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SPORT Tuesday 12 June 2018

PAGE | 24 PAGE | 28 Brazil set to end Portugal’s hopes dour World Cup aided by extra rest run in for Ronaldo World Cup big guns ready to fire

AFP in his foot in February, marked giving ourselves opportunities prepare to open the tour- his first start in more than three to win this game,” the Brighton nament, after failing to win in : The World Cup big months by scoring in Sunday’s stopper warned.”We can’t wait As the clock ticks down to the opener seven consecutive games. guns limbered up yesterday easy victory in Vienna, drawing for Saturday.” in Moscow’s imposing 80,000-capacity President Vladimir Putin, ahead of the tournament level with Romario on the list , who boast “world- Luzhniki stadium, the tournament is who has spent billions to put opener in Russia while brash of Brazil’s all-time leading class” talent in Antoine on the biggest sports event in underdogs Australia warned scorers behind only Pele and Griezmann and Paul Pogba, beginning to catch the public mood. Russia since the 1980 Moscow Euro 2016 finalists France to Ronaldo. according to Australia mid- Olympics, has exhorted the brace for an early shock. As the clock ticks down to fielder , are team to raise their level. As the atmosphere built the opener in Moscow’s among the tournament Host nation Russia, ranked a lowly 70th in “I must acknowledge the before Thursday’s curtainraiser imposing 80,000-capacity favourites in Russia alongside the world, are under intense pressure as fact that, unfortunately, our between the hosts and Saudi Luzhniki stadium, the tour- Brazil, and Spain. they prepare to open the tournament, after team have not achieved big Arabia, the French and nament is beginning to catch A big question mark hangs results in recent times,” Putin Argentine players were put the public mood, with about over the participation of Egypt failing to win in seven consecutive games. said last week. through their paces while 3,500 fans attending Australia’s and Liverpool striker Mohamed Even before the tour- Brazil took the day off. training session in the central Salah, who is still receiving nament gets under way, world World champions city of . treatment for the shoulder the other Egypt players took going through some difficult governing body FIFA has the Germany, seeking to equal Bra- Fans shouted “Austral-iya” injury he suffered in the Cham- part in a group warm-up. moments with the press,” the major task on Wednesday of zil’s of five World Cup several times during training pions League final. captain Lionel Barcelona forward said. choosing the host of the 2026 wins, will land in Russia today, and also “Aussie, Aussie, Team doctor Mohamed Messi said his international Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup -- a straight fight along with Gareth Southgate’s Aussie, go, go, go”. Abou al-Ela admitted the future will be determined by World Cup final 1-0 to between a joint bid featuring youthful side. Socceroos goalkeeper Mat striker, who scored 44 goals for his country’s performance at Germany after extra time, the United States, Canada and Brazil and arrived Ryan warned France that a Liverpool this season, was the World Cup. before suffering successive Mexico and Morocco. in the Black Sea resort of new, improved Australia team unlikely to play in Egypt’s “It will depend on how far defeats by Chile on penalties A long-awaited report from in the early hours in buoyant are plotting an early World Cup opening Group A match against we go, how we’re going to at the Copa America in 2015 FIFA inspectors left the North mood after hammering Austria shock when the sides meet in on Friday. finish” at the finals, Messi told and 2016. American bid as the clear 3-0 in their final warm-up Kazan on Saturday. But Salah did some light Spanish daily Sport. Host nation Russia, ranked front-runner in the race to host match on Sunday. “Come the France game, running in Grozny yesterday, “We’ve just lost three finals a lowly 70th in the world, are the tournament, which will be Neymar, who broke a bone we’re going to be ready... and monitored by medical staff, as in a row, which has led to us under intense pressure as they the first 48-team World Cup.

Argentina’s footballers (from left) defender Federico Fazio, midfielder Javier Mascherano and forward warm-up during a training session yesterday.

World champions Germany, seeking to equal Brazil’s record of five World Cup wins, will land in Russia today, along with Gareth Southgate’s youthful England side.

Brazil and Neymar arrived in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in the early hours in buoyant mood after hammering Austria 3-0 in their final warm-up

Belgium’s Thomas Meunier (front) vies for the ball with Costa Rica’s Celso Borges during their international friendly match at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium yesterday.

It (international future) will I'm excited. God willing I'm well- dependd on how far we go, how prepared and things are going we'rewew going to finish. We've just well and my morale is high. I lostloo three finals in a row, which cannot say what we're going to has led to us going through reach, but the players' ambitions some difficult moments with are high and I hope we get a goodd the press: Lionel Messi result: 22 SPORT TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 ‘Indebted’ Suarez vows to be a gentleman at Cup

AP URUGUAY SQUAD against in 2014. The 23-year-old Gimenez offers a , URUGUAY: Goalkeepers: (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama), Martin Cam- solid companion to a player nine Uruguay’s priority will be keeping pana (Independiente) years his senior and already has Luis Suarez tamed at this World Defenders: Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Maximil- one World Cup under his belt. Cup. iano Pereira (FC Porto), Gastón Silva (Independiente), Sebastián Coates (Sporting ), : Tabarez has After the striker was expelled always had doubts about his mid- from the 2014 tournament in dis- (Penarol), Martin Caceres (Lazio) field’s attacking qualities. While grace for biting Italy defender Midfielders: Carlos Sánchez (Monterrey), Matías Vecino (Inter), Nahitan Nández (Boca the unit has usually been capable , Uruguay was Juniors), (Cruzeiro), (Juventus), of defending well, the midfielders eliminated by Colombia in the (Sampdoria), (Genoa), Cristian Rodríguez (Penarol) have often struggled to generate

round of 16. Forwards: Luis Suarez (Barcelona), (Girona), ( Saint- chances for the forwards. Suarez promises he is a Germain), (Monterrey), Maximilano Gomez (Celta) During qualifying, Tabarez reformed character and will be called up several young players better behaved in Russia than in who improved in this area: Brazil, where he scored twice in 2011. As a club , he led Nahitan Nandez (22) and Rodrigo before being banned. Penarol to the Bentancur (20). “It was my mistake,” Suarez title in 1987 and to FORWARDS: Uruguay said. “So I have a debt to repay to an Argentine league title in 1992. shouldn’t be short of goals. The myself and Uruguay, to try to The 71-year-old Tabarez has used strikers are the team’s greatest show a good image.” I have a debt to repay a wheelchair since he was diag- strength. Suarez is Uruguay’s all- Things were already starting to myself and Uruguay, nosed with Guillain-Barre syn- time leading scorer with 51 goals to look brighter for two-time to try to show a good drome in 2016. and is coming off the back of a World Cup champion Uruguay, image: Luis Suarez GOALKEEPERS: There is strong season with Barcelona. based on qualifying at least. little doubt Galatasaray goal- Paris Saint-Germain forward After enduring four consec- keeper Fernando Muslera will be Edinson Cavani is next on the list utive World Cup play-offs and between the posts for his third with 42, including a continent- only reaching three of the tour- World Cup after a first trip in World Cup. leading 10 goals in 18 matches in naments, Uruguay secured an 1990 followed by 2010 and 2014. DEFENDERS: The Atletico South American qualifying. automatic place in Russia by fin- A Tabarez team has always made Madrid partnership of Diego GROUP GAMES: Uruguay, ishing second behind Brazil in it out of the group stage, including Godin and Jose Gimenez also which will be based in Nizhny qualifying. a semifinal appearance in South anchor the heart of Uruguay’s Novgorod, will face Egypt in its first Here’s a closer look at the Africa eight years ago. defense. Godin has made more match on June 15. Uruguay’s forward Luis Suarez reacts as he takes part in a Uruguay team: A former school teacher and than 100 appearances since his That will be followed by training session ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup at the COACH: Oscar Tabarez will professional player, Tabarez led debut in 2005 and scored at his matches against on Sport Centre Borsky, in , yesterday. lead Uruguay into his fourth Uruguay to the Copa America title third World Cup with a header June 20 and Russia on June 25.

Germany head German coach Joachim Loew Cahill chases history after to isolated World Cup making Australian squad base AP : Tim Cahill wants to AFP join an elite list of World Cup scorers to sit alongside Pele, VATUTINKI, RUSSIA: After the and . tropical tranquility of their base at After making the cut for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Australia’s 23-man squad, the reigning champions Germany fly 38-year-old Cahill has a good into Russia today hoping the rain chance of becoming just the stays away from their isolated base fourth player to score in four outside Moscow. consecutive World Cups. Campo Bahia, the sun- “Now we have different in Kazan on June 27. When Australia needs goals drenched luxury hotel surrounded conditions. We hope that it If they progress through it turns to Cahill, its all-time by palm trees on Brazil’s Atlantic does not rain all the time. the tournament successfully, leading scorer. coast and specially constructed to “Moaning does not work -- the Germans would play twice The veteran forward has be their headquarters, was credited when you start to complain, more in the Russian capital -- scored almost half of the team’s by the Germans as a key part of you only lose energy,” Loew in the semi-finals and final -- World Cup goals: 5 of 11. their 2014 success. said. so they want to keep travel to The Socceroos have Cahill For their Russia 2018 campaign, Germany are not flying to a minimum. to thank for their first win at a Australia’s forward Tim Cahill takes part in a training session in the Vatutinki Hotel Spa Complex, Russia to see the sights, “but to The lessons have been World Cup after he scored late Kazan, yesterday. 40km (25 miles) southwest of the win the tournament,” as team learnt from Euro 2016, when goals against in 2006. Russian capital and surrounded by director put it. they were based in Evian on Cahill scored both in Australia’s forest, has been selected as Ger- However, their secluded Lake Geneva for the finals in Asian play-off win over Syria It was just part of the uncer- Van Marwijk helped Saudi many’s World Cup haven -- com- World Cup base will struggle France, a two-hour drive from late last year as the country’s tainty over preparations for a Arabia secure a spot in Russia plete with a thick concrete wall to to capture the squad’s the nearest airport. place at a fourth consecutive group stage that sees No. before quitting that job - and his thwart prying eyes. imagination. In Moscow, the Germans World Cup was clinched. 36-ranked Australia play a trio first game in charge of Australia After the tropical temperatures Germany open their World will be a 45-minute drive from But age, a lack of playing of sides in the top 12 in the FIFA’s was a 4-1 loss to Norway in of Campo Bahia, which was also Cup against Mexico on June 17 the Luzhniki Stadium and 30 time since he returned to English May rankings: France (7), Peru March. The Australians followed isolated, the Germans expect wetter at the stadium where they will minutes from the nearest side Millwall, and the fact Aus- (11) and Denmark (12). that with a 0-0 draw with climes in the sparsely populated hope to end it in the final on airport. tralia’s newly hired coach was appointed Colombia in London and a 4-1 district far from the distractions of July 15 -- the Luzhniki Stadium The Vatutinki is also close van Marwijk wanted to select a only in January on a short-term win over Czech Republic. Moscow. .in Moscow. to the training facilities of squad based on recent form deal to replace Ange Postec- With a new formation in the “Campo Bahia was great, an Their next Group F game CSKA Moscow, which they rather than reputation, meant oglou, who quit after guiding the works, Cahill’s best chance of oasis of calm,” Germany coach is against Sweden in Sochi on will use during the World that his spot in Russia wasn’t team through the longest qual- playing time is likely as an Joachim Loew said last week. June 23 and then Cup. guaranteed until this month. ifying path to Russia. impact player from the bench. African countries urged to unite for Morocco bid

AP Confederation of African Football football federations that “there is lots Meanwhile, under investigation showed Nyantakyi taking $65,000 in president Ahmad asked voters to “show of uncertainty” in the cash projections in Ghana for alleged corruption, FIFA cash from undercover reporters posing MOSCOW: More than 50 African voting cohesion within our continent.” of the joint United States-Canada- Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi has as businessmen to secure favor with federations have been urged to show The Madagascar official said: “I Mexico bid which presented its plan on resigned from the world football Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and unity as a continent and back Morocco’s think there is an obligation to remain stage minutes earlier. body. other government officials. bid to host the 2026 World Cup. within our family. But of course it is an The North American bid predicts Confederation of African Football FIFA’s ethics committee suspended , the former individual choice.” $14.3bn in revenues for FIFA from the president Ahmad says Nyantakyi also the Ghanaian official for 90 days during and Liverpool forward, urged African The Morocco and North American 48-team tournament. FIFA’s evaluation offered his resignation as first vice pres- its investigation. football leaders to “hold hands” bid leaders are meeting voters from panel noted that was “significantly ident of the continental body. Leaders of North American and tomorrow when Morocco competes five of FIFA’s six continental bodies higher” than Morocco’s predicted Ahmad tells more than 50 African Moroccan bids to host the 2026 World with the North American bid. today. Europe’s UEFA meets in income of $7.2bn. football federations a special election Cup are pitching their plans to FIFA Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe Moscow today. Lekjaa said in French: “That doesn’t meeting will be held September 30 in voters. have pledged support in recent weeks Morocco football leader Fouzi correspond either to historical facts or Egypt for them to fill the remaining Both candidates in vote spent a for the joint United States-Canada- Lekjaa said he doubt the financial future extrapolation, it’s an exercise vacancies. busy tour of meetings yesterday with Mexico candidate. promises made by the rival North that goes beyond that.” Candidates will come from the continental football bodies. The North Americans have targeted American bid to host the 2026 World African countries have 53 of the 206 English-speaking group in CAF, the FIFA president and voters in the southern African group Cup. expected votes in ballot of FIFA president says. secretary general also known as COSAFA. Lekjaa told more than 50 African member federations. A television documentary last week attended the meetings. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 SPORT 23 Unbeaten in qualifying campaign, Iran to face tougher test at Cup

AFP

TEHRAN: After an almost flawless qualifying campaign, Iran will find it far tougher at the World Cup. Iran’s route to the round of 16 from Group B could be blocked by defending European champion Portugal and 2010 World Cup winner Spain. But the Iberian teams have good reason to be wary. Iran was unbeaten in 10 qualifiers and did not concede a single goal in the first nine games. And Brazil’s forward Neymar (centre) gestures upon the team’s landing at Sochi Airport, in Russia yesterday. the strongest backline in Asia was only breached by Syria after Iran’s place in Russia was already secure. Contesting back-to-back Brazil land in Russia, Messi World Cups for the first time, Iran coach during Iran will be aiming for a first a welcoming ceremony upon appearance in the knockout stage in its fifth attempt. the arrival at Vnukovo Airport Since the 2014 tournament, outside Moscow, Russia on June casts doubt over future when Iran finished with one 5, 2018. point, the team has evolved and AFP coach Carlos Queiroz has more Queiroz has publicly since London accused Moscow “It will depend on how far Once they touched down, options in every position - with reminded the Iranian feder- of being behind the poisoning we go, how we’re going to tracksuited Chechen leader more than half of the squad ation of the need for perfection MOSCOW: Brazil arrived in of Sergei Skripal in Britain in finish” at the finals, Messi said Ramzan Kadyrov was among gaining experience at overseas in the World Cup build-up, Russia yesterday hungry to March. in an interview with Spanish the first to greet Salah. clubs. reflecting concerns about past make amends for their World Brazil’s Neymar, who daily Sport. Team doctor Mohamed preparations. After being the Cup humiliation in 2014 with broke a bone in his foot in Feb- “We’ve just lost three finals Abou al-Ela admitted the first team from Asia to secure a Neymar apparently fighting fit, ruary, marked his first start in in a row, which has led to us striker, who scored 44 goals for spot, Iran was the first visiting as Lionel Messi cast doubt over more than three months by going through some difficult Liverpool this season, was team to arrive in Russia ahead his international future. scoring in Sunday’s easy moments with the press,” unlikely to play in Egypt’s of the World Cup. The Brazilians landed in victory in Vienna while Gabriel added the Barcelona forward. opening Group A match We arrive raring “We have achieved this the early hours in Sochi, the Jesus and Argentina lost the 2014 against Uruguay on Friday. to keep this dream dream through lots of hard Black Sea resort where they also netted. World Cup final 1-0 to “He still feels pain... this type going for as long as work and sacrifices, which only will be based, buoyant after It was Neymar’s 55th goal Germany after extra time, of injury needs a recovery possible and we look heightens how honored and beating Austria 3-0 in their in a Brazil shirt, allowing him before suffering successive period of three weeks before privileged we feel to be here,” final warm-up match. to draw level with Romario on defeats by Chile on penalties going back to the field,” he said. forward to playing Queiroz said. Most of the favourites are his country’s list of all-time at the Copa America in 2015 While the favourites our part in making “We arrive raring to keep now in Russia ahead of Thurs- leading scorers -- only Pele and 2016. limber up, host nation Russia this the best World this dream going for as long as day’s curtain raiser between and Ronaldo have more goals Messi, who will turn 31 are under intense pressure as Cup ever: Iran coach possible and we look forward the hosts and Saudi Arabia but for their country. during the World Cup, believes they prepare to open the to playing our part in making holders Germany are due to “I don’t know Neymar’s Spain, Brazil, Germany, France tournament. Carlos Queiroz this the best World Cup ever.” arrive today. limits,” Brazil coach said. and Belgium are the leading Ranked a lowly 70 in the The atmosphere is low-key “His technical and creative contenders for the title. world, Russia have not won for ahead of the opening match at capacity is impressive. When A big question mark hangs seven consecutive games.     Moscow’s imposing we get him in the last third of over the participation of Egypt President Vladimir Putin, 80,000-capacity Luzhniki the field he is lethal.” and Liverpool striker who has spent billions to put      Stadium. Brazil, who crashed out of Mohamed Salah, who is still on the biggest sports event in  !"! Russia was a disputed the last World Cup on home receiving treatment for the Russia since the 1980 Moscow # choice when it was handed the soil in a humiliating 7-1 semi- shoulder injury he suffered in Olympics, has exhorted the World Cup in a closely final defeat to Germany, start the Champions League final. team to raise their level. watched 2010 vote that has their campaign against Swit- Egypt are banking on the Before Thursday’s kickoff, since been tainted by bribery zerland in Rostov-on-Don on availability of Salah as they try FIFA will focus on choosing the charges and the tournament Sunday. to get past the first stage of a host of the 2026 World Cup  takes place against a back- Argentina captain Messi, World Cup for the first time. between a joint bid featuring the $! ground of international one of the biggest stars in The Egyptians arrived at United States, Canada and %&'  !!& tensions. Russia, said his international their base in the Chechen Mexico and underdogs Morocco. (!) *$ Russia and the West have future will be determined by capital Grozny on Sunday, FIFA member states will  engaged in a major wave of tit- his country’s performance at after Salah sat out their final vote on the issue at their con-   $ ! for-tat diplomatic expulsions the World Cup. training session in Cairo. gress tomorrow. -! #$$ $ !+  $ #!, '!& ! , + & *    '  

No chance for Japan to reach 2//0   2 &  2 33      last 16, says former coach 4  242//03-       $  4*+   56 AFP But it has proved to be a    44 42     baptism of fire for Nishino since : Crisis-hit Japan would Halilhodzic’s dismissal plunged !"#$%$&&%'() struggle to avoid an early World Japan’s preparations into chaos *+,-*+., Cup exit even under Jose Even if they play with before their sixth successive ,.!/, Mourinho -- that’s the stinging Mourinho or Arsene World Cup appearance.   !$+, assessment of former coach Wenger, it would be Leicester forward Shinji . Okazaki has also returned from  /!,0+! The Blue Samurai contro- so difficult for Japan injury but Japan offered little ,!$!,12/, versially axed Vahid Halilhodzic to get to the last 16: against Ghana and , ,!'"! in April and replaced him with Philippe Troussier after which Honda warned of a / former Japan Football Associ- “sense of crisis”. ation (JFA) technical director Troussier warned that the $,/.,',!3456 Akira Nishino -- a high-risk Nishino has long coveted the JFA’s decision to switch coaches 0!!!',,,0,723",." ,. move that had a feel of Russian Japan job but could quickly find could backfire as Japan look to roulette about it. it a poisoned chalice after 2-0 avoid crashing out at the first */.,!+!,$!3489 But Troussier said that a defeats by Ghana and Swit- hurdle again. "$,0!1 , Japan side bereft of confidence zerland in his first two games in “They face strong pressure ,!/$ had “no chance” of reaching the charge. because now they have to get to knockout stage in Russia, where “I was so surprised about the the last 16,” said the former //0'%# "(&%'()*+.1-  they face Colombia, Senegal and decision (to sack Halilhodzic),” Burkina Faso and Poland. said Troussier. coach. If they don’t, it will be a %'!. ,!/,

“Even if they play with “But for a long time the JFA failure for the JFA.”    !+$=9$,, Mourinho or Arsene Wenger, it were not happy and decided With lethal finishers Sadio //1382,'0, would be so difficult for Japan maybe it was better to take the Mane, James Rodriguez and ,0.+$, to get to the last 16,” said the decision before the World Cup bearing Frenchman, who steered the and not wait for the first game down on their goal in Russia,  +,,$,+, former Asian champions to the to hit the wall.” Japan could face death by a !0,/. 0,:230!" ,! second round as co-hosts of the The 63-year-old flagged his thousand cuts, Troussier 2002 World Cup. intentions by turning to Japan’s fears. */.$!! £/!N “If Poland was the first old guard, in particular talis- However, Troussier said ,!!!'0!,',1 match it would be different. But manic forward Keisuke Honda Japan could still spring a sur- !!"/ the fact that Colombia is the first and prise at the World Cup. !'2/, match and Senegal the second -- two of the players thought to “You need luck and some -- for me, on paper at least they have been at loggerheads with refereeing decisions to go your have no chance, no chance.” Halilhodzic. way,” he said.   ,,,. $' '   24 SPORT TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 SPORT 25

From Luzhniki Stadium to : Brazil set to end dour Where the global stars will shine

AFP four-year conflict has killed World Cup run in Russia   2" " more than 10,000 people. MOSCOW: From Moscow’s grand Russia is taking extensive Luzhniki Stadium, which also : " security measures to make hosted the 1980 Summer Olym-   /"/ :%% sure the fans are safe. REUTERS pics, to the worrisomely late ,"1&,!" #$   >  Samara Arena, here is a look at 2" "2"/  %?""0  SAMARA &""3*(!&£ %  ,1%& where the football games will be A"3"0  = (Samara Arena) VIENNA: If anything summed 8 $3%  , played. (!&= '3"0  Capacity: 45,000 up Brazil’s new approach !=' + 3"" " " 8 $3%  , " under coach Tite, it was his / Opened: 2018 ! ( ( 8hƒhpv‡’)' "$ celebration of the fact that " Williams MOSCOW Estimated cost: $305m they committed only eight (Luzhniki Stadium) % 3%  , Matches: June 17 - Costa Capacity: 80,000 #$ Rica vs Serbia; June 21 - Den- fouls in Sunday’s 3-0 friendly .$ win over Austria. to perform Opened: 1956 (renovated 2017) .   " mark vs Australia; June 25 At the last two World Estimated cost: $385m %  , #$ - Uruguay vs Russia; June 28 Cups, Brazil have veered Matches: June 14 - Russia vs "$ - Senegal vs Colombia; July away from the great, attack- at opening Saudi Arabia; June 17 - Germany 4$ 42  2 Round of 16; July 7 Quar- ing traditions that used to vs Mexico; June 20 - Portugal vs %  ,1#$ %, ter Final make them the team that eve- Morocco; June 26 - Denmark vs " Samara Arena made inter- %3" %3= ryone wanted to watch. ceremony France; July 1 Round of 16; July #$ national headlines when FIFA ( 2"  ()( 11 - Semi Final; July 15 - Final noticed a few months ago The 2010 side, under ## , was packed with mid- (' AFP The historic crucible of Soviet and @   " that it still had no pitch. The field spoilers and looked to Russian sport, Luzhniki is the :2" #$ grass was finally delivered #$ catch opponents on the coun- LONDON: British pop star national squad’s home ground from Germany in April, and ter-attack, or from set pieces. In fact, failing to commit <"/"!" ( /" Robbie Williams (pictured) will and venue for major political the stadium -- while not enough fouls has been a fre- %!= They lost in the quent Scolari complaint about + !(  ( (  *(+! ( perform at the World Cup open- events, such as big speeches by 9 , ! looking as majestic as origi- quarter-finals. his teams over the course of !,-(!(.!(   " *( "(! *( ing ceremony in Moscow on President Vladimir Putin. It was %  , nally envisioned after some Four years later, playing his career. ./ *(. "('*!0  ( !! Thursday, the world football gutted and rebuilt for the World #' corners were cut -- is ready as hosts under Luiz Felipe For Tite, however, fouling   '   governing body FIFA and the Cup, turning it into a football-spe- for action. Scolari, Brazil were overlyy the opponentspp means his team singer’s representatives said. cific venue. Only its original dependent on Neymareymar as as t htheyey has wwastedasted a chachance to win The defence is solid, the The award-winning singer facade remains.   '   muddled their wawayy throuthroughgh back ppossessionossession of the ball forwards are lethal when they The 2010 side, under Dunga, was packed with midfield formerly in the band Take That, (Mordovia Arena) to the semi-finals-finals aandnd ststarta a new get a sniff of goal and they spoilers and looked to catch opponents on the counter- who is best known for his hit MOSCOW (Spartak Stadium) Matches: June 15 - Portugal vs Spain; June 18 - Capacity: 45,000 before losing 7-1-1 toto attack.attack have the patience to unlock single “Angels”, will sing along- Capacity: 45,000 Belgium vs Panama; June 23 - Germany vs Sweden; Opened: 2018 Germany, whenen “Eight fouls the most stubborn defences. attack, or from set pieces. They lost in the quarter-finals. side Russian soprano Aida Opened: 2014 June 26 - Australia vs Peru; June 30 - Round of 16; Estimated cost: $265m he was injured. - thatt shows Brazil have won 17 of their Garifullina shortly before Rus- Estimated cost: $235m July 7 - Quarter Final Matches: June 16 - Peru vs Denmark; June 19 - Those teamss thathat we use 21 games since Tite took over In 2014, playing as hosts under , Brazil sia and Saudi Arabia kick off the Matches: June 16 - Argentina vs Iceland, June 19 Situated not far from Putin’s vacation home on the Colombia vs Japan; June 25 - Iran vs Portugal; June had one thing inn agaggressive two years ago and lost only were overly dependent on Neymar as they muddled their World Cup at Moscow’s Luzh- - Poland vs Senegal; June 23 - Belgium vs Tunisia; Black Sea and surrounded by snow-capped moun- 28 - Panama vs Tunisia common: theyy markingma to try once. They have scored 47 way through to the semi-finals before losing 7-1 to Germany, niki Stadium. June 26 - Serbia vs Brazil; July 3 - Round of 16 tains, Fisht Stadium is Russia’s most scenic football No matter which way you put it, Mordovia Arena is used repetitivee andan win the goals, conceded five and kept when he was injured. The 44-year-old said in a Russia’s most popular team by a wide margin, Spar- venue. Sadly for locals, Sochi has no team and the a bit of a mystery. Never famous for its football, fouling in mid-d- ball and then 16 clean sheets. statement on Monday that per- tak Moscow had no place to call home until the red stadium’s future purpose remains unclear. Saransk had a miniature airport and no modern hotels field to break up comecome out play- Yet, the 57-year-old forming at the World Cup was and white arena opened to great fanfare four years until the World Cup, with the region best known for the opposition’stion’s ing,”ing,” he said after coach remains little-known together for the first time, metatarsal injury in February “a boyhood dream” and it would ago. Spartak fans also think their stadium has the (Volgograd Arena) being a wilderness where Russia put most of its attacks, believing itit tto bbe Sunday’sSd’ game, the last outside his own country worked superbly in difficult but scored a stunning goal and be “an unforgettable show”. best atmosphere, although that point is up for Capacity: 45,000 female penal colonies. The city now has a brand-new a legitimate tactical ploy before their opening Group E where he has spent nearly conditions on Sunday to break looked very close to full Former Brazil striker Ron- debate. Opened: 2018 arena that will house a third division side. rather than a violation of the game against Switzerland on entire career, coaching more down an Austria side which fitness. aldo -- known as “O Fenomeno” Estimated cost: $260m rules. June 17. than 10 teams, and including had beaten Germany only one He also seemed to revel -- will also be taking part in the Matches: June 18 - Tunisia vs England; June 22 - The most extreme exam- Under Tite, Brazil have three stints at Corinthians week earlier. in no longer having to carry opening ceremony, FIFA said. (Saint Petersburg Stadium) Nigeria vs Iceland; June 25 - Saudi Arabia vs Egypt; (Yekaterinburg Arena) ples were the Confederations regained the swagger that has where he made his name. “When you are always the team on his shoulders. Capacity: 68,000 June 28 - Japan vs Poland Capacity: 35,000 Cup final against Spain in been missing from recent Sunday’s match suggested exchanging passes and mov- “I don’t know what Ney- Opened: 2017 Reminiscent of the “Bird’s Nest” stadium that hosted Opened: 1957 (renovated 2018) 2013 when Brazil battered World Cup squads. that Brazil could start the ing the ball around, it wears mar’s limit is,” said Tite. “His Estimated cost: $700-$775m the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, Volgograd Estimated cost: $210m their opponents with 26 fouls The individual talent is World Cup in Russia with the the other team down,” said technical and creative abil- England’s Matches: June 15 - Morocco vs Iran; June 19 - Rus- Arena was built on the site of the Battle of Stalin- Matches: June 15 - Egypt vs Uruguay; June 21 - and the infamous World Cup there as always but the team so-called magic quartet of Tite. ity is amazing. When we sia vs Egypt; June 22 - Brazil vs Costa Rica; June 26 grad, the heroic turning point of World War II in France vs Peru; June 24 - Japan vs Senegal; June quarter-final against Colom- are better balanced than their Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Neymar played 83 min- spring him into action in the - Nigeria vs Argentina; July 3 - Round of 16; July 10 which two million people died. The stadium is now 27 - Mexico vs Sweden bia in 2014, where they gave unloved recent and Neymar. utes in only his second game last third of the field, he is Alli promises - Semi Final; July 14 - the focal point of a major city renovation project. To locals’ distress, fans had a good laugh at Yeka- Neymar kicks a ball during a warm-up session ahead of Brazil’s international away 31 free kicks. predecessors. The foursome, starting since returning from a lethal.” Under construction for more than a decade due to terinburg’s expense for building an arena with two friendly match against Austria in Vienna, Austria on Sunday. bureaucratic red tape and graft, the majestic arena NIZHNY NOVGOROD vertiginous stands entirely outside the arena. The to behave cost about three times more than planned. Russia’s (Nizhny Novgorod Stadium) stands overlook a nearby highway, although organ- most high-tech arena, with a retractable roof and Capacity: 45,000 isers say they also offer a nice city view. The stands REUTERS pitch, will host some of the tournament’s most glam- Opened: 2018 will only seat Russians and be dismantled after the orous matches, including ones played by Argentina Estimated cost: $275m tournament, slimming down the stadium to 27,000    LONDON: England attacking and Brazil. Matches: June 18 - Sweden vs South Korea; June seats -- a solution FIFA applauds. Home fans pin high hopes on Russia Dele Alli has prom- 21 - Argentina vs Croatia; June 24 - England vs Pan- %)! "2"&"  ," 1&!" ised to not fall foul of new FIFA KAZAN (Kazan Arena) ama; June 27 - Switzerland vs Costa Rica; July 1 (Baltika Arena) 0" " !"2""/" AA regulations introduced for the Capacity: 45,000 Round of 16; July 6 - Quarter Final Capacity: 35,000 Fans wearing hats pose for a photo during the official opening of the FIFA Fan Fest at Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow    0 "1 " World Cup which allow referees Opened: 2013 With elegant, wave-like stands resembling those Opened: 2018 Hills) in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. MOSCOW: Russian fans believe their   $"! 231 " to punish players retrospectively Estimated cost: $230m of Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, the Volga River sta- Estimated cost: $280m Matches: June 16 - France vs Australia; June 20 - dium will be home to a brand-new local team after Matches: June 16 - Croatia vs Nigeria; June 22 - home team will advance through the  !" 5 "6/ for infringements during a group stage of the 2018 FIFA World match. Iran vs Spain; June 24 - Poland vs Colombia; June the World Cup. Serbia vs Switzerland, June 25 - Spain vs Morocco; Cup for the first time since the end of  #$  The new rules, backed by 27 - South Korea vs Germany; June 30 - - Round of June 28 - England vs Belgium the Soviet Union in 1991, according  %&$"  5 "6/ Video Assistant Referee (VAR) 16; July 6 - Quarter Final ROSTOV (ROSTOV ARENA) Russia’s westernmost city, nestled between Lithua- to an opinion poll.  %&" "  technology, could lead to play- Built for the 2013 University Games, Kazan Arena Capacity: 45,000 nia and Poland on the Baltic Sea, is also one of its The World Cup is due to begin in   " 7 6 !" ers being punished at the has grand ambitions, with Russian authorities think- Opening: 2018 most European, having been part of the East Prus- just three days on Thursday in Rus- interval for foul play that went ing of proposing it as a future Summer Olympics Estimated cost: $320m sia and Germany until World War II. The stadium’s  '  "+", 1 " sia and will continue until July 15. unnoticed during the first half. venue. Matches: June 17 - Brazil vs Switzerland; June 20 construction got off to a shaky start because organ- Russia has had three unsuccess-  (")! 5 "6/ Alli, who has come under - Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia; June 23 - Korea Repub- isers -- seeking to develop an empty lot on a central ful showings at the group stages in  *+", 4""  1 " scrutiny for previous incidents SOCHI (Fisht Stadium) lic vs Mexico; June 26 - Iceland vs Croatia; July 2 city island -- decided to build it on a swamp. But the World Cup since 1991; however,   " 4""  1 " of hot-headed behaviour at Tot- Capacity: 48,000 Round of 16 once the edifice stopped sinking, workers managed Opened: 2014 (renovated 2017) The southern Russia city sits just 60 kilometres (40 to make up for lost time and it opened to sighs of a poll suggests that nearly 80 percent  %     tenham Hotspur, remains Russian fans believe their team will confident he will avoid letting Estimated cost: $380m + $65m for renovation miles) from the war zone in east Ukraine, where a relief in April. advance in the Group A that com-  (")! 5 "6/ his temper get the better of him prises Saudi Arabia, Egypt and   7 6 !" in Russia. Uruguay.  " %" 8 “When you’re playing the A total of 31 percent of the  !" #$ 1 " games, you are focused on try- respondents also believe Russia will ing to help the team as much as  -  8 end up in Round 16, but will not you can,” the 22-year-old told advance into the quarter finals % ."  6 !" reporters. stage.  +", 7 6 !" “You don’t want to put your- Around 23 percent Russian fans  % /! + self in a position where you think their team will make a quarter  #$  6 !" could jeopardise everything and final appearance, while 12 percent lose the game for your team and think it will also reach the semi final. 79:4('47%;9%7'<= !" #$%& your country. I’ll just be myself, Eight percent also believe their team Py’‡rh€†s ‚€@ˆ ‚ƒr the way I always am.” will reach the final while only 4 per- matches in 12 stadium venues located One million tourists are expected when the country was awarded the hqT‚ˆ‡u6€r vphuh‰r '  "= Alli served a one-match ban cent think Russia will lift its first ever in 11 cities of Russia; 48 matches are to visit Russia during the champion- hosting rights. r‰r yvs‡rq‡ ‚ƒu’ for making an obscene middle-fin- World Cup trophy. in the group stage and 16 in the ship while an estimated global Since then Russia has built 10 and 7 h“vy ($'h r ger gesture during England’s 41 ‚y’‡rh€s ‚€ The poll was carried out by the knockout stage. in-home audience of more than 3 reconstructed two stadiums in 11 host qualifier against Slovakia last year. " T‚ˆ‡u6€r vph “Public Opinion” -- one of the three Twelve matches will be played in billion people are expected to watch cities; it also built a new airport and ,"! %  ‡‚vX‚ yq But the midfielder, who major non-governmental polling and Moscow at two stadiums - “Luzhniki” the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches 62 hotels. ,"! 8ˆƒv despite his reputation has only The 45,000-seater Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod which will host four group games, a Round of 16 match and a quarter-final sociological research organizations and “Otkritie Arena” (Russian for “Dis- over the TV, online or on mobile Russia is also granting visa-free   @ˆ ‚ƒr ever been sent off once in three of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. in Russia. covery Arena”). Russia’s main football devices. travel to foreign tourists who have =< "<"!,  seasons for Spurs (a Europa A total of 32 national teams from venue - “Luzhniki” will host the final Russia has been preparing for the bought tickets for the World Cup 1/!=      '   League tie), insists he has five confederations will play 64 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. World Cup since December 2, 2010 matches. learned from his mistakes. 26 SPORT TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018

Morgan backs Steyn returns to England to South African bounce back Test squad from Scots’ shock AFP : Much-injured fast AFP bowler Dale Steyn was yesterday named in a 15-man South African EDINBURGH: Eoin Morgan is confident squad for two Test matches in Sri England can learn the lessons of their shock Lanka next month. six-run loss to in Edinburgh on Steyn, who turns 35 on June 27, Sunday in time for a one-day international has missed 27 of South Africa’s most series against Australia. recent 32 Test matches. He has been The 2019 World Cup hosts have just a plagued by groin, shoulder and heel few days to recover from a stunning problems and was unable to com- one-day international defeat before they plete the most recent tests he started, face title-holders Australia in the first of a against Australia in November 2016 five-match series at The Oval tomorrow. and India in January this year. Scotland, buoyed by Calum MacLeod’s The South African squad includes magnificent 140 not out, posted their three spin bowlers, including highest-ever ODI total of 371 for five. uncapped leg-spinner Shaun von Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai (second right) stretch before It looked as if England, who went into Berg, while Steyn is one of four fast the team’s practice session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the match as the number one-ranked side bowlers. Steyn is spending a short- in ODI cricket, might chase that down while Bengaluru yesterday. India and Afghanistan will play their one term stint with English county Hamp- opener Jonny Bairstow was making 105 and off Test match in Bengaluru from Thursday. shire. In his first match since suffering later on during an eighth-wicket stand of a heel injury in the first Test against 71 between Moeen Ali (46) and Liam India in January, he took one for 80 Plunkett (47 not out). in a one-day match against Somerset But Scotland’s bowlers kept taking last week and he claimed two for 91 wickets and when paceman Safyaan Sharif Afghanistan prepare for in the first innings of a current first- had No 11 Mark Wood plumb lbw with seven class fixture against Sussex. balls to spare, England were 365 all out. Although South African coach Defeat raised fresh questions about Eng- Ottis Gibson has said a fully-fit Steyn land’s ability to win one-off, winner-takes- inaugural Test match would be included in the country’s all fixtures following last year’s Champions team, Steyn will be competing with Trophy semi-final loss to Pakistan. world number one bowler Kagiso AP But having seen England beat Australia Rashid Khan (pictured), the 19-year- Rabada, experienced seamer Vernon 4-1 in an ODI series Down Under earlier old leg-spin bowler who is one of the Philander and exciting youngster this year, captain Morgan was confident this BENGALURU, INDIA: When Afghan- world’s most sought-after players in Lungi Ngidi for a starting place in a loss would not do lasting damage to Eng- istan play its inaugural cricket Test the shorter Twenty20 form of the country where it is unlikely that more land’s morale. match against top-ranked India game. than three fast bowlers will be picked. “A one-off game like this, to bring starting Thursday, it’s an event that Born in Nangahar in eastern Selection convener Linda Zondi your best game is very difficult to do, they has been 17 years in the making. Afghanistan in 1998, Khan’s family welcomed Steyn’s return “in our pack played well and deserved the result,” said Afghanistan was made an affiliate moved to Pakistan to escape the war of world-class seamers, particularly Morgan. member of the International Cricket and then returned to Jalalabad a few in view of the retirement of Morne “It’s not the end of the world for us, it Council (ICC) back in 2001, at a time years later. Morkel.” Zondi said Rabada had fully was a really good run out and good to have when it was the only sport that was Back in his home country, Khan recovered from a “lower back stress a practice coming into the series against approved by the oppressive Taliban continued to sharpen his bowling and reaction” - a possible prelude to a Australia. regime. But after 9/11, even cricket advanced to represent Afghanistan stress fracture - that kept him out of “The level of expectation has been high became just an afterthought as the on the international stage in a one-day the Indian recently. around the team for a while, it doesn’t get country spiraled into war. international in October 2015, a Steyn has 419 Test wickets - two higher than being number one in the world. Yet the game survived somehow month after his 17th birthday. short of Shaun Pollock’s South “I don’t think we were far away, we go among the Afghan people, who con- Nicknamed the “Afghan Afridi” for African record of 421. to a ground now that we know really well tinued living in refugee camps lining his wicket-taking celebration mir- South Africa picked a varied trio in The Oval, and we’ll be up for the the border to cricket-loving Pakistan. roring those of Pakistan’s mercurial of spinners. Left-arm orthodox challenge.” And it led to the rise of players like all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Khan has spinner Keshav Maharaj will be Morgan, however, accepted they had national-team captain Asghar Stan- taken world cricket by storm with backed up by left-arm wrist spinner been well below the standard needed to ikzai, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, successes in major T20 competitions Tabraiz Shamsi and leg-spinner Von win in what was their first 50-over match hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman “To be competing against the best like the Indian Premier League, the Berg, who is also a capable batsman. of the British season. Mohammad Shahzad and pacer on the Test rankings table is some- Caribbean Premier League and the The Tests will be followed by “We were miles off where we expect Shapoor Zadran. thing to be proud of and we will try Big Bash in Australia. Khan was five one-day internationals and a to be and didn’t do enough to win,” he All of them learned to play in the to do our best in whatever chances named the 2017 ICC Associate Twenty20 international. Squads for said. dusty outskirts of Peshawar, the home we get and exhibit the skills the Cricketer of the Year, and now can’t these matches will be announced “The way we played, we didn’t deserve in exile of Afghan cricket, and are now players possess individually as well wait to move to Test cricket. later. to win it. We might have scraped past preparing to step into the limelight of as collectively as a team.” “There is immense happiness back South African squad: Faf du them and won, but there were still quite a five-day Test match for the first In the past year or so, Afghani- home (regarding the rise of Afghan Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, a few mistakes made that we need to time. Such matches can only be played stan’s reputation has grown as they cricket). Our players are doing well Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock rectify and learn from ahead of the Aus- between countries who have been played at Lord’s in London against an in the IPL and everywhere across the (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, tralia series. given Test status by the ICC, with MCC XI led by Brendon McCullum, world. It shows the Afghanistan Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav “We didn’t do enough to win, if we had Afghanistan set to become only the drew an ODI series in West Indies, cricket team is slowly rising through Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi won it would have been a bonus from where 12th official Test nation. beat Ireland and Zimbabwe away, and the ranks,” Khan said in an interview Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso we were,” added the former Ireland “It’s a great moment for us as we then came back from the brink to win last year. Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, batsman. embark on our Test journey. To be the ICC 2019 ODI World Cup Qual- “Ultimately, the goal is to play Test Shaun von Berg. Scotland’s momentous victory came in playing our first Test against India is ifier in Zimbabwe. Consequentially, cricket. Maybe, I will get to play Fixtures: July 7-8, Warm-up their very first match since they were denied a great honor and we hope to give a an increasing number of Afghan crick- Afghanistan’s first-ever Test. Hope- match, Colombo July 12-16, First Test, a place at next year’s World Cup barely three good account of ourselves,” Stanikzai eters have gained prominence. fully that day isn’t far away.” Galle July 20-24, Second Test, months ago. said. Among their biggest stars is In fact it arrives this week. Colombo Qatar SC sign Alaeddin, Janaka lifts Garvey Lions to big victory extend Osama deal THE PENINSULA : Janaka turned in a stellar all-round display to propel Garvey Lions to THE PENINSULA a huge 77-run crushing of Redco in the Ramadan Cup Twenty20 Cricket Tour- nament, organised by the Qatar Cricket Association. DOHA: QNB Stars League (QSL) side Qatar At the Asian Town Cricket Stadium, Garvey Lions rode Janaka’s fiery SC recruited Syrian player Alaeddin Al batting to post a mammoth 186 for six. Rajeewa (five for 19) and Janaka took Dali while extending the contract of his eight wickets between them to send the rivals crashing to the big defeat. compatriot and striker Osama Omari. Janaka dominated the early parts of the B and C Divisions category match Alaeddin, signed from Syrian club Al and put together a 66-run stand for the second wicket with Nuwan, who con- Nuayer, is expected to be an important tributed 25 with a six and two fours. addition to the Qatar SC ranks, along with Janaka continued to collect runs at a brisk pace and was the fifth player another new recruit, Iraqi midfielder at 174 after hammering five sixes and nine boundaries in his 57-ball knock. Hussein Ali. He was a bit unfortunate not to his effort with a hundred, falling short by Osama joined The Kings halfway five runs. through the 2017-18 season and impressed Later, Redco failed to come up with a matching reply under intense with his skills. pressure and collapsed at 109 in 16 overs. Rajeewa snapped five wickets in Qatar SC are keen to take maximum his four-over spell, while Janaka claimed three for 22. Raweed was the main advantage of their preparations in Doha scorer with 35, including three sixes and as many boundaries. Saif and Rasmy and overseas camp ahead of the new made 19 and 16, respectively. season. In another match, Amarnath put up a brave fightback with Munir and Meanwhile, QSL side Umm Salal engineered a thrilling QIE’s two-wicket last-over victory against Al Khor renewed the contracts of defender Omar Community. Qatar SC Syrian players Alaeddin Al Dali and Osama Omari pose for a picture. Yahia and goalkeeper Issa Shaaban for Brief scores B & C Divisions Garvey Lions beat Redco by 77 runs. Garvey another season. Lions: 186 for six (Janaka 95 in 57 balls, Nuwan 25 in 19 balls, Geethan 17 in Omar is one of the prominent young striker Christian Osaguona, also roped in Umm Salal players will start training 17 balls; A Sattar 2/35, Faheem 2/33) Redco: 109 in 16 overs (Raweed 35 in 19 players who missed much action last Atef Mohamed Mouladi for two seasons. in Doha on July 1 under the watchful balls, Saif 18 in 19 balls, Rasmy 16 in 10 balls; Rajeewa 5/19, Janaka 3/22) Man season due to an injury. Meanwhile, the trio of Bilal eyes of new coach Laurent Banide of-the-match: Janaka (Garvey Lions) Issa too did not play much, but is a Mohammed, Anas Mubarak and Nasser before they travel to Slovenia for the QIE beat Al Khor Community by two wickets. Al Khor Community: 107 player with great potential. Al Nasr joined The Orange Fortress, while pre-season camp from July 10 to 25 for seven (Fawaz 35 in 29 balls, Sohel 25 in 36 balls; Amarnath 3/20) QIE: 108 Umm Salal, who had recently they extended the deal with defender Juad during which they will play four friendly for 8 in 17.2 overs (Munir 24 not out in 27 balls, Amarnath 19 in 16 balls; Naeem strengthened their ranks with Nigerian Ahnash for another season. matches. 3/24, Kannan 2/19, Khurram 2/19) Man-of-the-match: Amarnath (QIE) TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 SPORT 27 Nadal keeps old guard in control

AFP one Nadal has a record 32 You can’t fight against the age quarter-finals of a Slam for the mixed -- he was knocked out Masters 1000 titles, Djokovic and you can’t fight against the first time having arrived at in the third round at the Aus- Rafa unsure PARIS: When Rafael Nadal 30, Federer, 27, and Murray 14. watch. The watch keep going Roland Garros with titles in tralian Open in January and broke down in tears on the Such is their dominance always,” he said. “I am just and Madrid and a second round at the 2017 US of Wimbledon Roland Garros podium on that former world number one trying to keep enjoying, and I runners-up spot to Nadal in Open. Thiem, who is 24, showed Sunday as 15,000 people, plus Marat Safin, a two-time major am going to keep playing until .= The German, however, flashes of resistance in the final appearance a smattering of Hollywood winner, told reporters at the my body resists, and my hap- struggled through three suc- before crumbling to a straight REUTERS heavyweights, stood and French Open that he would not piness is still high playing cessive five-set matches before sets defeat to Nadal in what was honoured his staggering 11th be surprised to see Nadal and tennis. being trounced by Dominic his first title match at the French Open triumph, it was Federer “play until they are 40”. “When that changes, that Thiem. “There is a lot of talk of majors. PARIS: Rafael Nadal has cast doubt enough to make his desperate Nadal has not put a time will be a time to do another me not being able to play five “It’s a big goal for me to play on his participation at Wimbledon, rivals weep. limit on how much longer he thing -- I am not worried about sets, not being able to play long soon another Slam finals,” said saying he needs to see how his body The 32-year-old Spaniard intends to keep playing, no this.” Those who should be matches. I think I have showed the Austrian, the only man to recovers after a long clay court had wrapped up his 17th major, doubt wary of the ravages of his worried are the likes of world that I can this week,” insisted have defeated Nadal on clay in campaign culminated in an 11th taken his career earnings injury-hit career which have number three Alexander Zverev. the last two years. French Open title. beyond the $100m mark and forced him to sit out nine Slams Zverev, who again flattered to “I think everybody can stop “Of course it’s going to be Two of the Spaniard’s 17 Grand extended his record in Paris to to rest either his knees or wrists. deceive in Paris. talking about it now.” Zverev’s easier because it’s not going to Slam titles came on the All England 86 wins and just two defeats. “I am 32. That’s how I feel. The 21-year-old made the record at the majors remains be the first time anymore. Club’s lawns, but the 32-year-old has It also intensified the struggled to make an impact there in headache facing tennis’ highly- recent years. rated but woefully under-per- “Difficult for me to think about it forming next generation. now. I had a long and mentally tough How do you solve a problem clay court season, of course, because like Nadal? Or Roger Federer I played almost all the matches pos- or Novak Djokovic and Andy sible after coming from an injury. So it Murray for that matter? Since was a demanding two months for me,” Nadal won his first major at Nadal told reporters after his 6-4 6-3 Roland Garros in 2005, the ‘Big 6-2 defeat of Dominic Thiem in Paris. Four’ have claimed 48 of the Nadal, who also won the titles in past 53 Grand Slam titles. Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome In their careers, 36-year- this year, is entered for the Queen’s old Federer has 20 majors, Club warm-up tournament starting Nadal 17, Djokovic 12 and next week but says he will consult Murray three. with his team, including coach Carlos Stan Wawrinka, it should Moya, over the next few days. not be forgotten, also has three “I would love to be playing in as Slams although his name is many places as possible, but you usually an absentee when it understand I need to check how I feel comes to such in the next couple of days,” Nadal said. number-crunching. “Of course it’s a drastic change Nadal’s victory on Sunday from clay to grass. I did it in the past This combination of pictures shows Spain’s Rafael Nadal posing with the Muskeeters trophy during his eleven victories in the men’s meant that the last seven Slams when I was much younger, quicker, French Open at the Roland Garros Stadium. FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT: On June 5, 2005; on June 11, 2006; on June 10, have been shared between because I played back to back.” players who are 30 and over. 2007; on June 8, 2008; on June 6, 2010; on June 5, 2011; on June 11, 2012; on June 9, 2013; on June 8, 2014 and on June 11, 2017. Twenty-times Grand Slam champion Furthermore, world number RIGHT: Rafael Nadal claimed an 11th French Open title on Sunday. Roger Federer, the world number two, skipped the clay court season to concentrate on Wimbledon, where he will be going for a ninth title. Nadal spent several months away CAS increases Errani’s ban by eight months from the tour after sustaining an injury at this year’s Australian Open AFP the Italian Tennis Federation After the original ruling, family”. CAS said that Errani and could, like Federer, decide that after she failed an out-of-com- both Errani, who wanted the had to be held responsible for his long-term interests are best- LAUSANNE: The Court of Arbi- petition test, administered at ban overturned, and the Italian her mother’s mistake and while served by sparing his body further tration for Sport said yesterday her family home, last anti-doping agency, who this amounted to a “light degree punishment. that it accepted tennis player February. wanted it increased, launched of fault”, increased her ban to It is common knowledge that the Sara Errani (pictured) had not Errani said she had con- appeals. 10 months. The two months that lower-bouncing ball on grass puts meant to take a banned drug, sumed letrozole, which can Yesterday, CAS issued a Errani served last year are extra strain on the knees that have but still added eight months to have a “marginal” anabolic statement saying it accepted deducted from that total. bothered him at times throughout his her ban. effect and mask the use of tes- that the letrozole “was medi- Errani was ranked 74th in career. Yet Nadal also knows he could The Italian, a Roland Garros tosterone, unknowingly when cation taken by her mother that the world before Roland Garros be a threat after playing impressively finalist in 2012, was suspended her mother’s cancer medication found its way into the family where she was eliminated in the last year before falling in the last 16, for two months in August 2017 somehow found its way into a meal prepared by the athlete’s first round by Alize Cornet of losing a classic tussle against Luxem- by an independent tribunal of family meal. mother and eaten by the entire France on May 17. bourg’s Gilles Muller. Hamilton remains confident despite problems AFP keep pushing because they will falter. We have to keep applying MONTREAL Lewis Hamilton the pressure.” Hamilton may have lost his lead in the struggled with engine tempera- world drivers’ championship, but tures during the race, the Briton he is confident he and Mercedes already up against it with a will recover after a tough power unit on its seventh outing weekend at the Canadian Grand against rivals who brought Prix. upgrades to the Circuit Gilles While rival four-time Villeneuve. champion German Sebastian Mercedes had planned to Vettel and Ferrari rejoiced in have the latest specification on their first Montreal win since track but delayed it due to quality 2004, which ended Hamilton concerns. and Mercedes’ three-year They will need to have that supremacy at the Circuit Gilles resolved in time for the next race, Villeneuve, the defending the French Grand at the Paul champion Briton was hit by Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet next engine problem and finished week, a venue that has been off fifth. the calendar since 1990 and rep- “Straight from the start, the resents new ground for all the power started dropping out,” said drivers. Hamilton, whose Mercedes “We didn’t apply the pressure engine was in its seventh race this weekend, but I’m really this season, while other teams going to make sure that we come introduced new upgraded power back strong at the next race,” units. Hamilton added. “There were lots of hesita- The races are coming thick The top four finishers Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari, Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP, Max Verstappen of the tions, engine dropping in power, and fast now, with Austria and and Red Bull Racing and Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull celebrate on the podium during the Canadian Formula so I thought the engine was going Britain on successive One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada on Sunday. to blow. We don’t have a problem weekends after France in a with cooling, we just had some- triple-header before Germany thing fail that sent temperatures laps...the second to last lap I had “I have complete confidence standings. Vettel’s victory, at a have generally had a slightly and Hungary lead into the up. some big dips in power...it was in my guys and I am putting my track where Hamilton has dom- better package all round, they’ve August break. “It was an unforeseen issue like ‘please’, just one more lap!” energy into it. We have potential inated in the past but at which been doing a slightly better job Fans can expect a few more and that was losing us power. We He added that he felt that his fifth in this car and there is a long way he could manage only fifth place so we’ve got to do more,” the twists and turns before then, and were operating far below our position might be critical in the to go.” this time, left the quadruple Briton told reporters. hopefully more exciting fare than power target. title fight by the end of the year Mercedes expect to introduce world champions a single point “We’ve got to keep working, the last two served up in Mon- “The whole race, 70 laps, I and he believed that Ferrari their upgraded second engine at apart after seven races. which I know the guys are. And treal and Monaco. thought the engine was going to would yet be fallible under the French Grand Prix later this Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, I think we just need to stay “We came to Montreal blow up. It’s gone a long way this pressure. month. whose team still lead the con- positive. expecting to perform strongly season. “I am still here to win and I Meanwhile, Hamilton said structors’ standings, called it a “There’s no reason to lose and today’s result is a further “I was conflicted at the end, still believe we can win,” he said, that Ferrari will falter, after wake-up call but Hamilton made control or anything like that, we lesson to us that the historic pat- because I wanted to push to get shrugging off the engine-cooling German rival Sebastian Vettel clear that he was already fully just need to keep doing what terns of performance between that next position, but if the problems that required an early won in Canada on Sunday to take aware of the threat. we’re doing and keep our heads the teams are not holding true engine goes in the last couple of pit-stop and ruined his race. over at the top of the drivers’ “We all know they (Ferrari) down and keep motivated and this year,” Wolff warned. TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2018 SPORT 28 We shouldn’t be 5.05PM 8:00PM underestimating the other FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Manuel Fernandes, two teams but Spain is one of Japan vs Poland vs Portuguese midfielder the favourites. We also have Paraguay Lithuania ACTION

respect for Iran and Morocco. TODAY’S

Portugal’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio attends a training session at the team’s base camp in Kratovo, outskirts of Moscow, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup, yesterday.

Ryan warns Portugal’s hopes aided by extra France that Australia eye rest for ace striker Ronaldo shock win AFP AP look about the squad. From the The reserves will be Anthony Portugal’s forward team that started in the final Lopes and Beto, with Benfica’s KAZAN, Russia: Socceroos LISBON: Portugal has received against France two years ago, Bruno Varela as a reserve option. goalkeeper Mat Ryan has assistance from Real Madrid in only and Renato Sanches DEFENDERS Just like at attends a training warned France that a new, its quest for a first World Cup will not make it to Russia. every major tournament since session at the team’s improved Australia team are title, even though it plays Spain Here’s a closer look at the Euro 2008, expect to see vet- base camp in Kratovo, plotting an early World Cup in the opening game. Portugal team: erans Pepe and in outskirts of Moscow, shock when the sides meet By allowing Cristiano COACH command in central defense. yesterday. in Kazan on Saturday. Ronaldo to sit out less mean- The softly-spoken Santos Cedric Soares is preferred at “Come the France game, ingful matches, Madrid’s man- spent most of his career coaching right back, with Borussia we’re going to be ready... and agement of the 33-year-old clubs in Greece and Portugal, defender Raphael giving ourselves opportu- forward in the twilight of his including Porto, Sporting Lisbon Guerreiro likely on the left. nities to win this game,” the career means he should not be and Benfica, before being Jose Fonte and Ruben Dias Brighton stopper warned. worn out in Russia. handed the Greece national team will be Santos’ main replacement ”We can’t wait for Sat- The five-time world player of job in 2010. options in the middle of the urday.” Barely a day after the year is leading a squad that As Portugal was failing to defense. arriving in Kazan, Aussie broke through to win its first major advance from its group in 2014, MIDFIELDERS confidence could be mis- title at the 2016 European Cham- Santos was becoming the first Joao Mario and William Car- taken for the adverse effects pionship. “Ronaldo is crucial,” coach to lead Greece into a valho are expected to anchor the of jetlag. Portugal coach Fernando Santos World Cup knockout phase. midfield again, with Adrien Silva But Bert van Marwijk’s said, “but we know that to win we GOALKEEPERS and Joao Moutinho fighting for side, fresh from two morale- need to play well as a team.” Rui Patricio of Sporting a spot as attacking midfielders boosting wins over the Czech Santos accepts that Portugal Lisbon should be starting in goal along with Bernardo Silva. Republic (4-0) and Hungary is not among the leading con- for another tournament after But Santos will be without (2-1), arrived on a far shorter tenders for the title in Russia, keeping clean sheets in the sem- Euro 2016 starter Danilo Pereira flight from Turkey. even though there’s a familiar ifinals and final at Euro 2016. after the defensive midfielder France, who boast sustained a partial “world-class” talent in tear on his left Antoine Griezmann and Paul Achilles tendon Pogba, according to Australia (      while playing midfielder Massimo Luongo, with Porto. He are among the tournament !!!,    also didn’t call up favourites in Russia , @/ Andre Gomes, alongside Brazil and , who had a disap- Germany. pointing season But the Euro 2016 with Barcelona. finalists have been warned FORWARDS not to take the new, This is Ron- improved and more deter- aldo’s domain. mined Socceroos too lightly After a slow start at Kazan Arena. to the season, Andre Silva, who made his tour- in extra time sealed the Euro “I read a stat before the  Ronaldo has nament debut last year at the 2016 victory over France, were Czech game that we hadn’t  #,! rediscovered his Confederations Cup when Por- left out of the tournament in won against a European $ ! scoring con- tugal finished third. Russia. opponent in Europe for quite !1"  1" sistency at Real Gelson Martins and Goncalo Portugal opens against some time,” said Ryan.    Madrid since Guedes drifted in and out of the Spain on June 15 and then “We managed to do that January. team in the last two years but plays Morocco on June 20 in twice in a couple of weeks. " % !, "  1!! Leading the made into the World Cup squad, Moscow, where the team is “I feel like we’re bene-  # #1!! # attack with as did veteran Ricardo based. The Group B schedule fiting and progressing from /   #,! 1" Ronaldo is likely Quaresma. will conclude against Iran on our time together in this   '   to be 22-year-old Nani and Eder, whose goal June 25. mini-camp in Turkey. For myself and for the squad, the progress has been out of sight.” After squeezing into the World Cup following a mar- Spain game vital for Portugal: Fernandes athon 22-game qualifying campaign under the helm of AFP “We shouldn’t be underesti- to its fullest and we have Cristiano previous coach Ange Postec- Portugal’s midfielder Manuel Fernandes attends mating the other two teams but Spain Ronaldo. oglou, Australia then had to a press conference at their base camp in Kratovo, KRATOVO, RUSSIA: Lokomotiv is one of the favourites. We also have “Of course he’s a very adapt to the arrival of Van on the outskirts of Moscow, yesterday. Moscow midfielder Manuel Fern- respect for Iran and Morocco and will important player for us. We don’t Marwijk. andes yesterday underlined the not take them lightly.” depend on how much he scores but Known for leading the importance of Portugal’s opening “Of course we came here to win on what form he’s in. It’s very Netherlands to the World World Cup group game against Spain all our matches in our group, we important to play as a team. We got Cup final in 2010, the no- in an early heavyweight clash in can’t think about anything else,” he to this stage by playing well nonsense Dutchman has Russia. added. “Our main goal is to go as far together.” been rather less glowing The European champions face as we can.” Spain arrived at their training in his appraisal of the 2010 World Cup winners Spain in The 32-year-old Fernandes, who base in the southern city of Kras- Socceroos’ chances in their first Group B fixture in Sochi on won the first of his 14 caps as a nodar on Thursday, and beat Tunisia Russia. June 15, the winner of which will be teenager in 2005, is appearing at his 1-0 in their final warm-up on Sat- “Only one thing counts, in pole position to finish top of a first major tournament as Portugal urday to extend their unbeaten run to survive the group stage,” section that includes Morocco and hope to dramatically improve on a to 20 matches. van Marwijk said Iran. group stage exit four years ago in “I wouldn’t single out any previously. “It’s a very important game for Brazil. player,” Fernandes responded when But his more disciplined all of us, we’re a strong team now “I’m glad to be here and we’re asked who posed Spain’s main approach, coupled with the and will be playing a very strong very happy to have the opportunity threat. desire to get forward and team too, one of the top contenders,” to be here. It’s very well organised “They have a lot of respect for take chances when they Fernandes told reporters at Portu- and a wonderful venue and team the Portugal team, they think the come, said Luongo, has gal’s training base in Kratovo, base camp,” Fernandes said. game will be very difficult, and we spread confidence southeast of Moscow. “We’ll try to show our strength think the same about them.” throughout the squad.