Lahore led to them play- "Not many people expected But now, in the words of Sri After the spinners did the ini- ing most of their major matches us to win and that took a lot of Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews (left) and Pakistan captain Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, tial damage, paceman Hasan Ali overseas. pressure off us." Sarfraz Ahmed during nets ahead of their match in Cardiff, the final round of fixtures in this took three for 24 in eight overs. "That is a feeling we miss, not Today's match is the only yesterday. pool are a "must-win game for Babar Azam and Shoaib playing in Pakistan," said Sarfraz. Group B fixture taking place in all of us in the group". Malik then got Pakistan ahead of Maybe that was a difference, the Cardiff. wickets in a one-day interna- and he will hope for more suc- Sri Lanka too suffered an their required run-rate to secure crowd was supporting us and Pakistan do have some tional last year. Left-arm spinner cess upon on his return 'home' almost as heavy a loss in going a 19-run win under the Duck- that's why the players were recent knowledge of the ground Imad Wasim starred with both -- he was born in the nearby down by 96 runs to South Africa worth-Lewis-Stern method boosted." beaten England there by four bat and ball in that Cardiff clash town of Swansea. MONDAY 12 JUNE 2017 SPORT 23 Germany hit seven as Kane saves England's blushes

Paris There had been little warn- AFP ing of what was to come during a largely uninspiring encoun- ermany ran up an ter that only started to warm up expected goal avalanche once English substitute Alex Gin thrashing San Marino Oxlade-Chamberlain had given 7-0 as Harry Kane celebrated the visitors a 1-0 lead on 70 his first start as England cap- minutes. tain with a late equaliser to But two sumptuous free- deny Scotland on Saturday. kicks from Leigh Griffiths in the Having already trounced final three minutes looked to San Marino 8-0 in the reverse have given Scotland a stunning fixture, Germany's almost sec- turnaround victory. England's players celebrate with the trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the ond string line-up quickly set Yet a first win over the Eng- U-20 World Cup final match against Venezuela in Suwon, yesterday. about running up another rugby lish since 1999 was denied score in Nuremberg. Gordon Strachan's team deep Julian Draxler opened the into stoppage time as Kane fired scoring on 11 minutes before a home a cross from Raheen Ster- brace from Sandro Wagner had ling to earn a 2-2 draw. the Germans 3-0 up before the "At 60 years old, that would England clinch U-20 title half hour mark. Amin Younes have been the best result of my added the fourth seven minutes footballing career," said before the break while Shko- Strachan. dran Mustafi added a fifth two "To do what they did was minutes after the restart. Julian phenomenal. You can't do any to end World Cup drought Brandt made it six 18 minutes more than they did. It was like from time before Wagner com- a middleweight fighting a Suwon, South Korea "Words can't describe right was parried by Farinez. pleted his hat-trick on 85 heavyweight." AFP now what I'm feeling, I'm just Long wait ends He made no mistake as the minutes as Germany continued It meant England avoided trying to take it all in," Calvert- Calvert-Lewin scores rebound fell to him, coolly slot- their perfect start to qualifying, a first qualifying defeat since ominic Calvert- Lewin said, according to the and Woodman saves ting home with his left foot at the a feat matched only by Swit- October 2009. However, their Lewin scored and FIFA website. a penalty as England near post. zerland in Group B. lead at the top of Group F was Freddie Woodman "I was knackered from the beat Venezuela 1-0 Venezuela took control after In Glasgow, Kane marked cut to two points as Slovakia saved a penalty as celebration, but honestly, words to win the Under-20 half-time as the tiny but lively his first match as captain with won 2-1 in Lithuania. Vladimir England beat Ven- can't describe it all. It means substitute Yeferson Soteldo, who an equaliser three minutes into Weiss and Marek Hamsik World Cup. Dezuela 1-0 to win the Under-20 everything. It's what you dream stands just 5ft 3in (160cm) tall, injury time in a match between scored the goals as Slovakia World Cup yeserday, ending the of as a kid, playing for your energised his side. old enemies that burst into life recorded a fourth win from six nation's 51-year wait for a glo- country and winning a World One of his first passes sent in the dying moments. qualifiers. bal trophy. Cup." the 's top scorer. Sergio Cordova clear but Wood- Everton striker Calvert- There were double celebra- England had the better of the man flew off his line to make a Lewin became only the third tions as England striker Dominic early exchanges with Solanke crucial save. England player to score in a Solanke, who is newly signed for forcing a save from Wuilker Josh Onomah almost gave World Cup final after Geoff Hurst Liverpool from Chelsea, was Farinez and seeing a long-range England a two-goal cushion and Martin Peters in 1966 -- the awarded the Golden Ball for effort go wide in the opening when he ran unopposed to rat- last time England won a world player of the tournament. quarter of an hour. tle the crossbar from distance. title at any level. Solanke scored four goals in Venezuela, who have never Venezuela by now were England captain Lewis Cook, South Korea and joins a stellar qualified for the senior World pouring forward and their pres- who plays for Premier League list of past winners that includes Cup, were also making their first sure appeared to have paid off side Bournemouth, received the , , final appearance and took time when Penaranda was brought trophy from FIFA president Sergio Aguero, Luis Figo and to settle until Ronaldo Lucena's down by Jake Clarke-Salter and Gianni Infantino before hoisting , the world's most stunning free-kick hit the post the referee Bjorn Kuipers it high above his head to spark expensive player. in the 24th minute from 40 pointed to the spot, with his frenzied celebrations from Eng- Senior England captain metres. decision confirmed by video land's Young Lions. Harry Kane, who is only 23 him- Calvert-Lewin had already review. After Calvert-Lewin's goal self, was one of the first to praise come close with a header when Penaranda got up to take the on 35 minutes, Cook's side with- his younger countrymen on their he scored what proved to be the spot-kick only to see his effort stood a ferocious second-half victory in the Suwon World Cup winner in the 35th minute. down the middle saved as the England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal onslaught, with goalkeeper Stadium, near Seoul. The striker rose to beat diving Woodman flung a hand Woodman dramatically saving "Congratulations @England Nahuel Ferraresi to high ball on behind him, and England held with team-mates against Scotland during the 2018 World Adalberto Penaranda spot-kick u20's! Amazing achievement to the edge of the box and as the out for their long-awaited World Cup Qualifying European Zone - Group F match in Hampden 16 minutes from the end. be world champions!" tweeted ball dropped his right-foot shot Cup win. Park, Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday. Nigeria and Ivory Coast suffer shock losses

Abuja While in Group H the Ivory But goals by Tokelo Rantie Ivory Coast went down to AFP Coast, who had vowed to win in and substitute Percy Tau in the Guinea despite a brace by Sey- memory of former team-mate second half sunk the home team dou Doumbia. Hart likely to miss ormer African champions Cheick Tiote, who collapsed and and the visitors were unlucky Germany-based striker Naby Nigeria, Ivory Coast and died in China this week, slumped not to have scored more goals Keita fired the winner for Guinea FZambia all lost at home on 3-2 to fellow west Africans in the Group E clash. in the 79th minute. Saturday on a day of upsets in Guinea in Bouake. "My young team tried their Zambia also got off to a los- France friendly the first qualifying round for the Zambia, champions in 2012, best, there was a mistake for the ing start on the road to 2019 Cup of Nations. fell 1-0 at home to a daring first goal and the second goal Cameroon 2019 when they lost London Three-time champions Mozambican side in Group K. was a gift," admitted Nigeria for the first time to Mozambique Reuters Nigeria lost a competitive game New South Africa coach Stu- coach Gernot Rohr. at home. against South Africa for the first art Baxter labelled his team the Libya top Group E after a 5-1 Stanley Ratifo grabbed the ngland keeper Joe Hart is likely to be replaced for Tues- time when they fell 2-0 in the underdogs going by their poor spanking of Seychelles on Fri- last-gasp match winner when day's friendly against France in Paris, adding further southern Nigerian town of Uyo head-to-head record against day in Cairo, Egypt. he stabbed home a low cross. Euncertainty to his career prospects after a year of turbu- in Group E. Nigeria. In Bouake, the Elephants of Before then, Chipolopolo lence for club and country. goalkeeper and captain Kennedy The 30-year-old was criticised for standing leaden-footed Mweene had to pull off a point- in the England goal as two free kicks from Scotland's Leigh Grif- blank save to deny the visitors. fiths sailed either side of him into the net in the dramatic end Guinea-Bissau, shock qual- to Saturday's World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park. ifiers for the 2017 Cup of Nations, Although England recovered to draw the game 2-2, Hart edged past Namibia thanks to a was criticised by some observers for not getting closer to either Jerson goal on 24 minutes in the of Griffiths' strikes. other Group K fixture. England manager probably always Cameroon and Malawi both intended to sideline his keeper in favour of Stoke City's Jack won in Group B. Reigning cham- Butland for Tuesday's friendly, but Hart's display has now opened pions Cameroon pipped the way for a permanent challenge. Morocco 1-0 in Yaounde while "I think the decision was already made. Joe Hart was never Malawi beat the Comoros by the going to play both games," said former England international same scoreline in Blantyre. Danny Mills on the BBC. In Group I, the Zebras of Bot- "People have questioned Gareth – is he sharp enough to swana lost 1-0 to Mauritania in make those decisions? Is he brave enough? Well, he dropped front of their fans in Francistown Wayne Rooney as soon as got the job, which was a massive after they failed to put away decision. Jack Butland, I assume, is going to play against France." many chances. Manchester City's Hart, who made his England debut in This gutsy contest was 2008, has been unopposed as England's number one for seven decided on 78 minutes when years and three international tournaments. substitute Abdoulaye Soudani England's Japhet Tanganga (left) vies with Ivory Coast's Juvenal Agnero during the Under 21 But last season he was dropped by club manager Pep Guar- controlled a long ball before fir- international football final match at the De Lattre Stadium in Aubagne, southern France as diola, who sent him out on loan to Italian side Torino. ing past the Botswana part of the 45th Toulon Tournament "Festival international Espoirs" yesterday. goalkeeper.