WORLD CUP | Page 3 FORMULA 1 | Page 8 England Hamilton looking for trusty takes pole lieutenants for at rain-hit captain Kane French GP

Sunday, June 24, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 10, 1439 AH Hazard, Lukaku on target twice GULF TIMES as Belgium romp past Tunisia SPORT Page 2 GERMANY 2 SWEDEN 1 Germany revived as Kroos hits late winner Germany and Sweden are both even on three points in Group F behind Mexico with six points

DPA Sochi, Russia

magical free kick goal by Toni Kroos in stoppage time completed 10-man Ger- many’s spirited fightback Ato keep the world champions in the running to defend their World Cup title with a 2-1 victory over Sweden in Sochi yesterday. Ola Toivonen shocked Germany with the opening goal in the 32nd minute before Germany equalised in the 48th minute through Marco Reus. Germany went a man down in the 82nd minute as centre back Jerome Boateng was booked a second time. But Kroos still came up with the game-winner five minutes into stop- page time. “What can I say? We didn’t use the chances we had when we controlled the game... But in the end we de- served to win,” Kroos said. Germany and Sweden are both even on three points in Group F be- hind Mexico with six points and ahead of South Korea with zero points. That means the decision will come on Wednesday when Sweden face Mexico in Yekaterinburg and Germany play South Korea in Kazan. Germany threatened to become the fifth holders in the last six World Cups to be bounced in the group stage of the following World Cup — after France in 2002, Brazil in 2006, Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014. Ger- many coach Joachim Loew responded to the team’s opening loss to Mexico Sweden’s Robin Olsen fails to stop a by making four changes to his start- shot from Germany’s Tony Kroos ing line-up. (celebrating below) during their Jonas Hector recovered from flu to World Cup match in Sochi yesterday. replace Marvin Plattenhardt at left- back and Antonio Ruediger played for Sweden nearly took the lead in the Berg nearly doubled the lead two the injured Mats Hummels. 12th minute as Ruediger lost an easy minutes into first half stoppage time In addition, midfielders Mesut ball and it was immediately sent for- but Neuer was just barely able to fend Ozil and Sami Khedira were dropped ward to Marcus Berg, who had a long away his header. Germany came up for Marco Reus and Sebastian Rudy, run of trying to fend off Jerome Boat- with the answer they needed right respectively. eng before watching Germany keeper after the break, equalising 1-1 in the It was the first time that Ozil was Manuel Neuer do a good job stopping 48th minute. not in the starting line-up of a Euro his attempt. Werner’s pass from the left side or World Cup match since his first Iklay Guendogan came on for Rudy was deflected by half-time substitute cap in 2009 — a streak of 26 match- in the 31st minute after the Bayern Mario Gomez to Reus, who struck es. Sweden coach Janne Andersson Munich midfielder was hit in the face home with his knee. Olsen was forced swapped just one player with Man- by Toivonen’s boot. Germany com- to make a fine save against Hector in A German fan at the match. chester United’s Victor Lindelof mitted another poor error in the 32nd the 56th and Werner’s shot went just coming back from illness to replace minute — this time the four-time over the bar in the 80th. hammered a long blast off the left Pontus Jansson. Champions League winner Kroos, Germany were forced to play the post two minutes into stoppage time. Germany attacked straight away whose lazy pass was snatched up and final eight minutes a man down as Kroos made up for his earlier mis- and threatened Robin Olsen’s goal in immediately passed forward with Boateng was booked a second time. take with the game winner five min- just the second minute though Julian Viktor Claesson finding Toivonen, Gomez tried all he could in the 88th utes into stoppage time with a free Draxler and Timo Werner were both who chested down the ball and then minute but Olsen made another kick goal from the left side, curling in unable to strike from close range. looped it over Neuer for a 1-0 lead. spectacular save. And Julian Brandt a strike just inside the far right post. Serbia coach calls for referee ‘to be tried in The Hague’

AFP an independent nation if they had won the Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia was a UN “shameful provocation”. The player said in a Kaliningrad match. Despite opening the scoring through body that prosecuted the perpetrators of post-match interview his celebration was “just Aleksandar Mitrovic in the fifth minute, Serbia war crimes committed during the wars in the emotion” but added he was not allowed to talk lost 2-1 after Xhaka and Shaqiri netted for former Yugoslavia. about politics. erbia’s coach has reacted to his team’s Switzerland. It closed last year and the Mechanism for The Serbian football association reportedly World Cup defeat to Switzerland by call- They now face the daunting task of getting a International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) has complained to world football’s governing ing for the referee to be put on trial in a result against Brazil in their final game. taken over from it. body FIFA about the Kosovo flag that adorned Swar crimes tribunal in The Hague. Serbia were furious when German referee Krstajic also posted photographs from the one of Shaqiri’s boots. The match in Kaliningrad on Friday was played Felix Brych failed to award a penalty in the match on his Instagram account, accompa- “We sought that he change the boots. It in a highly charged atmosphere underpinned 66th minute after Mitrovic was wrestled to the nied by the comment: “Unfortunately, it seems was a provocation, we were playing against by Balkan politics. ground in the penalty area by Swiss defenders that only the Serbs are condemned to a selec- Switzerland, not Kosovo,” team off icial Jovan Switzerland’s goalscorers in their 2-1 win, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer. tive justice, once (it was) the damned Hague Surbatovic told Serbian state-run broadcaster Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, trace their “We were robbed,” Mladen Krstajic told Ser- and today in football the VAR...” RTS. roots to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia bian reporters yesterday, when asked about He was referring to the video assistant referee Kosovo declared independence in 2008, that declared independence in 2008 in a Brych’s decision. (VAR) that is being used at the World Cup to less then a decade after the 1998-1999 war move bitterly opposed by Belgrade. which has an ethnic Albanian majority, identify “I wouldn’t give him either a yellow or red check controversial incidents. Brych chose not between ethnic Albanian guerillas and Serb They celebrated their goals by making a dou- with the flag. card, I would send him to The Hague. Then to refer his decision on the penalty to review forces, but Belgrade — backed by its tradi- ble eagle gesture with their hands to repre- Serbia would have qualified for the knockout they could put him on trial, like they did to us.” by VAR. tional ally Russia — still refuses to recognise sent the Albanian flag. Many people in Kosovo, rounds of a World Cup for the first time as The Hague-based International Criminal The Serbian press called Shaqiri’s celebration the move. Tunisia have not won a World Cup game in 40 years, since beating Mexico 3-1 in the 1978 edition 2 Gulf Times Sunday, June 24, 2018

REPORT BEL 5-2 TUN REPORT KOR 1-2 MEX Rampant Hazard, Lukaku Mexico see off strike twice each South Korea to close on last 16

Reuters ble, of course we should en- Rostov-on-Don, Russia joy this but tomorrow we start in Belgian triumph working again.” exico built on the ROUSING CHANTS momentum from As the game kicked off Mexico ‘We had to suff er in spells but when we were in full flow, we look really sharp’ their stunning victo- fans sang “We are the home ry over world cham- team” and with green shirts Mpions Germany by overpowering dotted all over the stadium and Reuters Moscow South Korea 2-1 yesterday to take rousing chants of “Ole!” bellow- a giant step towards the World ing around the arena every time Cup last 16. their side passed the ball, it was wo goals each for Rome- Carlos Vela put them ahead hard to disagree. lu Lukaku and Eden from the penalty spot in the 26th Conditioned by the dry heat Hazard helped Belgium minute at Rostov Arena, which that has been a feature of every to a 5-2 win over Tunisia had been taken over by Mexico’s game at the Rostov Arena, Mex- Tyesterday that showcased their sea of fanatical supporters. ico did not quite have the same attacking verve and star quality All-time top scorer Javier Her- thrust and energy as against and put them fi rmly on course nandez sealed victory in the sec- Germany although they still for the World Cup knockout ond half, fi nishing off an unstop- controlled most of the play and phase. pable move from breakout player looked far more dangerous. Michy Batshuayi came off the Hirving Lozano. Korea improved on their open- bench to add a late fi fth but it It was Hernandez’s 50th goal for ing defeat by Sweden although was by no means all plain sailing his country and his fourth strike at their main tactic consisted of for Roberto Martinez’s side and a World Cup, taking him level with searching for Son with long balls they will be aware that they will Luis Hernandez as Mexico’s lead- behind the defensive line. need to tighten up at the back ing scorer in soccer’s global show- The closest they came to scor- considerably if they are to fi nally piece tournament. ing in the fi rst half was with make a push to a major tourna- Korea’s talismanic forward a header from a corner which ment summit after so many false Son Heung-min struck a scorch- Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo dawns. ing consolation goal in stoppage Ochoa tipped over the bar. Despite topping Group G with time from outside the area. Mexico’s breakthrough came six points and a goal diff erence Mexico will clinch their place when captain Andres Guardado’s of plus-six there is still the slim- in the next round if Germany cross was blocked by a stray arm mest of chances Belgium might fail to beat Sweden in the other from Korean defender Jang Hy- yet not qualify, though even a Group F game later on Saturday. un-soo, and Vela kept his nerve heavy defeat in their fi nal game The hapless Koreans, who from the spot, sending goalkeep- against England would be ex- have no points after two matches er Cho Hyeon-woo the wrong tremely unlikely to derail them. and have only won one of their way and stroking the ball home. An English victory over Pan- last 11 World Cup fi xtures, will be Lozano proved a constant ama would send England and eliminated if Sweden draw or win threat to the Koreans whenever Belgium through while a draw against Germany. he came darting down either would be enough to confi rm Bel- “We came to Russia with a lot wing, blasting over in the fi rst gium’s progress. of criticism but we’re working half and later having a goalbound “It’s not easy to score that hard and have a lot of talent. We shot blocked by opposing cap- amount of goals in two games,” have humility but we beat Ger- tain Ki Sung-yueng. said Martinez, as his team im- other misplaced Tunisian pass many and South Korea and now His remarkable pace punished pressively followed up their 3-0 enabled Thomas Meunier to we have to play against Sweden Korea, catching them out on opening win over Panama and feed Lukaku to make it 3-1 in and stay cool and calm,” goals- the break, allowing Hernandez helped Russia 2018 set a World stoppage time. corer Hernandez said. to fi nish them off , beating a de- Cup record for 27 tournament Following his double against “We cannot aff ord to get fender with a fl ick of his left foot games without a goalless draw. Panama it took the him to four caught up in all this, we have to and tucking the ball into the net “We had to suff er in spells but goals for the tournament, level continue our job and stay hum- with his right. when we were in full fl ow going with Portugal’s Cristiano Ron- forward, we look really sharp. On aldo, and made him Belgium’s top you have the talent and the highest scorer at a single World quality but since we came togeth- Cup — after one-and-a-half er it’s been a joy to see a group of games. players working so hard.” An inch-perfect Kevin de Martinez said Lukaku and Haz- Bruyne pass sent Hazard clear ard, who were withdrawn in the for a his brilliantly-fi nished sec- second half, and midfi elder Dries ond six minutes after the restart. Mertens, had slight injuries and Batshuayi then had a remark- could be among a series of chang- able last 20 minutes as he man- es for the England game. aged to blow three great chances in a row before fi nally fi nding the RAGGED DEFENDING target in the 90th with a good In yesterday’s clash, Belgium fi nish. were much the better team from There was still time for Tu- the off but they were seriously nisia to earn a reward for their aided and abetted by some rag- positive approach is as Wahbi ged defending and non-existing Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (left) celebrates his goal with Eden Hazard during the match against Tunisia at Khazri scored in stoppage time. marking from their opponents, Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) “We lost the ball in places where epitomised after six minutes we shouldn’t have, and when when Syam Ben Youssef need- captain calmly converted. second goal into the corner 10 a Dylan Bronn header as Bel- they had the ball, they hurt us,” lessly crashed into Hazard to Mertens seized on another er- minutes later. gium’s own sometimes shaky said Tunisia defender Syam Ben concede a penalty, which the ror to set up Lukaku to plant the Tunisia hit back quickly with defending was exposed but an- Youssef. Mexico’s Javier Hernandez celebrates their victory in the match against South Korea in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) Belgium to ring changes against England, says Martinez

Reuters on giving match time to others in the scored the sixth-minute penalty that Mexicans and their cardboard Moscow 23-man squad. forced Tunisia to open up as they chased Martinez insisted he was giving no three points, said he felt a twinge in his cutout friend thought to whether it might be better to calf and he was also substituted. elgium coach Roberto Martinez finish second rather than top the group, Dries Mertens, replaced for the last five Mexican supporter Javier Ama- become a viral hit on social will field a much-changed side which carries a risk of running into Bra- minutes by youngster Youri Tielemans, dor was all set to join his mates media, with fans and even po- Bagainst England in their final zil or Germany in the quarter-finals. is also carrying an ankle injury. on an epic Russian World Cup lice off icers queuing up to take World Cup Group G clash, resting a start- “Football has got a strange knack of Martinez pronounced himself satisfied adventure before crying off at selfies — as has the bus he and ing 11 who have all but qualified after punishing you when you don’t treat with a performance which he said had the last minute. the others are travelling in. scoring eight goals in two games. things professionally,” he said. shown further evidence of the team Disappointed, his friends An ex-school bus kitted out “It will be major changes against Lukaku, who scored twice but went off playing as a unit. decided that Javier would in full colourful Mexican England,” Martinez told reporters after on today. on the hour after picking up an ankle, “Today we’re allowed to celebrate,” accompany them in Russia splendour, was shipped over to yesterday’s 5-2 thumping of Tunisia in Injuries to striker Romelu Lukaku and will be assessed today. Michy Batshuayi, he said of the first time the country after all — in life-size cardboard Germany and with Javier has Moscow that means the Belgians will be his two forward support men did not who came on for the last 20 minutes and had scored five goals in a World Cup cutout form at any rate. caused a stir in Saint Peters- sure of reaching the last 16 if Panama, seem to trouble the Spaniard, but given scored, could cover for him. match. “The whole of Belgium should And to make him pay for burg, Moscow and Rostov-on- whom they beat 3-0, fail to beat England a lack of recovery time he is planning Captain Eden Hazard, who won and celebrate.” remaining back in Mexico, his Don. friends Daniel, Matthew and They take the replica Javier Roberto have the inanimate wherever they go, to restau- Javier decked out in a T-shirt rants, even to the toilet. with the caption: “My girlfriend Given all the publicity sur- Standings wouldn’t let me come.” rounding their trip, Matthew “He never really told us why he believes they will soon be didn’t come. Then we said that joined by Javier himself. P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts P W D L GF GA Pts somehow he had to pay for “Yep, I think he’ll come, what Group A Group C Group E Group G what he did,” smiled Matthew. with all the pressure that he’s Russia 2 2 0 0 8 1 6 France 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 Brazil 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Belgium 2 2 0 0 8 2 6 The bearded lookalike has under.” Uruguay 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 Denmark 2 1 1 0 2 1 4 Switzerland 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 England 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Egypt 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Australia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Serbia 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Panama 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 Saudi Arabia 2 0 0 2 0 6 0 Peru 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Costa Rica 2 0 0 2 0 3 0 Tunisia 2 0 0 2 3 7 0

Group B Group D Group F Group H Spain 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Croatia 2 2 0 0 5 0 6 Mexico 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 Japan 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Portugal 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 Nigeria 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Germany 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Senegal 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 Iran 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 Iceland 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 Sweden 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Colombia 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Argentina 2 0 1 1 1 4 1 South Korea 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 Poland 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 England’s last-gasp win over Tunisia was the fi rst time they won an opening game at the World Cup since 2006 3 Gulf Times Sunday, June 24, 2018

PREVIEW ENG vs PAN NIZHNY NOVGOROD, 3PM England looking for trusty lieutenants to captain Kane In the first match against Tunisia, Kane’s teammates had been culpable of missing out on scoring chances

AFP Repino, Russia Key facts

England, joint top with Belgium anded a winning start for the in Group G, will be on the brink of fi rst time in a major tourna- qualifying for the round of 16 if ment for 12 years by captain they beat Panama on Sunday. A Harry Kane’s injury-time disastrous campaign in 2014 saw Hwinner against Tunisia, England can them finish bottom of a group look forward to today’s meeting with containing Costa Rica, Uruguay Panama with a rare sense of World Cup and Italy. calm. Forward Dele Alli is a major A two-time Premier League Golden doubt for the game after missing Boot winner, Kane banished any re- training on Thursday as he looks maining doubts over his ability to per- to recover from a thigh injury he form on the biggest stage for his coun- picked up in England’s 2-1 win over try with the fi rst double by an English Tunisia on Monday. player at the World Cup since Gary The victory was also the first Lineker in 1990. time in 10 World Cup games in But Kane’s heroics in Volgograd pa- which England scored two or more pered over the cracks of his teammates’ goals, since a 2-2 draw against failure to fi nd the net with a host of Sweden in 2006. simple fi rst-half chances. Harry Kane’s brace was the first Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard by an Englishman at a World Cup were particularly culpable and while since Gary Lineker dispatched two Kane saved an inquest into England’s penalties in their 3-2 win over Cam- profl igacy and ponderous second-half eroon in the quarter-finals in 1990. performance, Sterling’s place against Panama suff ered a 3-0 loss to Panama may now be in jeopardy. Belgium in their first ever World The fi rst media storm of a hitherto Cup match, picking up five yel- relaxed campaign for the Three Lions low cards — the most by a team was brewing on Friday after Gareth in a World Cup game since the Southgate’s planned team was inad- Netherlands in the final of the 2010 vertently revealed when assistant man- edition against Spain. ager Steve Holland’s notes were photo- Panama have no major injury graphed at training on Thursday. concerns as coach Hernan Dario According to the notes, Marcus Gomez will look to prevent a first Rashford will replace Sterling with Ru- round exit. ben Loftus-Cheek stepping in for Dele Alli, who suff ered a thigh injury against HEAD-TO-HEAD Tunisia. Southgate criticised the media The two sides have never met. for giving England’s opponents an up- per hand. “If we were to give the opposition the opportunity of having our team it’s a ple of years, and I hope I’m still around disadvantage to us,” said Southgate. then, once they’ve become more sea- “So of course our media has to decide soned at this level, that could be really if they want to help the team or not.” exciting. It already is now.” In contrast to his 23-goal season at England’s Harry Kane (left) takes part in a training session with his teammates in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Reuters) Racking up goals against Panama club level for Premier League champions could be crucial if England are to top Manchester City, Sterling now hasn’t “I don’t think that’s happening in “He gets himself in great positions. If Southgate took the third youngest “It’s psychological, it’s about push- Group G. scored in his last 21 internationals. this group,” said the Manchester United we can fi nd him, we will, and, more of- squad in the tournament to Russia. ing the players to be match-winners Highly-fancied Belgium soared to However, Rashford refuted sugges- striker, who admitted to being an ad- ten than not, he’s going to score.” And Holland believes a more clini- but it is also a process,” he said. “It the top of the group by easing past tions England are too dependent on mirer of Kane’s ability to be in the right At 20, Rashford is just one of a host cal touch in front of goal will come with might just take the time that it takes. the World Cup debutants 3-0 in their Kane for goals. place at the right time. of exciting young English talents as experience. “If you imagine these guys in a cou- opening game.

PREVIEW JPN vs SEN YEKATERINBURG, 6PM Mane hails Salah ‘mental strength’ aft er World Cup Confi dent Japan keen to fl aunt attack against Senegal heartache AFP Yekaterinburg, Russia Key facts adio Mane said Liverpool teammate Mo- Japan opened their cam- hamed Salah has the mental strength to paign with a 2-1 victory over bounce back from injury and World Cup 10-man Colombia on Tuesday to heartache, revealing yesterday that he sent become the first Asian side to himS a message of support. beat South American opponents Salah and Egypt are already out of contention in at the World Cup. Russia with a group game still to play. Senegal became the first Liverpool’s top scorer last season missed the defeat African team to win a match at to Uruguay with a shoulder injury suff ered in last the 2018 World Cup when they month’s Champions League final. beat Poland 2-1 on Tuesday. He returned for Egypt’s 3-1 loss against the hosts but Japan are on their sixth was not at his sharpest despite scoring a penalty. World Cup appearance after Speaking ahead of Senegal’s clash with Japan today, making their debut at the 1998 Salah’s Liverpool forward partner Mane said: “I sent tournament in France. him a message a week ago, or a bit less. He is a The Blue Samurai have player who really wanted to play at this World Cup reached the last 16 twice, most but unfortunately he arrived with an injury. recently in South Africa in 2010. “I wish him the best. He is very strong mentally and A win against Senegal on Sun- fought hard to come back for his country but unfor- day will virtually assure them tunately they struggled. progress. “But that is football — you have to live with it. It is Senegal are making their normal to have diff iculties and now he is going to second appearance at the World have to prepare for next season.” Cup. They stunned defending Salah, who hit 44 goals for Liverpool in his debut champions France on the way to season, suff ered the injury in the Champions the quarter-finals in 2002. League final defeat to Real Madrid when Sergio No African team has bet- Ramos wrestled him to the floor. tered Senegal’s 2002 achieve- ment while Cameroon (1990) and Ghana (2010) have also reached the quarter-finals of the tournament. Japan’s coach Akira Nishino (second from left) and his players attend a training session in Yekaterinburg yesterday. (AFP) HEAD-TO-HEAD Japan Draw Senegal Reuters “We had to start by building the koto Hasebe said, referring to Carlos 2002, said. “You saw a Senegal team 0 0 2 Yekaterinburg, Russia base, which is defence,” midfi elder Sanchez’s dismissal which gave Japan very solid, very compact.” Genki Haraguchi told Kyodo news the advantage against Colombia. With 10 of their starting XI from agency. “But with that base in place, “The next game will be a diff erent the last match playing in Europe, Last meeting: Japan 0 Senegal 1 apan will look to further ex- our ability to attack and respond to story, we have to think about that,” including Liverpool forward Sadio (2003, friendly) plore their attacking poten- diff erent situations is increasing.” the defensive midfi elder added. Mane and Napoli defender Kalidou tial when they face Senegal in Victory saw Japan become the Koulibaly, Senegal resemble a well- a battle of the surprise con- fi rst Asian side to beat South Ameri- HIGH ON CONFIDENCE drilled European side and could tendersJ to advance to the knockout can opponents at the World Cup but Senegal come into the match equal- make life tough for Japan. thrust going forward, are confi dent stage from Group H today. they are fully aware that Senegal, ly high on confi dence after a strong Playing in their fi rst World Cup in they have what it takes to seal a third The Blue Samurai have largely who scored an upset 2-1 win over defensive display in Moscow helped 16 years, Senegal carry the hopes of trip to the last 16 — the furthest they worked on keeping things tight at the Poland, could pose a sterner test at them neutralise the Polish attack led Africa with Egypt and Morocco out have reached at a World Cup. back since head coach Akira Nishino the Ekaterinburg Arena. by Robert Lewandowski. while Nigeria and Tunisia both los- Progress could result in a possible took over from the sacked Vahid “We must keep our feet on the “Senegal won due to discipline,” ing their opening games. meeting with England or Belgium Halilhodzic in April but saw their at- ground... we have to take into ac- coach Aliou Cisse, captain of the Japan, who will bank on goalscor- but Nishino is not looking too far Senegal’s M’Baye Niang (left), Sadio Mane (second tack shift gears in Tuesday’s 2-1 win count that we played against 10 men side which beat holders France in ers Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako ahead. “We’ll focus on showing our from left) and teammates take part in a training over 10-man Colombia in Saransk. for almost 90 minutes,” skipper Ma- their fi rst ever World Cup match in as well as Keisuke Honda to provide strength in the next match,” he said. session in Yekaterinburg yesterday. (Reuters) Coach Adam Nawalka’s fi nal cap for Poland was against Colombia. It was the fi rst-ever meeting between the sides, and Poland won 4-1 4 Gulf Times Sunday, June 24, 2018

PREVIEW POL vs COL KAZAN, 9PM FOCUS ‘Angry’ Poland Death threats probe will beat clouds Colombia Colombia, says ‘It will be like a final. coach Nawalka

Each team will battle Reuters substitute against Senegal after Kazan, Russia suff ering an injury during train- preparations hard to keep the ball’ ing, and he ended up watching his replacement Thiago Cionek oland are still “angry” score an own goal that kicked off Reuters about their shock defeat the loss to Senegal. Kazan, Russia in the World Cup opener Nawalka said he was happy against Senegal and their with Glik’s recovery but stopped Prancour will propel them to vic- short of confi rming he would be olombia head into their World tory against Colombia, coach fi t to play at the Kazan Arena. Cup clash against Poland in Adam Nawalka said yesterday. “I’m very happy that Kamil Group H today under pressure The eighth-ranked Poles Glik is very strongly determined to get a result and with their are desperate for a result in the to return to the pitch, this is a preparationsC overshadowed by a police Group H clash in Kazan today, rare example of a player that af- investigation into death threats made to having given up two goals from ter such a serious injury is so midfi elder Carlos Sanchez. terrible defensive errors to lose strongly motivated to play,” add- In a grisly echo of the killing of An- 2-1 to the African side. ed the manager. dres Escobar, who was gunned down af- “We are expecting a very dif- “We want him to return to the ter scoring an own goal for Colombia at fi cult match, a very intensive team but we also want him to the 1994 World Cup, Sanchez received match,” Nawalka told reporters have time for his recuperation. threats on social media after receiving a through a translator at the pre- Whether the time is now, I will red card in the third minute of Tuesday’s match media conference at Kazan decide after training.” 2-1 loss against Japan. Arena. “But let me say, I strongly Ten-man Colombia lost 2-1 Sanchez was sent off for a deliberate believe that we will be victorious to Japan in another fi rst round handball after trying to block a shot in after tomorrow’s match. shock but the South Americans the area and will miss the Poland match “We were very angry after the could be bolstered by the return in Kazan today. (Senegal) match, so tomorrow we of danger man James Rodrigu- The Jose Pekerman-coached team want to play at a diff erent level. ez to the starting side after the closed ranks on Friday, undertaking a “A very good change happened playmaker started on the bench private training session at their ski resort within our team. An additional against the Blue Samurai while base outside of Kazan and declining to energy can be seen. We have a lot recovering from a muscle injury. comment on the Colombian police probe of stamina and we’re suffi ciently “We know what James can do, and their preparations for Poland, who prepared to play very good foot- he has played for many years at were upset 2-1 by Senegal in their opener. ball tomorrow.” the top level in the world,” Poland Queries remain over the fi tness of tal- Poland head into the match midfi elder Piotr Zielinski said. isman James Rodriguez, who was used as with concerns over their defence “So I believe that the Colom- a 59th-minute substitute against Japan as in the absence of centre back Ka- bia team appreciate that this is he recovers from a calf problem. mil Glik and the potency of their the guy that is like the locomo- Argentine Pekerman would prize dear- attack when talisman Robert tive of their team. ly the option of starting the Golden Boot Lewandowski is unable to score. “He is the driving force so he winner at the 2014 Brazil fi nals against Hard man Glik was an unused can be very, very dangerous.” eighth-ranked Poland, and alongside midfi eld partner Juan Quintero. Sanchez’s absence may open the door Colombian players take part in a training session in Kazan yesterday. (AFP) for Mateus Uribe to slot into midfi eld next to Jeff erson Lerma. After a stunning loss to Senegal, cour- Key facts tesy of a pair of howling errors, Poland might console themselves that they can Colombia and Poland were ex- only get better. The staff have promised pected to reach the knockout stage changes for a team that has the ability to in a relatively weak group but both both score and concede lots of goals. lost their opening matches to Japan With Senegal’s well-drilled backline and Senegal respectively, making a keeping Robert Lewandowski subdued, result imperative for both sides. manager Adam Nawalka will hope for Colombia coach Jose Peker- more midfi eld drive to boost supply to the man will be tempted to rush James country’s record goal-scorer. Rodriguez back into a starting role The recall of defensive stalwart Kamil after he was eased in as a substitute Glik, who missed the Senegal opener with against Japan while recovering from a shoulder injury, would be a huge boost a muscle injury. for Poland’s hopes of stopping the likes of Poland have never made it to the Rodriguez and front man Radamel Falcao. knockout rounds after conceding There are still doubts about Glik’s fi t- defeat in the first match at a World ness, however, so Thiago Cionek, his re- Cup, so they will need to defy history placement against Senegal, may keep his to advance in Russia. starting place despite scoring an own goal Poland will hope stalwart centre against the Africans. back Kamil Glik can return to shore Poland, who have never reached the up a shaky defence after he returned knockout rounds of a World Cup after to full training from a shoulder injury. losing their opening game, will need to shore up their defence in their fi rst com- HEAD-TO-HEAD petitive match against Colombia if they Poland Draw Colombia are to defy their history. 2 0 3 “It will be like a fi nal,” said Colombia striker Falcao. Last meeting: Poland 1 Colombia 2 “Each team will battle hard to keep the (2006, friendly) ball, and will close down the space for Poland’s forward Robert Lewandowski (right) takes part in a training session in Kazan their opponents to operate in.” yesterday. (AFP)

SPOTLIGHT World Cup heading for record number of penalties

Reuters with inconsistency in decision making play for goals, penalties, red cards and Samara frustrating teams and fans alike. mistaken identity. It cannot be used for Both Brazil and England felt that free kicks, which has left some players VAR should have been used to review frustrated. ne of the central themes from penalty decisions in their opening fi x- Denmark have conceded penalties in the early stages of the World tures, while Australia coach Bert van both of their Group C games, the latest Cup in Russia is the number Marwijk was left furious with the role being against Australia when Yussuf of penalties being awarded, the system played in his team’s loss to Poulsen was adjudged to have hand- manyO following the intervention of France. balled in the penalty area after VAR video assistant referees (VARs). “I hoped that maybe one time there alerted the match referee. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s missed penalty in will be a referee (who is) very honest,” However, Denmark believe there Iceland’s 2-0 loss to Nigeria on Friday the Dutchman, never a fan of the tech- was a foul on Poulsen in the build-up was the 12th of the tournament in the nology in principle, told reporters after to the incident that should have also fi rst 26 matches, of which nine were that match. been considered. scored. “The body language was that he “After today I don’t like the system,” In Brazil four years ago, there were didn’t know from my position. And said Danish midfi elder Christian Erik- only 13 penalties in the entire tourna- then you have to take a decision.” sen. ment. The World Cup record, set in However, FIFA remain convinced “Two matches in a row against us. 2002, stands at 18. that VAR has been a success. We thought about it afterwards and The role of VAR goes a long way to “Generally, it should be noted that there was a foul against Poulsen be- explaining this trend, with six penal- FIFA is extremely satisfi ed with the fore. We should have had the free kick ties so far being awarded following a level of refereeing to date and the suc- before that. video review. cessful implementation of the VAR “If you want to use for pens, you A penalty was also disallowed in system, which on the whole has been should also use for free kicks.” Brazil’s win over Costa Rica on Friday positively accepted and appreciated The debate over VAR looks set after VAR deemed there not to have within our football community,” said to continue, as does the rise in the been a foul on Neymar. FIFA Media Relations Manager Gio- number of penalties. FIFA’s director of refereeing, Mas- vanni Marti. If the current rate of 0.46 penalties a simo Busacca, said before the tourna- One of the main areas for confusion game continues, then the World Cup is ment that VAR would not be perfect at appears to be what VAR reviews can be on course for a total of 29 spot kicks be- Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (left) waits as referee sets up the penalty shot during the match against Nigeria in Volgograd, Russia, the tournament and so it has proved, used for. The system only comes into ing awarded by the tournament’s end. on Friday. The missed penalty was the 12th of the tournament in the first 26 matches. (Reuters) Swiss players Shaqiri and Xhaka have roots in Kosovo, a former province of Serbia that has declared independence 5 Gulf Times Sunday, June 24, 2018

REACTION SPOTLIGHT Chechen leader Switzerland coach gives Egypt star Salah honorary unimpressed with citizenship win celebrations

‘You should never mix politics and football, it’s good to be a fan and important to show respect’

AFP Kaliningrad

wiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said yesterday that politics and foot- ball should “never mix” after two Splayers celebrated goals in a 2-1 victory over Serbia with political gestures. DPA Kadyrov invited the Egyp- Xherdan Shaqiri’s last minute winner Moscow tian national team, which has capped an impressive comeback for the been training for the World Swiss in an eventful Group E encounter Cup in Chechnya, to play a in Kaliningrad after Arsenal midfi elder he leader of southern friendly match against local Granit Xhaka levelled following Ale- Russia’s predomi- football team Akhmat Grozny, ksandar Mitrovic’s opener. nantly Muslim region the report said. Both Shaqiri and Xhaka have roots in of Chechnya, Ramzan Salah was pictured with Kosovo, a former province of Serbia that TKadyrov, has bestowed hon- Kadyrov when Egypt trained has declared independence, a fact that orary citizenship upon Egyp- in Grozny for the fi rst time stoked tensions before and during Friday’s tian star forward Mohamed before the tournament started clash. Salah, local media reported. — a controversial action which Both players pointedly celebrated scor- The Liverpool star Salah raised eyebrows given western ing by making a double eagle gesture with Switzerland’s Xherdan scored Egypt’s only goal at the governments allege Chechen their hands to represent the Albanian fl ag, Shaqiri celebrates scoring World Cup so far in a 3-1 de- authorities are guilty of vari- with which many people in Kosovo iden- against Serbia on Friday. feat to hosts Russia. With one ous human rights abuses. tify. game remaining, they have Kadyrov has denied those Although the win puts Switzerland in already been eliminated from abuses and disputed he was pole position to make it out of a tough Group A. using Salah for propaganda group containing fi ve-times winners Bra- “Salah is an honorary citi- purposes. “We don’t use this zil, Petkovic was unimpressed with his zen of the Chechen Republic. I kind of thing for politics,” he players’ celebrations. signed the decree tonight... for told the BBC. “Our enemies “You should never mix politics and this great footballer,” Kadyrov are paid to write articles like football, it’s good to be a fan and impor- said in comments carried by that. I didn’t invite Mohamed tant to show respect,” he told reporters the Interfax news agency on Salah or the Egyptian team. after the game. Friday. They chose us themselves.” “It’s clear that emotions surface. I think Earlier, Serbia had started brightly, an- Serbia could have gone in two goals to off side trap to slot home calmly as the 90 on and off the pitch we need to steer away chored by Manchester United’s Nemanja the good at the break but Matic missed a minutes wound down. from politics in football and we should Matic and causing the Swiss defence glorious chance when Tadic’s in-swinging “We lost our bearings a little in the fi rst focus on this as a sport that brings people problems down the right fl ank in the form corner found him unmarked at the back half but we bounced back,” said Petkovic. Plane with Peru World Cup fans suff ers together.” of Southampton winger Dusan Tadic. post but he couldn’t sort his feet out. “What is important is that we’ve devel- Shaqiri had been booed relentlessly by Mitrovic too looked lively, winning Switzerland grew in stature after the oped this winning mentality. Even when engine failure in Russia, nobody hurt Serbia fans throughout a high-quality header after header over the Swiss centre break and were rewarded with a spectacu- we are down we keep our heads up and try match, but the Stoke City forward had the backs and he opened the scoring on fi ve lar equaliser courtesy of Xhaka’s left foot. to win every game.” Russian passenger in the second turboprop last laugh with his last ditch winner. minutes with an emphatic fi nish off an They had the better chances in the sec- Switzerland now need only a draw plane carrying Pe- engine,” Rosaviatsiya said in “In football you have always emotions exquisite cross from Tadic. ond period, with Shaqiri’s curling eff ort against Costa Rica in their fi nal Group E ruvian soccer fans a statement. “As a result of and you can see what I did and it’s just Switzerland, who came to Russia ranked from the edge of the area grazing Stojko- match, while Serbia need at least a point Afrom the World the abnormal engine activity, emotion,” he said in reference to his con- ahead of the likes of France and Spain, felt vic’s bar on the hour mark. against Brazil to reach the knockout stages Cup city of Ekaterinburg to smoke from overheated oil troversial celebration. their way into the game as the fi rst-half Petkovic brought on attackers Breel for the fi rst time. Tyumen in Siberia landed got into the passenger cabin “I’m very happy to score the goal, that’s progressed. Embolo and Mario Gavranovic in search of “From day one when we saw the group safely on Friday after an en- of the aircraft through the air- all.” Xhaka, whose 52rd-minute piledriver On the half-hour mark, Steven Zuber a winner, and Gavranovic forced a smart draw many thought that Brazil was the gine fault caused the cabin conditioning system.” set up the Swiss comeback, also made the cleverly teed up Blerim Dzemaili but the save from Stojkovic from a close range ef- favourite,” said Serbia coach Mladen Kr- to fill with smoke, Russia’s Rosaviatsiya said the smoke “double eagle” gesture after his goal. Hoff enheim man got his feet in a muddle fort with 10 minutes remaining. stajic. air transport regulator said soon cleared from the cabin His father, an ethnic Albanian, was im- and Vladimir Stojkovic was able to parry But it was Shaqiri who struck the de- “We need a win and we will focus and yesterday. and that the pilot was able to prisoned in Serbia in the 1980s. away. cisive blow, breaking through Serbia’s do whatever we can to try and do that.” Safety concerns have safely land the plane on one plagued Russia’s airline engine. industry, which has witnessed A spokeswoman for Utair multiple fatal crashes in said media reports about a Apologetic Tunisia coach says Arab teams have long way to go recent years, and the engine fire breaking out on the plane of a plane carrying Saudi were incorrect. Arabia’s soccer team caught “The crew acted as instructed Moscow: Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul apologised to his games since they beat Mexico at the 1978 tournament. goalkeeper (Farouk Ben) Mustapha who played superbly.” fire earlier this week. and landed the aircraft as team’s fans after their 5-2 World Cup defeat to Belgium “We would like to apologise to the Tunisian fans who were Maaloul said that it would take two generations for Arab Russia’s state aviation agency, usual. The plane taxied in yesterday and said Arab teams have a long way to go numerous in the stadium and we will try to improve in the football to catch up. Rosaviatsiya, said yesterday independently, the passen- before they can compete at the highest level. future,” said Maaloul, according to the off icial translation. “We did not disappoint the Arab world, we did not give up that a Utair plane which was gers left via the stairs without Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have lost all “We have to be honest, a 5-2 scoreline is ridiculous but we on our Arab fans,” he said. carrying Peruvian fans back using the emergency equip- eight of their matches between them at the World Cup were not ridiculous in the way we played. If you look at “We have common problems, I don’t think we have high to Moscow via Tyumen after ment,” she said in written and the latter three have already been eliminated. Tunisia, ball possession, we did not do too badly. quality performance, we need to change our lifestyle watching their national side comments to Reuters. meanwhile, have only a remote mathematical chance of “It’s very diff icult to win against players who can make the because it is not in line with high-level football, we need to lose 1-0 to France in Ekater- Utair is now working with progressing. diff erence at any moment with good passes and through change the way we train.” inburg, had suff ered engine aviation authorities to Maaloul conceded that the scoreline was “ridiculous” balls. “I’ve said ever since we drew this group that Bel- “We need two more generations to reach (the top) level of failure. investigate whether a foreign although his team’s performance was not as they gium would be very tough opponents. performance in terms of fitness and physical strength. We “During the landing ap- object got into the engine, extended their 40-year World Cup winless run to 13 “They would have scored more had it not been for our are far from the required level.” proach there was a failure she added.

BOTTOMLINE Questions about Brazil’s mental focus persist Reuters team mates defended his public display of Brazil’s next game is against Serbia on following Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw with Swit- Sochi emotion. Wednesday. The Brazilians are now in pole po- zerland last weekend. “I think you have to let it out, a great weight sition at the top of the group with four points, That raised fears, particularly as it was just was lifted off our shoulders,” Thiago Silva said, ahead of Switzerland who also have four, on above the foot that he fractured playing for razil’s late World Cup win over Costa in quotes reported by Globo’s website. “I told goal diff erence. Paris Saint-Germain in late February, before Rica takes them to the top of the Group him that (crying) is good. Cry as much as you Serbia are in third place with three points undergoing surgery. E but they have failed to convince in want, only you know what you went through to with only two teams qualifying for the knock- He did not start a game again until Brazil’s fi - their two matches so far and the focus be at the World Cup.” out stage. Costa Rica are bottom of the stand- nal World Cup warm-up friendly in Austria two isB once again shifting to the South American Brazil’s oscillating emotions were also laid ings and already out the tournament. weeks ago, and he took a further knock on the side’s old foe — emotional stability. bare in other comments made by Silva. Meanwhile, Brazil’s team doctor said Neymar left ankle in Friday’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica. Neymar broke down in tears when the fi nal A team mate of Neymar’s at Paris St Germain, has now “totally recovered” from the foot in- Despite that, he was still on the pitch to score whistle went as the relief of two goals in stop- he said he was upset at his friend for swearing at jury that required surgery and saw him miss the his team’s late second goal in Saint Petersburg. page time fl ooded out of him. him for returning the ball to the Costa Ricans in end of the club season. “The problem with his left ankle is not some- Pictures of the world’s most expensive player a show of fair play. However, winger Douglas Costa will miss the thing that worries us. Tomorrow he will train nor- crying on the pitch after the 2-0 win on Friday The tempestuous forward was, in addition, side’s fi nal World Cup Group E outing against mally with the rest of the players,” said Lasmar. brought back memories of four years ago when caught several times on camera swearing at the Serbia on Wednesday. The Brazilian camp were unhappy with the captain Thiago Silva sobbed uncontrollably referee in Portuguese. “I would like everyone to understand Ney- treatment Neymar received in the Swiss game, ahead of the penalty kicks decider against Chile Neymar’s obsession with social media has mar’s situation, and that he no longer has any when statistics showed he was fouled 10 times. in the last 16. undoubtedly opened him up to more criticism problem with his right foot,” Rodrigo Lasmar And Lasmar reiterated those complaints. Brazil were questioned at that tournament — and pressure — than ever but former players told journalists at Brazil’s World Cup training “Opponents commit fouls to try to stop him,” for their psychological readiness — the players’ acknowledged even the most balanced individ- base in Sochi. he said. “We expect the refereeing to contain looked seriously freaked by Neymar’s absence ual is under massive stress in Russia. “He has totally recovered but he is still build- that. I am not specifi cally talking about the risk ahead of their 7-1 capitulation to Germany in “The demands on the players here at the ing up his rhythm and his confi dence. He is to Neymar. Fouls can happen.” the semi-fi nal — and the same questions are World Cup are huge,” Ronaldo, who won the feeling better with every game.” Juventus winger Costa will not be able to face starting to be asked now. Brazil forward Neymar reacts after scoring World Cup in 1994 and 2002, said in a TV Globo Lasmar sought to reassure Brazilian media Serbia in Moscow due to a thigh problem suf- In a typically defi ant post on Instagram, against Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg broadcast. “The team didn’t play bad but so worried about Neymar’s fi tness after he limped fered after coming on as a half-time substitute Neymar claimed his tears were of joy and his Stadium in Saint Petersburg on Friday. much is expected of them.” out of a training session with a sore right ankle against Costa Rica. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, June 24, 2018 SPORT

RUGBY FOCUS England end barren run by beating Ireland beat Aussies Springboks 25-10

Reuters ing game with ball in hand. Cape Town After Bok fl yhalf Elton Jantjies, who had a poor game in the place of the rested Handre Pollard, had missed an 20-16 for fi rst away aptain Owen Farrell early penalty, Farrell booted kicked 20 points as England ahead on 10 minutes. England ended their It took until 37 minutes for fi ve-match winless the next score as South Af- runC with a deserved 25-10 vic- rica were penalised for slow- tory over South Africa in the ing down the play at the ruck third and fi nal test at a wet and after Jantjies had dropped the windy Newlands yesterday. ball to put his side under pres- series win in 39 years England played the better sure deep in their own half and wet-weather Rugby as they Farrell landed the simple kick. Johnny Sexton kicks five penalties to hand visitors narrow win in Sydney forced the Springboks, who The Boks were on the board ended up winning the series with the last play of the fi rst 2-1, into numerous errors with half when Jantjies kicked a the platform for victory laid penalty after the hooter as by a 14-6 penalty count in England transgressed at the their favour. ruck and the visitors led 6-3 at Wing Jonny May also added the break. a late try, superbly set up by a England won a scrum pen- kick from fl yhalf Danny Cipri- alty early in the second pe- ani, who was making his fi rst riod, again after Jantjies had start for England in a decade dropped the ball, that was but had little other infl uence converted by Farrell. on the game in the diffi cult The fi rst try of the game was conditions.The only try for scored by the Boks soon after- the Boks came from centre wards in a move started and Jesse Kriel as the home side, fi nished by Kriel. who made fi ve changes for the He found the slightest of test, battled to breach a reso- gaps in the visitors’ defence lute England defence. out wide and tore into the The conditions suited the England 22. Fullback Warrick visitors and they maximised Gelant then supplied a clever that advantage with a more grubber kick and Kriel was intelligent and accurate kick- able to gather over the line.

HOCKEY India beat Pakistan in Champions Trophy

IANS used pace in the midfi eld to Breda, Holland hold sway, and did not allow India easy circle entry. India tried high balls to Peter O’Mahony of Ireland holds aloft the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the series against Australia in Sydney yesterday. (AAP) ndia thrashed arch-rivals penetrate and make space in Pakistan 4-0 in the inau- the striking circle but it did AFP Test tour in 1979. a prized scalp in a brilliant year. Folau went for a high ball with ill-discipline, conceding eight gural match of the Cham- not work. However, a clever Sydney But Joe Schmidt’s team fought But it was a chastening result O’Mahony, who crashed heavily penalties in the controlled Irish pions Trophy hockey stick work by Mandeep Singh back from losing the opening for Australia, who have lost a to the ground. After interven- attacks. Ireland went on the at- Itournament yesterday. in the baseline helped India game 18-9 in Brisbane to win the home series for the second time tion from the television match tack straight after the resump- Ramandeep Singh, Dilpreet win the fi rst PC of the match. reland clung on in a titanic fi nal two Tests in Melbourne and in two years after going down offi cial, Folau was given a yellow tion and after a pinpoint kick Singh, Mandeep Singh and The chance though went battle to down the Walla- Sydney and end their 39-year 3-0 to England in 2016. card and O’Mahony was taken from Sexton were deep in Aus- Lalit Upadhyay scored for the begging as Harmanpreet bies 20-16 and win their fi rst away win drought against Aus- from the fi eld on a medicab. tralia’s territory. men in blue who completely Singh couldn’t get the right Test series in Australia in 39 tralia. In a gripping second half, 17-phase attack Conor Murray had a try dis- The forwards piled in for a dominated their opponents pace on his fl ick, as Pakistan’s Iyears in Sydney yesterday. the Wallabies clawed back from The Wallabies suff ered an allowed by the TMO but in the pushover try to CJ Stander off a throughout at the packed BH experienced goalkeeper Imran Star fl y-half Johnny Sex- 17-9 down to close to within one early blow when skipper Hooper same incident Adam Cole- lineout win to open up an eight- & BC Hockey Stadium here. Butt broke no sweat to save. ton kicked a pressure penalty a point before Sexton landed his injured his left leg in a clean-out man was penalised for off side, point lead after 44 minutes. It was Roelant Oltmans- The second quarter was minute from full-time to clinch fi fth penalty of the night to seal and limped from the fi eld, to be giving Sexton the easy task of But the Wallabies hit back coached Pakistani outfi t who crucial for India after a goal- victory after Australia had the win. replaced by Pete Samu. putting Ireland 9-6 ahead near after Foley’s stab kick behind were on the attack mode right less start. Mandeep brought fought back from eight points It was a game dripping with Ireland were reduced to 14 half-time. Foley and Sexton ex- the Irish defence was seized by from the start. India’s goal- hope again with another im- down in the second half. controversy as both teams had a men when winger Jacob Stock- changed penalties, both for off - winger Marika Koroibete, who keeper PR Sreejesh was put pressive eff ort to fetch India Ireland held on to win a three- player sent to the sin bin and also dale received a yellow card for sides, as the Irish turned 12-9 beat Rob Kearney and took Sex- to task in the initial minutes their second PC in the open- match series for the fi rst time in lost their skippers, Australia’s leading with his elbow to the ahead. Ireland once again domi- ton over the line to score. Foley of the match when Mohamed ing minute of the quarter but the southern hemisphere, to add Michael Hooper and Ireland’s throat of Wallabies scrum-half nated territory, possession and converted for the Wallabies to Irfan Junior took a strong shot a poor injection wasted the to their Grand Slam Six Nations Peter O’Mahony, to injury in the Nick Phipps midway through the run metres in the opening close to within one point, 17-16, on goal but the Indian skipper opportunity. India missed yet victory earlier this year. Ireland, fi rst half. The Irish came close to the half. Bernard Foley kicked half and at one stage ran through after 54 minutes. But Sexton had was up to the challenge, mak- another chance in the follow- who trail only world champions beating another southern hemi- the penalty to put Australia in 17 phases in the opposition the fi nal word with a pressure ing an impressive save. ing minutes when forward New Zealand in the international sphere power, South Africa, in a front 6-3. quarter before the Australians kick from wide out after replace- For Pakistan, it was the ex- Dilpreet’s quick-fi re assist to standings, hadn’t won a series in three-Test series two years ago There was controversy in got the ball clear. ment hooker Tolu Latu was pe- perienced Mohamed Irfan Ramandeep was not trapped Australia since they swept a two- only to go down 2-1, making this the 31st minute when Israel The Wallabies again paid for nalised in a maul. holding their defence. They properly.

SPOTLIGHT Ioane treble as NZ whip France in 7-try spree AFP “But in the second half the All tion by Kelian Galletier took Les Dunedin Blacks raised the speed of the Bleus deep into New Zealand game. We tried to keep up with territory. them but perhaps we should Parra went off with a head ieko Ioane scored a daz- have played at our own pace.” knock as France repeatedly zling second-half hat- It rounded off a torrid tour for pounded the line until his re- trick as New Zealand France, who have had little luck placement scrum-half, Serin, punished France 49-14 with referees after a controver- dummied his way over the line. toR complete a clean sweep of sial yellow card in their 52-11 fi rst However, as in the fi rst two their three-Test series in Dun- Test defeat and an early red card, Tests, the All Blacks responded edin yesterday. later rescinded, in last week’s immediately to the early French With both sides relishing at- 26-13 loss. salvoes, fi ring back with two tacking on a fi rm surface in an quick tries. enclosed stadium, there were One eye on World Cup The fi rst was to fullback Ben nine tries, seven for the All McKenzie converted all the Smith after the hosts turned Blacks – including Ioane’s treble All Blacks’ tries to fi nish with a down a shot at goal in favour of and two to Damian McKenzie. match haul of 24 points, while a lineout, and the second went to But while the scoreline was Ioane took his try haul to 16 from Matt Todd from a lineout drive. “very pleasing” for coach Steve 16 Tests. France replied with a well- Hansen, it was not the overall Despite mass changes in the taken try to Wesley Fofana as performance he wanted from a All Blacks team, quick feet and they dominated possession, and new-look line up that was for- outrageous offl oads produced the powerful work of Galletier tunate to be ahead 21-14 at half- a helter-skelter game in which and Kevin Gourdon allowed the time. France were competitive for the Fofana and Remi Lamerat part- “We just need to get better fi rst half-hour when the scores nership to get in behind the All right across the park,” he said. were tied 14-14. Blacks. “The fi rst six or seven minutes But after McKenzie’s fi rst try It took New Zealand’s new- we were under the pump and – helped by Lacey’s accidental look backline until the second right up until half-time it could obstruction – put the All Blacks half to achieve the same pen- have gone either way.” up 21-14 at the turn, France were etration, with McKenzie scoring French coach Jacques Brunel unable to fi nd a way back. his second try fi ve minutes after believed McKenzie’s fi rst try, Hansen was vindicated in his the restart. just before the break, should decision to make 10 changes and Despite McKenzie’s points have been disallowed as Irish blood four new Test players, with tally, he had a mixed game in his referee John Lacey blocked Bap- next year’s World Cup in mind. fi rst-start at fl y-half. He had tiste Serin from tackling the fl y- His aim was to build depth and problems with his tactical kick- half. But Brunel admitted that the match-day 23 included only ing and passing but when he ran, when the All Blacks stepped up six players who featured in the his acceleration and body swerve a gear in the second half, France quarter-fi nal win over France in baffl ed the French. had few answers. the World Cup three years ago. “Really, at half-time the score But it was France who made could have been equal with the the blitz start that stand-in cap- Reiko Ioane of New Zealand scores a referee getting in the way for tain Morgan Parra had called try in the third Test against France in that try,” he said. for, after a well-timed intercep- Dunedin yesterday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Sunday, June 24, 2018 7 SPORT

TENNIS SPOTLIGHT Relentless Cilic edges Kyrgios to Federer beats Kudla set up Djoko fi nal

Reuters covering from 15-40 at 2-2 in London the second set. As the set sped towards an- other tiebreaker, the pressure op seed Marin Cilic was beginning to tell on Kyr- to reach Halle fi nal ended Nick Kyrgios’s gios as he yelled “I can’t focus”. entertaining run at the Sure enough a Kyrgios dou- ‘I’m very happy, I’ve never played back-to-back finals on grass in the Wimbledon run-up’ Fever-Tree Queen’s ble-fault at the start of the ClubT championships with a tiebreak gave the initiative to AFP 7-6(3), 7-6(4) victory yester- Cilic who quickly built a 6-3 Halle Westfalen, Germany Roger Federer celebrates aft er defeating Denis day as he reached the fi nal for lead and although he netted on Kudla in the ATP tennis tournament in Halle, the fourth time. his fi rst match point he con- western Germany, yesterday. (AFP) A high-level semi-fi nal full verted the second when Kyr- oger Federer booked his of thundering serves boiled gios skewed a backhand wide. 12th career fi nal at the down to two tiebreaks in which While Kyrgios will be frus- ATP Halle grass tourna- the ice-cool Cilic proved the trated, his level during the ment yesterday, beating more composed player to set week augurs well for his Wim- qualifiR er Denis Kudla 7-6 (7/1), 7-5. up a Sunday showdown with bledon prospects. The Swiss needs to win the former world number one No- “I’ve played some good Ten- title on Sunday - it would be vak Djokovic. nis, have played some tough his tenth at the event - to re- Unseeded Djokovic was opponents. I played a lot of main world number one head- given some trouble by Jeremy three-setters and a lot of Ten- ing into Wimbledon. He will face Chardy in the opening set but nis. That’s a positive. My body Croatian Borna Coric, who ad- prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4 to take feels pretty good,” he said. vanced 2-3 when Spanish fourth his record over the Frenchman Wildcard Djokovic seemed seed Roberto Bautista Agut had to 11-0 and 26-0 in sets. agitated at times as Chardy, to retire after slipping on the World number six Cilic was who has won 12 of 13 matches grass and injuring himself. out-aced 16-11 but never gave on grass over the past three Federer’s win over Kudla was Australian maverick Kyrgios a weeks, proved a tricky oppo- his 20th in a row on grass, dating sniff of a service break. nent. The Frenchman made to June, 2017. He sat out the clay “It’s special to play here several errors in the tiebreak court season and began on grass and I’ve played great Tennis though and was broken at 4-4 last week with a title at Stuttgart. throughout the week and it’s in the second - the only break “I’m very happy, I’ve never great to have another shot at of serve in the day’s two semi- played back-to-back fi nals on the title,” the 2012 Queen’s fi nals - before Djokovic sealed grass in the Wimbledon run-up,” champion said on a sunny the win. Federer said. centre court. He has a 14-1 winning “This is a fi rst for me.” “Nick is serving so good and record over Cilic but might be Federer is back in a familiar it was tough to get a look on second-favourite on Sunday spot in Halle, which models its the service returns. As expect- with the Croatian in superb Centre Court after its namesake ed a couple of points made the form. at the All England club, as he diff erence in the tiebreaks.” “I will play with two rac- works to fi ne-tune with a Wim- Kyrgios, ranked 21, had quets! One in the right hand bledon title defence starting a served 82 aces on his way to and one in the left hand!” week tomorrow. “I was happy to the semi-fi nal and was in scin- Djokovic said when asked how win Stuttgart and happy to make tillating form against defend- he would cope with the power another fi nal here. My comeback a lot of bad bounces. Nadal doing light Mauresmo appointed French Davis Cup captain ing champion Feliciano Lopez of Cilic’s serve. (after skipping the clay) has been “But I told myself in the set preparation for Wimbledon on Friday. rather successful.” to shake it off , don’t let things Rafael Nadal, fresh from win- Amelie Mauresmo was yesterday unveiled as the first woman to He could not quite reach “I hope I can fi nd my best bother me, don’t get too bad as ning his 11th title on the clay at captain France’s Davis Cup team, a ground-breaking appointment in that level again but was still game. I’ve said you usually start it happens to both. I want to do Roland Garros, will start on the which Andy Murray played a major role. Mauresmo singled out the happy with his grasscourt playing your best towards the well and win, I have a winning grass courts at Wimbledon on Scot, who had hired her as a coach in 2014. “I am thinking of Andy form having lost narrowly to end of a tournament, so hopeful- mentality and sometimes I can July 2 “with less preparation,” he because without him I would not be here today. He had confidence Roger Federer in the Stuttgart ly I’m gonna have a good fi nal.” get unhappy or frustrated.” told Spanish newspaper El Espa- in me when others thought that it was an aberration,” Mauresmo semis last week and beaten Federer needed just under 90 Federer gained the crucial nol. Nadal, 32, has been training told a press conference yesterday. former Wimbledon champion minutes to get the job done and service break for a 6-5 lead as for the past week on Mallorca, Mauresmo succeeds Yannick Noah next year, the French tennis Andy Murray for the fi rst time hold off the 109th-ranked Kudla, Kudla returned long, and the his home island. He will travel federation (FFT) announced. In contrast, Julien Benneteau, who at Queen’s. who had not lost a set going into Swiss closed out the victory a to London on Monday to step up retires after the US Open in September, will take the reins of France’s “The last couple of weeks, the semi-fi nal. game later on the fi rst of two his preparation for the tourna- side in the women’s equivalent the Fed Cup. Mauresmo, who turns I feel pretty untouchable on Taming Kudla was no easy match points. ment he won in 2008 and 2010 . 39 next month, was captain of the Fed Cup team in 2015 and 2016, serve. Today I just didn’t have task, with Federer losing a break The 36-year-old has reached “I had a very intense campaign and led them from the second division to the final of the competi- any chances to break at all,” after taking an early 2-0 lead. the fi nal four in each of his last 14 on clay and my body needed rest tion, which they lost to the Czech Republic in Strasbourg. Mauresmo, the 23-year-old told reporters. The fi rst set went into a tie- Halle appearances. because drastic changes are not an Olympic silver medallist in 2004, will also be the chef de mission breaker where the 20-time Grand Coric, the world number 34 good,” Nadal said in an interview for the French men’s tennis team in the Tokyo Olympics in two years. POTENT WEAPON Slam winner was able to step his will be playing his fi rst grass fi nal published yesterday. FFT president Bernard Giudicelli hailed a “completely groundbreak- His serve was a potent game up a gear, racing to 6-0 in the and stands 1-3 in ATP fi nals on “I had to spend time adapting ing choice” of putting “a woman in charge of French men’s tennis”. weapon again and in the eighth decider and taking it two points all surfaces. His lone win came physically and in my tennis to Mauresmo is unique among French players of the modern era. She game of the fi rst set he bashed later with his seventh ace. The in 2017 in Casablanca. He has lot the surface,” he said. is the only one to be ranked No. 1 in the world (for 39 weeks in 2004 down three consecutive aces top-seeded Swiss kept the pres- twice to Federer, most recently “I will certainly arrive at and 2006). She also won two majors - the Australian Open and before playing one of his sure on Kudla in the second, but in the Indian Wells semi-fi nals Wimbledon with less prepara- Wimbledon in 2006 - as well as the Fed Cup, in 2003. Mauresmo also trademark ‘tweeners’ to level expressed a moment of frustration last March. tion, but...I’m going with confi - has a solid record as a coach. In addition to the Fed Cup team, she at 4-4. as he drove a ball over the stadium “My chances are not big for dence high because I played very coached Murray, one of the men’s ‘Big Four’, for two years (2014- Cilic, runner-up to Roger walls after losing a point in the sure, obviously,” he said. “But well through the whole clay- 2016), advised Marion Bartoli on the way to a triumph at Wimbledon Federer at Wimbledon last third game of the second set. I’m going to go out there and en- court season.” in 2013 and before that worked with Michael Llodra, one of her rivals year and this year’s Australian “I hit out of the stadium every joy it. I didn’t expect this at the He explained that “from next for the Davis Cup job. Open, was relentless, however, other day in practise,” he said. beginning of the week. Today I week I’m going to step it up, train Mauresmo’s charisma and experience were pluses. So too were her and seized on a couple of Kyr- Croatia’s Marin Cilic celebrates “But it doesn’t happen much on was a little bit lucky. I’m sorry hard and play a couple of exhibi- connections. She is close to outgoing captain Noah and also to her gios groundstroke errors in the his victory over Australia’s live TV. “But I fi nd it very funny for Roberto. But I can rest a little tion matches” in London as he former coach Loic Courteau, now part of the FFT staff , and Xavier opening tiebreak to pocket the Nick Kyrgios in the Queen’s and comical, it makes me smile bit now which is good. I’m going prepares to take on his rival for Moreau, the physical trainer of the Davis Cup team. fi rst set. Kyrgios saved the only Club Championships semifinal inside. This is a tough court with to try to win. That’s for sure.” the No. 1 ranking, Roger Federer. break points of the match, re- in west London. (AFP)

GOLF HORSE RACING Merchant Navy fl ies ‘10-second’ rule denies Johnson the fl ag for O’Brien

AFP Moore with a great ride but the London Englishman admitted the fi n- ish was so tight with Soumil- share of lead with Harman lon alongside him that what he Reuters “I probably should have really “I need to do a little bit of ormer Australian star thought at that moment was New York walked slow up there and taken work on the range this afternoon Merchant Navy gave ‘unrepeatable’. my time. It’s a rule protection for and get more comfortable for the recordbreaking Irish “This is a remarkable horse, pace of play,” Johnson told Golf weekend,” the Northern Irish- trainer Aidan O’Brien for him to come out and win wo-times major cham- Channel after carding a two- man said. Defending champion hisF fi rst Group One winner today in just his second run pion Zach Johnson fell under-par 68. Jordan Spieth, who shared the of the week at Royal Ascot in in the northern hemisphere,” foul of the “10-sec- “They said it took about 15 fi rst-round lead with Johnson, a thrilling Diamond Jubilee said jockey Ryan Moore of the ond rule” on Friday but seconds to fall in, so I was about backtracked with a 73 to plunge Stakes yesterday. winner. Tmanaged to stay close to the fi ve seconds over.” six strokes off the pace. Merchant Navy – who cost “Aidan has done an amazing lead as the American ended the Johnson ended the day in a tie A triple-bogey at the par- O’Brien’s employers Cool- job with him. second round one stroke be- for second with fellow American fi ve 13th included two penalty more Stud AUS $30 million – “I would have won by more hind pacesetter Brian Harman at Russell Henley and Australian strokes, the fi rst after a wayward just held off the fast fi nishing had the American runner not the Travelers Championship in Matt Jones on nine-under, as drive and the second after fi nd- French raider City Light under leant on me in the fi nal fur- Connecticut. American Harman surged ahead ing a pond guarding the green. Christophe Soumillon. long.” Johnson’s attempted birdie of the fi eld with a 66 at TPC Riv- American runner Bound for A couple of the more fancied putt at the par-four third hole er Highlands in Cromwell. SCORES AFTER 2ND ROUND Nowhere – trained by Wesley runners failed to justify their stopped right on the edge of the Johnson, without a win since 130 - Brian Harman 64-66 Ward and ridden by Joel Ro- favoured status. cup, but frustratingly defi ed the 2015 British Open at St An- 131 - Matt Jones (AUS) 65-66, sario who teamed up earlier The Godolphin Operation’s gravity and did not drop - at least drews, was happy with his posi- Russell Henley 66-65, Zach in the week to win with Shang Harry Angel’s chances evapo- not for a while. A player in such tion as he seeks to end his nearly Johnson 63-68 Shang Shang – completed an rated before the off as he acted a situation is “allowed enough three-year drought. “Got an op- 132 - Bryson DeChambeau international 1-2-3. up and caught one of his hind time to reach the hole without portunity for the weekend,” he 66-66, Paul Casey (ENG) 65-67, “I am over the moon,” said legs on the running rail inside unreasonable delay and an ad- said. “I love what we’re doing Beau Hossler 65-67 O’Brien. the stalls. ditional 10 seconds to determine and how we’re doing it, a lot of 133 - Bubba Watson 70-63, Rory “We have always been very He stumbled out of them whether the ball is at rest”. fairways, a lot of greens.” McIlroy (NIR) 64-69, Lanto Grif- happy with him since he ar- and trailed in last. After walking to the ball and Leader Harman had three bo- fin 70-63 rived from Australia but we “It’s a great shame,” said his then waiting his allotted time, geys on his outward nine, but 134 - Anirban Lahiri (IND) 67-67, still thought it would be an trainer Clive Cox. Johnson prepared to tap in for par was more assured coming home J.B. Holmes 66-68, Ryan Blaum impossible task.” “It’s aff ected the whole when it toppled in of its own voli- to post a 130 halfway total. “I’m 69-65, David Lingmerth (SWE) O’Brien, who performed a day. He has a nasty puncture tion. He summoned a rules offi cial really happy with how I’m play- 67-67, Jason Day (AUS) 66-68, similar training feat with an- wound on a hind leg, and he and was informed he had recorded ing,” the two-times PGA Tour Steve Marino 66-68 other ex Australian horse Star- wasn’t sound when he re- a par four, even though he had winner said. “I’ve played pretty spangled Banner when he won turned.” only struck the ball three times. aggressively. I’m just going to the Diamond Jubilee in 2010, Australian runner Redkirk The relevant rule, 16-2, re- keep on doing what I’ve been do- Birian Harman watches his tee shot added it was likely to be the Warrior fl attered to deceive quires a penalty stroke in such ing and see what happens.” on the 18th hole during the second last time he raced as he is due under Frankie Dettori, promi- situations if the 10-second wait Rory McIlroy, a stroke from round of the Travelers Championship to return to Australia to take nent early on in the six furlong has expired before the ball top- the overnight lead, carded a 69 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, up stallion duties. (1200 metres) race before fad- ples in. to slip three strokes back. Connecticut. (AFP) O’Brien credited Ryan ing from the picture.

Sunday, June 24, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

RALLYING Qatar’s Adel Abdulla powers to top in Italian Baja Agencies based at Pordenone in north-eastern ond pass through the stage. More im- Rome Italy and marks a crucial points-scor- portantly, the Qatari was 14min 16sec ing opportunity for the Qatari, who is ahead of rival al-Shegawi and held a bidding to reduce the 26-point gap 12min 55sec advantage over the Saudi atar’s Adel Abdulla held to series leader Ahmed al-Shegawi. with the electronic sensor issue now fi rst position in the Italian Action got underway with an 8.1km cured by team mechanics. Baja International Cham- super special stage on Friday evening. Adel said: “We had a problem with pionship, the sixth round Adel Abdulla clocked a time of 10min the sensor on the turbo on the shake- ofQ the 2018 World Cross Rally Cham- 49sec to settle into third position in down. It was giving the wrong signal pionship, which will end today. the T2 category after suff ering from and the car was running in safe mode. Adel, accompanied by his French an electronic sensor issue that had We entered the super special and I did navigator Jean-Michel in a Toyota plagued the car on the shakedown not push from the start. After 5km Land Cruiser, took the fi rst place in stage earlier in the day. from the start, the car went into the the T2 category after recording a time The Polish duo of Tomasz Piec and safe mode again and we lost around of 4.08.32.0 hours, 3.08.3 minutes Michal Marczewski clocked the fast- 1min 40sec to the leader. The me- ahead of Poland’s Thomas Peck, ac- est time in their Toyota Land Cruiser. chanics tried to fi x the problem yes- companied by his navigator Michel Al-Shegawi and his French co-pilot terday. Markzewski, also in a Toyota Land Laurent Lichtleuchter were second “We did a good job in the fi rst stage Cruiser. but Tomasz Baronowski and Grzegorz today. Yesterday we were third and Today, the drivers will run on the Konczak were handed massive time then we moved up to second place third and fi nal day, which takes place penalties for failing to complete the with the fastest time. The race is re- in two phases between the Valfasone stage in their Toyota LC155 ally tough. The stage is repeated and San Lorenzo de Arzina. The con- Yesterday’s action took place on three times and it will be very rough testants then head to the coronation three runs through the 86.85km of with the two stages tomorrow.” zone of Piacali Viente in the center of the Valvadrom stage between San Adel Abdulla’s campaign to win back Pordenone. Lorenzo de Arzena and Valvazone. the FIA T2 Championship is running Adel expressed his satisfaction Competitors crossed a variety of de- with valuable support from the Qa- with the result achieved during to- manding gravel river beds that usu- tar Motor and Motorcycle Federation day’s race, pointing out that he man- ally carry late spring melt water from (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar. After two aged to compensate for what hap- the nearby mountain ranges. further stages later yesterday, the fi - pened yesterday during the opening Adel Abdulla carded the fastest nal action takes place on two passes stage, and succeeded in taking the time of 1hr 19min 56sec for the open- through a special stage of 87.41km lead with great eff ort of the team as a ing run and moved up to second over- between Valvasone and San Lorenzo whole and his assistant. all behind Piec after beating the Pole di Arzena today before the podium in The sixth round of the FIA World by 18 seconds. He trailed the leader by Piazalle Venti Settembre in the centre Cup for Cross-Country Rallies is 1min 25.u7sec heading into the sec- of Pordenone. Qatar’s Adel Abdulla (also inset) and French navigator Jean-Michel Polato during the opening special stage of the 25th Italian Baja yesterday.

FORMULA 1 CRICKET Sri Lanka’s Lakmal replaces banned Hamilton takes pole Chandimal as skipper

AFP points were also upheld. Colombo Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha also face ri Lanka yesterday possible disciplinary action at rain-hit French named Suranga Lak- after refusing to take to the mal as skipper for the fi eld for two hours after the in- potentially series-sav- cident. The three admitted on ingS third Test against the West Friday “conduct... contrary to Indies after Dinesh Chandimal the spirit of the game” and will lost his appeal against a one- face a preliminary ICC hearing match ban for ball tampering. on July 10. “Lakmal was appointed as Hathurusinghe and Gurus- GP with Vettel third the captain, in the absence of inha were on Friday however Dinesh Chandimal,” Sri Lanka allowed to continue to perform ‘It feels great to be back in France - it’s a beautiful place and we got a great response from the crowd’ Cricket said in a brief state- their duties in the meantime, ment, without comment- including in the third Test. AFP ing on Chandimal’s case. The Chandimal’s ban is the lat- Le Castellet, France West Indies are 1-0 up in the est blow to Sri Lankan cricket series with the fi nal match, the following a string of defeats - fi rst ever day-night Test in the including a Test and one-day ewis Hamilton secured Caribbean, due to begin later whitewash to India - and cor- pole position for the on Saturday in Barbados. ruption allegations. French Grand Prix ahead Chandimal, 28, was given Earlier this year, Austral- of his team-mate Valtteri the ban after being spotted by ian cricket was rocked to its LBottas as Mercedes dominated television cameras during the foundations after a player was yesterday’s crash-hit qualifying second Test applying saliva caught applying sandpaper to session to sweep the front row of to the ball, apparently with a the ball in a match in South the grid. sweet in his mouth. Africa. Steve Smith and David The four-time world cham- The International Cricket Warner were stripped of the pion clocked a best lap in one Council (ICC) on Friday dis- captaincy and vice-captaincy minute and 30.029 seconds to missed Chandimal’s appeal. respectively and banned from grab the 75th pole position of his A fi ne of 100 per cent of his playing international cricket career ahead of Bottas, giving match fee and two suspension for 12 months. himself a perfect chance to re- gain the initiative in the title race in today’s race. Championship leader, and fel- low four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari was third, three-tenths off the pace, ahead of Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team-mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo. Kimi Raikkonen was sixth in the second Ferrari ahead of Car- los Sainz of Renault, Charles Leclerc of Sauber, Kevin Mag- nussen and his Haas team-mate Romain Grosjean, who crashed during the top-ten shootout, halting the session for eight Suranga Lakmal (right) of Sri Lanka takes part in a training minutes. session under the watchful eye of Rumesh Ratnayake (left) one “That wasn’t too bad,” said day before the 3rd Test against West Indies at Kensington Oval, Hamilton. Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday. (AFP) “It feels great to be back in Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates qualifying in pole position for the French Grand Prix yesterday. (Reuters) France - it’s a beautiful place and we got a great response from the Ferrari responded by going Farbrace takes charge for Australia, India T20s crowd.” Force India fi ned 100,000 euros for loose wheel out on ultra-softs - Mercedes Bottas said: “It wasn’t a bad were on super-softs - and Vettel England head coach Trevor Bayliss will run the rule over some lap, not perfect either. I’ve been Force India have been fined 100,000 euros because it had no way of knowing of the problem,” jumped to second, Raikkonen to of the most promising talents in the county game while his struggling to get perfect laps this ($116,550), with 85,000 of the total suspended for they said in a statement. “Accordingly, and consist- third as the rain relented and the assistant Paul Farbrace takes temporary charge of the team for week - I was catching up rung a year, after a rear wheel flew off Sergio Perez’s ent with previous decisions this year, the stewards track became faster in the fi nal the upcoming Twenty20 internationals against Australia and by rung, but a one-two here is Formula One car at speed in French Grand Prix decided that the grid-place penalty that ‘may’ be dramatic minutes of Q2. India, it was announced on Friday. great. The engine feels good, practice. The team were also told by stewards imposed... would not be applied.” A fl ying late lap by Leclerc lift- One of the biggest criticisms of Bayliss since the Australian fresh and powerful.” yesterday to investigate their assembly and quality However they also noted that it was the third such ed him to 10th for Sauber, push- was appointed to the England job prior to the 2015 Ashes Vettel admitted he may have control procedures to ensure such a potentially incident involving the team in the past two years ing Esteban Ocon and his Force series is that he is worryingly unfamiliar with the domestic pushed too much but was happy dangerous accident did not happen again. and the second this season. India team-mate Sergio Perez scene. with third place. Stewards said in a statement that the problem had “Hence the usual penalty has been significantly in- out of the shootout in 11th and But Bayliss has repeatedly emphasised the fact that coaching “I raced in the last French been caused by an assembly fault rather than any creased,” they said, adding that they hoped the size 13th, either side of Nico Hulken- an England side in all three international formats - Tests, one- Grand Prix in 2008 and it is incorrect or incomplete fitment of the wheel. of the fine would act as a deterrent. The suspended berg of Renault. day internationals and Twenty20s - leaves him with precious amazing to see so many people They also cleared the left rear-wheel gun operator 85,000 euros will be payable if there is a repeat in Pierre Gasly of Toro Rosso and little time to do anything else, particularly given their packed here and all the excitement for of blame and agreed that neither the team nor the the next 12 months. Marcus Ericsson in the second programme in a home northern hemisphere summer and all of us. It is nice to be here - driver had any advance warning that there was a Force India, co-owned by troubled Indian business- Sauber were also eliminated. extensive annual off -season touring commitments. there’s a lot of colour, so it really problem. man Vijay Mallya, have one of the sport’s smallest The top-ten Q3 shootout But now Farbrace, who previously worked as Bayliss’s assist- comes alive.” “It would be unreasonable to infer that the team budgets and had cash-flow problems earlier in the began with Ferrari hastening ant when they were coaching Sri Lanka, will be in charge for On an initially dry track fol- did not take ‘appropriate action’ to stop the car year, making the sanction particularly painful. to the fray. Hamilton followed Wednesday’s one-off Twenty20 against Australia at Edgbaston lowing heavy rainstorms, which and, after the fi rst fl ying runs, and the three-match home T20 series with India early next had curtailed fi nal free practice, he and Bottas topped the times month. the air temperature was 22 de- once-great British teams, when The luckless New Zealand- he was struggling for comfort in before the session was red- That will allow Bayliss a fortnight in which to observe the Eng- grees Celsius and the track 30 the French race was last held at er will start today’s race from his car. fl agged when Grosjean crashed land Lions - the national A side - in the remainder of their 50- when qualifying began. the Paul Ricard Circuit 28 years the back of the grid after being It did nothing to slow him and at Turn Three. He was unhurt over Tri-series with India A and West Indies A, as well as letting Mercedes took control and ago. handed a heavy penalty for re- as soon as Bottas had gone fast- and after climbing from his car him attend the domestic 50-over One-Day Cup final between Hamilton clocked the best time Two-time champion Fernan- placing engine parts. est, Hamilton cut his time by walked back to the pits with his Hampshire and Kent at Lord’s on June 30. in Q1, which ended, as rain be- do Alonso was 16th and McLaren Hamilton’s pace maintained half a second with a scorching helmet fi rmly in place, before Meanwhile Bayliss will look to guide England to their first 5-0 gan to fall, with both McLarens team-mate Stoff el Vandoorne Mercedes supremacy in every lap. Both men were clearly mak- the session resumed and Hamil- ODI sweep of his native Australia when an ongoing series con- and both Williams eliminated - a 18th, sandwiching Brendon session from Friday morning, ing best use of the new upgraded ton scorched to pole on his fi nal cludes at Old Traff ord today. sad contrast to the pomp of the Hartley in his Toro Rosso. but as the rain intensifi ed in Q2 Mercedes engines. fl ying lap.