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Indians punch Mendes summoned White Sox, go over Ronaldo tax 13th straight evasion case THURSDAY,13 SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 15 Venus becomes the oldest semi-finalist in US Open history Page 14 BUENOS AIRES: Venezuela’s Jhon Chancellor (left) clears a ball beside Argentina’s Guido Pizarro (center) and Argentina’s Federico Fazio during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Tuesday, Sept 5, 2017. — AP Argentina and Chile stumble again South American heavyweights slip; Uruguay on brink MONTEVIDEO: Argentina and Chile’s World Cup host fourth-placed Peru next month in Buenos ‘WE MUST FIGHT’ fight, we will make the greatest effort possible, we into the lead with a deflected shot on 76 minutes qualification hopes were left on a knife edge Aires before an awkward final game at altitude In Buenos Aires, Argentina coach Jorge believe that we have the ability to compete with before Luis Suarez then broke clear to set up the Tuesday after the South American heavyweights against Ecuador. Sampaoli admitted his team had blown a golden the best and we will try to obtain the results that visitors second. slipped up once again on the road to next year’s Chile meanwhile will face Ecuador in Santiago opportunity to force themselves into the automatic allow us to qualify,” said Pizzi. Although Chile have a The Barcelona superstar rounded goalkeeper finals in Russia. Argentina needed a second-half on October 5, before heading to Brazil for their qualifying places following Chile’s defeat earlier in difficult run-in against Ecuador and Brazil, Pizzi said Anthony Silva and then saw his shot hit the wood- own goal to help them snatch a 1-1 draw against final qualifier five days later. At the top of the the day. Sampaoli blamed poor first-half finishing his side had not lost hope. “There are two matches work only to rebound into the net off Gustavo already-eliminated Venezuela in Buenos Aires while table, Brazil have already qualified and assured for his side’s failure to take all three points against left, I’m going to fight and my players are going to Gomez. Angel Romero pulled a goal back for Chile crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Bolivia in La themselves of first place. The Brazilians picked up the Venezuelans. “We have two games left against fight, with all the force we have,” Pizzi said. Paraguay but hopes of a dramatic late fightback Paz. The results left 2014 World Cup finalists another point on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw Peru and Ecuador and we need to win both of came to nothing. The result leaves Uruguay second Argentina and reigning Copa America champions against third-placed Colombia in Barranquilla. A them,” Sampaoli said. “We had three chances to URUGUAY ON BRINK in the standings with 27 points from 16 games. A Chile outside of the automatic qualifying places spectacular volleyed goal from Willian gave the score in the first half and everything could have Uruguay meanwhile moved to the brink of win in Venezuela in their next game would see and sets up a nail-biting final two rounds of match- Brazilians the lead on the stroke of half-time been settled.” qualification with a typically combative 2-1 win them through to the finals. Seventh-placed es next month. Argentina are fifth in the standings before Colombia clawed back a share of the “We must continue to fight in attack and give over Paraguay in Asuncion. Paraguay, riding high Paraguay still have an outside chance of qualifica- with 24 points from 16 games while Chile are sixth points with a battling second-half display strength to the players.” Chile coach Juan Antonio after a brilliant 3-0 win over Chile in Santiago last tion but will probably need to beat Colombia in with 23 points. The Argentineans-who would face a capped by a headed equalizer from Radamel Pizzi echoed Sampaoli’s sentiments after watching month, were left stunned by two opportunistic their next game before wrapping up their cam- playoff against New Zealand if they remain fifth- Falcao. his side slide to a dispiriting loss in La Paz. “We will Uruguay goals. Federico Valverde fired Uruguay paign against Venezuela.—AFP Wood rescues US Relief as Ciro Immobile SAN PEDRO SULA: Hamburg striker Bobby Wood scored a late equaliser to salvage a crucial 1-1 draw for the United States in their World Cup qualifier saves stuttering Italy with Honduras on Tuesday. Wood bundled in an 85th-minute leveller just 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute to rescue a point for the Americans REGGIO EMILIA: The relief was palpable is what everyone expected at the time of the in sweltering conditions at the Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium. yesterday after Ciro Immobile kept Italy’s draw. It’s not a surprise, it’s normal. With a The result means that Bruce Arena’s side still have automatic qualification World Cup campaign on track despite an good result in Spain we could have toppled in their own hands, with a home match against Panama next month fol- unconvincing 1-0 qualifying win by the four- the predictions.” lowed by an away game against Trinidad & Tobago. If the US win both of time champions over Israel in Reggio Emilia. Italy, without the injured Giorgio Chiellini those games, they will be assured of reaching next year’s finals in Russia. A shell-shocked Azzurri needed to hit back and suspended Leonardo Bonucci, were far “That’s a huge point for the US team,” US coach Arena said afterward. “I’m hard after falling to a 3-0 defeat to Spain in from convincing after their demolition by really proud of our team,” he added. Arena insisted the team had not set out Madrid on Saturday, which all but ended Spain. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco to play for a draw-and added that the US path to Russia is still far from their hopes of automatic qualification to the Verratti was slated for another weak per- straightforward. tournament in Russia. formance as he picked up a yellow card that “We didn’t come here to play for a point. We fell behind a goal and tried But Giampiero Ventura’s side were jeered rules him out against Macedonia in October. to get it back. The team deserves credit for getting a point,” he said. “There’s off the pitch in northern Italy after a poor Winger Antonio Candreva, who delivered not even a crack open in the door to Russia for us. There’s a lot of work to be first half on Tuesday night before Lazio strik- the crucial cross for Immobile to head into done.” It was a lucky escape for the US, who had been beaten in their previ- er Immobile broke through eight minutes goal, hailed the win as “an important ous game on Friday against Costa Rica and could not afford a second defeat after the break to edge them closer to the achievement”. “The KO of Madrid hurt and here. Arena rolled the dice with seven changes from the team beaten by play-offs. The front pages of the daily news- maybe there was a psychological block. But Costa Rica, but the gamble appeared set to backfire when Romell Quioto papers echoed the sense of relief from “San we reacted and remain a team who have punished sloppy US defending midway through the first half to score. Ciro” in Corriere dello Sport to “Italy slight done great things,” said Candreva. The best US chance of the opening 45 minutes came when Christian recovery” in La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Alongside Candreva and Immobile new Pulisic played a one-two with Morris only to see his shot saved. There was lit- “apocalypse” scenario of Italy failing to quali- Cheslea defender Davide Zappacosta tle more to cheer for the US fans in the second half, as Arena’s men struggled fy for the World Cup voiced by Italian foot- received praise after being drafted in after to make any impression on the hosts. The best chances of the second half ball federation president Carlo Tavecchio the Santiago Bernabeu flop. “The loss to fell to the Hondurans, with Alexander Lopez seeing a thunderous shot on 61 had abated. “Ciro Immobile saves Italy and Spain made us understand many things and minutes parried by Brad Guzan. Anthony Lozano also continued to cause mortgages the play-offs,” continued Corriere we know we have to work as a team,” said problems, and saw his shot crash into the outside of the stanchion on 77th dello Sport. Zappacosta. “The play-off goal is very close minute after he had skipped clear of Michael Bradley. La Gazzetta were scathing of the “slow and we know we have to go to the World With what would have been a disastrous defeat beckoning, the US were and dull Azzurri” but took heart from the Cup. We are focused on this.” Veteran captain given a lifeline five minutes from time with a free-kick in a dangerous posi- play-offs being a step away with one point Gianluigi Buffon defended Ventura’s much- tion. Kellyn Acosta stepped up to curl a shot against the bar and in the ensu- needed from the last two qualifying games. criticized tactics. “The boss has experience ing melee, Wood coolly tucked away the finish. Elsewhere Tuesday, Costa As Spain top Group G after routing and must do what he believes, he feels he is Rica squandered the chance to book their ticket to Russia after being held 1- Liechtenstein 8-0, Italy consolidated second following a certain kind of game and we 1 at home by Mexico.