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FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2021 CaptainCapt Williamson expresses relief as NewN Zealand win a final at last It was the first official world Test championship, that’s a reallreallyy good feeling. Both teams knew coming into the last day ththereere wwere three possible results -- win, lose or draw and we sassaww tthath things could happen quickly.

KaneKaK Williamson Sport |11

TENNIS: EASTBOURNE LAST 8 - L. Sonego bt A. Bublik 6-1, 7-5; M. Purcell bt A. Seppi, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4; K. Soon Woo bt I. Ivashka 6-4, 7-5. UEFA scraps Gutsy Palestine crush Comoros 5-1 away goals

FAWAD HUSSAIN successful side in the Gulf. They rule in all club THE PENINSULA won AFC Asian Cup title as hosts in 1980 and are the most deco- competitions Palestine produced the best rated team in Arabian Gulf Cup show of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 history, winning the title 10 times. qualifiers so far as they came However, both the teams REUTERS — LONDON from behind to thrash Comoros are entering the match after 5-1, sending their fans into failing to qualify for the next European soccer’s governing raptures at the Jassim Bin year’s FIFA World Cup, hoping body UEFA said yesterday it Hamad Stadium, yesterday. to seal berth in the Arab Cup. had approved a proposal to After conceding an early “We are disappointed remove the away goals rule goal, Palestine scored two goals because of our exit from the from all its club competitions in the first half and added three World Cup qualifiers and we involving men’s, women’s and in the final session to storm into want to make amends and youth teams, beginning with Group C of the Arab Cup where qualify for the Arab Cup,” the qualifying phase of the there will face Morocco, Saudi Bahrain coach Hélio Sousa told 2021-22 campaign. Arabia and Jordan. a virtual news conference . The away goals rule, intro- Moussa Djoumoi took “The two teams know each duced by UEFA in 1965-66, has Comoros ahead in the fifth other well and this match is been applied when the score minute and following a calm going to be tough,” he added. of a two-legged tie is level on display in the next half hour, Palestine players and officials celebrate For Kuwait coach Thamer aggregate after 180 minutes, Palestine opened the floodgates after the victory yesterday. Enad, tonight’s match is going with the team scoring more with a ruthless performance. to be a battle of nerves. goals away from their home Layth Kharoub found “The match will be more venue declared winners. equaliser in the 35th minute fol- Comoros reach. Islam Batran The winner of the match will maiden titles in 2019 within the psychological than technical. But it came under scrutiny lowing a free kick before Oday completed the drubbing nine enter Group A which also includes space of five months – the West The two teams are similar but last season with some matches Dabbagh scored a stunning left- minutes before time after taking hosts Qatar, Iraq and Oman. Asian Football Federation Cham- Bahrain will enter the match being held at neutral venues footed shot seven minutes later, advantage of lax defending. Ranked 98 in the world, pionship in Iraq and the Arabian having better chance of without spectators due to the leaving no chance for goal- Thrilling action on the Bahrain, who are 50 places Gulf Cup in Qatar - have enjoyed winning,” he said yesterday. COVID-19 pandemic. keeper Moyadh Ousseni. cards in Bahrain, Kuwait clash above Kuwait in the FIFA good progress at international Tonight's match will cap Instead, two 15-minute Palestinians entered the The final play-off tonight standings, will start as stage in recent years. seven-match qualification, periods of extra time will be second half with more confi- will pit Gulf rivals Bahrain and favourites but much will depend On the other hand, the first completing the line-up for the played at the end of the second dence, with Tamer Seyam Kuwait as they seek a place in on which side click in the Arab country from Asia to first FIFA Arab Cup that will be leg, followed by a penalty scoring a brace (56’ and 72’) to the main round of the first FIFA match. qualify for a World Cup in Spain played from November 30 to shoot-out if the teams are still take proceedings beyond Arab Cup. Bahrain, who won two in 1982 – Kuwait – are the most December 18 in Qatar. tied. Copa America: Late goal gives

Portugal’s Cristiano controversial 2-1 win over Colombia Ronaldo celebrates after the match RIO DE JANEIRO REUTERS — in the 100th minute of the against France. Brazil’s Roberto match Casemiro headed home Brazil went behind for the first Firmino celebrates from a corner to give Brazil the time in eight games but after scoring a goal. win. responded with a controversial Brazil have already qual- equaliser before netting a ified for the quarter-finals and dramatic winner deep into will be joined by three other stoppage time for a 2-1 victory teams from the group, with over Colombia in the Copa Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and America. vying for the spots. Brazil had won their pre- Peru recover from two vious nine games coming into goals down to draw 2-2 with Belgium unconcerned about the match in Rio de Janeiro, all Ecuador bar one of them without con- Meanwhile, Peru scored drawing Portugal in last 16 ceding a goal, but they went two goals in the second half to behind in the 10th minute rescue a 2-2 draw against REUTERS — BRUSSELS on Sunday. But a late German thanks to a wonder strike from Ecuador in the Copa America equaliser in Munich pushed Luis Diaz. on Wednesday. Belgium have no qualms about Portugal down to third and Juan Cuadrado swung in a Ecuador scored twice in the having to face holders Portugal eliminated the Hungarians. cross from the right and Porto opening 45 minutes with in the next round of the “I think they (Portugal) are midfielder Diaz leapt acrobat- Renato Tapia putting through European Championship, a very difficult team to beat, ically to volley an overhead kick his own goal midway through defender Toby Alderweireld they have a lot of quality, the past a helpless Weverton. the first half and Ayrton Pre- said yesterday, suggesting team is very compact, they Brazil were forced to chase ciado finishing off a free kick easier opponents might have know how to play big games in the game and they had most of seconds before the break. dampened their aggression. big tournaments. And they have the ball and almost all the However, Peru stormed “I don’t think you can be a lot of experience as well, so I chances, though Colombia did back into contention in the pleased or displeased about an think we are going to have to an excellent job of closing them second half with Gianluca opponent,” he told reporters be top to beat them," ” Alder- down in the final third. refereed the 2018 World Cup with 111 appearances. The Lapadula scoring after 49 after Portugal finished third in weireld said. The hosts eventually got final, allowed play to Colombian players were minutes before setting up Andre Group F after last-gasp drama “Of course, everyone talks an equaliser with 12 minutes continue. incensed but the goal was Carrillo to equalise five minutes at the conclusion of the group of Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one remaining, though it came in Brazil took full advantage allowed to stand, even after a later. phase on Wednesday. of the best in the world but they controversial as Roberto Firmino headed check by the Video Assistant The result means both With Hungary leading have not only him but also a lot circumstances. home a cross from the left, with Referee. teams can still progress into the Germany and Portugal level of quality around him, who With Brazil on the attack the goalkeeper David Ospina letting And worse was to come for last eight of the tournament. with France, going into the create chances for him.” ball hit referee Nestor Pitana the ball squirm through his the visitors. With one game left for each, closing stages of both Group F But Alderweireld insisted and as Colombia’s players hands on the night he tied Their protests after the Ecuador have two points from games, Belgium were on course top-ranked Belgian were “very paused expecting him to order Carlos Valderrama as Colom- equaliser led to 10 minutes of three games and Peru have to meet Hungary rather than hungry and desired to achieve” a drop ball the Argentine, who bia’s most capped male player stoppageage time being added, and four. Portugal in the last 16 in Seville success at the Euro 2020. Murray picked for British team to Wrist injury forces Thiem defend gold at Tokyo Olympics to pull out of Wimbledon

AP — LONDON highlights of my career. Going to willll ppartnerartner with Neal SkuSkupski,pski, REUTERS — LONDON that tests found a “detachment a second Olympics as defending andd Murray will plplayay with Joe of the posterior sheath of the Two-time defending champion champion is exciting and I’m Salisburylisbury in doubles. World number five Dominic ulnar side of the right wrist” Andy Murray will attempt to win looking forward to the HeatherHeather WaWatsontson aandnd AAus-us- Thiem has pulled out of an injury that will not allow his third consecutive Olympic challenge.” tralian-bornalian-born JohannaJohanna Konta Wimbledon due to a right him to compete on the circuit gold medal after being named to Murray is the only men’s wereere selected to play singles, wrist injury that will keep him for several weeks. the British team yesterday. player with two gold medals in andd they will partner for out of action for several He will wear a splint for The 34-year-old Murray will singles. He beat ’s Juan doubles.ubles. ItIt will be tthehe weeks, the 27-year-old said five weeks before beginning compete in singles and doubles Martin del Potro in the final at thirdrd Olympics for yesterday. his rehabilitation to regain at the Tokyo Olympics, his fourth the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games Watsonatson andand thethe Thiem was forced to retire mobility. games overall. The games open after topping Roger Federer in secondcond forfor from his opening match at the “I’m going to do every- July 23. straight sets for gold at the 2012 Konta.nta. Mallorca Open on Tuesday - thing the doctors say in order “The Olympics means a huge London Olympics. the Austrian’s first grasscourt to recover as quickly as pos- amount to me,” Murray said. The former top-ranked player event since a first-round sible. They’ve informed me “It’s a massive honor to be is preparing for Wimbledon next Andy Murray defeat at Wimbledon two that I might be out for several able to compete at a fourth week. He’s ranked 119th. years ago. weeks, but I will do my best to games. Leading Team GB out at Dan Evans was also selected Thiem said on Instagram be back on court soon." the opening ceremony five years to compete in singles and doubles ago in Rio was one of the in Tokyo. The 26th-ranked Evans Sport FRIDAY 25 JUNE 2021 11 FIG World Cup: Turkey's Ferhat shines in Asian Cup: Guam to face parallel bars qualification at Aspire Dome Cambodia in play-offs THE PENINSULA — DOHA made it to his fourth apparatus Turkey's Ferhat Arican in finals by qualifying for Hori- action yesterday. Turkey’s reigning European zontal Bar. AFC — KUALA LUMPUR champion Ferhat Arican Doha is the eighth and final Doha is the eighth and final warmed up for the parallel bars stop on the 2018-2021 FIG stop on the 2018-2021 FIG The play-off draw for the AFC final after his effortless attempt Apparatus World Cup series, Apparatus World Cup series, Asian Cup China 2023 Quali- saw him top the qualification where some of the top-ranked where some of the top-ranked fiers Final Round concluded at chart at the 13th Artistic gymnasts will have one last the AFC House in Kuala Gymnastics World Cup at the chance to book their places at gymnasts will have one last Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. Aspire Dome yesterday. the Games. chance to book their places at Guam will face Cambodia Ferhat, who also made it to Two Brazilians and as many the Games. in the first play-off, while the Pommel Horse final yes- Spaniards also made the cut in Indonesia were drawn against terday, collected an impressive parallel bars. Chinese Taipei. 15.200 points. Caio Souza, who will also The two-leg playoffs will Compatriot Ahmet Onder contest in the Rings final, and be contested on September 7 finished second with 14.766 Francisco Barretto Junior made and October 12 with the points. the grade. winners to advance to the AFC Ahmet, who had earlier Spanish duo Nestor Abad Asian Cup China 2023 Quali- qualified for Rings and , and Nicolau Mir also ensured fiers Final Round. They will join 22 other FIG WORL CUP: QUALIFICATION RESULTS teams who confirmed their places following the con- Men’s : Hidenobu Yonekura (JPN) 14.633; Radivilov Igor (UKR) 14.616; Mahdi Olfati (IRI) clusion of the second round of 14.433; Adem Asil (TUR) 14.116; Milad Karimi (KAZ) 14.037; Jeahwan Shin (KOR) 14.024; Zapata the Asian Qualifiers for the Rayderley (ESP) 14.016; Andrey Medvedev 13.933. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Men’s Parallel Bars: Ferhat Arican (TUR) 15.200; Ahmet Onder (TUR) 14.766; Petro Pakhniuk and AFC Asian Cup China (UKR) 14.733; Nestor Abad (ESP) 14.600; Milad Karimi (KAZ) 14.500; Caio Souza (BRA) 14.466; 2023. Nicolau Mir (ESP) 14.133; Francisco Barretto Junior (BRA) 13.966 their presence in the final with hosted the high-profile FIG Al Hitmi, who is also the Qatar With 13 places for the AFC Men’s Horizontal Bar: Marios Georgiou (CYP) 14.266; Milad Karimi (KAZ) 14.066; Joel Plata (ESP) some excellent efforts. event in 2008, this year’s Gymnastics Federation Asian Cup China 2023 Finals 14.033; Francisco Barretto Junior (BRA) 13.966; Ahmet Onder (TUR) 13.933; (BRA) In the women’s floor edition is being held behind president. already taken, 11 spots will be 13.666; Nicolau Mir (ESP) (11.666); Omar Mohamed (EGY) 10.666 exercise, three-time Olympian closed doors due to the strict “We hope to see a good at stake in the final round of Women’s : Zsofia Kovacs (HUN) 13.233; Rebeca Andrade (BRA) 13.166; Saraiva Vanessa Ferrari stayed on Covid-19 protocols. contest in the finals tomorrow.” the Qualifiers. Flavia (BRA) 13.091; Diana Varinska (UKR) 13.066; Anastasiia Bachynska (UKR) 12.800; Zeina track to book Tokyo Olympics “I thank all the participants The finals start at 4pm (local Reigning champions Qatar Ibrahim (EGY) 12.766; Coline Devillard (FRA) 12.466 ticket after she topped the and delegates for their unstinted time) with three apparatuses in qualified to defend their title Women’s Floor: Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) 13.600; Zsofia Kovacs (HUN) 12.800; Lorrane Oliveira qualification chart with 13.600 support in making this event a MAG (Floor, Pommel Horse, Still by winning Group E following 12.700; Diana Varinska (UKR) 12.633; Jana Mahmoud (EGY) 11.966; Anastasiia Bachynska (UKR) 11.900. points. successful one,” said Compe- Rings) and two in WAG (Vault, an unbeaten run. Oman fin- For the first time since Doha tition LOC chairman Ali Ahmed ). ished second in the group. Williamson expresses relief as beIN Sports launches Knockout Package for Euro 2020 and New Zealand win a final at last Copa America matches

REUTERS — SOUTHAMPTON we saw that things could THE PENINSULA — DOHA tournaments featuring happen quickly.” talents such as Mohammad New Zealand Kane An unbeaten winning part- beIN Sports yesterday Aboutrika, Mohammad Williamson (pictured) nership of 96 was finally com- announced the launch of its Saadon Al Kuwari, Hatem expressed both relief and satis- piled under bright sunlight by new Knockout Package that Trabelsi, Ruud Gullit, Arsene faction after his team defeated Williamson and New Zealand’s gives subscribers across the Wenger and Marcel Desailly India by eight wickets in the highest Test run scorer Ross Middle East and North Africa as well as Gianfranco Zola, inaugural World Test Champi- Taylor (47 not out) who fought (MENA) access to watch all Peter Schmeichel, Bacary onship (WCT) final on hard after openers Tom Latham the matches of the knockout Sagna, Julio Cesar, current Wednesday after losing and Devon Conway fell in quick phases including the finals of Aston Villa full back Ahmed successive one-day finals. succession to off-spinner Rav- the UEFA Euro 2020TM and Al Mohammadi, Nader Australia thrashed the New ichandran Ashwin. Copa America 2021 for a Elsayed and Badr Eldin Ale- Zealanders at the Melbourne Kyle Jamieson, the tow- special price. dresi amongst others. What’s Ground in 2015 after ering New Zealand pace beIN is the exclusive more, subscribers can enjoy they had finally qualified for a bowler who has made a home in the MENA region of a stadium like immersive final after losing six semis. immense impact since his Test all the UEFA Euro 2020 and audio experience with live Two years ago they lost to debut against India last year, Copa America 2021 action. broadcast of UEFA Euro England in an agonising finish was named man-of-the-match The UEFA Euro 2020 is 2020 knockout phase at Lord’s because they had hit after taking five for 31 in India’s available on beIN Sports Max matches in 4K and Dolby fewer boundaries after the first innings and two for 30 in 1 and beIN Sports Max 2 for Atmos. teams were tied after both 50 the second plus an aggressive Arabic coverage, beIN Sports It’s not too late to join the overs and the subsequent super 21 with the bat in a low-scoring Max 3 for English coverage, fever! Subscribe to the over. match. beIN Sports Max 4 for French Knockout package now to On Wednesday New Kohli accepted New Zealand coverage, and beIN 4K. Copa watch the best national Zealand finally triumphed in a had been the better side but America 2021 coverage is teams go head-to-head in the global final with Williamson added he was not in favour of available in Arabic and knockout stages including unbeaten on 52 after a pains- one-off five-day finals. “It has to English on beIN Sports Max Italy, France, Netherlands, taking 49 in the first innings on be a Test of character over three 5 and beIN Sports Max 6. Germany and England. a pitch which favoured the Tests which give you the ability beIN Sports’ incredible For more information on bowlers throughout with two told a news conference. “The world Test championship, that’s to come back into the series,” he UEFA Euro 2020 and Copa the Knockout Package and days lost to rain. first semi-final was one-sided, a really good feeling. Both said. America 2021 offering to subscribe, please visit “It’s certainly a slightly dif- the second one was pretty teams knew coming into the last “You really see who is the includes 15-hour live daily www.bein.com/ ferent feeling being on the right interesting. day there were three possible better side over the course of a studio coverage during the summer2021. side of the result,” Williamson “It was the first official results -- win, lose or draw and three-match series.”

Pakistan drop Imran Tahir (second F1: Hamilton opens contract left) celebrates with Haider from team-mates. talks with Mercedes and squad for PSL keen for Bottas to stay bubble breach REUTERS — LONDON Toto Wolff has said he intends REUTERS — LAHORE to get the next deal sorted much Seven times Formula One sooner. Pakistan have dropped Haider world champion Lewis Mercedes are also weighing Ali from their tour of England Hamilton (pictured) said up Britain’s George Russell, and West Indies after the yesterday he had opened who races for Williams but has batsman and his Peshawar contract renewal talks with a long-term contract with the Zalmi team-mate Umaid Asif Mercedes and gave a ringing champions, as a possible broke COVID-19 protocols in endorsement of Valtteri Bottas replacement for Bottas. the as his team-mate. Bottas has been with the (PSL) in Abu Dhabi, the cricket The 36-year-old Briton and team since 2017, joining as a board said yesterday. Bottas are out of contract at the replacement for 2016 world Both have been suspended end of the season, with Hamilton champion Nico Rosberg after from the PSL final against expected to continue but much the German’s sudden Sultans after admitting speculation about the second seat retirement, but has suffered to meeting people from at the reigning champions. bad luck and setbacks this year. outside their designated bio- “We have begun discus- The Finn is fifth overall and secure bubble and flouting Sultans win maiden PSL title sosions,” s, Ham- a iltonto totold d has scored half the points off social distancing norms on rereportersporters at ttheh e Hamilton,Hamilton, who has won three Wednesday. StStyriany rian GrandGrand Prix ofof sesevenven rracesaces aandnd iiss secosecondnd in Sohaib Maqsood, who last AGENCIES — ABU DHABI victory. Imran Tahir claimed by the tournament’s COVID-19 in AustAustria.ria. thethe standistandingsngs to Red Bull’s Max played for Pakistan in a T20 three wickets for the winning management panel hours ““NotNot a lot Verstappen.Verstappen. match in New Zealand more yesterday side while Shoaib Malik (48) before the final. toto say too mucmuchh “Valtteri is my team-mate than five years ago, will became the Pakistan Super was the top scorer for Zalmi. Ali’s suspension also forced onon iitt but wwee hhaveave nownow andand bothboth ooff us replace Haider in the squad. League (PSL) champions for Meanwhile, Peshawar the PCB to withdraw the hadhad a discussiondiscussion hadhad uupsps and downs Pakistan will leave for first time after beating Zalmi batsman Haider Ali and middle-order batsman from the aandnd things are inin our careerscareers,”,” said England today to play three by 47 runs in fast bowler Umaid Asif will miss tours of England and the West positive.” Hamilton.Hamilton. one-day and an equal number the final in Abu Dhabi. the Pakistan Super League final Indies. Hamilton’sHamilton’s currentcurrent “I tthinkhink hhee is a of T20 matches there. Sohaib Maqsood (65*) and against the Multan Sultans after "They admitted to charges of contractcontract wwasas fantasticfantastic teamteam Babar Azam’s side will Rilee Rossouw (50) scored half they were suspended for violating the health and safety aannouncednnounced only mate andand I leave for Manchester today to centuries as Sultans amassed breaching the bio-secure protocols by meeting people last February after don’t nenec-c- play three one-dayers and 206-4 after being put in to bat bubble in Abu Dhabi. from outside their designated protractedprotracted talks through a essarily three T20 matches in England. first. The Pakistan Cricket Board bio-secure bubble and also COVID-19COVID-19 ppandemic-hitandemic-hit 2020 see thatthat itit From there, they will fly to Defending their target, said the incident occurred failing to maintain the pre- season, with the Briton also needs to West Indies to play five T20 Multans restricted Zalmi to Wednesday and the decision to scribed social distancing,” the testingtesting positive for the virus change,”change,” matches and two Test matches. 159-9 to complete 47-run suspend both players was made PCB said in a statement. and missing a race. Team boss he said.