Asia Seeks More World Cup Shocks at Qatar 2022 AFP Stretches Back to the 2002 World Cup Stage with 11 Points Between Them

SPORT Thursday 5 July 2018 PAGEE | 19 PAGPAGE | 21

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Asia seeks more World Cup shocks at Qatar 2022 AFP stretches back to the 2002 World Cup stage with 11 points between them. with one of the best teams in the tour- in Japan and South Korea. However, Saudi Arabia, another AFC nament,” said AFC president Sheikh HONG KONG: Asian teams weren’t But Japan, South Korea and Iran side, never recovered from their 5-0 Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. expected to make an impact at the departed Russia with their heads held spanking by Russia in the tournament’s “Their success exemplifies the great World Cup but a record points haul and high and positive expectations for Qatar opening game, and Australia -- the progress of Asian teams to stand proud some stunning performances against 2022, when the World Cup returns to Asian champions -- also had a World with the world’s elite.” Diego Maradona top sides have lifted their hopes for AFC territory for the first time in 20 Cup to forget. Japan’s image was also burnished Qatar 2022. years. Despite looking competitive in their by images of their fans tidying up sta- South Korea’s 2-0 dethroning of “The AFC nations can take great group games against France, Denmark diums after games -- while a picture of defending champions Germany could encouragement from this year’s World and Peru, the Socceroos failed to win a Japan’s spotless changing room, with a English win a have been viewed as a one-off, if not Cup,” Andy Jackson of FourFourTwo game and they went home without thank you note in Russian, went viral for Japan’s heartbreaking defeat to star- magazine told AFP. scoring a goal from open play. after the Belgium defeat. ‘monumental studded Belgium days later in the last “(They) can look forward to 2022 Out of the Asian teams, Japan “This Japanese team and its sup- 16.6. andad ana AFC-hostedC ostedWo World d Cup in QatarQata emergedemerm ged withh the mostostc credited t after a tet theyhey portersportes leftt withwwit theirte headseads robbery,’ says IranI aalsolso cacameme ddesperatelyespees ratetely ccloseloselose to withwiiih thehe hophhopeeeof of beibeingeing o onenen o offthftf ththee nanationstionons reachedrereachedd theh laslastast 166 andd wereree 2-0 upp heldhelld hhighighhhan ananddtd theirtheeirr beatingbeateatingngg CrisCristianoristiant ano RoRRonaldo’snaldo’o’s PortPoPortugal,ugaluga , causingcausing someome of thee famousfafamous upsetsupsetts againstagaigainstn BelgBelgiumium withwi 21 minutesminuteste too gogo standingststanandindingngg and resrerespectpectt iin Maradona thethhee EuropeanEuroE peanpe title-holders,titititle-hl -holdedeersrs, inin anotheranotoththere we’vewe’vwe vesee seenseene soso farfar in Russia.”Russsia.sia ” --- bbeforeefforeeth thttheeBee BelgiansBelgiagiag nsn l launchedauaunchedhe one off worldworlwoorld foffootballootbtbtbab lllg greatlygreattlyy signsigi thatthat smsmallerallalleler teteamsamsammmss mmay bbe cclosinglooosinngg AFC teamsteameamams amamassedmassed 1515 pointsppoipo ntnnts inn thetthhe greaggreatt WoWorldrlrld Cupupu comebacks,comeccoomebackbacba s, eenhaenhanced,”nhancednce ,”J JJacksonacksaca on REUTERS thet gapgag onn thethe ggame’same’mem s trtraditionaladititionaion l Russia,RRussia, theirththeit r bebestests sshowinghooowwiw ng yetyett- ---- andand clinchingclinnchchhini g a 3-2332 winwwin in injuryinjurj ry time.tit mme.e.. said.saidaid. powers.ppopoweersrs.. overshadowingoververrshshadowwining Africa’sAfricarica’’s representativesrepresenttativa ess “Japan““Jap“JaJapJ panan sshowed hhoweed grgreatreatat qqualqualityualityittyty anda NoneNoNono ooff ththet e AAsiaAsiansian FoFFootballotbaballl CConfed-onfeo d- Egypt,EgyEgypEggy tt, MMorocco,orocorr coco,o,o NNigeNigeria,riaria,, TunTuTTunisiaisiiisiasii characterchcharc aracteactcter to battlebatttletlt e bravelybrabravbr ellyy NIZNHY NOVGOROD: erationeerateratationn teamsteateamammsres reachedreacachechheh d thethheque quarter-qquuarterterr- anda SeSeneSSenegal,egagalal,l wwhwhoo wentwwenwe t Argentine great Diego finals,finfinanaallss, extendingexteexteteendinnddinngga a barrenbabarrarrenen runrun whichwhihichhich homhomemme afteraaftftfteerrtr tthehee ggrouprrouupp Maradona said England perpetrated a “monumental robbery” in their World Cup victory over Colombia and accused referee Mark Geiger of not being up to such a game. Maradona, notorious in England for his famous goal at the 1986 tournament, said the American official should have penalised Harry Kane rather than give a penalty for a foul by Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez during Tues- day’s knockout match “Today I saw a monumental robbery on the pitch... a fatal mistake for a whole country,” he said of the incident that put Japanese players applauds their fans England 1-0 ahead in the after losing their FIFA 2018 World Cup second half. Round of 16 match against Belgium at “Here’s a gentleman who the Rostov Arena on Monday. decides, a referee who, if you Google him, shouldn’t be given a match of this magnitude... Geiger, an American, what a coinci- EnglandEngland deserved end to penalty jinx: Southgate dence,” Maradona added on his nightly World Cup show for Venezuela-based Telesur AFP fouls went to a shootout. Colombian after England’s poor recent results including by his Belgian coun- broadcaster. keeper David Ospina saved Jordan at finals. terpart Thibaut Courtois, who said TV images showed MOSCOW:MOSCOW: EnglEnglandand managermana Henderson’s effort, but Jordan England had lost five suc- he was too small. Maradona wildly celebrating GarethGareth SouthgateSouthgate ((pictured)pictured) said Pickford turned away Carlos cessive shootouts before luck “It was a top-class save, I’m Colombia’s late equaliser hishis team got thethe rewardreward theyt Bacca’s attempt after Manuel Uribe finally smiled on them at the surprised he could reach it given that took Tuesday’s Round deserved after edgingedging ColombiaColom hit the bar. It was left to Eric Dier compact Spartak Stadium. his height,” Southgate said with a of 16 match to 1-1 and extra 4-3 in a gut-wrenchinggut-wrenching WWorld to convert the decisive kick. “Tonight was a classic example. wry smile. time. Cup penaltypenalty shootout to set up a It was just the second time in They don’t have to conform to “He’s really athletic around the But he was despondent quarter-finalquarter-final cclashlash againstaga eight occasions England have won what’s gone before,” Southgate goal, he is excellent and he exe- when England won a penalty Sweden.Sweden. a shootout at a major tournament, said. cuted the plan in the penalty shootout, taking them into EnglandEngland looked to be and the first time ever in the World “Today is a special moment for shootout. a quarter-final against headinheadingg into the last eeight Cup. this team. Hopefully it will give “We’d studied all of their Sweden. courtesycourtesy of Harry’sHarry’s 57th-minute57th-mi “We had a cruel blow on 90 belief to the generations of players penalty takers and great credit to The ever-controversial penaltypenalty in MosMoscow,c minutes which we had to show that follow. In life you always have our collective of staff and to him former World Cup winner but the ttow- incredible resilience to come back to believe what is possible and not for taking on board that infor- also pointed the finger at eringering YerryY from,” said a relieved Southgate, be hindered by history or mation and preparing in the right Pierluigi Collina, head of MinaM i whose own penalty miss cost expectations.” way. FIFA’s referee committee, headedheade in England in the semi-finals against He reserved special praise for England will have just three for allowing Geiger’s a Germany at Euro ‘96. Pickford, who made a magnificent days to recover before facing designation. stoppage-stoppa “It was a night when I knew we save to keep out a spectacular Sweden in Samara on Saturday for “I’m just sorry for the timetim were going to get over the line. We strike from Uribe before a vital stop a place in the semi-finals. whole Colombian people,” eequaliserqual had the belief and the resilience to in the shootout. Southgate admitted the gru- Maradona said. beforbefore a get over the line.” Pickford was criticised after elling nature of the match had “I cheered Colombia’s matchmatch lit- Southgate has challenged his conceding Adnan Januzaj’s winner taken its toll on his players, with goal as if I had headed it teredtered with players to write their own history in the group-stage loss to Belgium, Colombia shown six yellow cards. myself.” 18 SPORT THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018

France’s Mbappe sprints towards superstar status at World Cup

AFP To put his searing speed into fast, he’s tough, he jumps high’, but we context, triple Olympic 100-metre never speak about a player’s brain. MOSCOW: As Didier Deschamps plots champion Usain Bolt’s career peak “He thinks when he plays, and that another World Cup title tilt with was clocked at 44.72 km/h during his for me is the most important thing in France, Kylian Mbappe, who was not world record run at the 2009 world a player, he uses his brain,” explained even born when his coach lifted the championships. Henry. trophy in 1998, has become an indis- And while Mbappe may be the “It’s the sign of a guy who can go pensable figure for Les Bleus. game’s new superstar, the French very far.” It was only two-and-a-half years teenage sensation is not forgetting his Ludovic Batelli, coach of the ago that the teenager made his pro- roots. France team that won the Under-19 fessional debut, but the rise of Mbappe According to L’Equipe, he has European Championship in 2016, said -- the second-most expensive player promised to donate his World Cup Mbappe had a rare level of maturity in history -- has been meteoric. bonus to organise sporting initiatives for someone so young. After winning successive French for children in hospital. “He has this clear-headedness, league crowns with Monaco and then He will likely find a robust this sangfroid in front of goal which Paris Saint-Germain, the 19-year-old Uruguay defence far less charitable, is the mark of great goalscorers,” said announced himself on the global stage but former France defender Lilian Batelli. by knocking Lionel Messi’s Argentina Thuram expects Mbappe to thrive on “It’s often acquired more in the out of the last 16 in Russia. the challenge. second part of one’s career. He has it With Cristiano Ronaldo, a “He is young, and young players at a very, very young age. It’s what is childhood hero of Mbappe’s, crashing really enjoy themselves when the going to allow him to become a future out of the competition on the same standard of the opposition increases,” great.” Mbappe scored 21 goals in his day with Portugal, it felt like a passing said Thuram. first season in Paris after joining the of the torch to a new generation. France great Thierry Henry, who club in a monumental deal worth an Mbappe’s breathtaking acceleration followed a similar trajectory to the top eventual 180 million euros ($210m). and steely composure were used to dev- as Mbappe, cited the latter’s intelli- Paul Pogba, one of the corner- astating effect as he became the first gence as the driving force behind his stones of the current France side, said teenager since Pele 60 years ago to score success. Mbappe has only just scratched the at least twice in a World Cup match. “When I watch him dribble, he’s surface of what he is capable of “I gave Kylian a new nickname, thinking,” Henry said in an interview achieving. it’s 37, because he reached a peak of with Canal+. “He’s got a lot more talent than 37km/h (kilometres per hour) against “There’s something that gets me me,” Pogba said of Mbappe. “And he’s Argentina,” said France teammate going and saddens me at times. We not going to stop there. He’s got so Florian Thauvin. often speak of a player and say: ‘He’s much talent.” Deschamps ponders how to get the best out of Mbappe

REUTERS the World Cup but certainly a games with club mates Diego pleasurable problem for the Godin and Jose Gimenez a veri- NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA: coach. table wall. Just how to ensure Kylian Mbappe “I cannot complain that I have Uruguay’s game plan will be gets a plentiful supply in his players who can take up several familiar. Make it as hard as pos- efforts to prise open a notoriously offensive positions,” Deschamps sible for the opposition and when stingy Uruguay defence will be said earlier this year. you get the ball give it to Edinson France coach Didier Deschamps’ “But I can make sure that Cavani or Luis Suarez. (pictured) main preoccupation they are used in their best Except, those plans could be before tomorrow’s World Cup position.” severely disrupted if Cavani does quarter-final. While many pundits insist not recover from a calf injury and The teenager is already being Mbappe is best used in a classic misses out on Friday. compared to Pele as he emerges centre forward role, Deschamps Uruguay did practice earlier as the X-factor for the French but is likely to play him on the right this week for the possibility, with will need to be afforded every of the attack tomorrow, making Cristhian Stuani likely to be available opportunity if he is to place for Olivier Giroud to join brought into the side in and make an impact in the match at Antoine Griezmann in what will Cristian Rodriguez asked to offer the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. be a trio of forwards. more support to Suarez, who has The best way to utilise the France will need all the tried to play down Cavani’s pos- 19-year-old’s incredible pace and attacking flair they can muster, sible absence. finishing acumen -- so vividly dis- because breaking down Uruguay “Things don’t depend on just played with two goals in the 4-3 will be like a jackhammer trying one player. Uruguay have shown win over Argentina in the round to tear open a tar road. The South we depend on collective work on of 16 -- has been the subject of Americans have kept a clean the pitch,” he told reporters France’s forward Kylian Mbappe smiles as he stands on the pitch much debate in the build-up to sheet in six of previous seven yesterday. during a training session at Glebovets Stadium, Istra outside of Moscow during the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo at Zhukovsky International Airport, Ronaldo has received offer to Moscow, Russia in this July 1 photo. sign for Juventus, says source REUTERS Ronaldo appeared to suggest he had already president Florentino Perez has publicly courted decided to leave Real, telling a television Paris St Germain forward Neymar, urging the MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo has received an reporter on the pitch at Kiev’s NSC Olympic Brazilian last year to come to Madrid if he wants offer to leave Real Madrid and join Italian Stadium: “It was beautiful to play for Real to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. champions Juventus, a source close to the Madrid.” Ronaldo, 33, appeared to backtrack Ronaldo scored two goals against Juventus player said yesterday. on that statement during Real’s celebration in Real’s 4-1 win in the 2017 Champions League Ronaldo, who joined Real from Manchester parade through the Spanish capital the next and struck a jaw-dropping bicycle kick against United in 2008 for a then world record 80m day, when he told a mass of supporters: “See the Italians in a 3-0 win in a quarter-final first pounds, is the Spanish club’s all-time top you next season.” leg game in Turin which prompted Juve sup- scorer with 451 goals in all competitions and The Portugal forward was reported to be on porters to give him a standing ovation. The has won two La Liga titles and four Cham- the verge of leaving last June after a news story Portuguese converted a stoppage-time penalty pions League trophies with them. appeared in Portuguese newspaper Record in the second leg to knock the Italians out 4-3 Despite the glut of silverware, however, declaring he was unhappy with the club. He also on aggregate. Ronaldo had an explosive start the five-times world player of the year has caused a stir in 2012 when he declared in a post- to the 2018 World Cup by scoring a hat-trick had frequent fallouts with Real and has match interview after a game with Granada: “I’m in his side’s 3-3 draw with Spain and he hit declared on several occasions that he wants sad and the club know why.” the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Morocco. to leave the club.Moments after lifting a third Spanish newspaper Marca suggested yes- He missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Iran consecutive Champions League trophy by terday that Ronaldo is unhappy at Real because and failed to score in his side’s 2-1 defeat by beating Liverpool 3-1 in the final on May 26, they are searching for a successor to him and Uruguay in the last 16. THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 SPORT 19

Big guns primed for last-eight battles AFP to face Belgium. Sweden in Samara, with a last- On a dramatic night in Mos- four clash against either Croatia MOSCOW: England became the cow’s Spartak Stadium, England or Russia up for grabs. last team to qualify for the World goalkeeper Jordan Pickford “This was special but I want Cup quarter-finals after a made a key save from Carlos us to go on,” said Southgate, dramatic penalty shootout as Bacca before Eric Dier’s spot- whose own penalty miss saw favourites Brazil and fancied kick gave England their first-ever England lose to Germany in the France trained their sights on win on penalties at a World Cup semi-finals of Euro 96 at their last-eight opponents. at the fourth attempt -- ending Wembley. England’s victory against the jinx that has dogged them for “Sweden is another team we Colombia takes Gareth South- so long. have a poor record against. We gate’s team into what looks The Sun tabloid coined his have underestimated them for like a winnable match against save the “Hand of Jord”, harking years. They have created their Sweden, who edged out Swit- back to Diego Maradona’s “Hand own story and made history. I zerland 1-0 earlier on of God” incident in 1986, when don’t want to go home yet.” Tuesday. the Argentine used his hand to Janne Andersson’s Sweden have Both teams are in the bottom put the ball into the net against recovered well from a heart- half of the draw in Russia, along England. breaking group-stage defeat by with the host nation and Croatia, “It’s the headline we have Germany, seeing off Mexico with England the only former waited a lifetime to write... before edging out Switzerland winners of the four teams. England win on penalties (Yes 1-0 in the last 16. The top half contains more really!),” the paper said. RB Leipzig midfielder Emil heavyweights, with 1998 cham- Southgate said he was Forsberg grabbed the only goal pions France taking on two-time already looking forward to Sat- of a tight encounter midway winners Uruguay and Brazil set urday’s quarter-final against through the second half to send his country into Brazil’s defender Thiago Silva (left) and team-mate Miranda jog during a training session at Yug Sport the quarters for Stadium, in Sochi, yesterday during the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament. the first time since the 1994 side who fin- side spearheaded by Kylian stepping on his leg was a “shame stage, but turned on the style as ished third in the Mbappe take on a shrewd for football”. Belgium were on Mbappe dazzled in a classic 4-3 United States. Uruguay outfit in Nizhny the brink of another major tour- victory over Argentina to set up For all the Novgorod. nament failure when trailing 2-0 the clash with Uruguay. drama around Much of the focus sur- with 21 minutes to play, only for “We have been preparing for England, the rounding Brazil’s bid for a a magnificent breakway goal by months, for weeks to play winner of the record-extending sixth world Nacer Chadli in the fourth minute matches like that,” said France tournament is title has inevitably been on of injury-time to cap a stunning coach Didier Deschamps. more likely to Neymar. fightback. Uruguay’s success has come from the But the world’s most Eden Hazard, Romelu been built on a solid defence top half of the expensive player has hit the Lukaku, Dries Mertens and led by Atletico Madrid pair draw, where the headlines as much for his per- Kevin De Bruyne are likely to Jose Gimenez and Diego teams can boast ceived play-acting as for the on- give Brazil’s defence the biggest Godin, with the old-fashioned a combined pitch performances that have test of their campaign so far, strike partnership of Luis eight tour- helped his side ease into the last although the South Americans Suarez and Edinson Cavani nament wins. eight without ever being seri- have only conceded once in doing the damage at the other Favourites ously troubled. four matches. end with five goals between Brazil will come Mexico coach Juan Carlos “This is the sort of game you them. up against Bel- Osorio said the stoppages caused dream about as a little boy and No South American side have gium’s ‘golden by Neymar’s antics stalled his we can enjoy it from the first won on European soil since a generation’ in team during their 2-0 last-16 loss second,” said Belgium coach Pele-inspired Brazil 60 years France’s defender Benjamin Pavard (centre) drives a ball past teammates during a Kazan on Friday to Brazil, claiming the Paris Roberto Martinez. ago, but in a World Cup of shocks training session at Glebovets Stadium, Istra yesterday, during the 2018 FIFA World while an exciting Saint-Germain forward’s France never got out of first and surprises, nothing can be Cup tournament. young France reaction to Miguel Layun gear in easing through the group taken for granted. This time England left nothing to chance in shootout

REUTERS pizza advertisement following thinking on penalties.“I’ve had France’s players drive balls during a training session at Glebovets Stadium, Istra during the 2018 that defeat but he also learned a couple of decades thinking it FIFA World Cup tournament. MOSCOW: England manager a valuable lesson that had a through. It’s not about luck. It’s Gareth Southgate knows all huge impact on the World Cup not about chance. It’s about per- about the pain of missing a last 16 win over Colombia - the forming a skill under pressure,” crucial kick in a penalty shootout is not a ‘lottery’ and it he said. “There are things you Croatia will be ready for any shootout and as he sportingly is something you can prepare can work on, things that can be consoled Colombia’s Carlos for. helpful for the preparation for Bacca on Tuesday night at the “When something goes the players. We have studied it. Russia game plan: Perisic Spartak Stadium, the memories wrong in your life it doesn’t There is a lot we can do to own couldn’t have been far away. finish you and you should the process, and not be con- REUTERS “It will never be off my back, become braver, knowing that trolled by it.” That mentality and minutes.“Yeah, we have Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Andrej sadly. That’s something that will you’ve got to go for things in life the preparation was evident in watched almost all of their Kramaric and Perisic, Zlatko live with me forever,” said and don’t regret (that) you didn’t the way England dealt with the SOCHI, RUSSIA: Russia games,” Croatia forward Ivan Dalic’s team scored at least two Southgate said after the game try to be as good as you might challenge of the shootout. employed an attacking mindset Perisic told reporters at their goals in each of their three when reminded of the Euro 96 be,” said Southgate. “I believed our goalkeeper against their World Cup group training base in Sochi group matches, including firing semi-final loss to Germany After England secured would save one, and the tech- stage opponents but played yesterday. three past hapless Argentina. where he missed the crucial kick passage to the knockout stage, nique of our players in taking defensively in the knockout “Against Spain they used a “I think we primarily must in the shootout. Southgate explained how that them was superb. I have to clash against Spain, and Croatia different system, but you must focus on ourselves because I Southgate was mocked in a mentality had translated into his credit our big support team who believe they must be ready for adapt to every team you play think our team has bigger have done a lot of work in that either approach from the hosts against. So they thought it was quality, we just need to show area over the last few months,” in Saturday’s quarter-final. the best tactics for them, and I that on the pitch and we will England manager Gareth said Southgate. The Russians came into the think they made the right be able to set the tone,” Rebic Southgate celebrates England had their list of tournament as the lowest- decision. said. after winning the kickers well prepared in ranked team but began with a “We will prepare well for Croatia had a patchy quali- penalty shootout on advance but substitutions made bang by beating Saudi Arabia both versions. We still have a fying campaign, slipping from Tuesday. during the game forced a change 5-0 and Egypt 3-1 before losing couple of days to prepare well.” first to third in the group and to the list of five kickers with 3-0 to Group A winners Croatia showed flashes of their then sacking coach Ante Cacic Eric Dier stepping in. Players Uruguay. stellar attacking game when in the closing stages. had already been evaluated They reached the last eight they beat Nigeria, Argentina and Dalic came in and his side during practice drills and their with a win on penalties over Iceland to top their group. But, have staked a claim as one of past performance taken into Spain. like Russia, they took a the dark horses in this account, in contrast to previous Russia changed tactics to defensive route to the last eight tournament. tournaments, such as in 1998 play five at the back with a with a 3-2 shootout win over “Every coach has some new when David Batty, who had lone striker in Artem Dzyuba Denmark. ideas, and after a couple of poor never taken a penalty in a against Spain in the Round of With players such as world- games we played... maybe, as we match, missed the decisive fifth 16 on Sunday, an approach class midfielder Luca Modric can all see, it turned out for the kick in a round of 16 loss to that restricted their oppo- and a string of top-level for- best,” Inter Milan forward Argentina. nents to just one chance in 90 wards including Mario Perisic added. 20 SPORT THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 SPORT 21

Uruguay’s Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani (centre) and Luis forward Suarez (right) warm up ahead of a match Edinson during the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia. Cavani Belgian high scorers take on Brazil’s miserly backline

KAZAN: To get past Belgium in the quarter-finals at the World Cup, Brazil has to do something it has not been able to do since it last won the tournament in 2002: overcome European opposition in the knockout stages. Since beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final, the five-time winner has been eliminated by European sides in the three subsequent competitions. Brazil lost to France and the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and was humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals four years ago at home. Fortunately for the Selecao, Belgium has a poor record against South American sides Cavani’s at the World Cup. Not only has Belgium not won any of its games against South Amer- ican teams in the knockout stages, it hasn’t potential even managed to score a goal. Most recently, Belgium lost 1-0 to Argentina in the 2014 absence a quarter-finals. The core of that side remains in place in Russia, where Belgium has won all four big blow of its matches, including coming back from 2-0 down to beat Japan in the round of 16 with a thrilling counterattack in the final for Uruguay seconds of injury time. Everyone knew about the array of tal- REUTERS ent running through the Belgium side, from Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku takes part in a training Thibaut Courtois in goal to Kevin De Bru- session in Rostov-on-Don. ISTRA: Edinson Cavani’s yne in midfield and Eden Hazard and potential absence for Romelu Lukaku up front. The main ques- Uruguay would be a severe tions following disappointing defeats in the blow to their hopes of beat- 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Belgium losing no sleep ing France in the World Cup Championship centered on the team’s quarter-finals, according to character. his former team mate and France’s speed against Uruguay’s That 3-2 victory over Japan was the first French midfielder Blaise time a team has overcome a two-goal def- over Brazil: Kompany Matuidi. icit to win outright since West Germany beat While striker Cavani bat- England in 1970, and the first to do it in reg- AFP gium boast their own outstanding tles to be fit after sustaining ulation since Portugal came from three individual players such as Eden Hazard and a calf injury, Matuidi misses defence in quarter-ﬁnal showdown down to beat North Korea in 1966. It has MOSCOW: Veteran Belgium defender Kevin De Bruyne, the only way they will out for France at the Nizhny fueled confidence inside the Belgium camp Vincent Kompany said yesterday that Brazil beat Brazil is to play as a team. Novgorod Stadium on Friday that it can deal with adversity and make the are the best team at the World Cup but his “We are going to look them in the eye. because of suspension. AP World Cup semifinals for the first time since been the meanest defenses in the compe- side are not losing any sleep at the pros- But if we make this a match of individuals, The two used to be team !" ## $ 1986. tition, conceding just one goal apiece in four pect of playing them. then we’ll lose,” he said. mates at Paris St Germain NIZHNY NOVGOROD: France picked “Maybe it’s this sort of match that we matches. The most talented Belgium team for Belgium, who came from behind to beat before the 31-year-old up two trophies in 1998: One, of # needed for the future,” said Hazard, the There is a worry for Brazil heading into decades face the ultimate test on Friday Japan in a thrilling last-16 match, have fast Frenchman moved to Juven- course, was the country’s only World captain. the Belgium match: The team will be with- when they take on the five-time winners become the favourite team of many fans $$ tus last year. Cup title, won on home soil. It was also Coach Roberto Martinez won praise for out midfielder Casemiro, who is suspended in Kazan for a place in the semi-finals. of countries already eliminated for their “I worked with Edinson the birth year of Kylian Mbappe, the $$ his substitutions, with both Marouane Fel- after picking up a second yellow card in the “Individually, Brazil are the strongest attractive style of flowing football, a role for a very long time. We have 19-year-old who’s emerging as one of laini and Nacer Chadli scoring, the latter 2-0 win over Mexico in the round of 16. team in this World Cup,” Kompany, who their old rivals the Netherlands often not spoken recently, but I the biggest stars of the World Cup. with practically the last kick of the match. Casemiro has provided a strong shield in made the last of his international appear- occupied. know him well enough to tell “Well, that was a good year for him %!& Unlike the game against Japan, Martinez front of the Brazilian defense. One option ances as a substitute in the 1-0 win over “We have developed an attractive style you that he is a very gener- to be born, even if he didn’t see much % '( said, Belgium will be the underdog in the could see Fernandinho come into the side England, told reporters. of football, we have scored a lot of goals ous man, who does not give of the 1998 World Cup,” joked French no better place than a World Cup.” '£( quarter-final against Brazil and as such for a role he is accustomed to playing at “That is a compliment but it doesn’t and showed our good side. If we play well up on anything, and I know coach Didier Deschamps, who was the After three lackluster games in should play with a certain amount of Manchester City. affect our chances against them. None of against Brazil, we can attract even more that he will do everything, captain in ‘98. “I’m very happy that group play, France was electric in its '( freedom. As has been the case throughout this us are going to sleep at night thinking ‘We supporters. Neutral fans appreciate good ! ( right up until the last Mbappe is a French citizen.” most recent match, particularly in the Brazil coach Tite dismissed talk that his World Cup, Brazilian forward Neymar will have already lost to Brazil’. football, like the Netherlands used to play. moment to be on the pitch,” It will be France’s searing speed second half when it cut up Argentina’s ! !* team is the favorite to win the match against likely garner much of the attention during “Defensively they are solid, they win We’re constantly improving. We just have Matuidi told a news confer- led by Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann plodding defense. Five of France’s "# ( Belgium, let alone the World Cup. the match, both for his skills and speed as all their defensive duels and in attack, they to step up to another level against Brazil. ence yesterday. against Uruguay’s defense anchored starters in the first group match had The winner willwill pl playay Fra Francence or or Urugu Uruguayay well as his onon-field-field theatricstheatrics.. NeymNeymarar will will are not scared to take people on At least I hope we can,” said Kompany. “I do not know if they are by Diego Godin tomorrow in Nizhny never played in the World Cup, includ- inin the semi-finals in St. Petersburg on have to be careful not to pick up another one-on-one. Belgium will have to find a way to stop bluffing (about the injury). Novgorod in the World Cup quarter- ing Mbappe. ! Tuesday.Tuesday. bookingbooking asas hhee would would miss miss a a semifinal semifinal should should “They always have Neymar, whose performances in Russia That’s for the Uruguayans to finals. The winner will face Brazil or “You need some patience,” Des- "! BelgiumBelgium is the competition’s top scorer Brazil prevail. Others walkingwalking aa titightropeghtrope a key to unlock any have attracted as much criticism as praise, Belgium. worry about. But there are champs said. #! withwith 12 in its four games, with the goals spread are midfielder Philippe Coutinho and situation.” for his alleged over-reaction to fouls. injuries that can be quickly Uruguay has given up only one Deschamps has compared play- $% aroundaround the teateam.m. LLukakuukaku has has fou fourr but but se sevenven defenderdefender FiFilipelipe LuLuis.is. Manchester City Asked by a Brazilian journalist what he healed and others for which goal in four World Cup matches, and ing Uruguay to facing Peru, which & ooff his team-mates have scoredscored,, too too.. For BelBelgium,gium, defender Jan VertonVertonghenghen stalwart Kom- would do if Neymar fell theatrically in front there is no miracle cure.” France has scored seven - most in the narrowly lost to France 1-0 in group ThoughThough BraziBrazill hhasas yetyet toto h hitit t thehe h heightseights andand De Bruyne are carrying yeyellowllow car cardsds as as pany, 32, said of him, Kompany turned the question back If Cavani does not 4-3 victory over Argentina in the play on a goal by Mbappe. + ' ' onon the attackinattackingg front,front, itit andand UruUruguayguay have have well. although Bel- on his questioner. recover, Matuidi believes round of 16. In scoring twice against He termed Uruguay “solid and Uruguay will be Argentina , Mbappe became the first aggressive” in a French television hampered. teenager with multiple goals in a interview, adding: “These are not qual- “Uruguay without Cav- World Cup knockout game since a ities displayed by Argentina.” ani is not the same thing. You 17-year-old Pele did it twice (includ- The match will showcase several don’t easily replace one of ing a hat trick against France) in 1958. cross-border friendships. Playing against ‘favourites’ Brazil the best attackers in the It’s a big stage with inevitable Griezmann plays at Atletico world. It would be a handi- comparisons that Mbappe smiled Madrid where his teammates are Uru- cap for them,” he said. about and then batted away. guayan defenders Godin and Jose “But their way of playing “It’s flattering to be the second one Maria Gimenez. Godin is the godfa- a dream for Belgium: Martinez and defending, won’t change since Pele,” said Mbappe, born in ther of Griezmann’s daughter. too much I don’t reckon.” France to a father from Cameroon and While Godin and Gimenez will try Matuidi, whose caution a mother from Algeria. “But let’s put to stop Griezmann, Uruguay striker REUTERS born to play in a match like this. Naturally we want to “Against a team like Brazil, you must attack and Fellaini might be in the last-16 win over things in perspective. Pele’s another Luis Suarez will be opposing Barce- win but we are not expected to and that is an important defend with 11 players. We are not talking about a sys- deployed from the Argentina ensured an auto- category.” lona teammate Samuel Umtiti. MOSCOW: Brazil are the favourites in what Belgium coach difference.” tem but understanding what we must do when we have beginning. Belgium play matic one-game suspension, This is France’s seventh quarter- “I’ve always joked ... that I wanted Roberto Martinez described as a “dream match” for his Martinez saw his side rally from the brink of elimi- possession. I don’t think it will be a game with many in a second successive reckons Uruguay will prove final and its fourth in the last six World to face Umtiti at a World Cup,” Sua- players when the two countries meet in a World Cup nation to snatch a last-gasp 3-2 win over Japan in the secrets. We have to defend as well as we can and then World Cup quarter-final, look- tough opponents. Cups dating back to 1998 and the rez said. “And it came true.” quarter-final in Kazan tomorrow. Round of 16 on Monday, booking a meeting with the cause them pain when we have the ball. It can be that ing to reach the semi-finals for the “Not necessarily a night- famous side led by Deschamps, Patrick Suarez’s running mate, Edinson France’s Antoine “These two teams are constructed to score and to five-time World Cup winners. simple and this squad is ready for that.” second time after they advanced to mare, but a difficult match. Vieira, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Cavani, scored both goals in the Griezmann in win matches. Against Brazil, it will not be about ball pos- At times in Rostov-on-Don, Belgium looked ham- Martinez now faces a tricky decision concerning his the last four in Mexico 32 years ago. They let in very few goals. Henry - the so-called “Rainbow Team” knockout win over Cristiano Ronaldo action during the session, but what you do with it. That’s what this World strung by Japan’s pressing tactics and needed more line-up with Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini press- “We have worked hard over two years But we are able to trouble from a multicultural France. and Portugal but is nursing a ham- warm up before Cup is all about,” the Spaniard told Belgian media than an hour to unshackle themselves and set about a ing for starts after coming off the bench against Japan for this and we are as ready as we ever can be. any team, because we really “In a World Cup you have the top- string injury, and it’ unclear if he will their Round of yesterday. dramatic come-from-behind victory after falling 2-0 to turn the game around in the last half an hour. We’ve won all our games, everyone has played and have quality in attack. It’s up level players,” said Mbappe, who plays play. His absence would be a blow to 16 match against “We know what we are capable of but Brazil are down. “As a coach I have a lot of options with this team we’ve scored 12 times. The winner of the tie will to us to put ourselves in a for Paris Saint-Germain. “So it’s an the South Americans, but defense is Argentina on June the favourites, putting us into a different role,” he added. For tomorrow’s match, the tactics might be but I know in my head what I want to do. We will need face either France or Uruguay in St Petersburg on 30. position to bother them,” he opportunity to show what you can do the real key with coach Oscar Taba- “But it’s a dream match for our players, they were simpler. power,” he said in a hint that the physical presence of July 10. Belgium’s coach Roberto Martinez added. and what your abilities are. There is rez expecting to see less of the ball. 22 SPORT THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 ‘Lethal’ Yadav key for India: Kohli AFP to be even more lethal. He’s very It wasn’t a case of chipping up in difficult to pick. I hope he can the air. He bowled well,” Morgan MANCHESTER: India captain keep the batsmen guessing. said. Virat Kohli believes “lethal” “Looking at how convincing “The more time you spend at left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep we were in all three skill-sets the crease the better you see the Yadav will have a pivotal role to gives me great please as captain, ball. play during the rest of his side’s especially some of the younger “I think like it’s any tour of England. guys stepping up and doing the challenge. Yadav produced a man-of- job.” “If you are facing it at 90mph the-match display as he finished With the United Kingdom bowling it’s difficult to replicate with 5-24 in India’s emphatic enjoying a sustained spell of hot it in practice. And the same with eight-wicket win over England weather, Yadav said he felt com- a guy who spins it both ways. You in the first Twenty20 interna- fortable at Old Trafford. have a clear plan and stick to it. tional at Old Trafford. “It felt like home conditions,” “Jos Buttler is a magnificent England had been in a good he explained. player of spin. If you go back and position at 94-1 but could only “The wicket was very dry but analyse how Alex Hales and Jos post 159-8 with Yadav’s googlies when I bowled my first over I felt played him they didn’t give at one point giving him three like there was going to be a bit chances but acknowledged he wickets in four balls on his way of turn so I stuck to one line and bowled well.” to his best figures in T20 length. Kohli also commended Rahul internationals. “I bowled my wrong ‘uns in on his innings which mixed KL Rahul’s unbeaten 101 the perfect areas. It’s my first tour finesse with power hitting as he from 54 balls then guided India and things are going quite well. made his second century in T20 to a comfortable victory with 10 “Probably after this game, internationals. balls to spare as they produced and for the next few games, Eng- “He’s someone who has an impressive display, backed by land’s batsmen will prepare well. come a long way - he batted so a partisan support on a sun- Obviously, they are quality clean, so crisp in the IPL and he drenched Manchester evening. players.” has carried it forward,” added Yadav’s performance was The only England player to the India skipper. also a reminder that despite their really trouble India was wicket- India’s Kuldeep Yadav (centre) celebrates after taking the wicket of England’s Jos Buttler during a “We want guys like him to improvement in limited-overs keeper Jos Buttler as he made a international Twenty20 at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester, northwest England, on Tuesday. step up, so other guys can play cricket England remain vul- 46-ball 69 before he also suc- with more freedom. He can bat nerable against spin. cumbed to the mastery of find a way to counter the danger bowler,” Morgan said. “It’s something we’ll assess,” long as well. “He’s going to be effective on Yadav’s googly. posed by Yadav during the “And he will continue to be he added. “He’s very hungry, has great any pitches we play on,” Kohli England captain Eoin Morgan remainder of the English a threat. Maybe we can be a bit “He took three wickets in technique, and it’s a great sign said. “When it turns, he’s going admits his players will have to summer. “Kuldeep is a very good better. four balls today and deceived us. for Indian cricket.” Pakistan post second win Anderson to test as Zimbabwe crash out AFP injured shoulder Pakistan’s batsman HARARE: Pakistan knocked Zimbabwe out of the Twenty20 Haris Sohail plays AFP tri-series in Harare yesterday, a shot during a beating the hosts by seven T20 international LONDON: England’s all-time wickets with five deliveries to against Zimbabwe leading wicket taker James spare. at the Harare Anderson (pictured) could be in Captain Sarfraz Ahmed saw Sports Club in line for a return to the national his side home with an unbeaten Harare yesterday. side for the upcoming five-Test 38, meaning that Zimbabwean Australia is the series with India after undergoing allrounder Solomon Mire’s efforts third side in the rehabilitation on a longstanding earlier in the game went in vain. tournament. shoulder injury. Mire struck 94, the highest The 35-year-old swing score by a Zimbabwean in a bowler -- who has taken 540 Twenty20 international, but Zim- wickets in 138 Tests -- has been babwe’s 162 for 4 was not enough out of action since early June, but to overcome the world’s top will hope to prove he is fit in a ranked T20I side. second XI match for his county Pakistan’s chase was given a Lancashire on July 15. rapid start by the openers. Anderson is then due to play Haris Sohail and Fakhar a County Championship match Zaman took 56 from the Pow- against old rivals Yorkshire in the erplay, but Sohail holed out soon “Roses match” on July 22. afterwards. When Zaman skied He has described the Mire to depart for 47, Pakistan schedule for the Test series needed more than eight runs an against India, which begins at over from the last eight overs, but Edgbaston on August 1, as “ridic- Ahmed’s innings of calm pre- ulous” with all five matches cision kept them up with the crammed into a six-week period. asking rate. “England seamer Jimmy Executing his attacking SCOREBOARD Anderson will make his return to strokes perfectly, Ahmed found competitive cricket for Lanca- the gaps and the boundaries Zimbabwe 25-0, Hussain Talat 1-0-10-1 shire second XI in a three-day Cephas Zhuwao b Ashraf ...... 24 Pakistan whenever they were needed. match against Nottinghamshire Solomon Mire c Shadab b Talat ...... 94 Fakhar Zaman c Mpofu b Mire ...... 47 He displayed a particularly Hamilton Masakadza b Shadab ...... 2 Haris Sohail c Mire b Masakadza ...... 16 at Old Trafford starting on July seven days. two years and acknowledged deft touch with his late cut, taking Tarisai Musakanda c Malik b Amir ...... 33 Hussain Talat c Zhuwao b Mpofu ...... 44 15,” read a statement from the “As part of his plan, before after England squared the two boundaries off left-arm spinners Elton Chigumbura not out ...... 5 Sarfraz Ahmed Not Out ...... 38 England and Wales Cricket the first Test against India starting Test series with Pakistan -- in Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Extras 0b 1lb 0nb 0pen 3w ...... 4 Shoaib Malik Not Out ...... 12 Board. on August 1, he will play for Lan- which he took nine wickets at an Masakadza with the stroke. Total: (20.0 overs) ...... 162-4 Extras: 6w “Anderson, who has not cashire seconds against Notting- average of 19.11 -- he needed to With four runs needed from Fall of Wickets: 1-49, 2-82, 3-146, 4-161 Total (19.1 overs)...... 163-3 played since the second Test hamshire and the Roses match rest it, with the India matches the final over, it was also the shot Did Not Bat: Waller, Moor, Chisoro, Mpofu, Fall of Wickets : 1-58, 2-95, 3-138 victory over Pakistan on June 3, in the County Championship coming thick and fast. he used to end the game, gliding Muzarabani, Masakadza Did Not Bat: Ali, Ashraf, Khan, Nawaz, Ali, Amir has spent the past month reha- Division One match against York- “I just need to get in the gym seamer Chris Mpofu to the third Bowling Ov Md Rn Wk Econ Ex Bowling: Tendai Chisoro 4-0-38-0, Blessing bilitating a long-standing right shire at Old Trafford starting on and get it strong,” he said in June. man boundary. Shoaib Malik 1-0-12-0, Mohammad Amir 4-0-25-1, Muzarabani 4-0-31-0, Christopher Mpofu 3.1-0-31- shoulder injury and returned to July 22.” “The India schedule is ridiculous Pakistan will face Australia to Hasan Ali 4-0-37-0, Faheem Ashraf 4-0-24-1, 1, Wellington Masakadza 4-0-30-1, Malcolm Waller bowling working with Lancashire Anderson has struggled with with five Tests in six weeks and that Shadab Khan 3-0-28-1, Mohammad Nawaz 3-0- 2-0-18-0, Solomon Mire 2-0-15-1 decide the series’ winner today. and England staff in the past the shoulder injury over the past will put a lot of stress on it.”

LOWEST TOTALS IN TEST CRICKET New Zealand ...... 26 v England at Auckland, 25 Mar 1955 West Indies dismiss Bangladesh South Africa ...... 30 v England at Port Elizabeth, 13 Feb 1896 South Africa ...... 30 v England at Birmingham, 14 Jun 1924 South Africa ...... 35 v England at Cape Town, 1 Apr 1899 for record low of 43 in first Test South Africa ...... 36 v Australia at Melbourne, 12 Feb 1932 AFP Australia ...... 36 v England at Birmingham, 29 May 1902 seen in the ten years of Test cricket at the Das was sixth out for 25, an ugly heave New Zealand ...... 42 v Australia at Wellington, 29 Mar 1946 venue, the Bangladeshis were no match offering a simple catch to Roston Chase Australia ...... 42 v England at Sydney, 10 Feb 1888 ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: Kemar Roach for the quality of the West Indies fast at backward point off Miguel Cummins India ...... 42 v England at Lord’s, 20 Jun 1974 took five wickets as West Indies demol- bowling. to end any prospect of Roach claiming all South Africa ...... 43 v England at Cape Town, 25 Mar 1889 ished Bangladesh for 43, their lowest Test Roach set the rout in motion by ten wickets in the innings. Bangladesh ...... 43 v West Indies at North Sound, 4 Jul 2018 total, on the opening morning of the first claiming the first five wickets for eight Cummins, whose place in the final Australia ...... 44 v England at The Oval, 10 Aug 1896 Test in Antigua yesterday. runs in just five overs despite appearing eleven was in question after a lack of South Africa ...... 45 v Australia at Melbourne, 12 Feb 1932 At lunch at the Sir Vivian Richards to be troubled by a muscular strain behind success in the preceding three-Test series England ...... 45 v Australia at Sydney, 28 Jan 1887 Stadium, West Indies had reached nine his right knee. against Sri Lanka, took two more wickets New Zealand ...... 45 v South Africa at Cape Town, 2 Jan 2013 without loss. However, it was the visiting batsmen yesterday. West Indies captain Jason England ...... 46 v West Indies at Port of Spain, 25 Mar 1994 Bangladesh’s pitiful performance was who felt the greatest discomfort with only Holder polished off the innings with the New Zealand ...... 47 v England at Lord’s, 19 Jun 1958 also the second shortest first innings in opener Liton Das reaching double-figures wickets of Kamrul Islam and debutant Abu South Africa ...... 47 v England at Cape Town, 25 Mar 1889 the 141-year history ot Test cricket. At 18.4 in a performance that once again exposed Jayed. Bangladesh were poorly served by West Indies ...... 47 v England at Kingston, 11 Mar 2004 overs, it was just one ball longer than Aus- the vulnerability of their players in con- the experienced quartet as captain Shakib Australia ...... 47 v South Africa at Cape Town, 9 Nov 2011 tralia’s dismissal for 60 off 18.3 overs by ditions away from what they are generally al Hassan, former skipper Musfiqur Rahim Pakistan ...... 49 v South Africa at Johannesburg, 1 Feb 2013 England at Nottingham in 2015. familiar with on the Indian and all-rounder Mahmudullah all failed Put in to bat on the greenest surface sub-continent. to score. THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 SPORT 23 Federer’s deal ‘is a match made in retail heaven’

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LONDON: At first glance, it seems like something of a mismatch. Uniqlo, the Japanese fast fashion brand, is paying $300m over 10 years to replace Nike Inc. as the kit sponsor for Roger Federer. The Swiss might be the greatest male tennis player ever, but at 36 his best years are behind him. From a commercial perspective, he seems to have aced it. And Uniqlo looks like it’s paying an awful lot for a sportsman who isn’t too far off from retirement. Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns against Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko during their A less cursory look tells a different story. Uniqlo parent Fast second-round match on the third day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at Retailing Co. Ltd. is enduring slowing growth in its home Jap- The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. anese market, which accounts for more than half of all revenue. Federer won the match 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. It’s therefore accelerating a push into both international markets, which it wants to overtake Japanese sales this year, and e-commerce. The problem for the $18 billion-revenue company is that, as much as it wants to present itself as a big-data whiz kid, the price it charges for its products rules out a fully digital response. Federer gives Wimbledon It can cost about $25 to acquire a new customer with a digital advertisement push or paid search results. For the likes of Hugo Boss AG, whose cheapest t-shirts can still cost $40, that cost is relatively easier to stomach. For Uniqlo, whose t-shirts sell for masterclass; Venus hits back as little as $6, it’s harder to make the economics of a digital campaign add up. AFP Of course, Fast Retailing will still use digital ads, but it will get Serena Williams of the US the most bang for its marketing buck when it can get customers celebrates winning her LONDON: Roger Federer specifically to seek out Uniqlo, not just a generic white t-shirt in second-round match against extended his flawless winning an internet search. streak at Wimbledon to 26 Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova at Instead, as it tries to expand in North America and Europe, consecutive sets as the defending Wimbledon yesterday. Serena Uniqlo needs to build brand awareness and a desire to visit its champion crushed Lukas Lacko, won 6-1, 6-4. stores or website. That’s where Federer comes in. Even in the twi- while Venus Williams battled light of his career, ESPN ranks him as the world’s fourth most back to beat Alexandra Dulgheru famous sports star. in yesterday’s second round His deal pales in comparison to some others for athletes at the action. top of their games. Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James have both Federer delivered a Centre signed so-called “lifetime” deals with Nike. Court masterclass lasting 89 The LeBron deal was conservatively estimated to be worth minutes as the Swiss star hit 48 $500m, with others placing it as high as $1 billion. Ronaldo’s is winners and 16 aces in his 6-4, believed to be similar. Nike sells pricey soccer- and basketball- 6-4, 6-1 victory. specific gear which can generate more value than a tennis shirt. The 36-year-old is now on Ex-basketball player Michael Jordan’s eponymous sneaker his joint second longest streak line, admittedly the pinnacle of such efforts, drove $3.1bn in sales of sets won at Wimbledon -- his for Nike last year. best was 34 between the third As a slice of Fast Retailing’s 808bn-yen ($4.9bn) international round in 2005 to the 2006 final. sales last year, $30m for Federer is insignificant. Uniqlo doesn’t Next up for Federer is a third at present make tennis shoes or rackets, helping explain Federer’s round tie against 39-year-old lower price. Croatian Ivo Karlovic or German And a retirement inside the next five years oughtn’t to be a world number 64 Jan-Lennard major concern: Sprinter Usain Bolt still sits at number 7 in ESPN’s Struff. fame rankings a year after he retired. In his 20th Wimbledon You might wonder why a lower-end mass market retailer appearance, top seed Federer, a would go for a tennis star, given the lower rates of viewership 20-time major winner, is bidding compared to soccer. But it’s actually a good fit. to become only the second over Romanian qualifier Alex- Venus next faces Dutch 20th 6-4 victory against Sweden’sSweden s TennisTeennis fansfaanns spendspeend moremore mmoneyoneyy player to claim nine singles titles andra Dulgheru. seed Kiki Bertens, who beat Rebecca Peterson.rson. than soccersoccerr followers,follollllowerwers, andandd asa sas a at the All England Club after Venus reached her ninth Russian world number 107 Anna Romaniann 229th9th seed MihMihaelaaela groupgroup havehaavev a moremmore equalequual gendergender Martina Navratilova. Wimbledon final last year, but Blinkova 6-4, 6-0. Buzarnescu thrashedthrashed BritishBritish balancebalannce thathanan sosoccerococcercer follffofollowers.o owwwerwe ss.. On the evidence of his the American star was denied a Milos Raonic slammed 34 teenager Katieie Swan, 6-0, 6-36-3 AndAnd aafteafterertrthr ththeyey ssnapnnapap upp a copcocopypy ruthless demolition of Slovakian sixth title by Garbine Muguruza. aces as the 2016 Wimbledon to extend herher remarkableremarkable ofof Federer’sFeederrer’s’ss sportspspopoporrtt shirtshihirirtt atat a world number 73 Lacko, it will She returned to the All finalist won 7-6 (7/4, 7-6 (7/4), renaissance. UniqloUniqlo shop,shhop, theythehehey mmimightghtht nnanatnat-t- take something special to stop England Club stuck in a rut after 7-6 (7/4) against Australia’s John A year ago,o, Buzarnescu wwasas urallyurallyy tthinkhhinknkk abaaboutbooutu bbuyinguyinuyiuyyinyinng Federer making more Wim- losing in the first round of both Millman. ranked 213 andand lostlost in WimWim-- somethingsomethining fromfrfroomm thetheeb brand’sb randandd’ss bledon history. the Australian and French Opens The Canadian 13th seed will bledon qualifyingying -- yet now sheshe corecore smart-casualsmmaartt-ct-t casuasuauau llof offerings,ofoffferfeerierer ngs,n s “I played very well. I felt this year. play Austrian qualifier Dennis will face Czechech seventhseventh seed somethingsomethhihinnggth ththatat couldcoulouuldldd nevernenevnevevere good out there, less nerves than Making her 21st Wimbledon Novak, who beat French 17th Karolina Pliskovakova forfor a placeplace in happenhappen atat a NikNike ststore.tot rrere.e.e. in the first round,” Federer said. appearance, 38-year-old Venus seed Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 the last 16. ItIt reallyreallly is a casecasea e ofof love-alllove-ovee--allala “I’m happy how I am hitting is the oldest woman in this year’s (8/10), 3-6, 6-2. Sam Querrey, Former worldworld number one foforr thesethhesseem mixedmmixeded doubles.doubdoubleeess. the ball, good concentration on tournament. the 11th seed, stepped up his bid Pliskova hasas my service games and able to But she didn’t look her age to emulate last year’s run to the finally made mix it up with some slices. in making it 89 career match semi-finals with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, it to the “Of course, you sometimes wins at Wimbledon by demol- 6-3 win against Ukraine’s Sergiy third round play the percentages, but if you ishing Dulgheru in the final two Stakhovsky. on her do that too much it becomes sets. Querrey’s fellow American seventh visitt boring, so I like to mix it up. Asked if her wealth of Wim- Madison Keys, seeded 10th, cel- to Wimbledonn afteafterr “I clearly enjoy the path bledon experience was a key ebrated US Independence Day seeing off two-timeo-time Aus-Aus- more where it comes easier, not factor, Venus said: “I’d love to with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Thai- tralian Open championchampion Vic-Vic- wasting too much energy is have that extra advantage. If that’s land’s Luksika Kumkhum. toria Azarenkaa 6-36-3,, 6-3. ForFormermer always nice.” working for me I’m all for it. Croatian world number 55 Wimbledon finalistfinalist AgnieszkaAgnieszka Five-time champion Venus “It’s just about winning the Donna Vekic followed up her Radwanska llostost 77-5,-5, 6-4 to Switzerland’s Roger Federer, sporting a Williams battled into the third match. If that’s your best or not shock success against fourth Czech world numbernumber 66 LucieLucie ‘Uniqlo’ logo on his t-shirt, reacts after round with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 win doesn’t matter.” seed Sloane Stephens with a 7-5, Safarova. winning against Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko. Al Gharafa pin hopes on old guard in new season THE PENINSULA not renew his contract for the new the team forward as Al Gharafa con- season but Al Gharafa looks set for tinue to build a young side for the DOHA: Former champions Al another robust season knowing a future. Gharafa will be relying on their top-four would help the club reach The team has not won a title in existing bunch of players in the new the Qatar Cup next year. a few years and coach Gourcuff will QNB Stars League season that kicks Al Gharafa, who have retained be the man to lead the side to tro- off in August. all their players from the last season, phies in the new season. Al Gharafa did not sign any new have allowed Asim Madibo to return The last time Al Gharafa wont players in the summer but with the to his former team Al-Duhail after the title was in 2010. presence of European football star the end of his loan deal. To be able to prepare for the Dutchman Wesley Sneijder, Iranian Al Gharafa’s squad includes a start of the new QNB Stars League striker Mehdi Taremi and Portuguese large number of young players who season, Al Gharafa are set for a pre- midfielder Diego Amado, the have been given the opportunity to season training camp in the Cheetahs look set for a fighting play for the team last season. Netherlands. season. The young lost is expected to The team will play a number of Sneijder, who was roped in have a greater chance of playing in friendly matches during the camp, during last season’s transfer window, the new season, especially after out- which will help Gourcuff work on clearly made an impact as Al Gharafa standing performances by Osman his starting lineup ahead of the new ended the season in fourth spot Elhari and Alaa. season. behind Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al The team is hoping that new Al Gharafa will be seen in action Rayyan. coach Christian Gourcuff - who on August 4 in a match against Qatar Slovak striker Vladimir Weiss did replaced Bulent Uygun - will take SC at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. THURSDAY 5 JULY 2018 SPORT 24

Wimbledon Neymar urged to focus on stars get World Cup FIFA award, not acting fever AP “Sure, Neymar - when he will win AFP the World Cup,” said Matthaeus. “You MOSCOW: After a decade of duopoly, have to win titles with your team.” Tite defends Neymar the FIFA-run vote to crown soccer’s Ronaldo and Messi arrived in LONDON: From Roger best player finally seems open to third Russia after Real Madrid won a third Federer debating where his AP parties after Lionel Messi and Cristiano straight Champions League title and loyalties lie to Gael Monfils Ronaldo left the World Cup early. Barcelona won La Liga. Neymar’s revelling in England’s celebra- Neymar must help Brazil lift the absence since February with a foot SOCHI: Once a critic of Neymar’s tions, it’s safe to say World Cup trophy next week if he wants to join injury was barely a blip for Paris Saint- antics, Brazil coach Tite (pictured) fever has broken out at the greats, according to the World Cup Germain’s procession to win the now defends the demeanor of his Wimbledon. winner who first took home FIFA’s top French league. team’s star. With Wimbledon’s two- individual award. “It’s easy to win the title in France,” “Winning or losing is part of the week tournament running at Cutting out the play-acting would Matthaeus said. game,” Tite said in 2012 after coaching the same time as the World also help Neymar win votes, 1990 “For me, Neymar this season, he Corinthians in a match against Santos Cup, many of tennis’s top stars World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus did not show until now he can be the and Neymar. “But to pretend and try are dividing their time said yesterday. best.” to take advantage, that’s not part of between their own title aspi- “We need players like Neymar,” The German great picked out the game. That’s a bad example for a rations and those of the foot- said the former West Germany captain, another PSG star, Kylian Mbappe of kid, for my son, for those who are ballers in Russia. who won the inaugural FIFA world France, England captain Harry Kane going to watch this and think that it’s The World Cup is the talk player award in 1991. “But not with and Croatia captain Luka Modric as good to take advantage of others.” of the locker room, according this acting what he was doing now in potential candidates for the FIFA Neymar had been accused of to Frenchman Monfils, with each game.” award when voting opens July 23. faking an injury in the game, and video players putting aside on-court A debate about Neymar faking The winner announced in London of Tite’s criticism was widely viewed. rivalries to gather round when injury and overreacting to tackles is on Sept. 24 is judged by a vote by Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio coaches, and players would respond matches are on television. polarizing opinion between European national team coaches and captains, criticized Neymar - without men- only to players. “The World Cup is defi- outrage and Brazilian defense. plus media from FIFA’s 211 member tioning his name - after the striker Neymar was being defended by nitely different. We have been Former England forward Alan countries, and fans voting online. It is writhed in apparent agony after Miguel many in Brazil, especially because he chatting in the locker room, Shearer called Neymar’s behavior separate from the Golden Ball given Layun stepped on an ankle, then has been playing well and is helping and for sure I have some com- “absolutely pathetic” in a British to the World Cup’s best player. quickly recovered as if no incident had the team succeed at the World Cup, ments. I watched the games broadcast on Monday. Ronaldo singled out Neymar as a occurred during the 2-0, round-of-16 but he continued to be loudly criticized actually in the locker room,” Neymar’s theatrics distracted from potential winner - noting that he win over El Tri. internationally for his antics. Monfils said. Brazil’s 2-0 win over Mexico that took himself won the FIFA award after an “We wasted a lot of time because The 26-year-old Paris Saint- The flamboyant Monfils the five-time champion into the injury-hit season that peaked with of one single player,” Osorio said. “I Germain forward said some people took his World Cup fixation quarterfinals. Brazil’s World Cup title. Ronaldo’s think this is a real shame for football, were trying to gain attention by going one step further, venturing “The criticism is nonsense,” Brazil eight goals in Japan and South Korea especially for kids who are watching after him. Others were attempting to into London to watch some of great Ronaldo told reporters yes- included both in the final, a 2-0 win because this has to be a sport of virility, undermine him, he said. England’s dramatic last 16 win terday. “I am against all these opinions over Germany. of determination, a man’s sport, like “I don’t care much for criticism,” over Colombia on Tuesday. you mentioned. I don’t think referees “The results for Neymar with the other games, and not a charade.” Neymar said after the Mexico match. Spotting a packed pub, have been protecting him enough.” national team are incredible and he’s Neymar was asked to respond to “Not even for praise sometimes, Monfils stepped inside to see Ronaldo, a three-time winner of still not at his best,” Ronaldo said. Osorio, but Tite intervened before because that can affect a player’s mind. the tense penalty shoot-out FIFA’s best pplayery award, and Mat- Matthaeus suggestedggg an 11th yeary Neymary could start talkingg duringg the I onlyy need to pplayy football. I need to finale and couldn’t believe thaeusthathhahaeaeeusss sspokepokepookkee at a brbbriefingifiiefing aaboutboututt thet of Messi-RonaldoM essi-R-RoRRonaldaldo dominanceddominannce isis likely.likely. newsne cconference.conference.nce TiteTiti e saidsaidd hierarchyhieraie rchy helph my team-mates, helphe mymy teamteam.. how raucous the atmosphere individualinndndindividuual aaccoladeccccolade thathat LioLionelonnel MessMeMessiessi “I ggiveivee thethemm maymaybebee oonenene oorrtwr twtwoo mustmuu t be resprespectedectet ddin in socsoccer.cer. He said That’sThat’s w whyhy I’mIm herehere.e. I came herehere e was. andaannndd CristianoCrisstianano RoRonaldonaldo hahavevee wonwonn fivefivee yearsyeary s more,”moore,”re, he said,said, “then““thenenn ththerehheere wiwillll onlyonnnlnlylyly coachescoaches wouldwould to win.”win.” “I saw on the phone it was timesttitimeimes eacheaach inin thethe ppastast decade.decaadde. comeme aac changechhanhangange forfor thisthis award.”awwardd..”” answerannsnswsswer ttoo the shootout and I saw a pub, With PortugalPoororttugal and ArArgentinaggeenntinaa bothth so I just went in and watched leavingleeave ingg RussiaRusR sssiai inin thethe roundroouunund of 16,16, thethee it,” he said. awardawarawa d seemsseeememmss open forfoor a newnew winnerwinnener “Unbelievable. Crazy, tooeo emerge.emergergee. crazy! I can’t describe it. I was scared to have my phone. “It was jumping, screaming. Everything. Beers, everything. It was great.” Eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer, also a father of four children, has managed to find room in his busy schedule to watch the World Cup. But the Swiss great was left frustrated on Tuesday when his country were eliminated after a 1-0 defeat by Sweden. “I was disappointed. I expected more from the team. But that’s the thing with Brazil’s forward Neymar gestures as he lies knock-out,” he said after on the ground during a training session at routing Lukas Lacko. Yug Sport Stadium, in Sochi yesterday. “I felt it’s an opportunity missed. I think we had our chance against Sweden. “I think we deserved what we got. Maybe we’re not part of the best eight in the world.” Chelsea team-mates set for crunch tie With England’s hopes of winning the World Cup for the AFP “The team has evolved since first time since 1966 in mind, Brazilian forward the first game,” Willian added. Federer was told by a reporter Willian (left) and SOCHI: Brazil star Willian says he “There was nervousness in that there was only one team he Belgian forward Eden is looking forward to coming out first match, a more complicated should support now Swit- Hazard. on top when he faces his club start against Switzerland, and we zerland are out. colleague Eden Hazard in the have grown step by step. I think “Is there? I don’t know World Cup quarter-final between we are at the same level as in the who I’m going to root for yet. Brazil and Belgium. qualifiers.” I have to check it out,” he said The teams meet in Kazan He added that Neymar is with a smile. tomorrow evening with Brazil the getting better by the game, but the “But my favourite team is favourites, despite the quality in a same can be said of Willian gone, so it won’t be the same Belgian side captained by Hazard, himself, who is one of the few sur- any more for me.” who plays with Willian at Chelsea. vivors from the 2014 squad. American 10th seed “He is a very humble player Brazil will leave their base on Madison Keys, whose country and I like being with him on a daily Russia’s Black Sea coast for the didn’t qualify, wasn’t so ret- basis at club level. But now it is final time on Thursday to head to icent about joining England’s time for each of us to defend our Kazan for Friday’s game. World Cup cause -- thanks to corner and I hope to come out on With Marcelo and Douglas her noisy evening watching top,” Willian said at Brazil’s Costa having shaken off injuries, the Colombia match with training base in Sochi on it is the first time in this World Cup former junior Wimbledon Wednesday. that Tite has had his whole squad champion Laura Robson. “He is one of the best players fit. “I watched England play in the world, but now I am on a facing Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut producing his best performance of the trophy were comfortable However, Real Madrid mid- last night. I was actually different side and I want to do eve- Courtois. at the World Cup so far in Mon- with their tag as favourites, having fielder Casemiro will miss the watching with Laura. She was rything to win. I know we will Willian is expected to keep his day’s 2-0 victory against Mexico. recorded three straight wins since match due to suspension, with singing the “it’s coming home” remain friends after,” added the place in coach Tite’s starting It was a performance which an opening 1-1 draw against Fernandinho expected to replace song consistently for two-and- 29-year-old, who will also be line-up for the game after suggested the five-time winners Switzerland. him. a-half hours,” Keys said.