TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016 SPORTS Golden oldie ‘Kazu’ breaks goal record - at 49 TOKYO: Twinkle-toed former Japan striker Miura celebrated with his trademark tap flight is the Brazilian legend Zico, who was believe in yourself.” Miura, dubbed King mer coach Takeshi Okada before the coun- Kazuyoshi Miura proved he has no plans to dance, albeit slightly slower than in his hey- 41. Closing in on his half century, Miura Kazu at the peak of his powers in the early try’s first World Cup appearance in 1998, it shuffle off into the sunset after the 49-year- day. “You have to be very determined to credited baseball superstar Ichiro Suzuki, 1990s when he was Asia’s best-known foot- triggered a national debate. old rewrote his own record as the J-League’s keep going for 31 years and still score goals,” who at 42 recently set his own personal baller, is Japan’s second-highest goalscorer Unperturbed, Miura defiantly offered his oldest goal scorer. Miura told local media. “I felt I could get a milestone by notching 4,257 career hits, with 55 goals in 89 matches. He blazed a services for the 2010 World Cup in South “King Kazu”, who is playing in his 31st goal today,” added Japan’s erstwhile poster passing Pete Rose’s Major League Baseball trail for Japanese players when he joined Africa-with no apparent hint of irony-at the season as a professional, scored with a rare boy, who reached his latest milestone aged record total. “(Ichiro) taught me how impor- Italy’s Genoa in 1994, although a broken ripe old age of 43. Okada, in his second header for Yokohama FC on Sunday in his 49 years, three months and 24 days. “But I tant it is to keep chipping away to reach nose on his debut took some of the gloss spell as coach, politely declined. side’s 2-1 defeat at home to FC Gifu in the should be scoring more if I’m honest,” bigger goals,” Miura said, his pin-up looks off his trumpeted arrival. Miura finally got his dream to play for Japanese second division. Thought to be Japan’s Kyodo news agency quoted him as latterly replaced by a few grey hairs and tell- When the former Dinamo Zagreb player Japan in a World Cup at 45, albeit in the fut- the world’s oldest professional footballer, saying. The oldest goal scorer in Japan’s top tale wrinkles. “The important thing is to was axed from the Japanese squad by for- sal version in Thailand. — AFP US dream of Copa America shock against Argentina HOUSTON: Jurgen Klinsmann is daring to Privately however Klinsmann will be dream that the United States can pull off attempting to solve the puzzle caused by mission improbable in the Copa America the suspensions of influential midfielder Centenario semi-finals here today as the Jermaine Jones, wide player Alejandro hosts face a Lionel Messi-inspired Bedoya and the Hamburg-bound striker Argentina closing in on a long-awaited Bobby Wood. All three have played a piv- tournament triumph. Klinsmann has otal role in the US campaign, with Wood already met his pre-tournament goal of providing the speed and thrust in attack reaching the last four after helping his side which has created the space for veteran navigate a challenging group phase and an Clint Dempsey to thrive, and Jones a tower- awkward quarter-final against in-form ing presence in the heart of midfield. Ecuador. Although Klinsmann has urged his team But despite a raft of suspensions which to shed their underdog mentality, insisting will decimate his first choice starting line- he wants them to be bold against more up at Houston’s NRG Stadium, Klinsmann is heralded opponents, a gung-ho approach bullishly talking up his team’s chances as against Argentina could be disastrous. they prepare to take on the might of When the relentless US pressing dropped Argentina. The German World Cup winner off in the second half against Ecuador in cites his team’s impressive record in recent the quarter-finals, the South Americans cre- friendlies, which has included away wins ated chance after chance only to be let over Germany and the Netherlands, and down by poor finishing. Argentina, who their performances in the 2014 World Cup have amassed 14 goals in four games, are as reasons to believe. “There’s no reason at unlikely to be as profligate. all why we can’t win Copa America,” Messi, superb in Saturday’s 4-1 quarter- Klinsmann said on Sunday. final demolition of Venezuela, where he “We travelled the world the last few scored once to join Gabriel Batistuta as years to very difficult friendly games all Argentina’s record international goalscorer over Europe and in Mexico and we came with 54 goals, cautions that facing the away with wins.” In Brazil two years ago, hosts on home turf may not be as straight- Klinsmann’s side helped eliminate a forward as it seems. Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal and highly “We’re on the right track, but it will be rated Ghana before qualifying with very difficult playing in front of the LONDON: Britain’s Andy Murray (2L) is presented with the trophy after winning the men’s singles final match against Canada’s Milos Raonic (L) Germany in the World Cup’s “Group of American crowd. Physically they are a very at the ATP Aegon Championships tennis tournament at the Queen’s Club in west London on Sunday. Murray won the match 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. — AFP Death.” “We don’t need to talk up Argentina strong team and they can do a lot of dam- any bigger than they are,” Klinsmann said. age if they are allowed to play,” warned “Two years ago we had Mr Ronaldo against Messi. Yet it is hard to see anything other us in Manaus. And we led them 2-1 until than an Argentina victory which would ‘Champagne on ice’ for the 96th minute,” Klinsmann said of his leave Gerardo Martino’s side 90 minutes team’s first round World Cup match which away from ending a 23-year wait for a finished in a 2-2 draw. major title. Messi and his team-mates have “We surprised a lot of people-no one suffered agonizing losses in the finals of Wimbledon, says Murray gave us a chance to get out of the group in last year’s Copa America in Chile and the Brazil. We left Portugal behind, we left 2014 World Cup against Germany. Ghana behind. “Anything is possible in “It is clear that I want to win something LONDON: Andy Murray warned Novak Djokovic he said. While Djokovic has been resting follow- ly means a lot to me. It’s been my most success- knockout games. You’re 50-50 with whoev- with my country and I want to do every- he has the champagne on ice as the Queen’s ing the long-awaited completion of his career ful tournament by far,” he said. “To be the first er you play against,” he said. “Dream big- thing I can to make that happen,” said the Club history-maker plots to end the world num- Grand Slam at Roland Garros, Murray has been player to win five times, it’s not an easy tourna- why not? This is about two more games.” Barcelona superstar. — AFP ber one’s reign as Wimbledon champion. honing his grass-court game and getting reac- ment to win. It always has a great field and the Murray completed the perfect warm-up for quainted with Lendl, who proved an invaluable players I have beaten in the finals have been top Wimbledon when the world number two defeat- presence when the Scot defeated Djokovic in players.” Murray won’t be resting on his laurels India level Tweny20 ed Milos Raonic 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday to the Wimbledon and US Open finals. Murray is however and he will head straight to Wimbledon retain the Queen’s title and lift the trophy for a also encouraged by reaching four finals in his for a practice session on Monday. record fifth time. last four tournaments, a run that has brought “It’s obviously good preparation to win the series with 10-wkt win With Wimbledon getting underway on June him two titles including his victory over Djokovic event right beforehand, but I still have eight 29, Murray looks well placed to emulate his his- on the Rome clay in May. days until my first match at Wimbledon, so HARARE: Mandeep Singh blasted a quick- Rahul (47 from 40 balls) put on a century toric 2013 triumph at the All England Club. But “I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have done that there’s time to make things better and there’s fire unbeaten half-century as India crushed stand. All the Zimbabwe batsmen strug- the 29-year-old knows he is likely to have to before,” Murray said. “It’s a sign things are going also time to mess things up,” he said. “If I have Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to level the gled to score quick runs in their innings defeat Djokovic, who has won Wimbledon for the right direction the last few months. “I’m giv- five rubbish days of practice and don’t put Twenty20 series yesterday. The result sets with none managing more than a run a the last two years, to earn the third Grand Slam ing myself chances every week right now and everything into it and concentrate on what I’m up a series decider in the third and final ball.