SPORT

Tuesday 133 June 20201717

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Hamilton, Vettell Wimbledon will Wales draw as Spain locked in gloriousus be complicated: and Italy stay neck title duel Nadal and neck Qatar vow quality show on home soil

The Peninsula

atar internationals Russia looks on believe that Qatar’s third round Group A 2018 FIFA World Cup Q qualifier against South course one year Korea today will prove valuable for the development of ‘Al Annabi’, as the national team ahead of World Cup looks towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup at home. Abdulkarim Hassan and Moscow Moscow -- are up and run- Almoez Ali, past and present AFP ning for the warm-up holders of the Qatar Football Confederations Cup. Association’s (QFA) Under-23 espite fears over secu- The finishing touches are Player-of-the-Year awards, rity and construction also being put to the iconic view the game against the Asian Ddelays at several sta- Luzhniki stadium in Moscow powerhouses as an opportunity diums, Russia looks largely -- which is set to hold the to gather further experience at on course one year from the World Cup opener and final the highest level. kick-off of the World Cup in -- with a trial game sched- Hassan emphasised that June 2018. uled for the autumn. Qatar’s plans for the 2022 FIFA There was already a There are also major World Cup will be focused on whiff of scandal around the security fears surrounding youth. first World Cup to be held the World Cup in Russia with Al Sadd left-back Hassan, a in Eastern Europe after the shadow of terrorism and 23-year-old with 60 interna- Swiss authorities opened a hooliganism looming over tional caps to his name, said that probe into possible corrup- the event. Moscow has a long Jorge Fossati’s side will fight tion during the bidding for history of battling against ter- hard to match opponents whose the event. ror and been the target of Qatar's Ahmed Al Sayed (centre) along with his team-mates during a training session ahead of starting line-up will feature Then worries of hooligan bloody attacks. many players with big match the World Cup Qualifying match against South Korea. The match will be played in Doha today. violence surged after gangs A suicide bombing on the experience in top European of Russian fans grabbed metro in Saint Petersburg leagues. such teams will be significant as experience of playing against a constant source of inspiration for headlines by rampaging killed 15 people in April, just “The match against South the team prepares for the 2022 top Asian side to continue his Ali this season. through the streets of Mar- over two months ahead of the Korea will be a good platform to World Cup in Qatar.” technical development and fuel “I have added many facets seille at Euro 2016. Confederations Cup opener prepare for the home World Cup Hassan emphasised that his dreams of being the main to my game this year, learning But for strongman Pres- in the city. In a bid to stamp in 2022,” said Hassan, who Qatar’s plans for the 2022 FIFA striker for the host nation of the the finer nuances of shooting ident Vladimir Putin the out any problems, strongman scored Qatar’s first goal in the World Cup will be focused on 2022 FIFA World Cup. inside the box from Youssef El World Cup is an invaluable Putin has ordered ramped up 2-2 draw in the friendly against youth. “We have all been together Arabi, and intelligent movement chance to burnish Russia's security measures through- North Korea on 6 June. “For the tournament, we will for quite some time now at the and use of space from Nam. He prestige as the country has out the World and “We will focus on getting the have a core group of players who age-group level,” said the is a terrific player, and I am look- slumped to its worst stand- Confederations Cup. basics right against them. For have been together from the Lekhwiya forward. ing forward to playing against off with the West over After the brutal scenes in instance, our full-backs, includ- under-19 level and have been “Playing against South Korea him and hopefully beating his Ukraine and Syria. France involving Russian ing me, will have to be careful achieving significant things. We is a good way to measure our- team.” And authorities insist fans last year there were as they have very speedy wing- will be joined by a group of selves against a team that plays they have all problems firmly fears that visiting supporters ers who can take advantage of gifted youngsters currently com- slick, modern football.” in hand as they gear up for a could be in for a tough time. the space if we make overlap- ing through the world-class Ali added: “Son Heung-min test-run with the Confeder- But both hooligans and ping runs. The collective infrastructure and coaching sys- is amazing on the left, and they ations Cup tournament Russian authorities say there experience of playing against tem of Aspire, so things look have a gifted winger on the right starting in second city Saint is almost no chance of a positive.” as well. In the middle, they have Petersburg on June 17. repeat as the police have QATAR-SOUTH KOREA TIE Almoez Ali wants to fuel his fantastic players linking up with The World Cup will be cracked down on suspected Qatar’s third round Group A 2018 FIFA World Cup dreams of being the main striker Son, such as our own Nam Tae- the biggest international troublemakers with a barrage qualifier against South Korea will be played today at for the host nation of the 2022 hee. I saw the away game in event that Russia has hosted of searches, detentions and Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. FIFA World Cup. Suwon last October and it was a since it lavished huge sums criminal probes. The match will kick off at 10pm. Hassan’s 20-year-old com- tactical lesson, watching from on staging the Sochi Winter Moscow has stuck 191 Qatari players say they will 'focus on getting the patriot Ali is seeking his first the sidelines how their midfield Olympics in 2014. fans on a blacklist barring basics right against the tough opponents' competitive international cap and the centre-forward linked So far only four of the 12 them from games and intro- Qatari player Abdulkarim Hassan says the match following his appearance as a up with Son.” World Cup stadiums - Saint duced legislation to toughen

against South Korea will be a good platform to substitute in the friendly against His Lekhwiya team-mate Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi up punishments and deport prepare for the home World Cup in 2022 North Korea. Nam, who was voted QFA Player and the Otkrytie Arena in foreign hooligans. He said he will use the of the Year 2017, has been a Jorge Fossati

SCOREBOARD Sarfraz steers Pakistan into semi-final SRI LANKA PAKISTAN N Dickwella c S Ahmed b Mohd Amir ...... 73 Azhar Ali c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 34 D Gunathilaka c S Malik b J Khan ...... 13 Fakhar Zaman c Gunaratne b Pradeep ...... 50 Cardiff Amir provided an equally valu- Pakistan Sarfraz K Mendis b ...... 27 Babar Azam c de Silva b Pradeep ...... 10 Reuters able contribution, taking singles Ahmed celebrates after the D Chandimal b Fahim Ashraf...... 0 Mohd Hafeez c Pradeep b Perera ...... 1 to rotate the strike as he reached A Mathews b Mohd Amir ...... 39 c Dickwella b Malinga ...... 11 win over Sri Lanka during akistan overcame a famil- an unbeaten score of 28. D de Silva c S Ahmed b J Khan ...... 1 Sarfraz Ahmed () ...... 61 their Champions League iar attack of nerves Their 75-run partnership was A Gunaratne c F Zaman b Hasan Ali ...... 27 Imad Wasim c Dickwella b Pradeep ...... 4 match in Cardiff yesterday. to beat Sri Lanka by three an eighth- record for the T Perera c B Azam b Junaid Khan ...... 1 Fahim Ashraf (run out) ...... 15 P S Lakmal b Hasan Ali ...... 26 Mohammad Amir (not out) ...... 28 in a see-saw Group B Champions Trophy. L Malinga (not out) ...... 9 Extras (B-4, LB-6, W-13) ...... 23 game at Sophia Gardens to set up "It is an unbelievable feeling. N Pradeep c&b Fahim Ashraf ...... 1 Total (for 7 wkts in 44.5 overs) ...... 237 a Champions Trophy semi-final I just said to Amir play your nor- Extras (B-1, LB-5, W-12, NB-1) ...... 19 Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-92, 3-95, 4-110, 5-131, 6-137, with hosts England back in Car- mal game," said Sarfraz who Total (all out in 49.2 overs) ...... 236 7-162. diff tomorrow. kissed the ground after hitting the Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-82, 3-83, 4-161, 5-162, 6-162, Bowling: Malinga 9.5-2-52-1 (4w); Lakmal 10-0-48-1 The other semi-final will pit winning runs. 7-167, 8-213, 9-232, 10-236. (2w); Pradeep 10-0-60-3 (3w); Perera 8-0-43-1 (4w);

Group B winners India against For a while it hardly seemed Bowling: Amir 10-0-53-2 (2w); Junaid 10-3-40-3 Gunaratne 5-0-19-0; Gunathilaka 1-0-2-0; De Silva

(2w); Imad 8-1-33-0; Ashraf 6.2-0-37-2 (1nb, 2w); 1-0-3-0. Group A runners-up Bangladesh to matter as excellent bowling Hasan 10-0-43-3 (1w); Hafeez 5-0-24-0 (1w). Result: Pakistan won by three wickets. at Edgbaston on Thursday. from Malinga (1-52) and Nuwan Pakistan looked to have Pradeep (3-60) ensured a regu- thrown away their victory chance lar procession of batsmen from whose 73 had provided the base Fakhar Zaman smashed a quick- at several points yesterday as the wicket. to Sri Lanka's innings. Junaid fire 50 in 11 overs. But his their batsmen's fallibility before Earlier, Sri Lanka had suf- (3-40) added to the mid-order departure without adding the short-pitched ball prompted fered a collapse of their own as carnage as Sri Lanka, who had another run set the nerves jan- an astonishing collapse from superb left-arm pace bowling begun breezily to reach 82-1 gling and by the end Pakistan 74-0 to 162-7. from Amir and Junaid Khan from 14 overs, could do little were limping home. But captain Sarfraz Ahmed- reduced Sri Lanka from 161-3 more than see out their overs to Pakistan's semi-final will steadied the innings with a to 167-7 in four devastating post a disappointing 236 all out, be their first meeting with Eng- defiant knock, steering Pakistan overs. with Hasan Ali also weighing in land in a 50-over tournament home to 237-7 in the 45th over Charging in with great pace with 3-43. since 2003 World Cup and with a match-winning innings of and guile, Amir removed danger Sri Lanka's total always their first knockout clash since 61 from 79 balls. man Angelo Mathews for 39 and looked below par, particularly they won the 1992 World Cup At the other end, Mohammad opener Niroshan Dickwella, after Pakistan pinch-hitter final. SPORT 13 JUNE 2017 TUESDAY 21 Coe says retiring Bolt the 'Ali of Athletics'

Kingston, Jamaica records in middle-distance end his career considering what Usain Bolt of Jamaica AFP track events, including three in he has done globally," said Coe. salutes the crowd after the span of 41 days in 1979. "He "But you only have to spend running his final race has a charisma that I haven't a few moments with Usain to orld athletics chief in home country on seen in my sport in my lifetime know that this is where he will Sebastian Coe says Saturday. other than with Ali and I put forever be emotionally WUsain Bolt will retire them in the same category. anchored." as the Muhammad Ali of track "When Ali went we had the Coe said as a former Olym- and field, hanging up his spikes same conversations. But along pic gold medal winner in the as the greatest sprinter of all came Sugar Ray Leonard and 1,500m he can understand why time. Floyd Maywether, Roberto Bolt would want to bow out Coe was at Kingston's Duran and Manny Pacquiao . now. "He probably has instinc- National Stadium on Saturday We had great great fighters. But tively realized this is the right to watch Bolt run his last race have they soared to the level of moment. There comes a point on Jamaican soil before he the great Ali, no. But they kept at which the candle flickers a retires at the World Champion- the sport exciting and fresh. bit," he said. "No athlete wants ships in London. "You can't take away the to be asked the question why In an interview on Sunday, massive social contribution didn't you retire sooner?" International Association of Ath- Jesse Owens made in 1936 and Coe said Bolt, who has the letics Federations chief Coe said you can't argue with the world record in both the 100m he had been determined to pay extraordinary contributions and 200m, can retire in peace homage to Bolt as his glittering other sprinters have made. But knowing that he gave it his all career begins its victory lap. there is only one guy sitting at for 15 years. "Just instinctively you knew the top of the heap and you "Sit back think about it. You it was going to be a big wouldn't have a split jury on are just into your 30s and you moment," Coe said. that." This may be Bolt's last have won three Olympics "This is where his home is. me who had flown in from other sea of 30,000 fans bedecked in three consecutive Olympic race in Jamaica but he has a Games back to back, you broke I sense people here recognized continents to be here. People yellow and green. games. couple more events before he the world records and so maybe that there was going to be an instinctively knew that they Coe said Bolt will retire from "He has not just reached the caps his brilliant career by run- there is not a lot left to outpouring of emotion and were going to witness some- the sport as the greatest sprinter level he has in terms of global ning the 100m in Worlds which accomplish. warmth last night which I just thing that was going to be of all-time, a rare athlete who presence because of three back- goes from August 4-13. "He is also comfortable in wanted to witness. special and unique, and it was." transcended his sport and to-back Olympic Games or "He is going to come to the his own skin. He will always be "And what was fascinating Bolt duly delivered a 100m appealed across the sporting because of the world records," World Championships and yes a national treasure and that is is those people who came up to victory in 10.03 seconds for a spectrum after dominating at said Coe, who set eight world that is a fitting place for him to just enough, just enough." Hamilton, Vettel locked in glorious title duel

CANADIAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS Montreal claim a one-two triumph - their first this Results from the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on AFP year -- that erased the lingering feel- Sunday: ings from last month's dismal showing 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1hr 33min 05.153sec, 2. ewis Hamilton and Sebastian at the Monaco Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) at 19.783, 3. Daniel Ricciardo Vettel's duel has turned this Valtteri Bottas followed Hamilton (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 35.297, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/ season's title race into one of home ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, of Red Ferrari) 35.907, 5. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) the most keenly-anticipated - Bull. 40.476, 6. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) 40.716, and most difficult to forecast The Australian's team-mate Max 7. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 58.632, 8. Nico Hülkenberg L- in decades. Verstappen was forced to retire due to (GER/Renault) 1:00.374, 9. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mer- Not since the heyday of Hamilton's electrical problems after snatching sec- cedes) 1 lap, 10. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, childhood hero Ayrton Senna's intense ond with an aggressive start that saw 11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap, 12. Kevin Magnussen rivalry with his McLaren team-mate him brush with the luckless Vettel, who (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 13. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber- Alain Prost nearly 30 years ago has a was forced to make a belated early pit Canadian Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton (right) of Mercedes team Ferrari) 1 lap, 14. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Honda) 1 battle for glory so comprehensively cap- stop for a new front wing. lap, 15. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) 2 laps, 16. tured the imagination. He came home fourth after a surg- celebrates on the podium with second place finisher and team-mate Valtteri Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) 4 laps Hamilton and Vettel's razor-sharp ing drive. Bottas (centre) at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday. World championship standings (after six races) competitiveness has lifted performance Hamilton's victory, built on an Drivers levels to such a high that veteran pad- equally outstanding 'Senna-esque' lap board, then a totally dominant race. 10 days in a row. Nobody took a week- 1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 141 pts, 2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) dock observers were left stunned at the for his 65th pole position on Saturday, "Valtteri struggled in qualifying, but end off in that group and there are no 129, 3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 93, 4. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) 73, 5. Canadian Grand Prix. lifted him to within 12 points of Vettel he got everything right in the race to silver bullets in the sport. Hamilton, too, Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 67, 6. Max Verstappen (NED) 45, 7. London bookmakers have also in the drivers' championship while Mer- complete a perfect day." was full of gratitude for the team effort Sergio Pérez (MEX) 44, 8. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 27, 9. Carlos reflected the close nature of this phe- cedes regained the lead in the Wolff praised the entire Mercedes and behaved, in Montreal, in a manner Sainz Jr (ESP) 25, 10. Felipe Massa (BRA) 20, 11. Nico Hülken- nomenal scrap and on Monday installed constructors' contest, eight points ahead team both in Montreal and back at their that endorsed the view that he has berg (GER) 18, 12. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 10, 13. Kevin the pair as joint favourites to win the of Ferrari. factory in Brackley, in England, where staff developed into a team-orientated driver, Magnussen (DEN) 5, 14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER) 4, 15. Daniil drivers' championship at 10/11, Hamil- "We have finally taken a 1-2 finish worked tirelessly in a 24/7 effort to solve rather than a 'lone wolf', to more than Kvyat (RUS) 4, 16. Lance Stroll (CAN) 2, ton's odds having been cut from 6/4 and done so at a track that we expected the problems that had enabled Ferrari to fill the vacuum created by the retire- Constructors 1. Mercedes-AMG 222 pts, 2. Ferrari 214, 3. Red Bull 112, 4. thanks to his masterful triumph at the would be difficult for us - and which cer- outclass them and score a 1-2 in Monte ment of 2016 champion German Nico Force India 71, 5. Toro Rosso 29, 6. Williams 22, 7. Renault 18, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. tainly was for us last year," said Wolff. Carlo where Hamilton was seventh. Rosberg. "This is the time to keep our

8. Haas 15, 9. Sauber 4 Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff "Lewis delivered a stellar perform- "Ever since Monaco, the guys and feet on the ground, keep working hard admitted to feeling "great" after seeing ance this weekend -- a pole lap that was girls in the factory have been flat out," and take it one race at a time," added how Hamilton had inspired his team to almost scary, when you watch the on- he said. "We ran the simulator 24/7 for Wolff. Massiah wins Berger retains St Jude title QGL golf Los Angeles “I hit it phenomenally,” he tournament Reuters said, adding that by spooky coincidence his hotel room aniel Berger (pictured) number had been the same as The Peninsula expressed surprise after last week. Dbecoming the fourth He will head with renewed tephen Massiah playing his player to successfully defend his confidence to the US Open start- last tournament with Qatar title at the St Jude Classic in ing at Erin Hills in Wisconsin on SGolf Lovers (QGL) carded Memphis on Sunday. Thursday, while Schwartzel will an impressive 5 under to emerge He shot a bogey-free four- also have a spring in his step victorious in the golf tourna- under-par 66 to emerge top of after his near miss. ment organised by QGL at the a crowded leaderboard for a “I putted better today. I Doha Golf Club over the one-shot victory over South stroked the ball well,” said weekend. African Charl Schwartzel (66) Schwartzel, the 2011 US Masters 40 golfers participated in the and South Korean Kim Meen- champion, whose putting does tournament which was also sea- whee (67). not always match the quality of son ending tournament played On a day when Phil Mickel- his long game. on a Strokeplay format. son was tied for the lead until a stat,” Berger joked after secur- Mickelson, meanwhile, The podium winners at the Qatar Golf Lovers tournament Sandeep Nanda also scored triple-bogey at the 12th, Berger ing his second PGA Tour victory admitted he had become unu- 5 under but was declared run- pose for a picture with officials during the victory ceremony finished at 10-under 270 at TPC at the age of 24. sually flustered after seeing a ner-up on countback. Stephan at the Doha Golf Club. Southwind in Tennessee, join- “I can’t believe I won again. leaderboard on the 11th hole that Targett won the 'longest drive', ing Dave Hill, Lee Trevino and It’s been a battle. I’m extremely showed him tied for the lead. Stephen Massiah won the 'long- QGL hosted a prize distribu- some of their active members David Toms as back-to-back proud.” “It shook me to be honest,” est putt' Simon Rowlands won tion function and dinner for all who are leaving Qatar shortly. winners of an event that started Berger revealed that he had said the five-times major cham- the 'closest to rope' and a Don golfers and gave away prizes to They are Dennis Oviatt, John in 1958. cracked his driver pre-tourna- pion. “I didn’t expect to be there. MacIntyre won the ‘closest to the winners. Lord, Gus Kenny, Peter Corc- “I’m one-for-one defending ment, but found a more than It was as if I’d never won before, pin’ awards. QGL also bid farewell to oran and Stephen Massiah. titles, so that’s a pretty good adequate replacement club. as if I was a rookie.” 22 SPORT TUESDAY 13 JUNE 2017 Wimbledon will be complicated: Nadal

Paris pulled out in 2009 when his Reuters creaking knee prevented Nadal rises him from trying to defend afa Nadal says his title. to No. 2 in winning a I need to feel strong, low, and have "I could win the first French Open- powerful legs to play well in two matches and then ATP rankings Wimbledon Wimbledon. If I have pain in the things could change," Nadal, double for the whose first grand slam title R third time in his career will knees then I know from experience for three years took his total Paris be "complicated" but is that it's almost impossible: Rafael to 15, said. QNA highly motivated to have a "The fact is that the two go as he prepares for the Nadal first matches could be very rench Open cham- grasscourt season. dangerous. pion Rafael Nadal The 31-year-old cap- "I need to feel strong, Fmoved up two tured an unprecedented low, and have powerful legs spots to No 2 in the ATP 10th Roland Garros title in to play well in Wimbledon. rankings yesterday, his sensational style on Sunday, If I have pain in the knees highest placing since thrashing Switzerland's installing him as a favour- win-loss record of 24-1 with then I know from experi- October 2014. Stan Wawrinka in the final ite on the Wimbledon lawns titles in Monte Carlo, Bar- ence that it's almost Novak Djokovic, after a faultless fortnight in where he has also lost three celona and Madrid before impossible. If I am healthy meanwhile, slid from No Paris. finals; especially as his regaining his French Open and I am able to have the 2 to No 4 in the new It maintained a return to recent record there is crown, Nadal will spend a right preparation I'll have rankings, his lowest sta- form and fitness for the dismal. few days relaxing at home my chances." tus in 7 and a half years. Spaniard who also reached "Since I have had prob- in Mallorca before playing Nadal's incredible form Roger Federer is still No the Australian Open final at lems with my knee, since in the Wimbledon warm- - he is 43-6 so far this sea- 5. the start of the year and who 2012, playing on grass has up at Queen's Club. son - means there is also the Nadal's victory in climbed to number two in the been very complicated for After weeks spent on strong possibility of over- Paris gave him a record rankings on Monday – his me," Nadal, who lost only the bouncy red clay, it is a hauling Andy Murray and 10th trophy at the clay- highest mark since 2014, 35 games at Roland Garros tough transition and Nadal ending the year as world court tournament. since when he has often been to become the first player is well aware of the dangers number one for the first The current top 10 battling injuries. to win the same grand slam having suffered early time since 2013. are: 1.Murray 9.890 pts, Inevitably thoughts are title 10 times in the profes- defeats at Wimbledon to the "Winning these kind of 2.Rafael Nadal 7.285 (+2), already turning to Wimble- sional era, said. likes of outsiders such as titles, then you have chances 3. Stan Wawrinka 6.175, 4. don and the prospect of "We'll see how my knee Steve Darcis, Lukas Rosol to become any number on Novak Djokovic 5.805 Nadal repeating his 2008 behaves. Playing on grass and Dustin Brown. the ranking. I don't know. I (-2), 5. Roger Federer and 2010 victories – both is very special. You need to Since losing in the 2011 am playing well. If I am able 4.945, 6. Milos Raonic of which followed hot on play at a lower level. The final to Novak Djokovic he to keep playing well, why 4.450, 7. Marin Cilic 4.115 the heels of winning French body posture is down. You has not gone beyond round not?" he said. (+1), 8. Dominic Thiem Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with the winner's trophy titles without dropping a set have less stability. four while last year he could "I am right now seeded 3.985 (-1), 9. Kei Nishikori a day after he won the men's Roland Garros 2017 as he did this year. After steamrolling not play because of the left No. 2. We will see what hap- 3.830, 10. Alexander French Open yesterday in Paris, with the Eiffel Nadal, never one to fuel through the European clay- wrist injury that curtailed pens during the rest of the Zverev 3.070 points. Tower in the background. the hype, warned against court season, compiling a his French Open. He also year. England call up five WI level series against Afghanistan

rookies for SA T20s Gros-Islet SCOREBOARD threat with 3 for 26 from his 10 AFP overs. Naib also chipped in London chairman of selectors James Afghanistan (I innings): (4w), A Nurse 9.3-0-33-2, R Chase 3-1-15-1 with two wickets from his AFP Whitaker. est Indies overcame a Noor Ali Zadran c and b Holder ...... 8 West Indies (I innings): medium-pacers and at 72 for J Ahmadi run out ...... 9 E Lewis lbw Khan ...... 33 "Liam Livingstone, Dawid mini collapse on their R Shah c Mohammed b Gabriel ...... 1 K Powell c Nabi b Khan ...... 12 4 when Jason Mohammed fell, ngland called up Malan, Tom Curran and Craig Wway to a series-level- S Shenwari lbw Gabriel ...... 2 S Hope not out ...... 48 after having been 55 for 1, it uncapped quintet Liam Overton have impressed for the ling four-wicket victory in a A Stanikzai c wkpr Hope b Joseph ...... 11 J Carter c wkpr Zazai b Naib ...... 2 looked as if another embar- ELivingstone, Dawid England Lions over the past 12 low-scoring second one-day M Nabi c Chase b Joseph ...... 13 J Mohammed c Shenwari b Naib ...... 2 rassing capitulation might Malan, Tom Curran, Mason months and have transferred international against Afghani- A Zazai c Holder b Chase ...... 9 R Chase stpd wkpr Zazai b Khan ...... 9 follow. Crane and Craig Overton yes- their skills across all formats, stan in St Lucia on Sunday. G Naib c Joseph b Nurse ...... 51 R Powell c Shah b Nabi ...... 17 But Roston Chase and Rov- terday for their three-match in particular with their respec- Afghanistan struggled R Khan c wkpr Hope b Holder ...... 7 J Holder (not out) ...... 11 man Powell, in the side for the D Zadran c Lewis b Nurse ...... 9 Extras (LB-2, W-2) ...... 4 Twenty20 series against South tive counties. against the extra pace and A Hamza not out ...... 0 Total (6 wkts, 39.2 overs) ...... 138 injured Miguel Cummins, hung Africa. "Young leg-spinner Mason bounce of the home seam attack, Extras (LB-1, W-13, NB-1) ...... 15 Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-55, 3-62, 4-72, 5-98, 6-123 around long enough with man- The five, who have no inter- Crane is another player with making just 135 off 37.3 overs, Total (all out, 37.3 overs) ...... 135 Did not bat: A Nurse, A Joseph, S Gabriel of-the-match Hope to see the national appearances between great promise and he has made the lowest ODI total at the Dar- Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-24, 3-25, 4-34, 5-48, 6-51, Bowling: D Zadran 7.2-1-47-0, M Nabi 10-0-33-1 (1w), West Indies to the target, even them in any format, are given great strides with Hampshire ren Sammy Stadium. 7-81, 8-96, 9-127, 10-135. R Khan 10-1-26-3, G Naib 5-1-15-2 (1w), A Hamza 6-0- though it was left to Holder to

their chance as several key this season and has added to his Shai Hope then scored a Bowling: S Gabriel 7.4-0-25-2 (3w, 1nb), J Holder 12-0 hit the winning runs. players including Test captain experience with stints in the patient unbeaten 48 to stave off 9-1-38-2 (6w), R Powell 2.2-0-8-0, A Joseph 6-0-15-2 Result: West Indies won by 4 wickets "We struggled against the and star all-rounder North-South Series earlier in the threat of Afghan leg-spinner short-pitched bowling and that Ben Stokes have been rested. the season, where he took cru- Rashid Khan and take the home was last out for a top score of 51, long-off as he miscued another is something we will have to Those two, alongside sev- cial wickets." side across the finish line with offered any meaningful big hit. "It was a definite change work on before the final match," eral other established players, more than 10 overs but just four resistance. of tactics and it paid off," said said Afghanistan captain Asghar will instead take part in day/ wickets to spare after falling at His enterprising innings off Holder. Stanikzai. "Our bowlers per- night county championship England Squad one stage to 98 for five. 73 balls included two sixes and "Now it gets us back on track formed very well again but we matches ahead of the first Test Sam Billings (Kent), (Lanca- Choosing to bat again on the two fours, saving his side from for the decider on Wednesday just didn't get enough runs." against West Indies at Edgbas- same pitch used for the first match complete humiliation after they and we are confident that we've The West Indies will be con- shire), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Tom ton, which will be played under two days earlier, the tourists found were 51 for six when he came to seen enough of Khan to be more cerned about Gabriel's fitness as Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hamp- similar conditions -- a first in the West Indies bowlers to be an the crease. effective against him." he was forced to leave the field England. shire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), entirely different proposition as Shannon Gabriel, captain After his match-winning in his sixth over with what "The series against South (Sussex), Liam Livingstone they adopted a consistent line of Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph haul of 7 for 18 in the 63-run appeared to be a side strain as Africa presents us with an (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), short-pitched bowling on the exploited the helpful surface win for Afghanistan in the first they look to avoid the embar- opportunity to incorporate sev- (Middlesex/capt), Liam body which exposed the techni- with two wickets each while off- match on Friday -- the fourth rassment of losing a series at eral players who have come Plunkett (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Sur- cal inadequacies of most of the spinner Ashley Nurse wrapped best ODI figures by a bowler in home to a non-Test playing through the talent pathway into rey), (Yorkshire). Afghan batsmen. up the innings with two wickets, history -- the leg-spinner Khan nation in the final match the senior group," said England Only Gulbadin Naib, who including Naib to a catch at was again the most potent tomorrow. Kohli's brutal honesty brings India together

London he was delighted with how they asking everyone to do it and eve- getting more experienced in dif- AFP responded in the make or break ryone is responding really well. ficult situations," he said. clash on Sunday. "Until you have a team "Maybe some of the teams irat Kohli says India's "You have to be honest. You effort, you cannot win games, have really surprised the oppo- Champions Trophy dem- have to sometimes say things especially in conditions that you sition with the way they have Volition of South Africa was that hurt. That's what I believe are not familiar with. Today was batted and bowled in certain fuelled by his refusal to spare his in," he said. a team performance." situations." players from criticism. "You have to lay it out in With India and Bangladesh South Africa captain AB De Kohli's side crushed South front of them that this is what joining hosts England in the last Villiers was one of three players Africa by eight wickets at The we did wrong, including me, and four and the winner of Monday's run out as his side collapsed to Oval in their final Group B fix- we need to take it on the chin Sri Lanka against Pakistan 191 all out. ture to set up a likely semi-final and accept it and prove it. match taking the final semi-final De Villiers endured a miser- showdown with Bangladesh on "That's why we are chosen berth, it's been a strong tourna- able tournament, scoring only Thursday. among millions of people to play ment for the teams from the sub 20 runs, while his team came in India's captain Virat Kohli reacts as South Africa's Quinton de India had to win to avoid at this level. You have to be good continent. for heavy criticism after losing elimination after slumping to a enough to do that for the coun- Kohli acknowledged the twice in three matches. Kock avoids a runout during their ICC Champions Trophy match shock loss against Sri Lanka, a try and you have to be good amount of one-day However, the 33-year-old at in London on Sunday. spluttering performance that enough to bounce back, as well. played in the region was a fac- insists he is still the right man to prompted Kohli to let his team "You can't do the same mis- tor, but he has also been prepare the side for the 2019 lost our way and that was the part the World Cup I believe, I love know where they were going takes over and over again. That impressed with the way India World Cup. that hurt the most. Run-outs hap- doing it. wrong. sort of mindset is really helping have adapted to the English "It is always very disappoint- pen but three in one innings is not "Not a lot of people believe Rather than sugar-coat his all of us to come together as a conditions. ing when we lose but the way how we want to play our cricket me but I feel it is pretty close, it is comments to save his players' unit and make things happen. "Maybe because of how we lost was the most disappoint- that is for sure. very difficult to say that after a pride, the India captain made it "It's not about asking two, much limited-overs cricket we ing," he said. "I'm a good captain and I can performance like this but that is clear they had to improve and three players to do it. We are play, I think the players are "Through soft dismissals we take this team forward and win what I believe in my heart." TUESDAY 13 JUNE 2017 SPORT 23 Wales draw as Spain and Italy stay neck and neck

Paris year's finals, with the eight best AFP runners-up in the nine groups going into play-offs for the last aron Ramsey's pen- four spots. alty helped Wales to Ireland came from behind a precious 1-1 draw to draw 1-1 with Austria earlier in Serbia in World with Stoke City striker Jon Wal- Cup qualifying on ters volleying in the equaliser Brazil's player Philippe Correia and head coach Tite speak at SundayA as they kept their hopes with five minutes left in of a place at the finals in Rus- Dublin. a press conference following a training session in Melbourne sia alive. Ireland are next in action on yesterday, ahead of today's friendly encounter against Chris Coleman's side were September 2, when they go to Australia. missing star man Gareth Bale Georgia, who drew 2-2 in due to suspension in Belgrade Moldova. Those two sides are but Arsenal midfielder Ramsey well adrift at the bottom of the Coutinho to lead inspired the visitors into a half- section. time lead when he floated in a Spain remain level on 35th-minute penalty, sending points with Italy at the top of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic Group G after grinding out a 2-1 revamped Brazil the wrong way. victory away to Macedonia, Ramsey had helped win the with Chelsea's Diego Costa penalty by forcing Stojovic into scoring what proved to be the a foul just outside the box as the winner. against Australia goalkeeper tried to shepherd The visitors took a 15th- the ball behind for a goal-kick minute lead as David Silva -- from Joe Ledley's resulting netted after being brilliantly set Melbourne be partnered in defence by , Sam Vokes was fouled up by a combination of Andres AFP Rodrigo Caio, with Alex Sandro as he tried to head the ball. Iniesta and Jordi Alba. (Juventus) and Rafinha (Bayern However, substitute Ale- Costa then tapped in after iego Souza will replace Munich) at fullback and Diego ksandar Prijovic set up good play from Isco to make it injured striker Gabriel Alves in goal. Aleksandar Mitrovic to fire past 2-0 before the half-hour mark, DJesus and Philippe Tite's front three will Wayne Hennessey and equal- with Stefan Ristovski's superb Coutinho (pictured) will lead include Douglas Costa, Giuliano ise in the 73rd minute as Serbia strike pulling one back for the rejigged Brazil in today's and Souza. stayed top of qualifying Group hosts. friendly with Australia in Liverpool midfielder D. Wales are still unbeaten in Italy kept up with the 2010 Melbourne. Coutinho will captain his coun- the group but this was a fifth World Cup winners as they A replacement had to be try for the first time against the straight draw and they are cruised to a 5-0 win over Liech- found for Manchester City's Socceroos. Tite continued the third, four points behind both tenstein in Udine. Lorenzo Jesus, who has returned home rotation of captains in the Serbia and the Republic of Ire- Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Eder, after suffering a fractured eye national team with Coutinho to land, and level on points with Federico Bernardeschi and socket in Brazil's 1-0 Supercla- take over the captain's armband Spain's Sergio Busquets (left) vies with Macedonia's Ostoja Austria in fourth. Manolo Gabbiadini were all on sico loss to Argentina at the after Thiago Silva led the team Stjepanovic during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification Only the group winners target for Italy, who go to Spain MCG on Friday. against Argentina on Friday. match at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, on Sunday. qualify automatically for next next in September. It will be Souza's chance to "I have to give them the impress team manager Tite chance to play," Tite said at his ahead of next year's World Cup pre-game press conference in Russia and represents his yesterday. first opportunity to start for "This is it - the opportunity Brazil after late substitute for everyone to play. My sense US and Mexico share points appearances in qualifiers of justice is to give everyone an against Uruguay and Paraguay opportunity. this year. "For me it's great to "I can think just about me, Mexico City great. The commitment and the mentality be called up and to have the winning the matches and hav- AFP from every guy was really, really good and opportunity to play," said ing a good (winning) record but hopefully we can keep moving this team Souza, who normally plays as then someone doesn't have an ichael Bradley scored a spectacular forward." an attacking midfielder for opportunity. long-range goal as the United States Bradley also had words of praise for US Sport Recife. "I have to give them oppor- Mbattled to a 1-1 draw with rivals Mex- coach Bruce Arena, who has helped steady "It will be important to tunities and even if we lose ico in their 2018 World Cup qualifier on the US qualifying campaign since returning show my best. There are so matches, they know I'm watch- Sunday. to the helm after the sacking of predecessor many centre-forward options ing them. I will make some Mexico's former Arsenal striker Carlos Jurgen Klinsmann last year. in Brazil: Fred, Firmino, Gabriel mistakes but I'm trying to do it Vela cancelled out Bradley's sixth-minute "Look, we were pretty honest with our- Jesus, are all looking for a place right. chip to give the hosts a point which saw them selves and understood that we had let a lot in the team. extend their lead at the top of the CONCACAF of little things drop," Bradley said. "I've have the dream of standings to six points. "Bruce came in and has done a really maybe being at a World Cup, The USA, who made seven changes from good job of little by little making sure we get it's difficult, they're very good US midfielder Michael Bradley celebrates the team which beat Trinidad & Tobago in back to who we are. Now we just have to players, the competition is Colorado last Thursday, are level with sec- after scoring against Mexico during their keep going." great, but I'm enjoying it." ond-place Costa Rica on eight points but trail 2018 World Cup Concacaf qualifier The tone for a frenetic first half at the Along with Souza, Brazil on goal difference. match, in Mexico City, on Sunday. Estadio Azteca was set in the opening min- made significant team changes The top three teams in the six-team utes, when Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo with Tite announcing that Chel- round robin competition qualify automati- "Obviously, they had a lot of the ball but was lucky not to see a red flag after thrust- sea defender David Luiz will cally for next year's finals in Russia. tactically the game went the way we ing an elbow into Bobby Wood's face. start as the holding midfielder, US skipper Bradley later praised the expected and the way we wanted," Bradley But soon Mexico were rocked by a superb with Paulinho and Coutinho in American resilience as they dug deep for a said. strike from Bradley which stunned the Azteca front of him. vital point. "Anytime you can get a point here, it's arena into silence. Thiago Silva will Penguins down Predators to retain Stanley Cup

Los Angeles were returning but for the new guys it's for Penguins star and MVP Crosby. AFP pretty special. "With what Sid has been able to "This was our goal at the beginning accomplish in his career to this point he Pittsburgh Penguins beat the of the year -- we knew that it hadn't would put him in the company of the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Sun- been done in a long time. So to be able all-time greats," Sullivan said. Tday to clinch back-to-back Stanley to accomplish it is a great feeling." "He's a guy that just knows how to Cup crowns in the first such title defense Crosby said Pittsburgh had been win. And so he's done it in all different in nearly 20 years. buoyed by their emphatic performance venues, whether it be the NHL and Patric Hornqvist fired Pittsburgh into in Game 5, when they romped to a 6-0 Stanley Cups to the World Cup to the the lead with 1:35 left in the final period win to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of- Olympics." to silence a raucous home crowd in seven series. Hornqvist's goal was his fifth of the Nashville who had roared on their team, "I think all playoffs long we got bet- postseason and came after he collected who ultimately fell to a 4-2 loss in the ter as the series went on and we tried to the puck after Justin Schultz's wide shot. series. do that in this series," Crosby said. Nashville made a desperate chal- Hornqvist's killer blow -- which Penguins coach Mike Sullivan lenge to overturn the goal for goalie deflected off Pekka Rinne -- left Nash- praised the work ethic of his team. interference, but the call stood after a ville exposed as they chased the game "You don't win championships with- review. for an equaliser. out character, and I believe we have it Hagelin then grabbed the second of With the Predators goal empty, it in abundance in our dressing room," Sul- his playoff campaign to the dismay of was left to Carl Hagelin to score the coup The Pittsburgh Penguins pose for a group photo with the Stanley Cup livan said. the Bridgestone Arena crowd, already de grace with a breakaway, triggering "This coaching staff is so apprecia- seething after a Predators goal was dis- Trophy after the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena in wild celebrations on the Penguins bench. tive of this group of players and what allowed in the second period. Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday. The Penguins became the first team they go through. We push them hard to Towels and pompoms rained down to defend the Stanley Cup since the try to get the best out of them, and these onto the ice as Pittsburgh's players cel- Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in was named the MVP of the series, said season. "It's pretty special, to be able to guys embrace every challenge we give ebrated their win. Predators had already 1998. the Penguins had set themselves a goal share this with this group of guys," them." hurled a number of catfish on the ice Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, who of emulating Detroit at the start of the Crosby said. "A good chunk of the team But Sullivan reserved special praise throughout the game.