THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2019 SPORT 17 It was a match we really could have won. We created lots of FOOTBALL CRICKET chances and it was unfortunate Takakura, laments Women’s World Cup ICC World Cup that we didn’t take them. I am ‘cruel’ penalty as Cup (Quarter-finals) India vs West Indies really sorry for my players. dream dies for Japan. ACTION England vs Norway at Manchester TODAY’S IOC changes Olympic bid process

AP Charter rule requiring hosts to President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Spyros There might not be LAUSANNE be voted on seven years in Capralos makes his address during the handover ceremony an election at all. A advance of a Summer or Winter for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics at the Panathenaic Olympics hosted in multiple Games. That rule already had to Stadium, Athens, Greece in this October 31, 2017 file key part of the new cities or countries. Bidders pro- be waived in 2017, allowing Los picture. process is creating actively invited. Candidates Angeles to be picked 11 years in recommended with possibly no advance of the 2028 Summer new Olympic panels opponents. Games. - one each for following referendum losses There might not be an Summer and Winter and excessive spending on white election at all. Games - which will elephant venues. A key part of the new process Stung by recent public votes is creating new Olympic panels recommend one or in Europe and Canada, the IOC - one each for Summer and more candidates agreed that future bidders could Winter Games - which will rec- for an election. need to win a referendum before ommend one or more candidates entering a race. for an election. “We cannot, I suggest, con- It chimes with IOC President tinue to be damaged as we have Thomas Bach’s wish to avoid “too in the past,” veteran IOC member many losers” - a phrase first Thiam; and Narinder Batra, the John Coates said, presenting heard during the 2024 race as it president of the Indian Olympic reforms already tested in the became a double award. Paris body. Batra also leads the 2026 Winter Games contest. got the 2024 Games, while Los Lausanne-based governing body On Monday, Milan-Cortina Angeles got 2028. of field hockey. in northern Italy beat Stockholm- The new panels will be The biggest voting total, and Are, which tied Sweden to empowered to have “permanent loudest applause, went to Greek Latvia’s bobsled track, in a cam- ongoing dialogue” with potential Olympic president Spyros paign where support from bidders and pro-actively guarantees far in advance, said election in September 2013 and four-year term unopposed. Capralos. In 2012, the IOC for- national and city governments approach preferred hosts. They Richard Pound, the longest after of Russia’s $51 billion Former Philadelphia 76ers mally warned Capralos after he was often shaky. will report first to the Bach- serving member. spending on venues, infra- co-owner Erick Thohir was was implicated in black market Future Olympic bidders will chaired executive board, which “Once you make a decision structure and budget overruns among 10 new members elected. ticket sales for the London be required to use existing and will pick the members. on the host city, millions of for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Thohir, also the former chairman Olympics. Two changes were temporary venues and infra- Coates said the process people start to make plans based In other decisions yesterday, of Inter Milan, is president of the made to the 15-member IOC structure, while being steered targets “developing a significant on that and hundreds of millions Athens was chosen to host the Indonesian Olympic committee. executive board: Prince Feisal al away from costly construction pipeline” of candidates even of dollars are committed to it,” IOC’s 2021 meeting. That Session, Other new members include: Hussein of Jordan was elected to projects. beyond the next bidding contest. Pound said. from June 24-26, will include a Laura Chinchilla, the president replace Gunilla Lindberg of A new, flexible campaign The IOC was not being The IOC’s reformed approach presidential election with Bach of Costa Rica from 2010 to 2014; Sweden, whose eight-year term timetable will end the Olympic “control freaks” demanding legal to bidding followed Bach’s currently expected to get a final Credit Suisse bank CEO Tidjane ended.

NHL: Blues sign Cilic offers Nadal a Wimbledon reality check Berube to REUTERS While yesterday’s match was 3-year contract LONDON not an official one he showed exactly why he will be a threat extension Spaniard Rafael Nadal got a with his hefty serve and forehand quickfire reminder of the chal- giving Nadal little opportunity to AP lenge he faces to win a third get his teeth into any rallies ST LOUIS Wimbledon title as he was blown longer than three or four strokes. away by big-serving Marin Cilic Nadal has been critical of The Blues made official on in an exhibition match yesterday. Wimbledon’s seeding reflecting Tuesday what everyone had Nadal, who turned 33 this grasscourt results for the past expected the moment Craig month, has opted not to play any two years, but Cilic, runner-up Berube led St Louis to a competitive tournaments on in 2017, was certainly not remarkable turnaround capped grass ahead of the Champion- complaining. by the first Stanley Cup cham- ships, practising instead at home “I think they have been doing pionship in franchise history. on grass in Mallorca. it for years,” he said. They stripped the interim He lacked sharpness at the “I’ve moved into the 13 to 16 tag from his title and signed him Hurlingham Club in London as group so that definitely helps me to three-year contract. a well-drilled Cilic sent him avoid higher seeds before the Berube had been the packing in less than an hour -- fourth round. interim coach since taking over a sweating Nadal going straight “There are positives and for Mike Yeo on Nov. 19, but from court to a waiting black negatives about it. The grass is general manager Doug Arm- Rolls Royce and away minutes not as it was in the past when strong acknowledged during after his 6-3 6-3 defeat. the claycourters struggled to the playoffs an extension was “This was the first time that Croatia’s Marin Cilic returns against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his singles match at The Aspall Tennis go through one or two rounds a foregone conclusion. And that I played points and that was too Classic tournament at the Hurlingham Club in London, yesterday. at Wimbledon, it’s more was before the Blues beat the much for me today,” Nadal, who playable. Boston Bruins in seven games won a record-extending 12th course I decided not to play a in 2008 and 2010, reached the three, behind eight-time “If you see the top 32 these to hoist the Stanley Cup. French Open title earlier this tournament before Wimbledon, semi-final last year at the All champion Roger Federer who days they all play well on every “Craig made an enormous month, said on court at the Aspall I’m 33 so I need to save energy. England Club but had struggled was bumped up one place from surface so I guess you could impact on our team when he Tennis Classic alongside the “I will just try to improve a in his previous five appearances his ranking. just stay with the rankings.” took over last November,” Arm- Thames. little bit every single day and on at the event. Cilic benefited from Wimble- Nadal will practise at Wim- strong said in a statement. “I’m excited to be back at Friday I have will try to be a bit That was reflected in don’s unique seeding system and bledon on Thursday before “He restored our identity Wimbledon. This type of match better.” Wednesday’s seedings which put will be 13th -- up five from his returning to Hurlingham for and provided our players with today helps to try to be ready. Of Nadal, who won Wimbledon Nadal, the world number two, at ATP ranking of 18. another match on Friday. a clear sense of direction.” The Blues were in last place at the start of the year, but Berube led Son of Borg them on an 11-game win streak in January and February to position them for the playoffs. makes quiet They wound up going 38-19-6 in the regular season, debut in then beat the Jets, Stars and Sharks in the playoffs to reach London the Stanley Cup Final. REUTERS In a dramatic, bruising LONDON series, the Blues emerged to win the first title in their 52-year A blonde-haired, blue-eyed history, helping to give a city The Qatar men’s tennis team poses for a picture before their 2019 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group III match against Malaysia in Swede named Borg was in still smarting from the loss of Singapore yesterday. Qatar was pooled in Group A alongside Iran, Syria, and Malaysia while Group B includes Vietnam, Kuwait, Sri action on a London grass- the St. Louis Rams a reason to Lanka and hosts Singapore. court on Wednesday celebrate. although it went almost An estimated 500,000 fans unnoticed at the Hurlingham showed up in a downpour for Kerber leads high-powered trio into quarters Club where all eyes were on the championship parade 10 Rafael Nadal. days ago. REUTERS games ahead of Wimbledon. Jelena Ostapenko, a semi- The fourth seed saved two Forty six years after Bjorn “I’m so happy for the city LONDON Reigning Wimbledon champion finalist at last year’s Wimbledon, set points in the opener but Borg caused mass hysteria by and the fans here. They deserve Kerber beat Swede Rebecca suffered an injury scare as she eased through the second with reaching the quarter-finals it,” Berube said during the rally. A trio of former world number Peterson 7-6(4) 6-0 and Pliskova retired in her match against Eka- a dominant display. :I’m feeling on his Wimbledon debut, his “But more than anything I’m so ones stormed into the quarter- crushed Elise Mertens 6-1 6-2, terina Alexandrova. Kerber con- good so far,” Kerber told 15-year-old son Leo played happy for our players because finals at Eastbourne yesterday although Halep was pushed hard tinued to thrive after a tricky reporters. “The first set was a junior match. of how hard they’ve played, the with Angelique Kerber, Simona by Polona Hercog before claycourt season as she blazed really close and tough. Then I The resemblance to his character and leadership Halep and Karolina Pliskova all emerging with a 6-1 4-6 6-3 past Peterson following a tough started good in the second set five-times Wimbledon- coming through, winning that sharpening their grasscourt victory. first set. and finding then my rhythm .” winning father was striking. cup.” 18 SPORT THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2019 Babar ton steers Pakistan to crucial win over Kiwis AFP BIRMINGHAM Babar second

Babar Azam hit a sparkling fastest to century as Pakistan kept alive their hopes of reaching the score 3,000 World Cup semi-finals with an ODI runs impressive six-wicket win India’s Mohammed against New Zealand yesterday. Shami celebrates after Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side AFP BIRMINGHAM taking the wicket of appeared down and out with Afghanistan’s Aftab only one win in their first five Alam in this June 22, matches but they have bounced Pakistan batsman Babar 2019 file photo. back strongly to beat South Azam yesterday became the Africa and now previously second-fastest to reach unbeaten New Zealand. 3,000 one-day interna- Their victory at Edgbaston tional runs during the World Shami gives India means they are level on seven Cup match against New points with Bangladesh and just Zealand in Birmingham. ‘embarrassment of one point behind faltering hosts The 24-year-old England, with matches against reached the milestone in his bottom side Afghanistan and 68th innings during Paki- riches’ at World Cup Bangladesh to come. stan’s chase of a 238-run Man-of-the-match Babar target. AFP was the star of the show, scoring Babar took 11 innings MANCHESTER a measured 101 off 127 balls in more than South Africa’s front thousands of fanatical fans Hashim Amla, who reached Mohammed Shami has given in Birmingham as Pakistan sur- the milestone in 57 innings, Indian team bosses a “good We would take passed New Zealand’s total of but overtook West Indies headache” after replacing fellow a call as per 237 for six in the final over. great Viv Richards (69 paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar the conditions, Pakistan’s revival after three innings). and taking four wickets, the but Bhuvi defeats earlier in the tournament Pakistan were 110 for team’s bowling coach said recalls memories of the 1992 three at the halfway point yesterday. (Bhuvneshwar) has campaign, when they won the of 25 overs at Edgbaston, Shami claimed a hat-trick in done exceptionally trophy after a sticky start. needing another 128 runs India’s narrow win over minnows well, so I think Afghanistan on Saturday as the “Whenever we are in a Pakistan’s Babar Azam for victory. it’s a pretty good corner we play our best, it was Babar and Mohammad two-time champions stayed celebrates after scoring headache to have: a great team effort,” said winning a century against New Hafeez (32) added 66 for the unbeaten to close in on a semi- captain Sarfaraz. Zealand in Birmingham, third wicket after Pakistan final spot. Bowling coach But the paceman’s place in “All the bowlers bowled well yesterday. lost openers Fakhar Zaman Bharat Arun and there was some of the finest (9) and Imam-ul-Haq (19). the starting line-up will not be batting I have ever seen. The certain once Kumar, who sat out back at the top of his game after target of 240 was not an easy and the Afghanistan game with a dealing with weight issues, injury we just wanted to play the 50 “We are not thinking about was out for 32 in the 25th over the winning runs. Earlier, Jimmy hamstring strain and was and a legal quarrel with his overs. Babar played one of the 1992, we are going match by but 24-year-old Babar anchored Neesham hit a career-best 97 not expected to miss two or three estranged wife over the past two best innings I have ever seen. match.” the innings and was ably sup- out while Colin de Grandhomme matches, regains full fitness. years. They handled the pressure so Pakistan were wobbling at ported by Haris Sohail, who hit made 64 after New Zealand won Virat Kohli’s India take on He returned figures of 4-40 well.” 110-3 when Mohammad Hafeez 68. During the course of his the toss and chose to bat. struggling West Indies in Man- in Southampton and ended the knock, Babar became the Left-arm seamer Shaheen chester today and bowling coach Afghanistan innings with a hat- SCOREBOARD second-fastest to reach 3,000 Shah Afridi (3-28) starred with Bharat Arun said the make-up trick after being given the one-day-international runs -- the ball as Pakistan reduced New of the team would depend on responsibility to bowl the final NEW ZEALAND PAKISTAN conditions. over. Martin Guptill b Amir ...... 5 Imam-ul-Haq c Guptill b Ferguson ...... 19 in 68 innings. Zealand to 83-5, with in-form Colin Munro c Haris b Shaheen ...... 12 Fakhar Zaman c Guptill b Boult ...... 9 Babar took 11 innings more captain Kane Williamson dis- “Bhuvneshwar’s injury is not India are familiar with the Kane Williamson c Sarfaraz b Shadab ...... 41 Babar Azam not out ...... 101 than South Africa’s Hashim Amla missed by leg-spinner Shadab of any great concern. It is just a West Indies, with many of the Ross Taylor c Sarfaraz b Shaheen ...... 3 M Hafeez c Ferguson b Williamson ...... 32 but overtook West Indies great Khan for 41. niggle, which we didn’t want to Caribbean team playing in the Tom Latham c Sarfaraz b Shaheen ...... 1 Haris Sohail run out (Guptill) ...... 68 Viv Richards (69 innings). “The fight we showed in the take a chance on,” Arun said. Indian Premier League. Jimmy Neesham not out ...... 97 Sarfaraz Ahmed not out ...... 5 “The wicket was difficult but back end was outstanding and “And it was also an oppor- “They (West Indies batsmen) C de Grandhomme run out (Amir/Sarfaraz) 64 Extras: (7w) ...... 7 my aim was to bat for 50 overs we were in a competitive tunity for us to plug Shami into do have their strengths. And also Mitchell Santner not out ...... 5 TOTAL: (for 4 wickets) ...... 241 and if I did I knew Pakistan position,” said Williamson. the games. But the fact he’s it’s a big challenge for the Extras: (2b, 3lb, 4w) ...... 9 Overs: 49.1 done exceptionally well all goes bowlers too -- especially when TOTAL: (for 6 wickets) ...... 237 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-44, 3-110, 4-236. would win the match,” said man- “We were right in it but their Overs: 50 Did not bat: Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab of-the-match Babar. batsmen played beautifully well well for us. It’s an embar- they come after you,” said Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-24, 3-38, 4-46, 5-83, Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi. “We know we’d need to and took the game away from rassment of riches. Arun. 6-215 Bowling: Trent Boult 10-0-48-1, Matt Henry score runs off the pace bowlers. us.” “And we would take a call as “But whenever batsmen Did not bat: Matt Henry, L Ferguson, Trent Boult 7-0-25-0, Lockie Ferguson 8.1-0-50-1 (4w), Colin Once (Mitchell) Santner came on New Zealand are second in per the conditions, but Bhuvi come after you, if you’re willing Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 7-0-22-0, Mo- de Grandhomme 2-0-12-0, Mitchell Santner 10- it was doing stuff off the pitch so the 10-team table on 11 points (Bhuvneshwar) has done excep- to look at it deeply, there is a hammad Amir 10-0-67-1 (2w), Shaheen Afridi 0-38-0, J. Neesham 3-0-20-0 (1w), Kane Wil- Hafeez told me to stick at it and behind Australia (12 points), the tionally well, so I think it’s a chance in it for the bowlers, and 10-3-28-3, Imad Wasim 3-0-17-0, Shadab Khan liamson 8-0-39-1 (1w), Colin Munro 1-0-9-0 (1w). score three or four runs an over.” only team who have qualified so pretty good headache to have.” I think that’s what the bowlers 10-0-43-1, Wahab Riaz 10-0-55-0 (2w). Result: Pakistan won by six wickets. Sohail was run out in the far. The top four teams qualify The 28-year-old Shami is would be looking to do.” 49th over, leaving Sarfaraz to hit for the semi-finals.

WI legend Lara Holder urges WI to dig deep in India clash discharged AFP opportunity for us to bring it all from Mumbai MANCHESTER together and play a perfect game.” Gayle delays retirement to hospital West Indies captain Jason The West Indies’ World Cup Holder says he is proud of his hopes were hit by injuries to AFP players but wants them to put Evin Lewis and Andre Russell, play series against India MUMBAI everything together in a who has been replaced by Sunil “perfect” World Cup Ambris in the squad, but Holder REUTERS West Indies batting legend performance against India. said the batsmen should step up MANCHESTER Twenty20 internationals, as yeah, it’s great and it’s great Brian Lara was given the all- The two-time champions despite the problems. many one-dayers and two for cricket. clear and discharged from a opened their campaign with a “Injuries have definitely West Indies opener Chris Gayle tests in West Indies, the last “It’s good to have Chris Mumbai hospital yesterday, a convincing victory against plagued us. But I’ve been proud (pictured) wants to play the in Jamaica which could be around, as I said before. He’s day after he was admitted Pakistan but have not won since of them so far. I think for them home series against India in Gayle’s farewell at home. got a lot to offer still, I believe. because of chest pains. and, barring an unlikely sequence it’s just a matter for them to August-September reversing The decision of the self- And hopefully his body can “He was discharged at 12:00 of results, will be heading home grasp batting on the interna- his earlier decision to quit styled ‘Universal Boss’ caught hold up. Hopefully he can be pm (0630 GMT). His condition after the group phase. tional circuit,” said Holder. international cricket after the even his captain by surprise. on the field a bit is normal,” a spokesman for the Batsmen Shai Hope, “And I think Shai has done a ongoing World Cup, the “I was just updated...” longer for West hospital yesterday. Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas reasonable job so far. Hety batsman said yesterday. Jason Holder said, who Indies.” Lara was rushed to hospital Pooran and Carlos Brathwaite (Hetmyer) has shown glimpses The 39-year-old had addressed a news con- Gayle is the on Tuesday in India’s financial have shown glimpses of what of brilliance, as well as Nicholas. earlier this year announced his ference soon after Gayle’s only batsman to capital where he is currently they can offer but have failed to It’s up to them to take it deeper. plans to retire after the World media interaction hit a Test triple- working for Star Sports, the win games for the team. They’ve got to be the rock and Cup to make way for younger yesterday. century, a official broadcasters of the Brathwaite hit his maiden soul for our team. players after two decades in “He didn’t really one-day ongoing cricket World Cup. one-day international century “And they’ve got to set up international cricket. say anything in double-century, The 50-year-old Trini- in West Indies’ ultimately games and learn to close them Asked about his post- the dressing and a dadian underwent an angiog- fruitless chase of a target of 292 out. And a guy who has done retirement plans, Gayle sprang room. But, Twenty20 raphy “as a precaution”, he said. against New Zealand on Sat- that over the tournament is a surprise saying he wanted hundred. “His health is good,” he added. urday. Holder urged his team to (New Zealand captain) Kane to play the series against India. The Lara released an audio show fight on Thursday against Williamson.” “After the World Cup, left-hander recording on Tuesday night in Virat Kohli’s unbeaten side, who West Indies are languishing maybe a Test match against has more which he said he was “fine”. look certain to reach the in eighth spot in the 10-team India and then I’ll play, defi- than “I may have just extended semi-finals. table with just three points as the nitely play, the ODIs against 19,000 myself in the gym this “We’ve shown glimpses here group stage nears its India,” the Jamaican said runs in morning,” he said, thanking and there of what we can conclusion. ahead of today’s match interna- people for their concern. produce. And as a side we just “In terms of the squad, I against the Asian side. tional He added that he was haven’t brought it together col- think everybody’s upbeat for the “I won’t play the T20s. cricket, “chilling” in his hospital bed lectively more often than not,” occasion. Playing India is always That’s my plan after World including two watching the England versus Holder said yesterday. a big game for West Indies, and Cup.” Test triple Australia match and joked that “And it’s hurt us in games we’re looking forward to it,” said India will play three centuries. he hoped Australia would win before. So tomorrow is another Holder. the match. THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2019 SPORT 19

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships begin tomorrow Two Qatari teams start campaign in Hamburg

THE PENINSULA QATARI TEAMS AT THE WORLD HAMBURG CHAMPIONSHIPS

World’s number-six ranked beach volleyball duo, Qatar’s Cherif Younousse FRIDAY and Ahmed Tijan will be looking to impress against world’s best when the Pool D - Cherif, Ahmed Vs Kamara, Bangura (Sierra Leone) FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships action begins tomorrow in Tamer, Mahmoud Vs Hamburg, Germany. Pool E - Semenov, Leshukov (Russia) Along with the star duo. Qatar’s Mahmoud Essam and Tamer Abdul- rasool will also begin their journey in Pool E. JUNE 29 Cherif and Ahmed, seeded fourth, are pooled in Group D, along with Pool D - Cherif, Ahmed Vs teams from Sierra Leone, Czech Republic and Belgium. Perusic, Schweiner (Czech Essam and Abdulrasool will meet their counterparts from Russia, Brazil Republic) and USA during the group stage. Cherif and Ahmed will meet their opponents, Kamara and Bangura JUNE 30 from Sierra Leone in their opening fixture at the Am Rothenbaum Stadium Pool E - Tamer, Mahmoud Vs in Hamburg tomorrow. Later, Tamer and Mahmoud will face Russia’s Alison, Álvaro Filho (Brazil) Semenov and Leshukov in their opening clash. The Brazilians are expected to be the toughest opponents the Qataris JULY 1 will face during the championships. Pool D - Cherif, Ahmed Vs Brazilians will be seeking their fifth sweep at the championships this Koekelkoren, Van Walle time in Germany. The South Americans captured the top of the men’s and (Belgium) women’s podiums at the 1997, 1999, 2011 and 2015 events. with 28 group matches, including 16 for women and 12 for men, the JULY 2 pre-tournament favourites of Rebecca Cavalcanti/Ana Patricia Silva of Qatari beach volleyballers Cherif Younousse, Ahmed Tijan, Mahmoud Essam and Tamer Pool E - Tamer, Mahmoud Vs Brazil and Anders Mol/Christian Sorum of Norway will launch their quests Abdulrasool pose for a photograph with a team official. Allen, Slick (USA) while competing in Pool D and Pool A, respectively. Brazil looks to avoid Copa upset Mbappe wants to play at both Euro AP Brazil’s Dani Alves in action SAO PAULO during a practice session in and Olympics Porto Alegre, Brazil. Brazil doesn’t have fond memories We want to repeat the of Paraguay in the Copa America. AP The last two times Brazil met its performance from the PARIS southern neighbor in the continental game against Peru. We competition, the “Seleção” endured hope we can improve from Kylian Mbappe is looking forward to a busy summer demoralising eliminations. It hap- that game (against Peru), in 2020. pened in the quarter-finals in 2011 use that as a reference The 20-year-old France forward, who helped his and in 2015, both times in penalty going forward for the national team win the World Cup last year, wants to shootouts. play at both the 2020 European Championship and Brazil will face Paraguay in the rest of the competition: the Tokyo Olympics. last eight again today, this time Philippe Coutinho Soon after France qualified for the Olympic tour- under even more pressure at home. nament by reaching the semi-finals at the European As in the previous encounters, Under-21 Championship this week, Mbappe wrote Brazil will be considered the favorite final to Uruguay. Brazil is seeking a “Tokyo 2020” on Twitter accompanied by a joyful to advance. Despite struggling in its ninth continental title, and first since emoticon. first two matches, drawing boos 2007. The Paris Saint-Germain striker had already from the local fans, it ended the Paraguay’s solid defensive expressed his interest in the Olympic tournament. group stage with a convincing 5-0 system will be tested by a Brazilian Although Mbappe has never played for his country’s rout of Peru that boosted the team’s two returning players from that Paraguay depended on other attack which will likely include under-21 team, he would be eligible for the Olympic confidence entering the knockout team, along with Dani Alves. teams to advance, but it made it after Gabriel Jesus and Everton, the two squad despite not being involved in the qualification stage. Paraguay has five players back Ecuador and Japan drew in their forwards who made it to the starting competition. “We want to repeat the per- from the 2015 squad, including final group match in what was the lineup for the first time against Peru French soccer federation president Noel Le Graet formance from the game against Derlis Gonzalez, who converted the only result that could have avoided and revitalized the squad. David told Le Parisien newspaper this week it would be up Peru,” said Philippe Coutinho, one deciding penalty in the shootout at its elimination. Neres and Richarlison will likely stay to coach Sylvain Ripoll to decide. of the nine players returning from the time. The Paraguayans have been on the bench again. “It’s nice that Kylian can say that,” Le Graet said. the squad eliminated by Paraguay Paraguay barely survived the resilient in the Copa America in Brazil will be without defensive “It showshows he is interested in all France teams, and espeespe- in 2015. “We hope we can improve group stage this year, advancing recent years. Despite having won midfielder Casemiro because of a ciallyy in tthehe Olympics.Olympics. Once again, it’s nice. But we willwill from that game (against Peru), use with only two points as one of the only one of its last 18 matches in the yellow card suspension, with Fern- needd to meet him, and ask the that as a reference going forward best third-place finishers from the tournament, Paraguay managed to andinho taking over his place to play questionstion to Sylvain Ripoll. The for the rest of the competition.” three groups. But the team led by finish runner-up in 2011 and reached alongside Arthur and Coutinho in decisionsion will belongbelong to him.”him.” Coutinho converted one of the Argentine coach Eduardo Berizzo the semifinals in 2015, taking the midfield. Roberto Firmino is set FIFAFIFA rules, however, penalties in the shootout loss four played better than the results advantage of shootout wins. to stay in the attack. stipulateulate that clubs are not years ago. In 2011, none of the Bra- showed, letting victory escape Both Paraguay and Brazil failed Casemiro also was suspended obligedged to rereleaselease pplayerslayers zilian players scored from the against Argentina after a missed to make it out of the group stage in when Brazil was eliminated by for tthehe OOlympiclympic penalty spot, including current penalty by Gonzalez when the game the 2016 Copa America. A two-time Belgium in the quarter-finals of last tournament.rnament. defender Thiago Silva, one of the was 1-1. champion, Paraguay lost the 2011 year’s World Cup. If France qualifiesqualifies for the EuropeanEuropean Champi-Champi- onship,hip, MbappeMbappe couldcould bebe playingying matchesmatches untiluntil JulyJuly 12, Gold Cup: Curacao Netherlands, Italy advance as the date of the ffinalinal in LLondon.ondon. Thatt is ononlyly 10 daysdays beforebefore claim surprise the OlympicOlympic tourtour-- Europe dominates World Cup namentment kickskicks off quarters berth in Japan.apan.

REUTERS AFP LOS ANGELES RENNES, FRANCE

Jurien Gaari scored a stoppage time equaliser A last-minute Lieke Martens as Curacao held Jamaica 1-1 at the Gold Cup in penalty took the Netherlands Egyptian player banned Los Angeles on Tuesday and booked a surprise through to the women’s World quarter-final for the tiny Caribbean nation. Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday AFP Curacao had a nervous wait after the early as they joined Italy in the last CAIRO match in Group C, but their progression was eight, confirming Europe’s confirmed when El Salvador crashed out with supremacy at the tournament Egypt’s football federation yesterday banned midfielder a 4-0 loss to Honduras in the late contest. The and ending Asian interest Amr Warda from playing in any further matches at the latter result put Jamaica top of the group on five already. African Cup of Nations over mounting harassment alle- points, with Curacao, population 160,000, The Dutch scraped past gations. claiming second on goal difference ahead of Japan 2-1 to set up a quarter- “Amr Warda is banned from the national squad after third-placed El Salvador. final on Saturday in Valenci- discussions with the team’s technical and administrative Netherlands’ Lieke Martens (centre) celebrates after scoring Jamaica will play the runner-up of group D, ennes against the Italians, who bodies. This is to maintain the discipline and focus of the their second goal against Japan. either the United States or Panama, who are had beaten China 2-0 earlier team,” said the federation in a statement posted on its locked on six points ahead of their match yes- in the day thanks to goals from website. terday, the US with a vastly superior goal dif- Valentina Giacinti and Aurora hearts broken in Rennes as Japan equalised just prior to The harassment claims surfaced earlier this week on ference. Curacao will meet the winner of Group Galli. Barcelona star Martens con- half-time when Mana Iwabuchi social media platforms. Multiple women posted screen- D. Those results mean seven verted a 90th-minute spot- supplied Yui Hasegawa to fire shots and testimonies of Warda’s alleged lewd comments. Shamar Nicholson scored for Jamaica in the of the eight quarter-finalists in kick awarded after a Vivianne high into the net. The decision comes hours after another viral clip posted 14th minute with quick reflexes but could have France are European, with Miedema shot had struck the Japan had hit the post on Twitter by a social media user. had a hat-trick by then, having already missed holders and favourites the arm of captain Saki Kumagai before that through Yuika “He’s definitely out. We have a match to focus on a point-blank header and sent a shot crashing United States the sole in the box. Sugasawa, and Hina Sugita tonight,” Ihab Leheita, the Egyptian national team’s against the post. exception. There had never The European champions, smashed a shot off the manager, said, without giving further details. Jamaica squandered several other chances, previously been more than five who lost by the same scoreline underside of the crossbar In 2017, Portuguese football club CD Feriense termi- while Jarchinio Antonia missed a great oppor- European sides in the last eight to Japan at the same last-16 during a second half in which nated Warda’s contract over claims that he sexually har- tunity for Curacao late in the first half when he of a women’s World Cup. stage in 2015, are through to Japan were superior. assed the wives of two of his team-mates. His tenure lasted dragged a shot wide. Such an early exit is partic- the quarter-finals for the first Extra time was looming only three days and he was transferred to his current Just when it seemed Jamaica would not pay ularly painful for Japan, who time. when the Honduran referee Greek club Atromitos. for their profligacy, Curacao equalised in the won the World Cup in 2011 and She had given the Nether- penalised Kumagai, who could Egypt are hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for 93rd minute when defender Gaari smashed a were beaten finalists four years lands a 17th-minute lead with a do nothing to get out of the way the fifth time. 25-yard strike into the corner after being set up ago in Canada. superb backheel flick into the net of a shot that was nevertheless The hosts beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opening match, by Leandro Bacuna. The Nadeshiko had their from a Sherida Spitse corner, but heading towards the target. during which Warda took to the field. THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2019 20

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Cilic offers Mbappe wants Nadal a to play at both Wimbledon Euro 2020 and reality check Olympics Federer seeded ahead of Nadal

AP oneone exit in the first round and a pair WIMBLEDON iin the second. There were other examples Can Federer defy age to lift 9th title? Eight-time champion Roger of shifts from rankings to Federer was seeded No. 2 for seedings. Last year’s runner-up, AFP here. It’s a good vibe. I have great Wimbledon, one spot ahead of Kevin Anderson, was seeded No. PARIS memories. My heroes all won here,” Rafael Nadal, reversing their 4, even though he is ranked only said 20-time major winner Federer. positions in the ATP rankings No. 8 this week; 2018 semi- Twenty years after his debut, Roger “Every time I come back here, I I love being around and creating a debate aboutt finalistf John Isner is seeded No. 9, Federer will take aim at a ninth try to be like them.” whether the All England Club’sb’s rankedran No. 12; 2017 runner-up Marin Wimbledon title and a place in However, despite his lifetime here. It’s a good vibe. seeding system should be changed. Cilic is seeded No. 13, ranked No. 18. history as the oldest man to capture affection for the All England Club, I have great memories. Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, the This year’s women’s seedings at the All a Grand Slam singles crown. the tussle to add to his London sil- My heroes all won here. defending champion, was seeded No. 1 yes- England Club strictly follow the WTA rankings, Federer, who turns 38 in August, verware has become increasingly terday at the grass-court Grand Slam tour- so French Open champion Ash Barty is at No. 1. is already the oldest player to win fraught. Every time I come back nament, where recent results on the surface Naomi Osaka is No. 2, followed by the Wimbledon men’s title in the His eighth and most recent Wim- here, I try to be like are used to help determine seedings. The other Karolina Pliskova. modern era, a feat achieved in 2017 bledon title came off a straight-sets them: Roger Federer majors do not do that. Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena when he was 35. demolition of an injury-hit and Nadal told a Spanish TV station that he Williams is seeded 11th, the same place she Australia’s Ken Rosewall was tearful Marin Cilic in the 2017 final. doesn’t think it makes sense that Wimbledon holds in this week’s rankings. A year ago, early only just past 37 when he won the Federer was a force of nature Federer’s seventh Wimbledon is the only tournament that uses its own in her return to the tour after having a baby, 1972 Australian Open, an age barrier that year, not dropping a set in the title had come five years earlier with seeding system. Former US Davis Cup captain Williams was ranked just 183rd Federer hopes to smash when Wim- entire fortnight as title rivals a final win over Andy Murray. Patrick McEnroe and former player and coach but seeded 25th. bledon starts on Monday. fell by the wayside. His first six arrived in 2003, Brad Gilbert tweeted that they thought Nadal She wound up “I love being around Novak Djokovic 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. should have been seeded No. 2. reaching the final retired with an But 2017 aside, recent trips to The ATP’s top 32 men are seeded at before losing to elbow injury London have proved disappointing Wimbledon, but the order is based on a champion in the last- for the Swiss star whose first expe- formula that gives players additional credit Angelique eight against rience of Wimbledon was an for ranking points earned at tournaments Kerber. Tomas opening-round loss to Jiri Novak of played on grass over the preceding two The draw Berdych the Czech Republic in 1999. years. That allowed Federer, who won will be held while Rafael In 2013, he was shocked in the his 10th title at Halle, Germany, last week, tomorrow; Nadal was second round by Ukrainian serve- to jump ahead of Nadal, who potentially play begins stunned by and-volleying journeyman Sergei could have to beat both Djokovic and on Monday. Gilles Muller Stakhovsky. The next two seasons Federer to win what would be his third 15-13 in the final saw runners-up finishes to Djokovic championship at Wimbledon. set of his last-16 while the 2016 campaign ended with Nadal is coming off his record 12th engagement. a five-set loss in the semi-finals, title at the French Open, which is played blown away by the heavy artillery on clay, and he did not enter any sort of of Milos Raonic. tuneup event on grass this year. He rarely Last year was particularly does. painful for Federer, beaten by Kevin While Nadal did reach the Wim- Anderson in the quarter-finals in bledon final in five consecutive a 13-11 final set. Despite that shat- appearances in the tournament tering loss 12 months ago, from 2006-11, he had not been Federer will still go into this so successful of late until a run year’s Wimbledon as one of the to the semi-finals last year. favourites alongside four-time From 2012-17, Nadal never champion Djokovic. made it past the fourth round at Having seen Nadal win a the All England Club, including 12th Roland Garros to move within two majors of Federer’s Top-ranked Djokovic, the record 20 for the first time, the defending champion, Swiss headed to Halle where is seeded No. 1. he won a 10th title at the grass court event. French Open “To win 10 times in one place is a very special moment in my champion Ash career,” said Federer who now has Barty is at No. 1 102 career titles, just seven off the in the Women’s all-time record held by Jimmy seedings. Naomi Connors. It also made him the oldest Osaka is No. 2, tour-level champion since 43-year- followed by old Rosewall won at Hong Kong in Karolina Pliskova. 1977. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer with their Wimbledon winners’ trophies IOC knocks troubled AIBA out of Olympic status

AFP LAUSANNE Timeline of boxing body AIBA’s problems Members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday voted unan- AP The events offer Olympic spots but fail to win much of an imously to suspend recognition of LAUSANNE audience. AIBA quietly drops the scheme in June 2016. amateur boxing’s troubled governing Relations between AIBA and the IOC 2016 - Olympic boxing erupts in controversy in Rio de Janeiro, body the AIBA as an Olympic governing took a sharp downward turn following the Here is a timeline of AIBA’s problems inside and outside the with Irish fighter Michael Conlan accusing AIBA of corruption after body ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games. 2016 Rio Games, when 36 officials and ref- ring: losing a decision to a Russian. AIBA suspends all referees and The IOC stripped the AIBA of the right erees were suspended amid allegations of judges involved in the Olympic tournament and says some deci- to run the event at next year’s Games in May bout fixing. 2006 - Taiwanese architect C.K. Wu, an IOC member since sions were “not at the level expected,” but the results stand. Pro after an investigation into alleged serious An internal investigation by AIBA raised 1988, beats then-83-year-old AIBA president Anwar Chowdhry boxers fight in the Olympics for the first time after AIBA rushes mismanagement at boxing’s crisis-ridden deeper questions about the judging in Rio, by four votes in a hard-fought contest. Chowdhry had faced through rule changes, but none comes close to a medal. ruling authority. The IOC members rubber- with particular suspicion falling on a French criticism over unusual refereeing decisions and butted heads 2017 - AIBA’s board members rebel against Wu after details stamped that decision at a meeting in official. with the IOC prior to his defeat. emerge of runaway spending and mounting debts. After a bitter Lausanne. Then in 2017, AIBA executives forced 2007 - AIBA drops the word “amateur” from its name, power struggle which briefly causes staff to be locked out of The IOC will now organise boxing in out the body’s President, C K Wu, amid becoming simply the International Boxing Association, as Wu AIBA’s own headquarters, Wu resigns in November. Concerned AIBA’s place, the federation becoming the claims of multi-million dollar accounting looks to push the organization into the professional ranks. by the infighting and opaque finances, the IOC stops payments first to have been stripped of its right to fraud. 2010 - AIBA launches its first pro competition, the World to AIBA, worsening its financial crisis. organise its own sport at an Olympics. Wu, a Taiwanese national, denied Series of Boxing, with amateur fighters paid salaries to compete 2018 - Uzbekistani businessman Gafur Rakhimov becomes The IOC has appointed Morinari wrongdoing and remains a member of the for franchises around the world. Despite millions of dollars in interim AIBA President in January after Franco Falcinelli steps Watanabe, Japan’s gymnastics chief, to run IOC, an indication that he retains the support AIBA funding and a $10m loan from Azerbaijani company aside. Vowing to clear AIBA’s debts, he runs for and wins the a taskforce to organise qualification and the of senior Olympic officials. Benkons, the WSB struggles to gain spectator interest in a presidency in November despite repeated IOC warnings. The tournament itself in Tokyo. Wu was ultimately replaced by the con- crowded market. Money-losing franchises and the Benkons loan IOC objects to Rakhimov because he is under sanctions imposed Formed in 1946, AIBA has overseen troversial Uzbek businessman Gafur soon start to strain AIBA finances. by the United States Treasury over his alleged ties to heroin traf- decades of signature Olympic moments, Rakhimov, who the US Treasury Department 2012 - Women’s boxing debuts at the Olympics. The men’s ficking. Rakhimov denies any wrongdoing. notably the 1960 gold medal win in Rome has linked to “transnational criminal competitions are plagued by controversial decisions. One AIBA 2019 - Rakhimov steps aside in March, but keeps the right by Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius organisations”. referee is expelled after an Azerbaijani fighter wins a bout despite to return later in the year. An IOC inquiry flags AIBA’s large debts, Clay. Rakhimov, who stepped aside in March, falling to the canvas six times, and another referee is suspended “serious governance issues” and boxers’ “lack of confidence” in But its reputation has been tarnished in vehemently rejects such charges and insists after disqualifying an Iranian boxer. judges. AIBA executive director Tom Virgets warns the feder- recent years as it careened from crisis to the allegations against him are “politically 2014 - The once strictly amateur AIBA is now a promoter ation faces bankruptcy. On June 26, the IOC removes AIBA from crisis. motivated lies”. for professionals after launching the AIBA Pro Boxing brand. any role running boxing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.