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Friday, July 6, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 22, 1439 AH Uruguay’s GULF TIMES resolute defence ready for Mbappe SPORT Page 2 PREVIEW BRA vs BEL KAZAN, 9PM Brazil seek to temper hopes of Belgian ‘Golden Generation’ Despite scoring 12 times this World Cup, Belgium will have to lift their game significantly to beat a well-drilled Brazil side

AFP Kazan, Russia Key facts

elgium coach Roberto Mar- Brazil have not lost in their last tinez has admitted he has no 16 competitive matches. secrets as he plots to end Bra- Belgium are unbeaten in 22 zil’s bid for a record-extending matches. Their last defeat in a com- sixthB World Cup ahead of their “dream” petitive match was to Wales in the quarter-fi nal in Kazan today. quarter-finals of Euro 2016. But the nation’s “Golden Gen- Brazil are unbeaten at the eration” have been reminded that the tournament. They started with a 1-1 match against the favourites could rep- draw against Switzerland then beat resent the last chance for them to shine Costa Rica (2-0), Serbia (2-0) and on the world stage. Mexico (2-0). “It’s a dream match for our players,” Belgium have won all of their Martinez told Belgian press after seal- matches in Russia, beating Panama ing qualifi cation for the last eight with (3-0), Tunisia (5-2), England (1-0) a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Japan in the and Japan (3-2) fi rst phase of the knockout rounds. Belgium reached the quarter- “There won’t be many secrets to the finals four years ago in Brazil and game. We have to defend as well as we the semi-finals in 1986 when they can and then punish them when we were beaten by a Diego Maradona- have the ball. inspired Argentina. “It’s that simple, and this team is Brazil have kept 19 clean sheets ready for that.” in 25 international matches under On paper, a Belgium side containing coach Tite. They conceded pre- the talents of Chelsea’s , cisely one goal in each of the other of City six games. and Manchester United striker Romelu Belgium have scored more Lukaku have the potential to cause a goals than any other team at the World Cup upset. tournament (12). But despite sailing through the group Brazil have won three of four stage, Martinez’s ambitious Red Devils penalty shootouts at the World have their work cut out if they are to go Cup, including the one that decided all the way to the July 15 fi nal in Mos- the 1994 final against Italy. cow. Belgium won their only World Third-ranked Belgium reached the Cup penalty shootout against Spain quarter-fi nals in 2014 in Brazil but be- in the quarter-finals of the 1986 fore that the last time they got so far tournament. was in 1986, when ‘Little Prince’ Frank Brazil forward has Vercauteren steered them to the semi- had 24 shots in Russia, more than fi nals before a Diego Maradona double anyone else at the tournament. ended their hopes in a 2-0 defeat in Belgium striker Mexico. is the second highest goalscorer at Vercauteren said before the tourna- Brazil’s Neymar (second from left) and his teammates attend a training session yesterday at the Tsentralny Stadium in Kazan, Russia, on the eve of their FIFA World Cup the tournament with four. ment that Russia represented “perhaps quarter-final match against Belgium. (AFP) Brazil’s Casemiro will miss one of the last chances for this gen- the match after picking up two eration of players to live up to expec- yellow cards. tations, because in 2022 a lot of them won’t be there”. Brazil’s Miranda says Kompany On Monday, Belgium mounted a stir- ring fi ghtback to beat Japan, with Nacer trying to ‘hide fear’ Chadli scoring the winner in the 94th Reuters minute. Kazan, Russia Becoming the fi rst team in 48 years to overcome a 2-0 defi cit in a World Cup knockout match was a “proud” moment elgium defender Vincent for Martinez, who said: “That was a test Kompany’s combative re- for the team and its character.” Bmarks in the leadup to today’s quarter-final blockbuster were a NEYMAR THREAT “provocation” intended to hide his Despite scoring nine times in wins over “fear”, Brazil centre back Miranda Panama (3-0), Tunisia (5-2) and Eng- has said. land (1-0) before the Japan game, Bel- Kompany described Brazil as “indi- players have to show confidence in gium will have to lift their game signifi - vidually... the strongest team in this our actions to our team mates.” cantly to beat a well-drilled Brazil side World Cup,” during a media confer- The match pits two of the most increasingly dancing to the tune of star ence. But he said no Belgium players fancied teams at the World Cup, with forward Neymar. were “going to sleep at night think- Brazil’s stingy defence to contend with Neymar signalled he had well and ing we have already lost to Brazil.” Belgium’s array of attacking threats. truly put a recent injury lay-off behind Kompany added that Belgium would Brazil have conceded just one goal him with an incisive performance in a look their “opponents in the eye” in four matches, with Inter Milan’s 2-0 win over Mexico in Samara, where when they play at Kazan Arena in the Miranda playing a big part in the he scored the opener and set up Roberto pick of the quarter-finals in Russia. defensive stonewall with centre back Firmino for his maiden World Cup goal. Miranda, who will become the fourth partner . Even more is expected from Neymar, Brazil player to wear the captain’s The pair have started in all four whose pace, technique and all-round armband at the tournament, said his games but may face their biggest vision allied to Willian’s slick move- opposing centre back was trying to test against a Belgian front line ment gave Brazil another dimension. pump his team up. boasting the firepower of Romelu Yellow cards will be wiped after For all Brazil’s attacking riches, Bel- “We know all kinds of provocation, a Lukaku and Eden Hazard. the completion of the quarter-finals gium’s biggest problem could be pierc- way to hide your fear,” Miranda said Miranda said five-times champions but Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and ing a robust defence that has conceded through a translator at the pre-match Brazil could ill aff ord to focus on Filipe Luis all have a single caution just once, in their 1-1 opening draw media conference on Thursday. shutting down individual players, how- and would still miss the semi-final if with Switzerland. “I think it’s a way of showing trust ever, as they bid to reach a semi-final Brazil get through and they pick up Brazil centre-back pairing Joao Mi- and hiding fear. against either France or Uruguay. another in Kazan. randa and Thiago Silva have been solid “You have to prepare yourself “Belgium is not just Lukaku,” he said. Kevin de Bruyne, Jan Vertong- and will aim to keep it that way as the especially against the Brazil national “Certainly they have a very strong hen, , Thomas fi ve-time champions target a place in team, and a leader like Kompany has attack, but the main way to stop the Meunier and are in the semi-fi nals and a match with either to show confidence to his team- opponent is to be aware of all the the same position for Belgium France or Uruguay. mates, like the more experienced players on the pitch.” HEAD-TO-HEAD “We’re progressing, that’s evident,” Brazil Draw Belgium Silva said after their win over Mexico. 3 0 1 “It was a complicated match against a sure to be punished by Neymar but it is France defender William Gallas said in dangerous side, but we were solid at the Brazil’s defence that is also catching the his role as a consultant for French radio Last meeting: Brazil 2 Belgium 0 back.” eye of observers. station RMC. (2002 World Cup) Mistakes such as the ones that al- “As a former defender, I love watch- “They’re the best centre back part- Belgium’s Eden Hazard (right) fights for the ball with Japan’s Gaku Shibasaki during lowed Japan to grab a two-goal lead are ing Silva and Miranda play,” former nership of this World Cup.” round of 16 match in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Monday. (AFP) Brazil have won the World Cup fi ve times but have been knocked out in the quarter-fi nals in two of the last three tournaments 2 Gulf Times Friday, July 6, 2018

PREVIEW URU vs FRA NIZHNY NOVGOROD, 5PM COMMENT France preparing for Uruguay’s resolute Cavani to play today AFP France, the 1998 world cham- Nizhny Novgorod, Russia pions, are on a high after they eliminated Argentina 4-3 in the last 16, with 19-year-old Kylian rance coach Didier Des- Mbappe scoring twice, but Des- champs is preparing his champs expects a much diff erent defence ready for side to face Uruguay’s game. in the “This Uruguayan side has a FWorld Cup quarter-fi nals today very diff erent profi le to Argen- despite doubts over the striker’s tina,” Deschamps said. “We will fi tness. have to be patient but we will Deschamps also warned that have to have other assets as well.” France should not expect a simi- Cavani was Uruguay’s hero unstoppable Mbappe lar type of match to that against in the 2-1 victory over Portugal Argentina in the last 16, a free- in the last round, scoring both scoring, exhilarating 4-3 victory. goals. “I am preparing my team for But he limped off with a calf Forward will not have it easy against La Celeste who have conceded only once if Cavani plays,” Deschamps said injury towards the end of the yesterday. “If he plays or not, I game and the Paris Saint-Ger- AFP will only know 90 minutes before main star is in a race against time Nizhny Novgorod, Russia the game.” to be fi t for Friday’s clash. He said Uruguay had impressive Cavani trained alone at Uru- potential replacements includ- guay’s camp in Bor, close to he build-up to today’s ing Cristhian Stuani and Cristian Nizhny Novgorod, yesterday, quarter-fi nal clash be- Rodriguez and they would not and it is still unclear whether tween France and Uru- change their style of play. he will start or be on the bench guay has been domi- “They (Uruguay) have so many against France. Tnated by individuals, but it may assets, so many qualities,” added French goalkeeper be the South Americans’ almost Deschamps. “They defend as a said Cavani and strike partner unbreachable four-man defence unit, they play together and they Luis Suarez were among the which decides the result. love to do that.” “most beautiful attacking part- While Uruguay sweat on the He added that the South ners in football”. fi tness of striker Edinson Cavani, Americans were a great coun- “We are getting ready for it should be remembered that La ter-attacking team, singling out anything, whether he (Cavani) Celeste’s progress in Russia has midfi elder Rodrigo Bentancur for plays or not,” said the Tottenham been built upon their defence as helping make the quick transi- ‘keeper. They are a very diffi cult much as their A-list attack. tion from defence to attack. team.” And while France pin their hopes on Kylian Mbappe, it is unlikely that the teenage super- star has encountered a defence quite like Uruguay’s. The mouth-watering last- eight tie in Nizhny Novgorod is likely to be decided by a bat- tle between Uruguay’s sti- fl ing backline and the speed of Mbappe, 19. Led by captain Diego Godin, and including Jose Gimenez, Martin Caceres and Diego Lax- alt, along with goalkeeper Fern- ando Muslera, Uruguay’s de- fence have the joint-best record at the World Cup. They passed through the group stage without conceding a goal, and the only player to score against Uruguay was Portugal’s Pepe in the last 16, and that was ultimately in vain. Brazil are the only other team to have conceded just the soli- tary goal so far. Key facts Uruguay have conceded three fewer goals than France. Both France play in a World Cup all three games in Group A and mann and last 16 matches was in March at teams have scored seven times. quarter-final for an seventh France finishing with seven on the French side and Jose home by Colombia in a friendly Between them, the experi- time with four successes and points in Group C. Both also Gimenez and Diego Godin stal- match. They have recorded enced defence have over 350 in- two defeats in past appear- had narrow wins in the second warts in the Uruguay defence. eight wins and two draws in ternational caps between them. ances in the last eight. Uruguay round as France beat Argen- The match at the Nizhny their last 10 fixtures. They are supremely well-organ- beat England in the last eight in tina and Uruguay edged out Novgorod Stadium will be the This will be the last game at ised and have already served no- 1954, the Soviet Union in 1970 Portugal. only quarter-final encounter the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium tice that Mbappe will not have and Ghana on penalties in 2010 France will be without to pit two former champions where both countries play for Uruguay coach Tabarez gives the same kind of freedom he en- but lost 4-0 to West Germany suspended Blaise against each other. Uruguay the first time. The previous five joyed against Argentina. in 1966. Matudi for the match while four lifted the World Cup trophy in matches at the venue have de- nothing away on Cavani injury “If you let France have space it France have won two players (, Ben- 1930 and 1950, while France livered 17 goals and a penalty will be very diffi cult,” Uruguay’s penalty shootouts at the World jamin Pavard, and took the honours in 1998. shootout as Croatia edged Den- coach Oscar Tabarez said after Cup and lost two, the last in the ) are one book- Uruguay go into this game mark in the previous round. DPA which are convenient for certain securing a place in the quarter- 2006 final against Italy. Uru- ing away from a one-match on seven successive victories, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia journalists who have a style I fi nals. don’t share. In less than 24 hours guay’s only previous shootout ban. Uruguay have had only conceding a single goal in the HEAD-TO-HEAD And he has also insisted that experience was successful, one caution in the tournament, process in their last match you will know who will play and he is happy to cede possession to Uruguay Draw France ruguay coach Oscar who is on the bench.” against Ghana in Johannesburg handed to Rodrigo Bentancur. against Portugal on Saturday. 2 4 1 France in a bid to make the last eight years ago. Spain might be out of the They have scored 13 times. Tabarez refuses to say Cavani is fighting to recover four. if forward Edinson from a calf injury suff ered in Both teams finished top of World Cup but four Atletico Uruguay’s last defeat was 2-1 by Last meeting: Uruguay 1 U France’s conundrum against Cavani will play in today’s the 2-1 victory over Portugal their opening round group in Madrid players could feature in Austria in November. France 0 (2013, friendly) Uruguay is knowing best how Russia with Uruguay winning the game with Antoine Griez- France’s only defeat in their World Cup quarter-final against in Uruguay’s last-16 match on to utilise Mbappe and his fel- France. Saturday. The Paris Saint- low attacking danger, Antoine “I’m not going to say anything Germain forward took part in Griezmann. , France’s The match is likely to be un- have to get one over on a domes- leagues — and close friends — else about Cavani because I training yesterday but in the 15 The French limped through coach, has already indicated surprising, if not only for tac- tic teammate. with Griezmann, Rodrigo Ben- have already given enough minutes that was open to the their group stage but burst to life that he is expecting a diff erent tics, but also because of those Cavani, who may play some tancur and play information,” he said on the media worked out separately in their exhilarating 4-3 last-16 kind of game from “solid” Uru- involved. part despite his calf injury, plays for Juventus, while Luiz Suarez eve of the game. at the team’s base near Nizhny win over Argentina, inspired by guay from the seven-goal thrill- Whoever — and however — with Mbappe and PSG. and French defender Samuel “I don’t want to get into games Novgorod. Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe. er in Kazan. decides the match is likely to Godin and Gimenez are col- Umtiti play for Barcelona.

BOTTOMLINE Brazil aim to beat Belgium over 90 minutes in quarters: Tite AFP has to be another way.” this position by playing better,” Tite admitted the improved per- Kazan, Russia A Belgium team starring Chel- said Tite. formance against Mexico left him sea’s Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bru- The coach highlighted a number more relaxed, also highlighting the yne of Manchester City and Man- of reasons Belgium should fear his importance of mental strength. razil coach Tite said he chester United striker Romelu team — their speed on the counter- “The greatest challenge of a is desperate to avoid the Lukaku, were tipped by many pun- attack, ability to produce magic as World Cup is having mental forti- “horror” lottery of penal- dits as outsiders to win their fi rst- well as a miserly defence that has tude. The pressure is immense,” he ties as he handed World ever World Cup. conceded just a single goal in Rus- said. CupB quarter-fi nal opponents Bel- Those expectations have since sia. “We all feel it, but I tell the play- gium a frightening list of obstacles been tempered after Belgium “The characteristics of my ers, ‘don’t listen and don’t watch’. to overcome today. sneaked into the last eight follow- players mean they’re designed to We also need the common sense Bidding for a record-extending ing a last-gasp 3-2 win over Japan. score,” said Tite. “We weathered not to show euphoria when we win, sixth World Cup in Russia, Brazil If the Red Devils are to overcome the storm against Mexico, came but to also not fear losing. were one of fi ve sides to qualify a steadily improving Brazil team, back into the game and eventually, “It’s important to keep our cool for the last eight without requir- with Neymar an ever-more infl u- our opponents hardly touched the and produce another strong per- ing extra-time and penalties, after ential fi gure, they will have to up ball. formance.” outclassing Mexico 2-0 in Samara. their game. “When we counter-attack, our Brazil are set to welcome Real Although Tite expects Belgium speed is crucial in turning things Madrid defender Marcelo back af- to provide his team with a stiff BRAZIL HIT THEIR STRIDE around. ter he was forced off during the 2-0 challenge today in Kazan, he is ad- Brazil have now found their mojo “We have dribbling and tech- group-stage win against Serbia amant the cool-headed Brazilians after their Russian campaign start- nical skill in the fi nal third of the with back spasms. can secure their semi-fi nal spot ed slowly with a 1-1 draw against pitch. Neymar, (Gabriel) Jesus, “Filipe Luis stepped in to play over the 90 minutes. Switzerland, putting on an impres- maybe (Roberto) Firmino a little those two matches, very well, but “A football match should never sive show against Mexico in the less, and Taison and Willian all give Marcelo’s coming back,” said Tite. be settled with the horror of penal- last 16, even though Neymar was us those elements. He also hinted Barcelona mid- ties. I don’t see that as a valid re- pilloried for excessive play-acting. “They can all go man to man fi elder Paulinho would start, but sult,” Tite told a packed press con- “If I seem more relaxed, it’s be- thanks to their ability to dribble, that Liverpool’s Firmino would be ference yesterday. “For me, there cause the players have put me in feint and produce a touch of magic.” on the bench. Brazil coach Tite (right) and player Miranda address the press conference in Kazan yesterday. (Reuters) In eight competitive meetings, England have beaten Sweden just once, a 3-2 win in the group stage at Euro 2012 3 Gulf Times Friday, July 6, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Maradona apologises Swede success? over referee slur England look to confront their past ‘We’ve not got a good record against them, I think we’ve always underestimated them’

AFP AFP in support of Colombia follow- Samara, Russia Moscow ing Argentina’s premature elimi- nation, blamed Geiger for the South American side’s loss in an ngland won a World Cup pen- iego Maradona has ill-tempered aff air. alty shootout for the fi rst time to apologised for ques- He had told Venezuelan TV reach the quarter-fi nals, but up- tioning the impartiality channel Telesur: “I apologise to coming opponents Sweden will of the referee in charge all the Colombian people, but the poseE another challenge that has proved ofD England’s last-16 penalty players are not to blame. notoriously diffi cult in the past. shootout win over Colombia. “Here is a gentleman (FIFA In eight competitive meetings, Eng- The Argentina legend had referees boss Pierluigi Collina) land have won just once — a 3-2 victory in landed himself in hot water with who decides to choose a referee the group stage at Euro 2012 — with two FIFA over his outburst at US of- who, if he had Googled him, (he wins for Sweden and fi ve draws. fi cial Mark Geiger when he de- would know) can’t be used for a Tomorrow’s match in Samara will be scribed England’s win on Tues- match of this magnitude.” the third World Cup clash between the day as a “monumental robbery”. Geiger was suspended from two countries — after a 1-1 draw at the But after a fi rm rebuke by foot- international football for six 2002 edition before a 2-2 draw four years ball’s governing body the 1986 months after several controver- later in Germany. World Cup winner issued a mea sial decisions during a 2015 Gold England coach , who culpa on Instagram. Cup semi-fi nal between Panama was part of the squad in 2002, conceded “Caught up by the excite- and Mexico. previous teams had perhaps not treated ment and support for Colombia Maradona had attended the Sweden with the respect they deserved. the other day, I said some things Colombia v England match as a “We’ve not got a good record against that, I admit, are unacceptable. guest of FIFA and was pictured them, I think we’ve always underesti- “My apologies to FIFA and its before the game in Moscow mated them,” Southgate said following president (Gianni Infantino): even wearing a Colombia shirt. a dramatic victory over Colombia in the if sometimes my opinions are dif- FIFA had responded, saying last 16. ferent to those of the referees I it was “extremely sorry” to read “They have good plans, they have a have total respect for their work.” the comments from “a player clear way of playing — and it’s bloody dif- He admitted that “although I who has written the history of fi cult to play against. sometimes have opinions con- our game”. “They are greater than the sum of their trary to those of referees, I have It added: “Furthermore, it also parts more often than not, so that is a absolute respect for the work — considers the additional com- hugely diffi cult game for us.” not easy — which (FIFA) and the ments and insinuations made as Sweden may be short on star power referees do”. being entirely inappropriate and following the retirement of Zlatan Ibra- Maradona, who had come out completely unfounded.” himovic, but Janne Andersson’s men se- cured a place in the fi nals at the expense of the Netherlands and Italy. UPDATE They also beat title contenders France in qualifying, while only a late Toni Kroos strike denied them a point against de- fending champions Germany in the group stage. Sweden’s Andreas Granqvist gestures after the team won the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Switzerland in St Petersburg, Dzagoev says he is “We’ve proved time after time, even Russia, on Tuesday. (AFP) when we play the big nations we fi nd a way to win the game,” said defender Mi- Swedish football journalist Kristopher kael Lustig, who is suspended for the Karlsson told AFP his country’s success Colombia the ‘dirtiest’ team I’ve ever faced: Stones fi t for quarter-fi nal England tie. against England can be partly traced to “This World Cup has been crazy so far the footballing links between the two na- Two days after his team beat Colombia character to keep a cool head and not so hopefully it will continue like that.” tions. on penalties to advance to the World get dragged into their game,” he said. against Croatia Sweden remain one of the least fancied “Playing England is as big as it gets for Cup quarter-finals, England defender “We stuck to our plan and kept playing teams in the knockout stages, but captain a Swedish football player. They grow up said the South Americans our way and that’s a great quality to Andreas Granqvist admitted that could on English football,” he said. were the “dirtiest” team he’d ever faced. have. It was a diff icult situation but one play to their advantage. “It has been like that since our equiva- Stones said that he’d heard “all the sort we’ve overcome and can be proud of.” “Someone said something about 99 lent of BBC started broadcasting the Eng- of things you don’t really hear in a foot- England face Sweden in the quarter- times out of 100 England would beat us,” lish fi rst division in the late 1960s. ball match”. But the Manchester City finals tomorrow in Samara and Stones said Granqvist, who could miss the birth “So you have one team who are playing man, who has two goals to his name at said that was just reward for England’s of his second child for the quarter-fi nal. a game as big as it gets in their interna- the World Cup, said that he was proud eff orts — and for Colombia’s. “They’re “Well, it’s fun for England to have that tional career. And you have another team of the way his team stuck to their task. on the plane going home and we’re in sort of confi dence. Let’s play the game with everything to lose. A team which in “On our behalf it showed massive the next round,” he added. and see how things go.” the past has had delusions of grandeur.”

BOTTOMLINE Croatia’s Lovren relieved to put ‘rollercoaster’ behind him at WCup AFP and took them through in a play-off Reuters had taken part in team training Sochi, Russia against Greece. Khimki, Russia with some exercise restrictions. He has since taken the team to the last The Russians have never eight in Russia after a penalty shootout reached the World Cup quarter- roatia defender Dejan Lovren win over Denmark at the weekend, which ussia midfi elder Alan fi nals since the end of the Soviet says he has put his past trou- followed an impressive showing in the Dzagoev has recovered Union, who were semi-fi nalists bles at international level fi rmly group stage. from injury and is fi t for in 1966. behind him as he prepares for The highlight of that was a compre- their World Cup quar- But the home team has so far tomorrow’sC World Cup quarter-fi nal hensive 3-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Ar- ter-fiR nal match against Croatia exceeded expectations, coming against hosts Russia. gentina. tomorrow as the hosts look to out of their group with wins over Lovren is set to start the match in Sochi “We made our lives more diffi cult for book their fi rst semi-fi nal spot in Saudi Arabia and Egypt and de- after working his way back into conten- ourselves in the qualifi ers despite start- more than half a century. feat to Uruguay, before eliminat- tion with his country since the appoint- ing well,” said Atletico Madrid full-back Dzagoev has not played since ing Spain in the last 16. ment of Zlatko Dalic as coach last Octo- Sime Vrsaljko as Croatia prepared to train leaving the pitch after 23 minutes “As they say appetite comes ber. in Sochi. with a hamstring injury during when you eat,” Dzagoev said. He had been out of favour for much “However, we reached our goal, which the tournament opener against “Why not?,” he said of his team’s of the previous three years under Niko was to qualify and we have been playing Saudi Arabia last month. chances against favourites Kovac and then Ante Cacic, meaning he good football at the World Cup. Zlatko The 28-year-old made the Croatia, perceived to be a dark played no part at Euro 2016 in France. Dalic came in at a diffi cult moment but he squad for their round of 16 match horse in this tournament. Cacic said he left Lovren out of his is doing a great job now.” against Spain last week but was “(Coach) Stanislav Salamovich squad at the European Championship Croatia are through to the quarter- an unused substitute during (Cherchesov) will tell us closer to because he felt the former Southampton fi nals of the World Cup for the fi rst time their penalty shootout victory the game how we are going to play. man was not a team player and “looked since 1998, when they defeated Germany over the 2010 champions. So far we have some draft ideas. down” on his colleagues as well as the 3-0 before losing 2-1 to hosts France in He then missed training on “We had fi ne games with Saudi coaching staff . the semi-fi nals. Wednesday with a back muscle Arabia and with Egypt as well as “It was a real rollercoaster with a lot of “We respect the generation of ‘98. injury. with Spain. Maybe we did not ups and downs,” Liverpool centre-back They are the most successful Croatian “It was an old back injury. It show our level with Uruguay but Lovren said yesterday, his 29th birthday. team to date, and they set the bar so high was a bit jammed. Today I was I hope we will manage to show “I was most sad to have missed Euro that in 20 years no Croatian team has training in a main group. Every- our level against Croatia.” 2016, but I hope to have made things right been able to top that,” Lovren added. thing is fi ne. I am ready for the The winner of the tie will face with the last few games and I am looking “However, the team right now is very game,” Dzagoev told reporters either England or Sweden, who forward now.” good and we have a chance to outdo that yesterday at their training base also play on Saturday, in the last Dalic came in at the end of Croatia’s generation.” Croatia’s Dejan Lovren (right) speaks with coach Zlatko Dalic during a training session on the outskirts of Moscow. four at Moscow’s Luzhniki Sta- qualifying campaign for the World Cup in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) Earlier, Russia said the player dium next week. Who says there is no such thing as home advantage? Out of the 20 World Cups so far, six have been won by the host country 4 Gulf Times Friday, July 6, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Like him or loathe him Neymar joins Messi, — Deschamps puts Ronaldo in winning before all else mural club Reuters 2017 Confederations Cup. ‘Deschamps is a living legend in France. His record as a player and a manager is astonishing’ Kazan, Russia To the embarrassment of city offi cials, it turned out that Ar- AFP gentina would be staying at the Nizhny Novgorod, Russia t has been a busy World Cup same hotel ahead of Saturday’s for Kazan’s Mural artists and World Cup last 16 clash against in the early hours of Thurs- France with Messi potentially ast weekend, Didier day morning they were back being able to see the Ronaldo Deschamps chalked Iat work again painting the face Mural from his room. up another signifi cant of Neymar on a wall behind the To avoid to appear to be tak- achievement in a re- Brazil team hotel. ing sides in the eternal debate Lmarkable career. The Brazil forward, in Kazan over which of the Spain-based He became the longest-serv- for today’s quarter-fi nal against forwards is the world’s best ing coach of France when he Belgium, is the third footballer player, the city commissioned oversaw his 80th game as Les to receive the honour with Por- the smaller side profi le of Messi, Bleus beat Argentina 4-3 in a tugal’s and also a fi ve-times World Player of thriller to go through to today’s Argentina’s Lionel Messi having the Year. World Cup quarter-fi nal against already been immortalised on the With Ronaldo and Messi hav- Uruguay. city walls. ing already departed the tourna- Six years have passed since he While the images of Ronaldo ment after losses in the round of replaced Laurent Blanc, but how and Messi were cheek-by-jowl 16, the path is clear for Neymar long he carries on could come near the Ramada Hotel along to challenge the stranglehold the down to what happens in Nizh- with a cheeky message challeng- pair have had on such discus- ny Novgorod on Friday, when ing the Argentine to match his ri- sions over the last decade. France and their fearsome attack val’s goal tally in Brazil, Neymar While the Kazan Murals have come up against the formidable has his own spot near the other been popular with picture- Uruguayan defence. offi cial team hotel, the Mirage. snapping fans, one in Moscow The French Football Fed- The three-storey portrait of proved more controversial when eration set a semi-fi nal place as Ronaldo was painted to welcome it emerged that the man tasked their target coming to Russia, the fi ve-times World Player of with decorating the city for the and a last-eight exit would leave the Year when Portugal played World Cup had commissioned a a sense of potential unfulfi lled in in the capital of Tatarstan in the 12-storey portrait of his wife. the Deschamps era. The FFF have said that the coach, who turns 50 this year, will stay around until 2020, when his contract expires. Nevertheless, a disappointing exit and his position will look rather fragile at a time when is a free man having left Real Madrid. Many France fans will have longed for Zidane as they watched their national team’s performances in the group stage, especially in the insipid 0-0 draw with Denmark. The display against Argentina was what the public had been crying out for, with the explo- sive Kylian Mbappe eclipsing Lionel Messi as the French tore apart a fragile defence. “There has been criticism, and there always will be. But France coach Didier Deschamps (right) with his players during a training session in Istra, Russia. (Reuters) the truth comes with what hap- pens on the pitch,” Deschamps Deschamps has Mbappe, nandez pointed out in a recent 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. reached the World Cup quarter- told French television after that , Ousmane interview with French newspa- As a coach he took Monaco to fi nals as well as the fi nal of the game. Diego Godin and co. will Dembele, Olivier Giroud and per Le Journal du Dimanche, it the Champions League fi nal in Euro.” not leave the same kind of space Nabil Fekir in his squad. Yet he is simply that Deschamps has a 2004 and ended Marseille’s long Calls for more fl air are inevi- to exploit in the quarter-fi nals, has struggled to settle on the style more akin to Diego Sime- wait to win a French title. table when Deschamps has so though, as the coach looks to perfect system to accommodate one than . “Deschamps is a living legend many brilliant players at his dis- avoid falling at the same hurdle his attacking talents, and get the “He has not changed his ideas in France. His record as a player posal, and his lack of charisma as four years ago, when they lost best out of Paul Pogba. Observ- on becoming a coach: defensive and a manager is astonishing,” when he appears before the me- to Germany. ers outside France are especially solidity and counter-attack,” says Matthew Spiro, a British dia can be frustrating. Since then, France have lost baffl ed how a team with such an said. And if anyone doubts football broadcaster for beIN However, the end will always the Euro 2016 fi nal on home embarrassment of riches in at- the credentials of the coach now, Sports who is based in Paris. justify the means, as long as he soil to Portugal. Despite top- tack cannot play like they did then more fool them. Spiro says he understands keeps on winning. ping their qualifying group for against Argentina more often. This is the man from the “the clamour for more excite- “He is a manager, a leader of this World Cup, the lowlights Basque Country who won eve- ment”, but points out that “in six men. He is a winner,” says Guy included a 0-0 draw with min- ‘A leader of men’ rything as a player, including years he has picked the team up Stephan, his loyal assistant for nows Luxembourg. But as Spain great Xavi Her- captaining France to glory at the from the depths of despair and almost a decade now. Mural of Brazil’s Neymar on a Kazan building. (Reuters)

BOTTOMLINE City players dominate World Cup as last-8 looms Reuters France’s Corentin Tolisso. Samara, Russia The Germans may have faired better at the tournament if City’s in-form forward Leroy Sane had been in their squad. Despite 10 goals and 15 ith many of Manchester City’s play- assists in the league for Guardiola’s team last ers still competing in the later stag- season, Germany boss Joachim Loew left Sane es of the World Cup, the infl uence of at home. Pep Guardiola’s English champions Germany only scored twice as they exited in Wis being felt across the globe. the group stage, with many commentators won- As eight teams prepare for the quarter-fi nals, dering why Sane was not selected. the majority of the City team that ran away with It has not all been plain sailing for City’s play- the title by a record 19 points are ers as Spain’s and Argentina pair still competing in Russia trying to cap the season Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero could not with the ultimate prize – a World Cup winners replicate their club form in Russia. medal. This is not the fi rst time players from a club The likes of club captain managed by Guardiola have made an impact at and midfi eld maestro Kevin de Bruyne are get- the World Cup. In consecutive tournaments, ting ready to face their City teammates Gabriel he has been the coach of the club champions of Jesus, Danilo and Fernandinho of Brazil. the nation who went on to win the World Cup – Meanwhile, the Manchester club’s English Spain and Germany. contingent of , Fabian Delph, Ra- Spain’s 2010 world champions had a squad heem Sterling and John Stones are all key mem- containing seven players managed by then-Bar- bers of Gareth Southgate’s team preparing for celona coach Guardiola, while four years ago in Sweden. Brazil the Spaniard’s Bayern Munich side also With City’s goalkeeper Ederson also in the had seven representatives in Germany’s World Brazil squad, the English side have more repre- Cup-winning team. sentatives in the last eight than any other club, With Guardiola among the world’s top man- with 11 players still in Russia. agers and with his teams possessing enviable Paris St Germain and Barcelona, the French talent, it is perhaps no surprise that his infl uence and Spanish champions respectively, are also has been felt at the sport’s showpiece event. well represented with six key players remaining If history is to repeat itself and City’s success at the World Cup. is replicated by the national team in the World champions Bayern Munich have Cup fi nal then England fans may just have a one representative left in the quarter-fi nals in Catalan to thank. Belgium’s Vincent Kompany (right) and Kevin De Bruyne (second right) attend a training session in Dedovsk, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Friday, July 6, 2018 5 SPORT

FOOTBALL NBA Spurs’ demands could scuttle trade Conte’s fi ring on the options for Kawhi

Reuters ed Leonard’s interest in such a New York move. Ainge has pulled off major trades many times before, in- anny Ainge and the cluding deals for Kevin Garnett cards as Sarri waits Boston Celtics might and Ray Allen, and last off sea- be the best remain- son landing point guard Kyrie ing trade option for Irving from the Cleveland theD Spurs should San Antonio Cavaliers. But Ainge might al- move All-Star Kawhi Leonard. ready have a title contender, But whether they can make especially with James in the that happen appears still very Western Conference. much in question. “I feel great that we have a in the wings: reports Speaking on the Los Angeles lot of players that people like Lakers’ channel on Spectrum and want,” Ainge said. “That’s Chelsea trying to strike a deal with Napoli to appoint Italian Maurizio Sarri as coach SportsNet earlier this week, NBA a great feeling to have. That’s insider and salary cap expert not always the case, and that’s Larry Coon reported extreme the reason we like our guys, trade demands from the Spurs too, is we have a lot of talent put the Celtics ahead of the Los on our team. I’m excited about Angeles Lakers, who aren’t will- our team going forward.” ing to implode the existing ros- The Celtics have popped up ter around LeBron James to add in a variety of trade rumours Leonard, who is one season away this off season, particularly from free agency. in connection with Leonard, Coon reported the Spurs after the two-time Defensive asked the Lakers for Josh Hart, Player of the Year reportedly Kyle Kuzma and Brandon In- requested a trade. gram – all fi rst-round picks in ESPN reported Friday the 2016 or ‘17 – in addition to two Spurs were actively involved future fi rst-round picks for in discussions with the Celtics Leonard and a draft pick. and Lakers about Leonard, but The nature of Leonard’s de- the Celtics also appear appre- mand and reported interest in hensive to go all-in on Leon- playing in Los Angeles would ard due to concerns about his appear to limit the leverage of health and the possibility that the Spurs. What’s more, while he could leave in free agency Ainge said the Celtics always next summer. Ainge said the “explore every trade,” he was majority of reports and ru- tepid in his remarks about mours about possible trades chasing Leonard. aren’t wholly accurate, adding Yahoo Sports reported that he has had to stay in touch Wednesday that the move was with players whose names ap- still a possibility based largely pear in rumours to avoid sour- on Ainge’s history, but doubt- ing relationships.

BASKETBALL Aussies and Filipinos ‘sorry’ for Manila brawl AFP resulted in 13 players being Manila ejected and which was hash- tagged #basketbrawl. “I’ve never seen anything ustralia and the Phil- like that, not even on YouTube. ippines apologised I do believe that their coach AFP club’s technical staff for players Napoli sign Spanish midfi elder Fabian from Betis for Sarri, who is still under con- yesterday for bring- Chot Reyes incited them to London to report this weekend. The Mir- tract even though he is no longer ing basketball into come out and thug us,” Boom- ror reports that players want the their coach. Sarri is believed to “disrepute”A with a massive ers assistant coach Luc Long- Napoli have signed Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz from confusion sorted out so they can on a five-year deal as the Serie A club’s new coach Carlo Ancelotti have agreed to bring former Chel- on-court melee between play- ley told reporters after landing he long-running saga plan for the future and that sev- tries to end the dominance of champions Juventus. Napoli, who sea favourite Gianfranco Zola ers, fans and offi cials during a in Brisbane. Longley, who won over Chelsea manager eral agents in limbo over poten- finished runners-up last season, did not disclose the transfer fee on – whose managerial career has World Cup qualifi er. three NBA championships Antonio Conte’s future tial transfers. their website http://www.sscnapoli.it yesterday but local media said stalled after a series of failures – The violence on Monday in alongside Michael Jordan with is set to be resolved im- Conte is seen to have contrib- they had met a reported 30 million euros ($35.14 million) buyout along as one of his backroom staff . Manila, which made interna- the Chicago Bulls, pointed to Tminently with his sacking to be uted to his own demise having Sarri has also presented a list tional headlines, left the Aus- footage of an angry Reyes dur- clause to bring Fabian to the Stadio San Paolo. Ruiz is Napoli’s replaced by fellow Italian Mau- fallen out both with the players second signing of the close season after striker Simone Verdi joined of players he would like to sign. tralian team fearing for their ing a time-out telling his play- rizio Sarri, according to British and the board as the sheen of the from Bologna for a reported fee of 25 million euros also on a five- They reportedly include Bel- safety, and they sought embas- ers to “hit somebody”. media reports. title victory quickly disappear- year contract. The 22-year-old Fabian made 34 Liga appearances gian forward from sy help to fast-track their de- What was already a bad- Conte’s departure has been ing. His intense training meth- and scored three goals last season for the Spaniards, who qualified Napoli, CSKA Moscow’s Russian parture from the Philippines. tempered game erupted into long expected, even though he ods angered senior players and for the Europa League for the first time in six years. The Real Betis playmaker Aleksandr Golovin “We wish to apologise to the violence in the third quarter added an FA Cup in May to the he alienated the board over his youth product made his debut in Spain’s top flight in the 2015/2016 and Italian defender Daniel Ru- entire basketball community when Philippine player Roger Premier League he won in his disparaging treatment of Span- season. Napoli, who finished four points behind Juve last season gani from Juventus, the side that worldwide — and in particular Pogoy knocked Australia’s fi rst season in charge of Chelsea ish striker Diego Costa and con- and qualified for the Champions League group stage, appointed the edged Napoli in the Serie A title to our fantastic fans,” said the Chris Goulding to the ground in 2016/17. Both the Daily Mirror stant carping over the club’s fail- much-travelled Ancelotti, 59, in May to replace Maurizio Sarri. race. However, due to the uncer- joint statement from the na- and Daniel Kickert retali- and The Times report yesterday ure to replace top players with The Italian returns to Serie A after nine mostly successful years tainty several Chelsea players are tions’ basketball associations. ated by fl attening Pogoy with things are coming to a head. those of similar ability. abroad where he won league titles in England (Chelsea), France seeking to leave. Brazilian Willian The apology in particular a fl ying elbow. Basketball’s The Times reports that Conte Sarri, a former banker, has (Paris St Germain) and Germany (Bayern Munich). is keen to sign for Barcelona with cited “the behaviour displayed governing body FIBA has sent an e-mail stating he is still been favourite to succeed his a reported £70million deal on by both teams and for bring- opened disciplinary proceed- the head coach and expects compatriot after impressing as the table and Belgian goalkeeper ing the game of basketball into ings against both teams after players who are not at the World manager of Serie A side Napoli, te is due a reported £9million which he occupied for two years Thibault Courtois is eyeing a disrepute.” the melee, where players and Cup to be at the training ground who have replaced him with ($11.9million) if he remains out till after Euro 2016 – fi lled it is move to Real Madrid as his two Tempers were still hot on offi cials kicked and pounded on Monday when he returns former Chelsea handler Carlo of work for the season and with likely he will sit the year out. young children – who he has said Wednesday when the Austral- a prone Australian player and from holiday, countermanding Ancelotti. The main barrier the major jobs such as Real Ma- Napoli are also expecting com- are his priority regarding his fu- ian team arrived home after both sides exchanged fl ying a request from a member of the has been compensation. Con- drid and the Italy national post – pensation of around £4.5million ture – live in the Spanish capital. the bench-clearing fi ght that kicks and punches.

MLB Contreras and Baez lead Cubs over Tigers Reuters ing breaking ball into the stands walked and advanced on Ben Chicago in left-center fi eld. The Tigers Zobrist’s single. A groundout turned a double play in the sec- advanced both runners, and ond, and that proved valuable as Contreras delivered a two-out illson Contreras Bote then launched his homer double to bring home both base- homered and drove into the center fi eld bleachers. runners. in three runs, Javy Hicks gave Detroit a 2-1 ad- Tigers manager Ron Garden- Baez stole home for vantage with his two-out homer hire departed the game in the Wthe second time this season and in the third. fourth inning due to the exces- the Chicago Cubs extended their Baez then manufactured a run sive heat in Chicago. The tem- winning streak to six games by in the fourth to tie it up. He led perature was 92 at fi rst pitch, downing the visiting Detroit Ti- off with a single, stole second with a heat index of 102. gers 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon. and reached third on a throw- Bench coach Steve Liddle took Contreras’ seventh homer this ing error by fi rst baseman Hicks. over the managerial duties and season broke a 2-2 tie. David Bote Addison Russell walked, and told reporters after the contest smashed his fi rst career homer. when Liriano attempted a pick- that Gardenhire was feeling Jose Quintana (7-6) held the off at fi rst, Baez broke for home better. Tigers to two runs and fi ve hits in and slid around the tag of catch- six innings to collect the victory er James McCann. Contreras RESULTS as Chicago won the two-game put the Cubs on top 3-2 with his Cubs 5 Tigers 5 series. one-out homer in the sixth. Yankees 6 Braves 2 Brandon Morrow got the last Detroit put three runners on Angels 7 Mariners 4 three outs for his 19th save. base in the seventh but couldn’t Red Sox 3 Nationals 0 Detroit’s Francisco Liriano (3- push across the tying run. Marlins 3 Rays 0 5) gave up three runs and fi ve hits Iglesias was thrown out at Phillies 4 Orioles 1 in six innings. Nicholas Castel- home by center fi elder Albert A’s 4 Padres 2 lanos homered and walked twice Almora Jr. after a single by Vic- Brewers 3 Twins 2 to lead the Tigers’ attack. John tor Martinez. Later in the in- Astros 5 Rangers 4 (10 innings) Hicks also hit a solo shot for De- ning, with runners on scoring Rockies 1 Giants 0 troit, and Jose Iglesias contrib- position, reliever Anthony Bass Mets 6 Blue Jays 3 uted three hits. struck out Jeimer Candelario. Dodgers 6 Pirates 4 Castellanos, the second hit- Chicago extended its lead to Reds 7 White Sox 4 ter in the game, gave Detroit a 5-2 in the bottom of the inning Indians 3 Royals 2 Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras hits a home run during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 1-0 lead when he ripped a hang- against Louis Coleman. Almora Cardinals 8 Diamondbacks 4 Wednesday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Friday, July 6, 2018 SPORT

CYCLING Sky’s the limit for Tour’s Colombian prodigy Porte plots place on La Roche-sur-Yon, France: Team Sky’s 21-year-old Egan Bernal lines up as the young- est rider on the 2018 Tour de France after a sensational rise to the top that has thrust the “future champion” into the limelight. Tour de France podium A coach at his former team Androni Giocattoli, where he turned professional at 19, said ‘I don’t think however that there is one, single clear favourite this year for the yellow jersey’ of the Colombian: “An Egan Bernal comes along every AFP twenty years”. La Roche-sur-Yon, France He joined Sky this season and it must have been music to the ears of his new boss ustralia’s Richie Porte knows Dave Brailsford to hear the clock is ticking down on Bernal, who oozes a quiet, his cycling career but is con- powerful confidence, speak fi dent he and his BMC team so modestly of himself and canA deliver at least one podium spot on so highly of his teammates, the 2018 Tour de France. As lieutenant as he did this week. at Sky for both Bradley Wiggins and Bernal won two mountain Chris Froome in the past, Porte, 33 and stages on his way to victory with just a fi fth placed Tour fi nish to his at the Tour de L’Avenir in name, is hoping to get a head-start on 2017. This year he won the his rivals for a result his fans believe he Tour of California ahead of deserves. a strong field that included “We have the horsepower to get us Briton Adam Yates, also on through the fi rst week,” said Porte in the Tour de France, fourth reference to the expected windswept more than two minutes Western France section of the Tour that adrift. That led Sky to change starts tomorrow and needs the stronger, plans and bring forward Ber- bigger riders. “In the team time-trial on nal’s grand tour debut. “I was stage three we have Stefan Kung to lead supposed to do la Vuelta this us out and we can take time off our ri- season but after California vals there,” said Porte, who may fi nd he they called me and asked me or a teammate in the coveted leader’s to ride the Tour,” he said. “I yellow jersey at that stage. If so, he in- felt just great.” tends to hold on to it. “I’m going to learn a lot,” “I don’t think however that there is he said of joining a Sky lineup one, single clear favourite this year,” he that includes Chris Froome said. “It was nice to see Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas. “I’m win the Giro, I hope he’s buggered now,” here with a good team, I’m he joked when asked about specifi c ri- with guys with a lot of experi- vals. “He had a strong team there and ence.” Bernal laughed off the possibly has an even stronger one here,” belief of some observers that he added. “But on the Tour de France Bora-Hansgrohe cycling team’s Peter Sagan of Slovakia displays his skills on stage during the team presentation ceremony yesterday in La Roche-sur-Yon, western he could even win the Tour. guys like Vincenzo (Nibali) and Nairo France, two days ahead the start of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. (AFP) “I really don’t think so. I have (Quintana) are never going to give him a some good results but com- single easy day.” Porte’s team managers talked up their of the Tour. “Everything is on track for when asked about Sky’s micro nutrition Froome in the wake of fears for the Sky pare them to Froomey and With regards to the trident of lead- leader’s chances of busting into the top a great result.” system. “I reckon that’s fake news from leader’s personal safety. “The Tour is Thomas. I’m really attached ers at rival Spanish team Movistar Porte three. “We have come here with the sole Earlier Sky released detailed data them to try and trick their rivals into hard and dangerous in itself,” he said. to Froomey and I want to was unconvinced. aim of getting this man onto the Tour about scientifi c nutrition regimes in- under fuelling.” “It’s diffi culty to control everybody out help him, make him proud.” “You know how hard it is to run a de France podium,” said team Manager volving starvation rations and blow out Porte was also presented with gifts there in the hills.” “This is the biggest race in team with two leaders, let alone three,” Jim Ochowiscz. “We came here 100% fi t calory binges in a bid to explain how from an Australian cycling magazine “But the peloton will protect him, the the world and this will be my he said of the Mikel Landa, Nairo Quin- and 100% prepared.” four-times champion Froome prepared to congratulate him and his wife on the police will protect him and the (Tour or- first big race,” he explained. tana and Alejandro Valverde led team. Porte’s compatriot Simon Gerrans himself to win bike races. birth of his new son. ganisers) ASO will protect him,” insist- “I have a lot of respect for Porte would not be drawn on Froome’s also appeared dedicated to the team Porte laughed off the data dump as “Yes, I’m in the humbling nappy ed the veteran of twenty Tour de France Froomey I think he’s one of salbutamol case. “Once again cycling leader. “Richie is up there with the ‘fake news’ to trick rival riders. changing thing right now,” he said. BMC races, who referred to abuse of Cadel the best in the world, so, at has chosen to do its dirty laundry in best,” said the veteran roller who will be “I know how to eat and what to eat Manager Oschowiscz scoff ed at the Evans some years ago as ‘just some joker the start of this Tour.” public. Chris deserved better,” he said. of great use to BMC in the fi rst section to get me through a Tour,” said Porte idea there was a security treat to Chris throwing tacks on the road’.

BADMINTON F1 Chong Wei, Sindhu enter Hamilton says Mercedes are ready quarters of Indonesia Open to roar back at British Grand Prix

AFP Silverstone, United Kingdom

ewis Hamilton believes his Mer- cedes team are stronger than ever and ready to bounce back from the debacle of a double retirement at last Lweekend’s French Grand Prix. The defend- ing four-time world champion’s run of 33 points fi nishes ended at Le Castellet, where Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas also fell by the roadside, but yesterday Hamilton oozed confi dence ahead of his home British Grand Prix. “Obviously it was a diffi cult weekend and we wished it had not been that way, but, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and the spirit in the team is stronger than it Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (right) poses for a photograph with fans in has ever been,” he said. Silverstone, central England, yesterday ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix. (AFP) “We are really more united than ever and there is a great energy in the team. We are confi dence and the will to win is still there. since 2007,” he said. “And I am grateful and closer and we are stronger and we have some And it is mind blowing to me is how quick I am privileged to be in a position to be here fi xes already here on the cars (for the reli- they are to react and to produce things and so going for a sixth win at Silverstone where ability issued). The team are right on it and I am excited to get in the car tomorrow.” the support is so special. The support for I am confi dent we have done all we can to Hamilton trails German Sebastian Vet- Max (Verstappen) is close, but we don’t have Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia make sure it doesn’t happen again.” tel of Ferrari by one point in the drivers’ ti- a Dutch Grand Prix! So I hope I can deliver plays a shot during his match The Briton added that he felt excited to be tle race as the two men, both seeking a fi fth and be on form.” against Anders Antonsen of racing again just a few days after his French championship, arrive at Silverstone where Hamilton also brushed aside concerns Denmark at the Indonesia fl op and forecast record fastest laps around the Englishman seeks a record fi fth consec- about reliability and strategy problems. “It’s Open in Jakarta. (AFP) the high-speed Silverstone track this week- utive win and sixth overall. natural because we are all humans and eve- end. “I felt OK after the race in France,” he He said that regaining the lead in the ryone in the team has it in the back of their said. “Ultimately, I look at the positives and drivers’ standings at Silverstone, in front mind, there is a nervousness, but for me, Agencies Unseeded Tommy Sugiarto the quarters. it reminds me how passionate I am and eve- of what has developed into a partisan and as a driver, an athlete and a competitor — I Jakarta kept home hopes alive as he pow- In the women’s draw, world ryone in the team felt the same thing. We re- passionate home crowd for him, would “be can’t let it interfere with my mentality or my ered into the last eight. The local number one and top seed Tai ally win and lose as a team and we are really great” but added that, when it came to tak- weekend. You can never predict it and it’s favourite knocked out sixth seed Tzu-ying continued her progres- reunited now in the last few days and I can ing fi rst place, “anywhere is good...” not going to get in my way and I think that is ewly-crowned Malay- Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Tai- sion. The Malaysia winner is on see how energised everyone is to be back. The “I have been on an incredible journey the same for the rest of the team.” sia Open champion Lee pei 21-13, 14-21, 21-18. course for another big title as she Chong Wei edged closer A home player has not won the defeated Denmark’s Line Kjærs- to a seventh Indonesia men’s title at the World Tour Su- feldt 21-15, 21-8 to reach the last FOCUS NOpen men’s singles title after he per 1000 event since Simon San- eight. booked his place in the quarter- toso did so in 2012. Other players India’s Olympic silver med- fi nals in Jakarta yesterday. to win their second round ties allist PV Sindhu beat another Chong Wei, who won a record included Denmark’s number one Japanese player in Aya Ohori as Ferrari’s Vettel takes long view of title race 12th Malaysia Open men’s sin- seed and reigning world champi- the third seed won 21-17, 21-14. gles title last Sunday, dispatched on Viktor Axelsen, who knocked In the quarters, Sindhu will be up AFP of the season. “This year’s car has more po- criticising the stewards’ use of penalties this Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, 21- out India’s Sameer Verma 21-15, against China’s He Bingjiao, who Silverstone, United Kingdom tential,” he said. “Here and there, we didn’t season, including his three-place grid pen- 12, 21-15 in the second round. 21-14. China’s third seed Shi Yuqi beat Thailand’s Busanan Ong- get everything out of the car, but I have alty at last weekend’s French Grand Prix. The World No 4 will next face also reached the last eight thanks bamrungphan 21-15, 21-12. the feeling we can keep developing it. The “I’m not a fan of these penalties,” he said. Thailand’s Kantaphon Wang- to a 21-14, 21-17 win over Japan’s But it was curtains for Lon- ebastian Vettel is taking a long view weakness at the end of last season was that “I think I’ve said as well in the past that it’s charoen, who beat another Dane, Kazumasa Sakai. don bronze medallist Saina Ne- of this year’s title race, confi dent he the car wasn’t strong enough to fi ght Mer- our own drivers’ fault, because we sit there Hans-Kristian Vinttinghus, 21- India’s HS. Prannoy notched hwal, who lost in straight games can maintain his challenge through cedes. That’s where we lost points. on Friday afternoon, complaining about 18, 21-11 to move into the quar- up a brilliant come-from-be- to China’s Chen Yufei 18-21, 15- the second half of this season what- “I don’t know about this year. I think if the decisions and the consistency. From my ter-fi nals. hind win over Wang Tzu Wei 21. Japan’s second seed Akane everS happens at this weekend’s British we have something to fi ght with, I feel con- point of view, motorsport is not black and If Chong Wei succeeds this of Chinese Taipei. The World Yamaguchi won a titanic tussle Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver arrives at Sil- fi dent that we can have a good year — time white, so naturally not every decision can be time round, it will be his seventh No.14 Prannoy recovered from against compatriot and reign- verstone for the last leg of an unprecedented will tell. I am not too worried.” the same. I don’t see the necessity to decide Indonesia Open title thus mak- an opening game loss to outwit ing world champion Nozomi triple-header with a one-point lead ahead Hamilton is favoured to win this week- every time. That’s what the sport has devel- ing him the player with the most No.17 Wang 21-23, 21-15, 21-13. Okuhara, who is unseeded. The of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. end’s race and claim his record sixth home oped into. Every incident needs to be looked number of titles won since it was He will meet third seed and All match went Yamaguchi’s way 21- Last year, Hamilton triumphed and Vettel victory at Silverstone, but Vettel is not at. Racing incidents for some reason are not introduced back in 1982. England champion Shi Yuqi in 9, 14-21, 24-22. and Ferrari slipped away in the second half fl ustered and spent more time yesterday allowed to happen anymore.” Gulf Times Friday, July 6, 2018 7 SPORT

T20 TRI-SERIES FIRST TEST Brathwaite ton Zaman’s career-best helps Windies turn the screw 73 sparks Pakistan Their third-wicket partner- AFP North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda ship was worth 52 runs and Brathwaite reached the century landmark along the way via a raigg Brathwaite com- rare expression of aggression in pleted a seventh Test slashing a short, wide delivery century as the West In- from Kamrul to the backward to win over Australia dies turned the screws point boundary. onK Bangladesh on the second day His innings of almost seven of the fi rst Test in Antigua yester- hours has so far occupied 289 Left-arm seamer Afridi stars with three wickets as Australia manage just 149 for 7 day. The Windies reached 271 for deliveries, embellished with 11 three in reply to the tourists’ fi rst fours. None of the Bangladeshi AFP innings total of 43 at lunch at the seamers have so far been able to Harare Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The come even close to replicating phlegmatic opener Brathwaite Roach’s outstanding eff ort on was unbeaten on 121 in partner- day one. akistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman ship with Shai Hope (14 not out) He returned fi gures of fi ve for blazed his way to a career-best and the home side already ahead eight — all the wickets coming 73 as his side completed a clini- by 128 runs with eight fi rst in- within the space of 12 balls — to cal 45-run victory over Australia nings wickets in hand. wreck the visitors’ innings after Pyesterday in the Twenty20 tri-series in Under no pressure to acceler- they were put in. Of concern for Zimbabwe. Zaman’s knock helped his ate the game after Kemar Roach the West Indies though will be side race to 194 for 7 before left-arm had led the pacers’ demolition of the discomfort he appeared to seamer Shaheen Afridi starred with three the tourists for their lowest Test feel behind his right knee even as wickets as Pakistan’s bowlers held Aus- innings total ever on day one, he was scything through the op- tralia to 149 for 7 in a match which was Brathwaite progressed at a snail’s ponents’ top order. eff ectively a dress rehearsal for Sunday’s pace on the second morning. fi nal. Australian seamer Andrew Tye ad- He added 33 runs in two hours’ BRIEF SCORES AT LUNCH mitted his disappointment after the loss. play with the West Indies ad- ON THE SECOND DAY “We were just well off the mark today in vancing overall by 70 runs from Bangladesh I innings 43 all out in all aspects,” said Tye. “With the bat, the their overnight position of 201 18.4 overs (Liton Das 25; K. Roach ball and in the fi eld we were a bit sloppy. for two. Nightwatchman Deven- 5-8, M. Cummins 3-11) vs West We defi nitely expect more from our- dra Bishoo was the lone casualty Indies I innings 271-3 (K. selves.” for the hosts as he was bowled Brathwaite 121 n.o., D. Smith 58, Pakistan had lost Haris Sohail for a by Kamrul Islam for 19 after yet K. Powell 48; Mahmudullah 1-13). golden duck after being put in to bat on a again making an important con- Match situation: West Indies lead chilly midwinter morning in Harare, but tribution in support of the senior by 128 runs with seven first innings Zaman and Hussain Talat wrested back batsman. wickets in hand control back with a rapid 72-run stand. Talat cracked three fours and a six before playing one shot too many to be bowled by Glenn Maxwell’s off spin. Zaman continued to middle his aggres- sive strokes and went to a 33-ball 50, his third for Pakistan in this format, with a slog sweep for six, while another big hit off Tye’s seamers took the batsman past his previous best of 61. An edged four took Pakistan beyond 130, and Zaman into the 70s, in the 15th over, but he pulled the next ball he faced straight to Maxwell on the edge of the circle at midwicket. The quick dismiss- Pakistan bowler Shaheen Afridi (second right) celebrates with teammates after taking an Australian wicket during the T20 tri- al of captain Sarfraz Ahmed, edging a series match at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, yesterday. (AFP) Tye legcutter into the hands of wicket- keeper Alex Carey, put a further dent in and do and they attacked us pretty hard terday I’ve been planning on getting teams will meet again in Sunday’s fi nal, Pakistan’s batting, but the experienced at the start. Once they got away, we found (Finch and Maxwell’s) wickets, and try- and Afridi lined up Finch as a key wicket Shoaib Malik ensured that the runs kept it hard to bring it back.” ing to work out how to get them early,” in that game. “Finch is their main bats- fl owing. He hit 15 off the 17th over, bowled Pakistan kept up the pressure with Afridi said after his second international man and he’s playing really well, so I’ll fo- by Marcus Stoinis, boosting Pakistan be- the ball, with Afridi taking the vital early match for Pakistan. “I think (Australia’s cus particularly on trying to get him early yond 150. After he fell, Asif Ali struck wicket of Aaron Finch when the Austral- bowlers) didn’t take advantage of the on Sunday,” he said. three fours and two sixes in an unbeaten ian captain had made just 16. Bowling pitch. The ball was seaming around a lot, 37 to keep the pressure on Australia right from the Golf Course End, Afridi swung and that’s why we pitched it up when we BRIEF SCORES to the end of the innings. and seamed the ball prodigiously to trou- bowled.” Pakistan 194 for 7 in 20 overs (F. Zaman “We didn’t execute our plans very ble the batsmen. Australia’s chase never recovered from 73, H. Talat 30, S. Malik 27, A. Ali not out 37; well,” said Tye. “We probably set our He trapped Glenn Maxwell lbw, and the early losses, with the rest of Paki- J Richardson 2-43, A Tye 3-35) bt Australia Kraigg Brathwaite of the West Indies plays a cover drive during the fi elds a bit wrong at times as well. They then rattled D’Arcy Short’s stumps as stan’s attack chipping in with wickets in 149 for 7 in 20 overs (D. Short 28, A. Carey day two of the first Test against Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards knew what we were going to come out Australia slipped to 75 for 5. “Since yes- a much-improved performance. The two not out 37; S Afridi 3-37) by 45 runs Cricket Ground in North Sound, Antigua. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Chandimal England not alone in being in Sri Lanka Markram ready for new Test squad caught in a spin: Rahul despite challenge in Sri Lanka AFP suspension London Reuters threat Colombo L Rahul says no side could have coped Colombo: Sri Lanka captain with Indian wrist-spinner Kuldeep Dinesh Chandimal has been pener Aiden Yadav’s devastating spell in the eight named in the squad for Markram is looking wicket win over England in the fi rst the two-Test series against forward the challenge ofK their three match T20 series. Yadav’s 5-24 — South Africa, even though of his maiden Test se- including three wickets in one over — was fol- he may be unavailable due riesO outside of South Africa as lowed up by Rahul scoring an unbeaten 101 and to suspension. Chandimal, well as the return of seamer Dale the latter is hoping for more of the same in Car- coach Chandika Hathurus- Steyn as the Proteas prepare for diff today for the second match. ingha and manager Asanka the fi rst Test of the two-match “I don’t think it is just England,” said Rahul order batsman.” Gurusinha have admitted series against Sri Lanka in Galle at the eve of match press conference about their Rahul for his part is hoping now he has ended breaching the International on July 12. Markram has scored batting being exposed against spin. “A good his century drought — he had not scored one Cricket Council’s (ICC) code exactly 1,000 runs at an average wrist-spinner is a good wrist-spinner against since his stunning 199 against England in the of conduct after the team de- of 55.55 in his fi rst 10 Tests, all at any opposition. With the kind of skill and qual- fi fth Test in Chennai in December 2016 — an- layed play during the second home, as he helped South Africa ity Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal have, it’s other is in the offi ng. “For a lot of us, it is our test against the West Indies to series successes against India always going to be hard for a team that doesn’t fi rst time here in the UK — so every opportunity last month. and Australia earlier in the year. play spin a lot. What Kuldeep did was special... is gold for us,” he said. “I wanted it really badly The minimum punishment But on lower, slower turning (to bowl) balls like that against () Bairstow and I’m very happy that it came here in Eng- for the off ence is suspension wickets in Sri Lanka, he admits and (Joe) Root, (it) is always hard for a middle- land, in the fi rst game of the series.” from two Tests for Chandi- it will be an altogether new chal- mal, with the hearing due to lenge. “I would like to do well be held on Tuesday — two this tour because it is outside of days before the start of the South Africa. You don’t want ’s al-Haj wins discus throw gold first Test against the Proteas. to be labelled as a guy who only Sri Lanka have also in- does well in home conditions,” he cluded Rangana Herath and said yesterday. “We tried our best Kusal Perera in the 16-man before we came here to simulate squad but their participation the conditions of how we think is subject to fitness. Spinner it is going to play. At home the Herath split the webbing on wickets do get lower in winter his bowling hand ahead of compared to summer, so that the third Test against the naturally helped us. And then Windies, while Perera col- we batted in diff erent creases, great to have back in the camp. keep on playing for the team.” lided with a boundary hoard- worn-out creased and that kind He brings a wealth of knowl- South Africa will also play their ing during the final Test. of thing, to try and simulate edge, a good energy and a buzz fi rst Test series since the retire- Squad: Dinesh Chandimal some spin.” to the side. With ball in hand he ment from international cricket (captain), Angelo Mathews, Seamer Steyn returns to the is one of the best in the world,” of AB de Villiers, but Markram Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal squad after two years of injury Markram said. believes there is enough depth in Mendis, Kusal Perera (subject setbacks and fi nds himself three “Dale is the kind of guy that the squad to cover the loss. to fitness), Danushka Gu- short of breaking all-rounder puts the team as his sole focus. “It is never nice to lose a player nathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Shaun Pollock’s South Afri- He has not mentioned it (the like AB, the quality we lose is a Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dick- can record of 421 Test wickets. record), nobody else has men- massive hole to fi ll. But having wella, Rangana Herath (subject Markram says that while it is a tioned it. We will keep it in the said that we have got plenty of Qatar’s Ahmad al-Haj claimed the gold medal in the boys discus throw event at the Youth Olym- to fitness), Suranga Lakmal, major milestone for one of crick- back of our minds, because it is depth within our system at home pic Games Asian qualification in Bangkok, Thailand. Al-Haj stood on top of podium Dilruwan Perera, Akila Danan- et’s great fast bowlers, it has not a great achievement, but Dale and we have guys on this tour after hurling the discus to 61.28m. He has also secured his place in the 2018 Youth Olympic jaya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan been a topic of discussion in the is the kind of guy that will just who can play the same sort of Games to be staged in Argentina in October. Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha. camp. “Dale in any conditions is brush it under the carpet and role,” he said.

Friday, July 6, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

DIAMOND LEAGUE Qatar’s Samba storms to sixth straight victory Agencies 22-year-old had become only the sec- Paris. Semenya’s national record for the Lausanne ond man to go under 47 seconds for the 1 500m is 3:59.92 which she set in Doha Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (rights) event at last week’s race in Paris, where in May. sprints to win ahead of Norway’s he clocked 46.98 seconds. It was just Semenya recently appealed to the Karsten Warholm in the men’s 400m atar’s 400 metres hurdles 0.20 off the world record set by Kevin Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to hurdles during the IAAF Diamond sensation Abderrahman Young of the United States in winning challenge upcoming International Ath- League in Lausanne yesterday. (AFP) Samba romped to his sixth the 1992 Olympic title. letics Federation (IAAF) rules on testo- straight Diamond League “I am happy with my fi tness of the sterone levels in female athletes. These victoryQ at the Stade de la Pontaise in moment. I want to break the world rules are to be introduced later in the Lausanne yesterday. record. It clearly is a goal for me in my year and would require Semenya to take The Qatari remained unbeaten in the career as an athlete. Now, whether it a tablet to lower her naturally occurring men’s 400m hurdles this year, as he re- will happen this year or in the coming testosterone levels. corded yet another sub-48 clocking, to ones is hard to say and not really of ma- New Zealand’s Tom Walsh left it late win in Lausanne in 47.42 seconds. jor importance in the grand scheme of to win the men’s shot put. The Olympic Norway’s Karsten Warholm, the things. The objective of the season for medallist had an awful start with two world champion, hurtled out of the me is the Asian Games which will take no throws to start, but the 26-year- blocks, but Samba ran smartly on his place towards the end of August,” the old eventually found his groove to set inside, moving up through the second Qatar phenomenon said. up the winning throw. Walsh threw bend and away down the straight for Meanwhile, Caster Semenya fi nished 20.73m on his third attempt, before go- another win. sixth in the women’s 1500m event. The ing slightly further on his fourth throw. “I am happy with the race tonight. I race was won by Shelby Houlihan of the Then came his winning eff ort of 21.92 went out stronger than usual in the fi rst United States who stopped the clock in metres on his fi fth attempt, more than part of the race. So although it looked a blistering 3:57.54, a meeting record. half a metre ahead of Darlan Romani of easy, the last 100m were tough as al- She was followed home by Laura Brazil who fi nished in second. ways. Your knees are going down and Muir of Great Britain and Sifan Hassan Poland’s Michal Haratyk was third you have to fi ght on every step to main- of the Netherlands. Semenya crossed with a throw of 21.21m. The win for tain your speed,” a delighted Samba the line in 4:00.44. Walsh means he jumps to the top of the said after his victory. Last week, Semenya shattered her Diamond League standings, overtak- Samba has set his sights on breaking own 800m national record, lower- ing American Ryan Crouser who didn’t the long-standing world record. The ing the mark to 1:54.25 at a meeting in compete due to injury.

WIMBLEDON SPOTLIGHT Changeover Nadal and Djokovic challenge proving tricky for Nadal Reuters I decided to stay on the chair. through; Cilic crashes I was slow enough to receive a London time violation. I accepted. That’s all. I think I was very quick dur- Cilic blows a two-set lead in his loss to Argentina’s World No. 82 Guido Pella here is not much Rafael ing the match. Between sets I Nadal struggles with on needed that time to change all a tennis court but when this stuff because it was a very it comes to time man- humid day. (The umpire) could Tagement the 17-times Grand avoid it but he decided to make it Slam champion admits he might and I accept. I was slow.” have a problem. The 32-year- On Monday, Nadal was critical Argentina’s Guido Pella returns during his win old Spaniard gets so busy during of plans to introduce shot-clocks over Croatia’s Marin Cilic at the Wimbledon changeovers — re-arranging his at the US Open this year and at Championships in southwest London. (AFP) water bottles, eating his banan- Wimbledon next. They would as, folding bandannas or fi ddling mean umpires could enforce the with grips and hand tape — he 25-seconds between points rule often has to sprint to the baseline which many feel Nadal pushes to to keep the umpire off his back. the limit. In 2015 Nadal admitted He was at it again on Wim- requesting that Brazilian umpire bledon’s Centre Court yesterday Bernardes not be assigned to his during a hard-earned second- matches after an incident in Rio round win over Kazakh Mikhail in which Nadal said the offi cial Kukushkin. Umpire Carlos Ber- had not allowed him time to re- nardes, who has history with arrange his shorts after he had Nadal, lost patience with the put them on back to front. Mallorcan’s tardiness before the Nadal was asked about that start of the third set — handing incident again yesterday. “I can out a warning. understand the time violations. I Nadal’s brow furrowed but he can’t understand when I make a accepted it and told reporters af- mistake, I put my shorts the oth- ter his 6-4 6-3 6-4 win why he er way,” Nadal said to laughter. had been late getting out of his “You cannot force me to change courtside chair. “I was slow at my shorts in front of everybody. that moment. You know, I know That’s not respectful.” I had to take the wristband, T- But he said he had no problem shirt, banana out, change every- now with Bernardes. “No prob- thing,” he said. lems with him. I respect when “Probably I should go to the I am slow, accept the warnings. toilet. If I go to the toilet, I had I do my best to be quick. Some- plenty of time to change every- times I’m not good enough to be thing without the time violation. that quick.”

AFP Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, ad- 42 winners to see off Robin Haase of the 6-7 (8/10), 7-5, 6-3; Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt London mitted it had been challenging to resume Netherlands 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 the match yesterday. “I was just not feel- Kyrgios next faces Japan’s Kei Nishiko- WOMEN: Simona Halep (ROM x1) bt Zheng ing as comfortable as yesterday with hit- ri who put out Australian lucky loser Ber- Saisai (CHN) 7-5, 6-0; Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) bt afael Nadal overcame two time ting. I was not as accurate,” he said. nard Tomic 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5. Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) 6-3, 6-3; Dominika warnings and Novak Djokovic Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion, Women’s top seed and French Open Cibulkova (SVK) bt Johanna Konta (GBR x22) shrugged off a knee problem to was tested by world number 77 Kukush- champion Simona Halep reached the 6-3, 6-4; Elise Mertens (BEL x15) bt Sachia battle into the Wimbledon third kin who was made to pay for converting third round with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Chi- Vickery (USA) 6-1, 6-3; Jelena Ostapenko roundR yesterday but third seed and 2017 just two of 13 break points. He was also na’s Zheng Saisai and next plays Hsieh (LAT x12) bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 6-1, 6-3; runner-up Marin Cilic crashed out. hit with two time violations — one be- Su-Wei of Taiwan The Romanian raced Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) bt Sofia Kenin World number one Nadal defeated fore the match had even started as he sat away with the 10 last games to beat the (USA) 6-4, 6-1; Daria Gavrilova (AUS x26) bt Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-4, courtside. 126-ranked Zheng. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-4, 6-1; Aliaksandra 6-3, 6-4 and will next face Australian “I didn’t know but I don’t see a clock Sasnovich (BLR) bt Taylor Townsend (USA) teenager Alex de Minaur. Djokovic, the here. I don’t see a countdown. It’s more SECOND ROUND RESULTS 6-0, 6-4; Anett Kontaveit (EST x28) bt three-time champion, needed treatment diffi cult for me to understand what’s go- (x denotes seeded player) Jennifer Brady (USA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4); Ashleigh Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Kazakhstan’s Mikhail on his left knee on Court Two but still had ing on,” said 11-time French Open cham- MEN: Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x25) bt Barty (AUS x17) bt Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) Kukushkin at the Wimbledon Championships. (AFP) too much for Argentina’s Horacio Zebal- pion Nadal, who is chasing an 18th major. Gilles Muller (LUX) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 6-4, 7-5; Daria Kasatkina (RUS x14) bt Yulia los, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. For Djokovic, meanwhile, victory was (7/3); Kevin Anderson (RSA x8) bt Andreas Putintseva (KAZ) 6-2, 6-3; Angelique Kerber Djokovic has now made the third round his 60th at Wimbledon. He hit 15 aces Seppi (ITA) 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4; Guido Pella (GER x11) bt Claire Liu (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; FOCUS for 10 consecutive years and will face ei- and 31 winners in a commanding win over (ARG) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x3) 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, Naomi Osaka (JPN x18) bt Katie Boulter ther British 21st seed Kyle Edmund or US 33-year-old Zeballos, who was a top 40 7-6 (7/3), 7-5; John Isner (USA x9) bt Ruben (GBR) 6-3, 6-4; Carla Suárez (ESP x27) bt Sara qualifi er Bradley Klahn. Cilic blew a two- player in 2013 but was playing at Wim- Bemelmans (BEL) 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (3/7), Sorribes (ESP) 6-4, 6-1; Belinda Bencic (SUI) set lead in his 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 bledon ranked a lowly 126. 7-5; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x31) bt Jared bt Alison Riske (USA) 1-6, 7-6 (12/10), 6-2; Rayyan welcome new loss to Argentina’s Guido Pella, ranked at Former world number one Djokovic Donaldson (USA) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3; Barbora Strycova (CZE x23) bt Lesia 82. When rain forced the tie to be post- shrugged off a knee injury he suff ered in Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) bt Stan Wawrinka Tsurenko (UKR) 6-1, 6-4; Katerina Siniakova poned on Wednesday, Cilic was leading the match. “It’s most likely a twitch in (SUI) 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 7-6 (8/6); Karen Khach- (CZE) bt Ons Jabeur (TUN) 5-7, 6-4, 9-7 coach Arruabarrena by two sets against an opponent who had the muscle or something like this that has anov (RUS) bt Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-3, never won a match at Wimbledon before aff ected the knee a little bit. Hopefully 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5; Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt ORDER OF PLAY l Rayyan have wel- this year. But the Croatian collapsed once it’s nothing that will concern me,” said Julien Benneteau (FRA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; (play starts at 1200 GMT/8 AM ET unless comed new coach the match resumed on Court One yester- Djokovic. Three-time major winner Stan Kyle Edmund (GBR x21) bt Bradley Klahn stated, prefix number denotes seeding): Rodolfo Martin day and Pella took full advantage to set up Wawrinka was unable to follow up his fi rst (USA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2; Novak Djokovic Centre Court: 11-Sam Querrey (U.S.) v Arruabarrena, who a third round clash with Mackenzie Mc- round defeat of sixth seed Grigor Dim- willA replace Michael Laudrup. (SRB x12) bt Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-1, 6-2, Gael Monfils (France); Kristina Mladenovic Donald of the United States. itrov when he lost 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) 6-3; Nick Kyrgios (AUS x15) bt Robin Haase (France) v 25-Serena Williams (U.S.); 1-Roger The former Argentina left back Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, had to Italian qualifi er Thomas Fabbiano. (NED) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5; Kei Nishikori (JPN x24) bt Federer (Switzerland) v Jan-Lennard Struff has signed a contract with Al been expected to mount a strong chal- Fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro, who Bernard Tomic (AUS) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5; (Germany) Rayyan, who fi nished third in lenge for the Wimbledon itle after win- made the semi-fi nals in 2013, eased past Ernests Gulbis (LAT) bt Damir Dzumhur Court One: 20-Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) v the QNB Stars League season in ning the grass-court warm-up at Queen’s 36-year-old Feliciano Lopez, a three- (BIH x27) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3; Juan Martín 9-Venus Williams (U.S.); 7-Karolina Pliskova April this year. Arruabarrena will a trophy or two after a barren Club two weeks ago. But his defeat is time quarter-fi nalist, who was playing in Del Potro (ARG x5) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) (Czech Republic) v 29-Mihaela Buzarnescu lead Al Rayyan in the pre-season time in the 2017-18 season. The good news for defending champion Roger a record 66th consecutive major. 6-4, 6-1, 6-2; Benoît Paire (FRA) bt Denis (Romania); Dennis Novak (Austria) v 13-Milos training camp in Austria, the new coach arrived in Doha on Federer, who was on course to face Cilic in Del Potro’s 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win set-up Shapovalov (CAN x26) 0-6, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Raonic (Canada) club said. Al Rayyan had been in Wednesday evening and was the semi-fi nals. “Yesterday he was play- a third round clash with France’s Benoit Gilles Simon (FRA) bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA) Court Two (play starts at 1030 GMT): negotiations with some coaches greeted by Omar al-Azani, the ing so good, hitting the ball so hard that I Paire. John Isner, the US ninth seed, saved 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2; Matthew Ebden (AUS) bt 25-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) v over the past few months and in manager of Al Rayyan. couldn’t do anything,” Pella said. “So the two match points, fi red 64 aces and 88 Stéphane Robert (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 8-Kevin Anderson (South Africa); 13-Julia the end settled for a deal with Al Rayyan will be seen in ac- rain helped me a lot. Today I played dif- winners to defeat Belgian qualifi er Ruben 6-1; Jirí Veselý (CZE) bt Diego Schwartzman Goerges (Germany) v 23-Barbora Strycova Arruabarrena. tion on August 1 when they ferently, tried to be more aggressive, he Bemelmans 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (3/7), (ARG x14) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Alex De Minaur (Czech Republic); 9-John Isner (U.S.) v Radu The new coach’s mission take on Al Duhail in the one-off started to feel uncomfortable.” 7-5. Nick Kyrgios, seeded 15, unleashed (AUS) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 6-2, Albot (Moldova) would be to help Al Rayyan win Sheikh Jassim Cup.