27 Sports Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Norway join China, Spain in WCup last 16 as France and Germany top groups Italy need just a point against Brazil to top the group REIMS: Norway went through to the last 16 of the the second attempt, after Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Women’s World Cup alongside China and Spain on Nnadozie was judged to have encroached for Renard’s Monday after beating South Korea 2-1, while France first effort, which hit the post. and Germany topped their groups with wins over Germany meanwhile ensured they missed the Nigeria and South Africa. Americans in the next round after they topped Group B Caroline Graham Hansen gave Norway an early lead with a perfect nine points following a comprehensive 4- from the spot after Cho So-hyun was judged to have 0 win over South Africa earlier on Monday. grabbed Maria Thorisdottir in the third minute, before It could instead be Spain, who qualify for the next winning the decisive second penalty shortly after the round in second place behind the Germans after a goal- break when she was chopped down by Kang Chae-rim. less draw with also-through China, to play the world’s The Barcelona attacker had to watch while she best team. Both the Spaniards and former runners-up received treatment on the sidelines as Isabell Herlovsen China knew a point in Le Havre would take them just squeezed home Norway’s second to secure the through to the knockout phase from Group B, and they points from a nervy encounter and seal second place in transpired to play out a stalemate. Group A, despite Yeo Min-ji’s poked finish 12 minutes Spain did threaten to take all three points late on, from time. but China goalkeeper Peng Shimeng made key saves in They also survived a late scare from the impressive the last 10 minutes, getting down low to keep out a Koreans, who are nonetheless out after finishing bottom Patri Guijarro strike and then reaching to tip over a with no points, when Min-ji headed a fraction wide in Jennifer Hermoso effort. stoppage time. In the next round Martin Sjogren’s side China finshed behind Spain on goal difference but will take on one of Italy, Brazil or Australia, who go into will progress as one of the best third-place finishers. the last round of group matches in Group C with first Former world champions Germany had no trouble dis- place and a potential two further last 16 places up for pensing with South Africa in Montpellier, as the grabs. Banyana Banyana go home from their first World Cup Outsiders Italy need just a point against Brazil to top without a point. the group while the Australians can snatch second Leupolz was left unmarked to head in the opening place if they beat point-less bottom side Jamaica and goal from six yards out in the 14th minute at the Stade the Brazilians-in second level on three points with the de la Mosson, and Sara Daebritz fired in the second 15 Aussies-fail to win. mintes later before captain Alexandra Popp emphatical- RENNES: France’s defender Wendie Renard hits and scores a penalty kick during the France 2019 France meanwhile will take on one of the four best ly headed home Giulia Gwinn’s cross to seal the points Women’s World Cup Group A football match between Nigeria and France, at the Roazhon Park stadium in third-placed finishers following their 1-0 win, but face five minutes before the break. Rennes, western France. - AFP the prospect of tackling defending champions the USA Lina Magull got the fourth goal from close range just in the quarter-finals should the Americans as expected before the hour mark, and South Africa then tried in top Group F and win their subsequent last 16 tie. vain to grab a consolation, with Janine van Wyk firing through. Germany go into a last-16 tie on Saturday in 24 against either the United States or Sweden, while The French needed a point to take first place in the just over from long range and Thembi Kgatlana being Grenoble against an as yet unknown third-place finish- China must wait to find out which group winner they group but Renard gave them all three from the spot at denied by goalkeeper Almuth Schult after going clean er from another group. Spain will play in Reims on June will come up against. — AFP The 40-year-old has emerged as the favourite to Lampard likely to be replace Maurizio Sarri at the Premier League club Egypt ready for after the Italian joined Serie A champions Juventus on Sunday. named Chelsea boss “In my personal opinion, he’ll be the manager of Holders Cameroon Africa Cup despite Chelsea. It looks to me like it’s going to happen,” LONDON: Derby County boss Frank Lampard Redknapp, who has managed several English clubs warn Group F rivals security concerns would find it hard to say no to Chelsea if they including West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, offered him the manager’s job, his uncle Harry told BBC Radio 5 Live. Redknapp has told the BBC. Lampard, who spent 13 “If Chelsea come calling, it’s a difficult one for him JOHANNESBURG: Cameroon coach Clarence Seedorf has CAIRO: The Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in trophy-laden years as a player at Chelsea, guided to turn down. He’s a true legend at Chelsea, one of the a message for Group F opponents at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this month: “no one is going to have an Egypt on Friday against a backdrop of terror attacks Derby to the Championship (second-tier) playoff greatest players in the club’s history. “It may not come and only days after the death of former Islamist presi- final in his first season in management, where they easy time against us.” along again, you never know in football, the opportu- He says the surprise winners of the last edition are “in good dent Mohamed Morsi. With opening and closing lost out to Aston Villa. nity is there for him to go back now.” — Reuters games held at Cairo Stadium, it will be the fifth time shape and positive” ahead of matches with Guinea-Bissau, that Egypt has hosted the regional tournament, which four-time champions Ghana and Benin. “I believe we have has expanded this year to include 24 teams. regained international respect thanks to some great perform- Cairo last welcomed African teams in 2006, before ances after missing out on the World Cup in Russia last year.” the country’s political landscape was rocked by the Here, AFP Sport highlights the teams in a section Arab Spring of 2011. This time, Egypt plays host after Cameroon and Ghana seem set to dominate against Benin and Morsi, its first democratically elected president, was Guinea-Bissau sides seeking first wins in the competition. buried yesterday following the ousted and jailed leader’s collapse in court and death the previous day. BENIN Authorities are confident the infrastructure is in After eight losses and a draw in three previous appear- place to host the continent’s largest football contest, ances, the west African nation are craving a maiden victory but they are on high alert after attacks on tourists near at the African football showpiece. “Above all else, we want the pyramids and an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula. to win a match at the Cup of Nations,” says Steve Mounie, A roadside bomb near the pyramids last month left who played for the Huddersfield Town team relegated from 17 people wounded, just months after a similar attack the English Premier League last season. The best chance the in December killed three Vietnamese holidaymakers Squirrels have of achieving that ambition should come in and an Egyptian tour guide. The interior ministry in Ismailia on June 29 when they face Guinea-Bissau, 30 June announced extra security forces would be places lower in the world rankings. For the opening match deployed to maintain “public order” for the competi- against Ghana, Benin will lack suspended captain and star tion. Egyptians were expected to be a major driver of Stephane Sessegnon, who needs one goal to become the the tournament’s reach, but local fans have been up in leading all-time scorer for the national team. arms over the cost of watching a game-either in stadi- ums or on television. Verdict: best they can hope for is a last-16 place The country’s stadiums have also been sites of vio- CAMEROON lence, with lethal clashes breaking out between fans The Indomitable Lions hope to match the teams of 2000 and security forces. Fans were banned from watching and 2002 and win back-to-back African titles. Hard-to- league matches in Egypt after a February 2012 stadi- please former superstar Roger Milla is supporting Seedorf. um riot in Port Said left 74 people dead, making it one “He has played in many top competitions and knows what it of the world’s deadliest football clashes. takes to win big tournaments,” Milla said of the four-time Stadiums reopened three years later but the ban SAO PAULO: Chile’s Eduardo Vargas(L) celebrates with teammate Chile’s Mauricio Isla after scoring during Champions League winner with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC was quickly reinstated after at least 20 fans of Cairo a Copa America football tournament Group C match between Chile and Japan at the Cicero Pompeu de Milan.