6 July 4, 2020 Mahdavikia’s Goal Against USA Nominated Hamilton on Top as Mercedes Dominate for Asia’s Greatest World Cup Goals Opening Practice ering moments of magic on the game’s biggest stage. There are fabulous free-kicks, blistering break- aways and scorchers from distance, but which five goals will advance to next week’s final? In an eagerly anticipated fixture, and with Team Melli already a goal up thanks to Hamid Estili’s first-half header, Mehdi Mahdavikia put the seal on a famous win with a lung-bursting breakaway run and finish. Finding himself in open space in the 83rd min- ute, the future Bundesliga star sprinted towards goal before expertly poking the ball into the bot- tom corner from just inside the penalty area, all but guaranteeing three priceless Iranian points. Mahdavikia will vie with Faisal Al Dakheel (Ku- Lewis Hamilton won his first world title in 2008 wait), Hwangbo Kwan (Korea Republic), Fahad SPIELBERG, Austria (AFP) the second event in Austria next Al Ghesheyan (Saudi Arabia), Ahn Jung-hwan - Defending six-time champion week. (Korea Republic), Brett Holman (Australia), Ya- Lewis Hamilton topped the times Four-time champion Sebastian suhito Endo (Japan), Park Ji-sung (Korea Repub- ahead of Mercedes team-mate Vettel, who is set to leave the out- lic), Keisuke Honda (Japan) and Son Heung-min Valtteri Bottas as Formula One fit at the end of the year, strug- (Korea Republic) to qualify for the final stage. roared back at Friday’s opening gled to 12th, two places behind Iraj Danaeifard’s goal against Scotland in the practice at the belated and surreal team-mate Charles Leclerc, in TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A goal from Mehdi Mahda- In a second semifinal featuring 10 more Asian 1978 FIFA World Cup had been previously nomi- season-opening Austrian Grand the eerie surroundings of the fan- vikia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, has been nomi- World Cup classics, this week’s selection features nated as Asia’s Greatest FIFA World Cup goal in Prix. less circuit in the Styrian Alps nated as the Asia’s Best FIFA World Cup goals. some of the continent’s all-time greats, all deliv- the first semi-final. Three months after the can- where pit-stops were curiously cellation of the original cam- controlled with all the mechanics paign starter in Australia and in masks and protective gear. Real Madrid Go Four Points Clear After Edging Getafe six months on from the last race In mild weather conditions, meeting, it was business as usual with track temperatures mea- MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid go. If we continue like this, stay- for the dominant black arrows sured at 22 degrees Celsius com- took a big step towards winning La ing solid, it will be fine.” with Max Verstappen third for pared to 57 degrees for last year’s Liga on Thursday by battling past It is Madrid’s biggest lead over Red Bull ahead of McLaren’s race, Mercedes had no cooling Getafe to move four points clear of Barcelona since September and Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz. problems as Hamilton outpaced Barcelona, with five games left. their biggest cushion at the top of After a slow start on a damp Bottas by three-tenths and was Sergio Ramos’ late penalty the table all season. surface at the Red Bull Ring, fol- six-tenths clear of Verstappen. proved the difference at the Al- If they can beat Athletic Bilbao lowing overnight rain, Hamilton, Sergio Perez was fifth in Racing fredo di Stefano Stadium where at San Mames on Sunday, Madrid sporting a new Black Lives Mat- Point’s ‘pink Mercedes’ ahead Madrid were made to feel un- could even pull seven points clear ter helmet to match his black race of Lando Norris in the second comfortable by Getafe but dug before Barca face a difficult game suit, was on the pace immediately McLaren, Alex Albon in the oth- out a gutsy 1-0 victory worthy of away at in-form Villarreal a few in his W11 car of the same color, er Red Bull and McLaren-bound champions. hours later. repainted from silver this year to Daniel Ricciardo of Renault. This was arguably Madrid’s Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at home support equality and diversity. Kevin Magnussen was ninth for toughest fixture remaining and to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, It was as if the lengthy delay Haas. with a four-point advantage over coming on the back of another created by the COVID-19 pan- The session saw Verstappen Barca, as well as the superior 2-2 draw away at Celta Vigo last demic had no affect on the teams, recover from a spin at Turn One head-to-head, the trophy is now weekend, gave Zidane’s side an tive. They believe in what we do.” Barca back in. cars and drivers other than Ferra- and Daniil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri firmly within their grasp. opening and they have taken full Six wins out six since the re- Eden Hazard was left out of the ri whose new SF91 machine was, run off at the final corner, causing “We have not won anything,” advantage. start, with only two goals con- squad as he continues his recovery as forecast, unable to match the Williams’ George Russell to take insisted coach Zinedine Zidane. “My job is to make them calm ceded, has made for a relentless from a troublesome foot injury but pace set at the front by Mercedes. dramatic avoiding action while “We are doing things well, yes, in the difficult moments,” said Zi- run of form and it would take a Ramos and the excellent Karim Ferrari plan to revise their car Romain Grosjean was stuck in but there are five games still to dane. “To be quiet, patient, posi- monumental collapse now to let Benzema led the way again. with updates for the Hungarian the Haas garage with brake prob- race in two weeks time following lems throughout the session. Guardiola: Man City Must Rebuild for Title Challenge MANCHESTER (Dispatches) - Manchester City must rebuild if they are Report: Messi Unwilling to to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next season, manager Pep Guardiola has said. Renew Barca Contract City’s reign as champions ended after last week’s defeat by Chelsea left Liverpool with an insurmountable lead. Guardiola, whose team will give Liverpool a guard of honour when they meet at the Etihad Stadium later on Thursday, said the need to rebuild was one all clubs faced. “We have to rebuild. It happens at clubs around the world,” he said. “We have to accept it and take the right decisions to try to maintain the level that we have. “We have exceptional players but after the season finishes we will re- flect.” City have already conceded 10 more goals in the league than they did Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says team must rebuild for title in the whole of last season’s title-winning campaign, and still have seven challenge next season games left.

French Open to Allow Fans in Stands Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi warms up before the PARIS (AP) - The French Open will of fans. No more than four people Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico allow fans to attend this year’s post- can sit together in one group and de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on June 30, 2020. poned tournament. there must also be one chair left BARCELONA (Dispatches) - that appeared to make him seem The French Tennis Federation said empty between each mini-group of Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has responsible for events at the club, Thursday up to 60% of the stands can people in the same row. called off negotiations over renew- such as the January sacking of be filled with fans when play starts in ‘’The number of spectators al- ing his contract with the club and coach Ernesto Valverde, and that September at Roland Garros. lowed in the stadium will be 50%- is ready to leave the Catalans when he is frustrated about the squad’s Tickets will go on sale on July 16 60% of the usual capacity,’’ the FFT his current deal expires in 2021, ac- lack of quality. for the Sept. 27-Oct. Oct. 11 tourna- said. ‘’This reduction will allow cording to a report by Spanish radio The Argentine’s representatives ment. strict distancing measures to be re- station Cadena Ser on Friday. and Barcelona did not immediately The clay-court tournament had spected.’’ The report said Messi and his respond to requests for comment. been scheduled to start on May 24 Wearing masks is recommended father Jorge had begun discuss- Messi, who turned 33 last month, but was postponed to Sept. 20 be- but will not be obligatory when fans ing renewing his last deal with the scored his 700th career goal on cause of the coronavirus pandemic. line up outside or sit in the stands, club, which was signed in 2017, Tuesday against Atletico Madrid, It then got pushed back another FILE - In this June 10, 2018 file photo, the crowd watch Austria’s but must be worn when fans are but that he no longer wishes to stay but the milestone strike ended in week. Dominic Thiem serving to Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s moving around inside the grounds. at the Camp Nou. disappointment as Barca drew the The FFT has prepared a health and final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Hand sanitizers will also be avail- The report added that Messi is game 2-2 in the latest blow to their safety protocol to ensure the safety Garros stadium,in Paris. able. angry about leaked media reports bid to retain the Spanish title.