WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017 SPORTS Heartbroken captain Hasebe withdraws from Japan squad

TOKYO: Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has withdrawn return to Japan for a third opinion with a trusted doctor,” KEY FIGURE decided he would need an operation. Halilhodzic, who from the squad for this week’s World Cup qualifier against Hasebe told reporters in Al Ain according to Kyodo news. Hasebe has been a key figure for Japan for much of the took over as Japan coach following ’s depar- the United Arab Emirates, averting a potential standoff with “I’m leaving the team just before this crucial match and last decade, helping the team win the 2011 Asian Cup and ture in early 2015, has been under pressure following sev- his German club over a knee problem. I feel really bad. Obviously, I am very disappointed and it qualify for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. eral unconvincing displays, including a shock 2-1 loss to The 33-year-old, who has been Japan skipper since 2010, has been a very difficult decision to make. “Hasebe is a very strong captain for us,” said coach the Emirates in the opening match of the round. arrived in the UAE late on Sunday despite his “But I don’t think this will have too much of a negative Vahid Halilhodzic when he announced his squad last “Ever since losing the first game against the UAE at home I club saying he needed an operation on a knee injury sus- impact on the team. I trust my team mates 100, 120 per- week. “Having a team without him in it is unthinkable.” have wanted to come here and erase the disappointment of tained in a 3-0 defeat by Bayern Munich on March 11. cent.” Japan are second in Group B of Asia’s qualifying tour- The former standout was injured that defeat,” Hasebe added. “I have played well with my club On Monday, though, the midfielder said he had trav- nament for the Russia 2018 finals, level on points with when he collided with a post while clearing a Thomas with that feeling in mind and to get this injury just before the elled to join the squad with the blessing of Eintracht but Saudi Arabia and one ahead of third-placed Australia and Mueller shot off the line against Bayern. He was taken to game is heartbreaking.” Japan, who are seeking a sixth straight would now go to Japan to get another diagnosis of the the UAE. Only the top two teams are guaranteed to qualify hospital after the game to have a wound on his left shin appearance at the World Cup, take on the UAE on Thursday injury. “There is a good chance I will go under the knife. I’ll for the finals. stitched but later broke down in training and the club before returning home to face Thailand yesterday. — Reuters Brazil on verge of landing World Cup berth for Russia

SAO PAULO: The only team to play in every tors will miss injured Manchester City for- World Cup is about to qualify for the next ward Gabriel Jesus, who has a broken toe one. Brazil could ensure its spot at the 2018 on his right foot. tournament in Russia with a victory at Brazil winger Douglas Costa is also out Uruguay tomorrow. Depending on other with an injured knee and will be replaced results, however, the five-time champions by Palmeiras winger Dudu. Brazil, however, may have to wait until next week when will have Barcelona striker Neymar, and he they face Paraguay in Sao Paulo. can turn any match at any moment. Either way, Brazil’s turnaround has been “If I had a formula, I wouldn’t tell you. rather spectacular. Just over 21/2 years ago, But I confess I don’t have one,” Uruguay the Brazilians were humiliated at home in a coach Oscar Tabarez said. “I have the sense, 7-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup semi- from what I see in every match, that many finals. The difference has been coach other coaches still haven’t found the secret, Adenor Leonardo Bacchi - known at Tite and neither have the players who go (pronounced Chi-Chi) - who took over last against Neymar.” year after Dunga was fired. In six qualifying matches under Tite, Brazil has won all six. STRUGGLING ARGENTINA Brazil leads the 10-team South American Two-time champion Argentina faces a qualifying group with 27 points from 12 tough match against Chile in Buenos Aires matches. Uruguay is four behind and in good tomorrow. The Argentines will be without shape to take the second of four automatic defender Pablo Zabaleta, who has an World Cup berths. A fifth South American injured left leg. team can also advance through a playoff. After the match against Chile, Argentina But after Brazil and Uruguay, the race for plays at Bolivia, where it will battle the thin the other qualifying spots is wide open air in La Paz. The Bolivian capital is located with only six matches remaining. at 3,600 meters (11,900 feet) and is always a Ecuador and Chile have 20 points each treacherous venue for visiting teams. and Argentina has 19, followed by BURTON-ON-TRENT: England’s striker Jermain Defoe (C) joins teammates in warming up during a team training session at St George’s Park in Colombia with 18, Paraguay with 15 and THE OTHER MATCHES Burton-on-Trent yesterday, ahead of their friendly international football match against Germany in Dortmund today. After a year scarred by Peru with 14. At the bottom, Bolivia has In other matches tomorrow, it’s: scandal and sporting catastrophe, Gareth Southgate will begin his attempt to steer England into calmer waters in today’s friendly against seven points and Venezuela has five. Colombia vs. Bolivia; Paraguay vs. Ecuador; Germany in Dortmund. — AFP Neither Brazil nor Uruguay will be able and Venezuela vs. Peru. On March 28, it’s: to count on their top strikers for the match. Bolivia vs. Argentina; Ecuador vs. Colombia; SOCCER The hosts will be without suspended Chile vs. Venezuela; Brazil vs. Paraguay; and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, and the visi- Peru vs. Uruguay. — AP Southgate picks up pieces as England rebuild again

LONDON: After a year scarred by scandal and sport- ‘POWERFUL MESSAGE’ Injuries to strikers Kane and Daniel Sturridge ing catastrophe, Gareth Southgate will begin his His first significant act was to sideline Rooney, four meant 34-year-old Sunderland veteran Jermain attempt to steer England into calmer waters in today’s months after the 31-year-old had to apologise for Defoe was summoned by his country for the first friendly against Germany in Dortmund. England being pictured looking the worse for wear alongside time in close to four years. began 2016 with a stirring 3-2 win over Germany, but wedding guests at the England team hotel. Rooney Southgate outlined his vision for the year ahead they were humiliated by Iceland at Euro 2016 before became England’s leading scorer during the Euro in a presentation to the squad at England’s St new manager Sam Allardyce was brought down by a 2016 qualifiers, but he has lost his place at Manchester George’s Park base on Monday. newspaper sting after just one game in charge. United and may never get an opportunity to add to “It was a very powerful message,” said midfielder Southgate, 46, has been left to pick up the pieces his 53 international goals. In Rooney’s absence, Ward-Prowse. “It is one that the under-21s have and he asserted his authority by omitting captain Southgate has indicated he intends to allocate the received before, highlighting the highs and lows of a Wayne Rooney from his first squad, explaining that it captain’s armband on a match-by-match basis. Theo career and the ambitions that he sees for us. “I think is time for England to build for the future. “When Walcott was another casualty of Southgate’s first obviously we want to be the best in the world. If you you’re in the role temporarily, you are always thinking, squad, the manager explaining that the Arsenal for- want to win major tournaments, then you’ve got to ‘Do I make decisions for the long term or do you just ward had not impressed him during England’s most become that sort of team.” England top their World need points for the country?’” said Southgate, who ini- recent games. Southgate turned instead to several of Cup qualifying group ahead of Sunday’s home game tially replaced Allardyce on an interim basis. his former under-21 charges, with Southampton pair with Lithuania, but as Southgate will be keenly “Now there’s an opportunity to put down things I Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse notably aware, the country lost faith in the national team a think are important. “We’ve got a clear longer-term awarded their first call-ups. long time ago. — AFP vision of how we want to work as a group of staff, so the last few months have been about putting that into place.” England left Germany a year ago with confi- Arsenal manager Wenger dence sky-high after goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier saw Roy Hodgson’s men come from 2-0 down to beat the world champions 3-2 in denies rumors of PSG deal Berlin. Hodgson’s young team were expected to make a splash at Euro 2016 in France, but after limp group- PARIS: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied against fifth-tier teams in the FA Cup. Arsenal is fur- stage draws against Russia and Slovakia, they were he has been offered a two-year deal to become ther than ever from winning the Premier League stunned 2-1 by Iceland in the last 16. Hodgson’s resig- coach at Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking to title for the first time since 2004 and is six points nation saw Allardyce handed the job he had long cov- Beinsports channel, the Frenchman said the reports adrift of the fourth Champions League place. eted, only for him to fall foul of undercover Daily in the British press are “fake news.” “It is a false rumor. That is what you call fake Telegraph reporters who secretly filmed him making Wenger said last week he has reached a deci- news,” Wenger said when asked about the reported indiscreet comments in a hotel bar. sion on whether he will stay at the Premier offer from PSG. “I formally deny it. It is not true.” Enter Southgate. Promoted from his role as League club beyond this season, and will Wenger’s contract with Arsenal expires at the announce it publicly “very soon.” The 67-year-old end of the season. He said last year that he rejected England under-21s coach, he was given four games to Wenger, who has been in his position since 1996, offers from the French champions after L’Equipe prove himself worthy of the top job. is under increased pressure after Arsenal’s 3-1 loss newspaper reported that PSG had made three Results and performances were mixed as England at West Bromwich Albion that saw the team drop approaches since Qatar Sports Investments took beat Malta and Scotland in World Cup qualifying, but to sixth place. It was Arsenal’s fourth loss in five over the club in 2011. could only draw 0-0 in Slovenia and let a 2-0 lead slip Premier League games. “I know well the owners, but I feel always I LEICESTER: This file photo taken on October 18, 2016 shows Leicester City’s to draw 2-2 in an end-of-year friendly with Spain. In the last month, Arsenal has been eliminated remained loyal to Arsenal football club because I Italian manager Claudio Ranieri (R) hugging Leicester City’s English striker But it proved a successful audition and Southgate- from the Champions League by Bayern Munich 10- think it’s a club that has the qualities I love,” Wenger abetted by a glaring lack of other strong candidates- 2 on aggregate and only won two games - both said in September. — AP Jamie Vardy. England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy said yesterday his was awarded a four-year contract in November. alleged role in getting Claudio Ranieri sacked after a terrible slump in form placed the champions in danger of relegation has earned him and his family death threats. — AFP Leicester striker Vardy Chicago Fire sign says he gets death threats Schweinsteiger LONDON: Jamie Vardy has gone from not the best,” Vardy said. “It’s happened Premier League champion to a target of plenty of times. It is terrifying. All that LONDON: Manchester United’s German mid- Rodriguez said on the official Fire website hatred. The Leicester striker said he has can happen is they get banned on fielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has signed a (www.chicago-fire.com). received death threats amid the bitter Twitter. People get cut up but if there’s one-year deal to join Chicago Fire, the Major “Bastian’s talents, attitude, and character fallout from manager Claudio Ranieri no cameras you’re screwed.” League Soccer club announced yesterday. will be a perfect complement to our squad as being fired by his club last month. Vardy said he tries to ignore the The 32-year-old World Cup winner, who we continue building a championship pro- Vardy was named as one of the play- abuse he gets from fans as he focuses joined United at the start of last season, has gram.” Schweinsteiger spent 13 seasons with ers who had conversations with on keeping Leicester in the Premier ended a difficult spell under coach Jose Bayern Munich before joining United, win- Leicester’s owners before Ranieri was League and prolonging the team’s Mourinho, having fallen out of favour since ning eight Bundesliga titles, seven German dismissed as a result of last season’s incredible Champions League debut. the Portuguese arrived at the club at the start Cups and the Champions League in 2013. improbable champions being plunged Leicester is six points above the relega- of the current campaign. He was also part of the 2014 World Cup- into a relegation scrap. tion zone and preparing to face Atletico “I am sad to leave so many friends at winning squad and represented his country Vardy’s denials about playing any role Madrid next month in the European Manchester United,” Schweinsteiger told the 121 times before announcing his internation- in Ranieri’s departure have not stopped Cup quarterfinals. club website (www.manutd.com). al retirement last July. But he never got a some fans from targeting him and his Vardy was spotted by Leicester play- “But I am grateful to the club for allowing chance under Mourinho, with Germany coach family. “The story is out there and people ing for non-league side Fleetwood Town me the chance to take up the challenge at Joachim Loew saying Schweinsteiger could pick it up and jump on it and you’re get- in 2012. While the 30-year-old Vardy Chicago Fire. “I have enjoyed working with have helped United. ting death threats about your family, scored 24 goals last season, he has only the manager, the players and staff here and “I talked with him and he said he gave it kids, everything,” Vardy said while on been on target 10 times this year. wish them all the best in the future. But I have everything in the past few months. There was international duty with England. “On “I just get abuse at every stadium that to reserve special thanks to the United fans- some hope but for the longer term social media, you name it, walking down I turn up at,” Vardy said. “To be honest, whose support has been a very special part of Manchester United were maybe planning the street. To be honest I get them every you are always going to get stick from my time in Manchester.” without him,” Loew told reporters on Tuesday week. Football fans don’t seem to like fans. It is part and parcel of football. I’m Fire’s general manager Nelson Rodriguez ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with England. me.” It’s affecting his family, too. one that carries on and winds them up a believes the club are getting a proven winner “It is a shame that it ended that way at “I just get on with it but when people bit. Do I enjoy it? Yeah, it’s just me. I in the former Germany midfielder, who must Manchester. He could have helped them, in are trying to cut your missus (wife couldn’t tell you why I get it, but it’s part pass a medical and get a visa before joining. my opinion. He could have been their organ- Rebekah) up while she’s driving along, of the game. I am not really fussed about iser in that midfield position.” Chicago have with the kids in the back of the car, it’s it. It’s fine by me.” — AP HISTORIC MOMENT finished last overall in the MLS for the past “This is a historic moment for our club,” two seasons. — Reuters Bastian Schweinsteiger