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Thursday, July 5, 2018 FOOTBALL Shawwal 21, 1439 AH Paulinho rises GULF TIMES from footballing grave with Messi assist SPORT Page 3

FOCUS BIG GUNS PRIMED FOR LAST-EIGHT BATTLES Top half contains more heavyweights, with France taking on two-time winners Uruguay and Brazil set to face Belgium

AFP Southgate said he was already look- land, the winner of the tournament is player has hit the headlines as much Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries months, for weeks to play matches like Moscow ing forward to Saturday’s quarter-fi - more likely to come from the top half for his perceived play-acting as for Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne are like- that,” said France coach Didier Des- nal against Sweden in Samara, with a of the draw, where the teams can boast the on-pitch performances that have ly to give Brazil’s defence the biggest champs. last-four clash against either Croatia a combined eight tournament wins. helped his side ease into the last eight test of their campaign so far, although Uruguay’s success has been built on ngland became the last team or Russia up for grabs. Favourites Brazil will come up without ever being seriously troubled. the South Americans have only con- a solid defence led by Atletico Madrid to qualify for the World Cup “This was special but I want us to against Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio ceded once in four matches. pair Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin, quarter-fi nals after a dramatic go on,” said Southgate, whose own in Kazan tomorrow while an excit- said the stoppages caused by Ney- “This is the sort of game you dream with the old-fashioned strike partner- penalty shootout as favourites penalty miss saw England lose to Ger- ing young France side spearheaded by mar’s antics stalled his team during about as a little boy and we can enjoy ship of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cav- BrazilE and fancied France trained their many in the semi-fi nals of Euro 96 at Kylian Mbappe take on a shrewd Uru- their 2-0 last-16 loss to Brazil, claim- it from the fi rst second,” said Belgium ani doing the damage at the other end sights on their last-eight opponents. Wembley. guay outfi t in Nizhny Novgorod. ing the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s coach Roberto Martinez. with fi ve goals between them. England’s victory against Colom- “Sweden is another team we have a Much of the fo- reaction to Miguel Layun stepping on France never got out of fi rst gear in No South American side have won bia takes Gareth Southgate’s team poor record against. We have underes- cus surrounding his leg was a “shame for football”. easing through the group stage, but on European soil since a Pele-inspired into what looks like a winnable match timated them for years. They have cre- Brazil’s bid for Belgium were on the brink of an- turned on the style as Mbappe dazzled Brazil 60 years ago, but in a World Cup against Sweden, who edged out Swit- ated their own story and made history. a record- other major tournament failure when in a classic 4-3 victory over Argentina of shocks and surprises, nothing can zerland 1-0 earlier on Tuesday. I don’t want to go home yet.” extending trailing 2-0 with 21 minutes to play, to set up the clash with Uruguay. be taken for granted. Both teams are in the bottom half of Janne Andersson’s Sweden have sixth world only for a magnifi cent breakway “We have been p r e p a r - the draw in Russia, along with the host recovered well from a heartbreaking title has goal by Nacer Chadli in the fourth ing for nation and Croatia, with England the group-stage defeat by Germany, see- inevitably minute of injury-time to cap a only former winners of the four teams. ing off Mexico before edging out Swit- been on Ney- stunning fi ghtback. The top half contains more heavy- zerland 1-0 in the last 16. mar. weights, with 1998 champions France RB Leipzig midfi elder Emil Forsberg But the taking on two-time winners Uruguay grabbed the only goal of a tight encoun- world’s most and Brazil set to face Belgium. ter midway through the second half to expensive On a dramatic night in Moscow’s send his country into the quarters for Spartak Stadium, England goalkeeper the fi rst time since the 1994 side who Jordan Pickford made a key save from fi nished third in the United States. Carlos Bacca before Eric Dier’s spot- kick gave England their fi rst-ever win NEYMAR SCRUTINY on penalties at a World Cup at the For all the drama fourth attempt — ending the jinx that around has dogged them for so long. Eng- The Sun tabloid coined his save the Brazil’s bid for a “Hand of Jord”, harking back to Diego record-extending Maradona’s “Hand of God” incident sixth world title has in 1986, when the Argentine used inevitably been on his hand to put the ball into the Neymar France’s Mbappe net against England. dazzled in a “It’s the headline we classic 4-3 win have waited a lifetime over Argentina to write... England win on penalties (Yes really!),” the paper said.

England’s Harry Kane has already scored 6 goals this World Cup

Luis Suarez has combined well with Edinson Cavani for Uruguay With six goals, Harry Kane is England’s second-highest World Cup goalscorer behind Gary Lineker (10) 2 Gulf Times Thursday, July 5, 2018

FOCUS COMMENT Sweden will be a This time England tougher test for England than Brazil, says Eriksson left nothing to zerland on Tuesday. Reuters London “Sweden are so diffi cult to break down. They are very solid and really tough. If you woke ngland will face their them up in the middle of the toughest World Cup test night, they would know every against Sweden in the position in defending — any pos- quarter-fi nals, a task sibility in the game, they know chance in shootout moreE daunting than taking on what to do. tournament favourites Brazil, “Their strikers are defend- ‘It’s not about luck. It’s not about chance. It’s about performing a skill under pressure’ former England coach Sven- ers when it’s time to defend and Goran Eriksson said. they can defend in their own box England booked their place in as well. the last eight by edging past Co- “During my time with England lombia in a penalty shootout on we met them four times. We lost Tuesday to raise hopes of a fi rst once, and the others were a draw World Cup title since 1966. and, going back before that, Swe- “It would be easier for England den have beaten England in big to beat Brazil than to beat Swe- games. My brain says England, den in my opinion, Sweden to- though my heart says Sweden.” day are a very hard team to break England had never won a pen- down,” Swede Eriksson, who led alty shootout at the World Cup England to the 2002 and 2006 before Tuesday and Eriksson World Cup quarter-fi nals, told believes overcoming that barrier Paddy Power News. will prove to be a big boost in the “England have a great chance latter stages of the tournament. to make a World Cup semi-fi nal. “Everyone gets worried when But, if anyone in the squad thinks a game goes to penalties, and they have an easy game on Satur- with the record England have in day, they’re wrong. competitions, it’s huge in Eng- “It’ll be the most diffi cult land that they’ve managed to win game they’ll have played so far, the shootout here... it’s great for they can bet on that.” confi dence because of England’s Sweden reached the World history,” he said. Cup last eight for the fi rst time Gareth Southgate’s England since fi nishing third in 1994 after side face Sweden in Samara on a scrappy 1-0 victory over Swit- Saturday.

Maradona calls English win ‘monumental robbery’

Reuters Nizhny Novgorod, Russia England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saves a penalty kicked by Colombia’s Carlos Bacca during the penalty shootout in the World rgentine great Diego Cup round of 16 match at Spartak Stadium in Maradona said England Moscow on Tuesday. (AFP) Aperpetrated a “monu- mental robbery” in their World Cup victory over Colombia and accused referee Mark Geiger Reuters knockout stage, Southgate explained Argentina. of not being up to such a game. Moscow how that mentality had translated into Also, as one of the shootout scorers Maradona, notorious in Eng- his thinking on penalties. Kieran Trippier noted, Southgate made land for his famous ‘Hand of “I’ve had a couple of decades think- his team practice penalties when they God’ goal at the 1986 tourna- ngland manager Gareth South- ing it through. It’s not about luck. It’s tired at the end of a training session, to ment, said the American off icial gate knows all about the pain of not about chance. It’s about performing simulate the fatigue that is present after should have penalised Harry missing a crucial kick in a penal- a skill under pressure,” he said. extra-time. Kane rather than give a penalty ty shootout and as he sportingly “There are things you can work on, Vitally England goalkeeper Jordan for a foul by Colombia’s Carlos consoledE Colombia’s Carlos Bacca on things that can be helpful for the prepa- Pickford’s guesswork regarding which Sanchez during Tuesday’s Tuesday night at the Spartak Stadium, ration for the players. We have studied way to anticipate a kick was not based knockout match the memories couldn’t have been far it. There is a lot we can do to own the on instinct but research. “Today I saw a monumental away. process, and not be controlled by it.” Pickford guessed the right way for all robbery on the pitch... a fatal “It will never be off my back, sadly. That mentality and the preparation of Colombia’s kickers — except for Rad- mistake for a whole country,” That’s something that will live with me was evident in the way England dealt amel Falcao — and said that was largely he said of the incident that forever,” said Southgate said after the with the challenge of the shootout. due to his work with goalkeeping coach put England 1-0 ahead in the game when reminded of the Euro 96 “I believed our goalkeeper would save Martyn Margetson and other FA staff . second half. semi-fi nal loss to Germany where he one, and the technique of our players in “We did our research on them, with “Here’s a gentleman who missed the crucial kick in the shootout. taking them was superb. I have to credit Margetson and the analysis staff ,” Pick- decides, a referee who, if you Southgate was mocked in a pizza ad- our big support team who have done a ford said. “I had a fair feeling. Falcao Google him, shouldn’t be given won a penalty shootout, tak- vertisement following that defeat but he lot of work in that area over the last few was really the only one who didn’t go a match of this magnitude... ing them into a quarter-final also learned a valuable lesson that had months,” said Southgate. ‘his’ way. But it’s about: set, react and Geiger, an American, what a against Sweden. a huge impact on the World Cup last 16 go with power. coincidence,” Maradona added The ever-controversial former win over Colombia — the shootout is LATE CHANGE “I’ve got power and agility, I don’t on his nightly World Cup show World Cup winner also pointed not a ‘lottery’ and it is something you England had their list of kickers well care if I’m not the biggest keeper. for Venezuela-based Telesur the finger at Pierluigi Collina, can prepare for. prepared in advance but substitutions England manager Gareth Southgate I’ve got that power and agility to get broadcaster. head of FIFA’s referee com- “When something goes wrong in your made during the game forced a change (right) consoles Colombia’s Mateus around the goal. I’m very good at it,” TV images showed Maradona mittee, for allowing Geiger’s life it doesn’t fi nish you and you should to the list of fi ve kickers with Eric Dier Uribe after the penalty shootout on he added. wildly celebrating Colom- designation. become braver, knowing that you’ve got stepping in. Tuesday. (Reuters) It is hard to believe that none of this bia’s late equaliser that took “I’m just sorry for the whole to go for things in life and don’t regret Players had already been evaluated was done before by previous coaching Tuesday’s Round of 16 match Colombian people,” Maradona (that) you didn’t try to be as good as you during practice drills and their past per- in 1998 when David Batty, who had nev- staff s, but after the triumph that sent to 1-1 and extra time. But he said. “I cheered Colombia’s goal might be,” said Southgate. formance taken into account, in con- er taken a penalty in a match, missed the England into the last eight it will surely was despondent when England as if I had headed it myself.” After England secured passage to the trast to previous tournaments, such as decisive fi fth kick in a round of 16 loss to be standard practice now.

BOTTOMLINE Brazil’s Neymar should drop the injury act: World Cup winner Matthaeus

Reuters tain) Lionel Messi is not acting. We Geiger awarded England a penalty Moscow need players like Neymar but not the in the 57th minute but Harry Kane acting.” needed to wait several minutes before Matthaeus said it was up to referees taking it as Colombian players had razil winger Neymar is a world to put a stop to it, adding that during surrounded the referee, disputing his class footballer who does not his playing days Colombia’s Carlos Val- decision. need to exaggerate when his derrama was one such culprit but now “With the penalty we missed three is fouled because it does not there were just too many. minutes of football because of the dis- earnB him any sympathy with the fans, “I remember Colombia (against cussions. We don’t need this acting. We former Germany captain and World England on Tuesday) how they were want to see football games, people al- Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus said acting,” he said. England beat Colom- ways come to watch a football game. If yesterday. bia 4-3 on penalties in a bad-tempered they want acting they should go some- Neymar, who has scored twice so far game that was almost constantly inter- where else,” the German said. to help Brazil into the World Cup quar- rupted with referee Mark Geiger book- Matthaeus, however, had only praise ter-fi nals in Russia where they will face ing six Colombians and two English for the England side and their brand of Belgium tomorrow, has been sharply players. quick football. criticised for a string of exaggerated “In the 1990s they had one Carlos “England played very well yester- reactions when clashing with an op- Valderrama, now Colombia have six. I day. These are high level players and ponent. don’t like this provocation and acting the English national team profi ts from “Neymar does not need it. He is an and I cannot understand why a player coaches in the Premier League work- excellent player, one of the fi ve best likes to cheat. With video assistant ing with these young players. They players in the world,” the 57-year-old referees (VAR) this should not be pos- also learned how to shoot penalties,” he Matthaeus, who won the 1990 world sible.” added. Cup with West Germany, told report- Matthaeus also blamed Geiger for “This young generation, they are be- ers. “Why does he need the acting? not punishing players for it. lieving in themselves. They do not play “It does not bring him sympathy. “You have to cut this. He (Geiger) kick and rush. They like to play out of (1986 World Cup winner) Diego Mara- forgot to cut it at the right time. He let the defence. This is the style of the dona was not acting, (Argentina cap- them (Colombians) do it.” English clubs.” Brazil’s Neymar gestures as he lies on the ground during a training session in Sochi. Russia, yesterday. (AFP) Besides two World Cups, Uruguay have also won the regional Copa Americas 15 times 3 Gulf Times Thursday, July 5, 2018

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Paulinho rises from Little Uruguay punch above the footballing grave weight — with Messi assist yet again ‘It’s unpredictable. Going from China to Barcelona is incredible, but it’s not a miracle’

Reuters Kazan, Russia

f there is one Lionel Messi assist over the last year that Brazilian football fans should be grateful for, it is the one that helped take Paulinho from Ithe elephants’ graveyard of modern foot- ball to the Nou Camp. Twelve months ago, Paulinho was at Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League and resigned to playing out the prime of his career against the likes of Chongqing Lifan and Changchun Yatai. The midfi elder had made the move to China after a diffi cult spell in England with Tottenham Hotspur and was enjoy- ing his life and football, until Messi made him a stunning off er during a friendly be- tween Brazil and Argentina in Melbourne. “All of a sudden, Messi walks straight up to me, looks me in the eye, and says, ‘So... are we going to Barcelona or not?’,” 29-year-old recalled this week on www. theplayerstribune.com. “I thought maybe he was joking, like he was trying to mess with my head or something. But we were just playing a friendly... so maybe not?” A few months later, Paulinho was in- deed on his way to Barcelona to join a team that would win the Spanish title, sharpening his skills to ensure he would Oscar Tabarez, who is called ‘El Maestro’ (The Teacher) by the be one of the fi rst names on Tite’s squad locals, has been the coach of Uruguay for 12 years and is at his list for the World Cup. third World Cup of that spell. (AFP) Hard running and aggressive, Paulinho has played every game for the Selecao in Reuters even in comparison with the Russia as Brazil have established them- Nizhny Novgorod, Russia passions on display in neigh- selves as favourites for a sixth world title bouring Brazil and Argentina heading into tomorrow’s quarter-fi nal — there is the question of sta- against Belgium in Kazan. ith similar ac- bility at the helm. An artisan box-to-box operator among cents and cul- Their current coach Os- the artists of the Brazil team, Paulinho ture, there is lit- car Tabarez, for example, has has a knack of being in the right place tle that annoys been in charge for 12 years and at the right time, as he showed when he Wyour average Uruguayan more is at his third World Cup of Brazil’s Paulinho (right) vies for the ball with Mexico’s Hector Herrera during the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match in Samara, Russia, latched onto Philippe Coutinho’s through on Monday. (AFP) than being mistaken for an that spell. Locals call him ‘El ball to score against Serbia. Argentine next door. Maestro’ (The Teacher). If Messi played a part in securing his “I get emotional when I speak about suff ered from depression when he was unpredictable. Going from China to Bar- No one, however, is confus- Then there is a meticulous move to Barcelona, the resurrection of Tite, because we are connected in a way dropped at Spurs. celona is incredible, but it’s not a mira- ing them at the World Cup. kids’ football network that Paulinho’s international career was down that is about more than football.” The premature birth of his twin son cle,” he said. Argentina, with a popula- gets children organised and to the appointment of his former boss at There have been other dark days in and daughter at the end of last year has “A miracle is when you come home tion of more than 40mn, have enthused from aged four. Corinthians as Brazil coach. Paulinho’s career — he almost quit the helped to put his footballing woes in per- from football, and no matter what the re- gone home after a shambolic Furthermore, Uruguay has “One person who always believed in me game as a teenager after being racially spective, however. sult was that day, your children look up at campaign that saw just one a highly-developed coach- was Tite,” Paulinho added. abused while playing in Lithuania and he “Football is full of ups and downs. It’s you, and their eyes say, ‘Ola, Papai’.” last-gasp win in four matches, ing network that is not shy to a miserable Lionel Messi fail- move talent on to Europe fast, ing again on the big stage, and which the national team can COMMENT a wobbly defence beaten nine then draw back on. times. All-time top scorer Luis Uruguay, with 3.3mn peo- Suarez headed to the Nether- ple, are into a quarter-fi nal lands aged 19 to join Gronin- with Argentina’s conquer- gen, before going on to Ajax, ors France after four straight Liverpool and Barcelona. Fellaini, Chadli as game-changers? wins including a stunning 2-1 Then there is a more neb- knockout victory over Cris- ulous factor — the famous tiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Uruguayan “Garra Charrua” So with such a small popu- (Charrua Claw), meaning a lation pool, how can ‘La Ce- fi ghting spirit and intensity This World Cup is absolute chaos leste’ (The Light Blues) be so said to enable the team to play consistently good? above its real level. By Nick Miller stage. “It’s time to shine,” he said, with a Their success, as any fan “Uruguayan football is just The Guardian sort of dead-eyed certainty. knows, is no new phenomenon. an extension of the Uruguay- He started as if that was his big aim, Uruguay won the inaugu- an mindset of never backing the juices fl owing from the off . There ral World Cup in their capital down against the world even earts sank like lost shoes in was a driving run through the mid- Montevideo in 1930 and up- when success seems unlikely,” a muddy fi eld in Manchester dle, a delicate fl ick with his right foot, set hosts Brazil to lift it again said Fernando Alberto, a Bra- when the news emerged last a fi nger-stinging shot with his left. He in 1950 in front of a crowd of zilian who has visited Uru- week. Derision, resignation, seemed more aggressive than usual: not 205,000, the largest to ever guay, musing online on the Hbaffl ement: United had a perfect op- in the tackle but in his movements. Fine watch a match anywhere, in a causes of their standing in the portunity to rid themselves of Marouane skill combined with a point to prove. game more known as the ‘Ma- football world. Fellaini but instead they gave him a new But as the game progressed he faded, racanazo’. “Uruguay has half the contract. though he did hit a post after Japan’s That early success was population of the city of Rio If one listened to some of the wailing, fi rst goal. He might take it as an insult thanks in part to enlightened de Janeiro. It is really hard to it felt as if Fellaini was an irritating house that Martinez went for the hammer and social inclusion policies. understand why. The thing is guest, the sort who puts his shoes on the smashed the emergency glass, reaching While South American neigh- that they just love the sport couch and takes bites out of the cheese. for the sinewy tree that goes by the name bours were restricting foot- like very few do.” The time had come for him to move on Fellaini. Insult it might be, but it worked. ball to a European descendant Unusually, Uruguay are not but United not only invited him back in Perhaps, if nothing else, this game elite, Uruguay’s star was Jose the smallest nation among the for a brew, they made him up a proper might provide some succour to despair- Andrade, the son of an Afri- 32 who made it to Russia. That bed in the spare room. ing United fans. Really, they should know can-born slave. distinction went to Iceland, And then there is Nacer Chadli. It was, what Fellaini is there for by now. He is an The modern generation another team who have taken to say the least, an eyebrow-raiser when impact substitute, a creator of chaos to have not yet won a World Cup, the “garra” concept to new he was even named in the Belgium squad turn to when order and sound planning but have been no slackers ei- levels, albeit with a Viking for Russia: one had to look up where he have not worked. ther. They reached the semi- twist, and whose own popula- was playing his club football and, as it Assuming he is used in these sorts of fi nals in 2010 — the furthest tion of 340,000 would fi t into turns out, it was still West Brom. Not circumstance, as the plan B muscle, he is they had got since 1970 — and a suburb of Montevideo. that he had actually played much: he a perfectly fi ne option – eff ective, ugly, the second round at the last But while Iceland and had spent virtually the whole season out not capable of elite football, not capable tournament. Uruguay fans may feel like injured, making his call-up even more of much that is recognised as football Uruguay have also won the brothers in some ways, one baffl ing. This was not Brazil fretting on at all, really, and yet someone who can regional Copa Americas 15 set are back home and an- Neymar’s fi tness: this was Nacer Chadli. Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini (centre) celebrates his goal with teammates Eden Hazard change matches. times. other is converging on Nizhny And yet these two unwanted toys, (left) and Youri Tielemans during the World Cup round of 16 match against Japan in Which is what he did here. Japan “The reasons are many, but Novgorod for tomorrow’s discarded in the minds of many, were Rostov-On-Don, Russia, on Monday. (AFP) almost looked cocky in the minutes after all related to one big thing: the showdown with France. the men who saved Belgium. One could they scored their second through Takashi entire country is dedicated to And if football status were almost hear the snorts when they were predicted. Nothing can be planned for. more conventionally desirable player. On Inui and then, when Fellaini and Chadli soccer,” said one Uruguayan, determined by success per introduced, proof that Roberto Martinez This is a tournament where Rus- Sunday Eden Hazard was asked about were introduced, it was as if they looked Javier Borkenztain, discuss- capita, even Iceland could not was a smooth-talking snake-oil sales- sia look like potential champions and the departure from the tournament of to the sidelines and thought: “Is that all ing the phenomenon on social come near Uruguay’s undis- man, not a manager but a motivational Germany are sulking at home for the fi rst Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and they’ve got? This is in the bag, lads.” media. puted crown. speaker with some coaching badges. time since before the war. A tournament what that might mean to him. Well, it was not in the bag. It was “We give our lives for every Fellaini and Chadli? Pah! where Thomas Muller and Andres Iniesta It was framed as creating a vacancy very much out of the bag. Thanks to MOST SUCCESS PER CAPITA ball,” said midfi elder Lucas Shows what we know. Or, it shows that have been virtual irrelevances but Fel- for a tournament-defi ning star, a chance Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, Beyond the national obses- Torreira. “This country is very football generally, and this World Cup spe- laini and Chadli are game-changers. for Hazard to translate his frequent bril- Belgium’s golden generation live to fi ght sion with football — notable small but it has a huge heart.” cifi cally, is absolute chaos. Nothing can be Before the game the talk was about a liance for Chelsea on to the international another day. What a world. Belgium’s 3-2 win over Japan was the fi rst time in 48 years that a team come from 2-0 down to win in the knockout rounds of World Cup 4 Gulf Times Thursday, July 5, 2018

FOCUS COMMENT Deschamps ponders Sweden’s strength is how to get the best our unity: Granqvist Reuters does not expect much of a change Gelendzhik, Russia from the defensive tactics his out of star Mbappe side have used to get this far. “I think we have to look at our ‘I cannot complain that I have players who can take up several off ensive positions’ weden have fl own under squad and we have to look at the the radar all the way to opponent’s squad. Normally the AFP the quarter-fi nals where other team has better players on Nizhny Novgorod, Russia they aim to use their so- paper and we let them have the lidityS as a unit to put a stop to ball in the places we want them English dreams of a fi rst World to have the ball,” he explained. ust how to ensure Kylian Cup victory since 1966 in Sama- The team returned to their Mbappe gets a plentiful ra on Saturday. Black Sea base at Gelendzhik di- supply in his eff orts to After leading his side through rectly after defeating the Swiss prise open a notoriously a light workout following their and missed watching the Eng- stingyJ Uruguay defence will be 1-0 Round of 16 victory over land game on TV, but coach France coach Didier Deschamps’ Switzerland, captain Andreas Janne Andersson and his support main preoccupation before to- Granqvist said his team have no staff have already begun analys- morrow’s World Cup quarter- secrets ahead of the clash with ing Gareth Southgate’s side. fi nal. England, who beat Colombia 4-3 Sweden midfi elder Albin Ek- The teenager is already being on penalties on Tuesday. dal had a scan on a twisted an- compared to Pele as he emerges “They have seen that we are kle yesterday and Mikael Lustig as the X-factor for the French a very strong team, we play to- is suspended for the tie against but will need to be aff orded gether as a collective, we defend England but changes in person- every available opportunity if as a team with the whole team, nel are likely to have little eff ect he is to make an impact in the we attack as a team. We’re really on the Swedish game plan. match at the Nizhny Novgorod solid, we don’t let the opponent “If you look at the games we Stadium. get so many chances,” Granqvist have played, the opponent has The best way to utilise the told reporters. had more ball possession than we 19-year-old’s incredible pace “We know we are good on the have but we have created more and fi nishing acumen – so viv- set pieces, we know we have good chances, more dangerous chanc- idly displayed with two goals in counter-attack Football. They es,” Granqvist said. the 4-3 win over Argentina in have seen our game, they have “This is how we play, this is the round of 16 – has been the seen our group stage and how we what we need to do, this is our subject of much debate in the play and I think they have big re- strength, and we also need to see build-up to the World Cup but spect for us.” our quality against other strong certainly a pleasurable problem The 33-year-old centre back, teams. This is the way for us to for the coach. who has already scored twice have success, and we’re going to “I cannot complain that I have from the penalty spot in Russia, continue this way,” he added. players who can take up several off ensive positions,” Deschamps said earlier this year. “But I can make sure that they are used in their best position.” After winning successive French league crowns with Monaco and then Paris Saint- Germain, the 19-year-old an- nounced himself on the global stage by knocking Lionel Messi’s Argentina out of the last 16 in Russia. With Cristiano Ronaldo, a childhood hero of Mbappe’s, crashing out of the competition on the same day with Portugal, it felt like a passing of the torch to a new generation. And while Mbappe may be the game’s new superstar, the French teenage sensation is not forgetting his roots. France’s Kylian Mbappe (left), Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez (right) during a training in Istra, Russia, yesterday. (Reuters) According to L’Equipe, he has promised to donate his World ers really enjoy themselves when forwards. Uruguay’s game plan will with Cristhian Stuani likely to Cup bonus to organise sporting the standard of the opposition France will need all the at- be familiar. Make it as hard as be brought into the side in and initiatives for children in hos- increases,” said Thuram. tacking fl air they can muster, possible for the opposition and Cristian Rodriguez asked to of- pital. While many pundits insist because breaking down Uruguay when you get the ball give it to fer more support to Suarez, who He will likely fi nd a robust Mbappe is best used in a classic will be like a jackhammer trying Edinson Cavani or Luis Suarez. has tried to play down Cavani’s Uruguay defence far less chari- centre forward role, Deschamps to tear open a tar road. Except, those plans could possible absence. table, but former France de- is likely to play him on the right The South Americans have be severely disrupted if Cavani “Things don’t depend on just fender Lilian Thuram expects of the attack tomorrow, making kept a clean sheet in six of previ- does not recover from a calf in- one player. Uruguay have shown Mbappe to thrive on the chal- place for Olivier Giroud to join ous seven games with club mates jury and misses out on Friday. we depend on collective work on lenge. Antoine Griezmann in what will Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez a Uruguay did practice ear- the pitch,” he told reporters on Sweden skipper Andreas Granqvist celebrates win over Switzerland “He is young, and young play- be a trio of veritable wall. lier this week for the possibility, Tuesday. in the round of 16 in Saint Petersburg. (Reuters)

SPOTLIGHT Coach Loew needs to shuffl e Germany’s pack DPA Khedira (31) and captain Manuel Should Loew or the DFB distance Belin Neuer (32), the latter of whom defi - themselves from the players, all their nitely wants to be part of the rebuild- anti-racism and pro-integration ing project, are over 30. work would be undone. oachim Loew doesn’t have Mats Hummels (29), Jerome Boat- THE FANS: Alienation is the buz- much time. eng (29), Thomas Mueller (28), Toni zword after Germany’s World Cup After his decision to stay on Kroos (28) and Mesut Oezil (29) are all exit. Closed training sessions, isola- as Germany coach, which fol- young enough for at least one more tion in luxury hotels and expensive lowedJ fi ve days of soul-searching, he crack at the World Cup. tickets – these issues were discussed has to fi nd answers to pressing ques- Until a few weeks ago they were all even before the tournament. tions raised by his team’s spectacular considered irreplaceable. Even the relationship with the failure to defend the World Cup in Will Loew sacrifi ce his stalwarts as media, who were not allowed to ask Russia. a statement of intent? The generation questions at the announcement of Loew has not said whether he has that won the Confederations Cup in Germany’s squad for Russia, is a sen- a plan or what specifi c issues he will 2017, including Julian Draxler (24), sitive issue. address, but team manager Oliver Leon Goretzka (23) and Marc-Andre “Lots of things have been taken out Bierhoff hinted that there will some ter Stegen (26) will undoubtedly be of context,” Bierhoff said. tough talking in the weeks ahead. given more responsibility. “People have been talking about “The post-mortem begins,” he alienation. We saw that we had good said. “Of course you see certain THE OEZIL/GUENDOGAN television viewing fi gures before the things during the tournament, and CONUNDRUM: Loew has his opin- tournament. There’s huge interest in also straight afterwards.” ions on society and is not afraid to us.” The deadline is clear. When Ger- share them. Multiculturalism is im- There is one certainty: Joachim many take on France – so impres- portant to him. Loew will be allowed to do it his way. sive at the World Cup – in Munich on Yet his pronouncments on the This free rein won Germany the September 6, the World Cup night- Oezil-Guendogan issue, when there World Cup in 2014 and the DFB mare has to have put to bed. was uproar after the two Turkish- clearly hope it can continue to bring We look at the most important ar- Germans posed with controversial success, despite the debacle in Rus- eas for Loew. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- sia. THE PLAYERS: Something has to dogan, have been uncharacteristi- If it doesn’t, Loew would be well give, but how? At the time of writing, cally vague. advised to steer clear of TV adver- none of Germany’s 23-man World It’s likely that Loew will now back tisements or – as he did in Sochi just Cup squad has retired from interna- the duo more strongly, even in the days after Germany’s defeat to Mexi- tional football. face of resistance from fans and his co – posing for moody photos leaning Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew (centre) leads a training session in Sochi, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F Only Mario Gomez (32), Sami employers. on a lantern by the beach. football match against Sweden. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, July 5, 2018 5 SPORT

FOOTBALL NHL Hurricanes sign de Haan to 4-year deal Italian champions The guidance from Hau- Reuters Carolina gan, who was among 16 people killed in a horrifi c bus crash at a rural intersection in April, en- he Carolina Hurri- courages players to put family canes landed one of fi rst, treat others with respect the top remaining free and play and practice with agents Tuesday night passion. Juventus make bid Twhen they signed defenseman On Tuesday, the Broncos Calvin de Haan to a four-year, named former NHL defense- $18.2 million deal. man Nathan Oystrick as the The addition of de Haan, team’s new coach and general 27, immediately upgrades the manager. Hurricanes’ blue line. He had Oystrick, 35, is a Saskatch- 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) ewan native who appeared in 33 games with the New in 65 games with the Atlanta for Ronaldo: source York Islanders last season but Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks missed the bulk of the cam- and St. Louis Blues from three ‘Real has not made any off er to PSG or the player and condemns spreading of this type of information’ paign because of a shoulder seasons between 2008 and injury. In 304 career games, de 2011. He tallied 15 points (fi ve Haan has 81 points (12 goals, goals, 10 assists) and 61 pen- 69 assists) and 118 penalty alty minutes in that time. minutes. His best off ensive “I did not know Darcy Hau- production came in 2016-17, gan,” Oystrick said at a news when he tallied 25 points (fi ve conference. “But like so many goals, 20 assists) and 36 pen- people in this world today, I alty minutes in 82 games for wish I had. I believe in his com- the Islanders. mitment to not just developing “I get to play with one of skilled hockey players, but de- the best young blue lines in veloping great human beings, the NHL and that to me is very and I hope that I can make him important,” de Haan said in proud while doing this job.” comments published by the Oystrick has yet to meet the Raleigh News & Observer. “I crash survivors. He hopes that feel like I can step in and help his upbeat style will help both this team win. I’m aware the the team and the community. Hurricanes haven’t made the “On the ice, I want to play playoff s in the past nine years, a fast-paced, in-your-face and I feel like I can be part of game,” Oystrick said. “My the solution here.” goal here is to win champion- The deal could prompt the ships, but also to build strong- Hurricanes to trade defense- character people.... Off the ice, man Justin Faulk, who has two I want to build relationships years remaining on his con- with the people of Humboldt tract but could struggle for in the community and help playing time in Carolina. wherever and whenever I can. “If I’ve learned anything Humboldt names former in my playing career, it’s that NHLer Oystrick coach the biggest thing that hockey Darcy Haugan’s “core cov- does for anyone is build rela- enant” will remain painted tionships, whether it’s in your on the wall as the Humboldt community, your teammates, Broncos begin their next your coaches – it doesn’t season. matter.”

GOLF Watson ready for A mural of Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo on a building in Kazan. (AFP) Greenbrier challenge Reuters in the fi nal on May 26, Ronaldo him and president Florentino Pe- Real Madrid deny Mbappe tps://www.realmadrid.com/ Madrid appeared to suggest he had al- rez has publicly courted Paris St bid rumour en/news/2018/07/official-an- Reuters who will tee off in Thursday’s ready decided to leave Real, tell- Germain forward Neymar, urg- Real Madrid yesterday denied nouncement-2 in a statement on Charleston, USA opening round with Ted Potter ing a television reporter on the ing the Brazilian last year to come media reports they have made their website. Jr. and Patton Kizzire, earned ristiano Ronaldo has pitch at Kiev’s NSC Olympic to Madrid if he wants to win the a bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s “Real Madrid has not made his three victories this year in received an off er to Stadium: “It was beautiful to prestigious Ballon d’Or award. teenage (PSG) striker Kylian any off er to PSG or the player ubba Watson has been only 10 starts, the latest when leave Real Madrid and play for Real Madrid.” Ronaldo scored two goals Mbappe, who is emerging as one and condemns the spreading of inconsistent this sea- he fi red a 63 to overcome a six- join Italian champions Ronaldo, 33, appeared to back- against Juventus in Real’s 4-1 of the biggest stars of the Russia this type of information.” son, but with three stroke defi cit in the Travelers. Juventus,C a source close to the track on that statement during win in the 2017 Champions World Cup. With speculation rife that PGA Tour wins under But Watson has lacked con- player told Reuters yesterday. Real’s celebration parade through League and struck a jaw-drop- Social media user Baptiste Ri- world player of the year Cris- hisB belt he is considered one of sistency. Apart from his wins, Ronaldo, who joined Real from the Spanish capital the next day, ping bicycle kick against the part, who identifi es himself as tiano Ronaldo will soon leave the men to beat at this week’s he has only two top 10 fi nishes Manchester United in 2008 for when he told a mass of support- Italians in a 3-0 win in a quar- a journalist and editor, said in a Real, the Madrid club also on Greenbrier Classic in West – a tie for fi fth at the Masters a then world record 80 million ers: “See you next season.” ter-fi nal fi rst leg game in Turin Twitter posting that the Spanish Monday denied a report that Virginia. and a share of ninth at the pounds ($105.65 million), is the The Portugal forward was re- which prompted Juve support- Champions League holders had they had off ered 310 million eu- Watson, who became the World Golf Championships- Spanish club’s all-time top scor- ported to be on the verge of leav- ers to give him a standing ova- agreed a world-record 272 mil- ros for Mbappe’s Brazilian PSG fi rst three-time winner on Mexico Championship. er with 451 goals in all competi- ing last June after a news story tion. The Portuguese converted lion euro ($316 million) fee for strike partner Neymar. PSG the PGA Tour this season The world number 12, who tions and has won two La Liga ti- appeared in Portuguese news- a stoppage-time penalty in the the French 19-year-old. signed Mbappe on an initial with a victory at the Travelers will be the highest-ranked tles and four Champions League paper Record declaring he was second leg to knock the Italians Real Madrid issued their de- year-long loan deal from AS Mo- Championship in Cromwell, entrant in this week’s fi eld, trophies with them. unhappy with the club. out 4-3 on aggregate. nial after Spanish sports dailies naco last year with an option to Connecticut, nine days ago is enjoyed a week off after his Despite the glut of silverware, He also caused a stir in 2012 Ronaldo had an explosive start Marca and AS ran articles citing buy after one season. suddenly brimming with con- latest win, having only picked however, the fi ve-times world when he declared in a post- to the 2018 World Cup by scor- the posting. That deal was reported to be fi dence. “My expectation is up a club in recent days to hit player of the year has had fre- match interview after a game ing a hat-trick in his side’s 3-3 “Given the information pub- worth 180 million euros. always trying to win,” Watson, some tee shots, and is looking quent fallouts with Real and has with Granada: “I’m sad and the draw with Spain and he hit the lished...regarding an alleged Mbappe has so far scored 39, told reporters in White Sul- forward to the challenge that declared on several occasions club know why.” winning goal in a 1-0 win over agreement between Real Ma- three World Cup goals, including phur Springs where fi ve-time lies ahead. “Hopefully I make that he wants to leave the club. Spanish newspaper Marca Morocco. He missed a penalty in drid and PSG for the player two in France 4-3 round-of-16 major winner Phil Mickelson some putts like I did at Travel- Moments after lifting a third suggested yesterday that Ronaldo a 1-1 draw with Iran and failed to Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid victory over Argentina. France and world number 31 Tony ers, and that’s the key to any- consecutive Champions League is unhappy at Real because they score in his side’s 2-1 defeat by would like to state that it is com- face Uruguay in a quarter-fi nal Finau are among the other body’s game is if you can make trophy by beating Liverpool 3-1 are searching for a successor to Uruguay in the last 16. pletely false,” the club said ht- in Nizhny Novgorod tomorrow. notables in the fi eld. Watson, some putts,” said Watson.

MLB Greinke earns 4th straight win as D-backs top Cards Reuters been scored upon since June 18 – night. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with runs and 20 RBIs in 35 games as Phoenix on seven hits and one walk while three strikeouts in the contest. a designated hitter. striking out four over 6 2/3 in- Ohtani had been on the disa- In addition to activating Ohta- nings. bled list since June 8 with a ni, the Angels recalled right- aul Goldschmidt hit the Greinke is 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA Grade 2 sprain of his right ulnar hander Miguel Almonte from go-ahead three-run in his last seven starts dating collateral ligament. The An- Triple-A Salt Lake. Right-hand- homer in the fi fth inning back to June 2. The Cardinals gels cleared Ohtani to resume ers Deck McGuire and Eduardo Tuesday night and Zack scored on consecutive pitches hitting last week, though gen- Paredes were optioned to Salt PGreinke won his fourth straight against Greinke in the second, eral manager Billy Eppler said it Lake in corresponding moves. start as the Arizona Diamond- when Yairo Munoz hit an RBI would still be three weeks before Max Muncy hit two of Los backs held on for a 4-2 win over single and Kolten Wong followed Ohtani will be re-evaluated with Angeles’s six home runs in a the visiting St. Louis Cardinals with a sacrifi ce fl y. regard to his ability to pitch. win over visiting Pittsburgh. Joc at Chase Field. Yoshihisa Hirano got the fi nal Eppler would not say whether Pederson, Chris Taylor, Yasmani The win snapped a four-game out of the seventh, Archie Bra- or not Ohtani will pitch again Grandal and Enrique Hernandez losing streak for the Diamond- dley threw a perfect eighth and this season, but he maintained also homered for Los Angeles, backs. The Cardinals have lost Brad Boxberger earned his 20th the team’s optimism that Tom- which had four homers a night fi ve of six. Goldschmidt homer- save with a hitless ninth. Flaher- my John surgery – which would earlier in a 17-1 victory over the ed to the opposite fi eld off Car- ty allowed four runs on four hits likely sideline Ohtani until 2020 Pirates. dinals starter Jack Flaherty (3-4) and one walk while striking out – will not be needed. and fi nished 2-for-4 – he singled seven over six innings. The rook- Eppler and manager Mike RESULTS in the eighth inning – to contin- ie has given up eight runs over 10 Scioscia have each said multiple Mariners 4 Angels 1 ue his torrid fi ve-week stretch. innings in his last two starts after times that the team is optimistic Diamondbacks 4 Cardinals 2 He is batting.385 with 13 hom- producing an 0.98 ERA (two runs about Ohtani’s chances of recov- Indians 6 Royals 4 ers and 32 RBIs in 33 games since in 18 1/3 innings) in three starts ering without surgery, though an Blue Jays 8 Mets 6 May 27 to lift his overall average from June 11-22. ESPN report in early June said Rays 9 Marlins 6 (16 inns) from.201 to.277. Ohtani would “probably” need Dodgers 8 Pirates 3 The fi rst baseman has six hits Angels’ Ohtani hitless in surgery. Ohtani had a PRP injec- Astros 5 Rangers 3 in eight at-bats in the fi rst two return from DL tion in October, before he signed Yankees 8 Braves 5 games of the three-game series The Los Angeles Angels ac- with the Angels, to treat previous Phillies 3 Orioles 2 against the Cardinals. tivated two-way star Shohei elbow pain. Ohtani, who turns White Sox 12 Reds 8 (12 inns) David Peralta had an RBI sin- Ohtani from the 10-day disabled 24 on Thursday, is 4-1 with a 3.10 Red Sox 11 Nationals 4 gle in the fi rst inning for the Dia- list and inserted him into the ERA in nine starts as a pitcher Rockies 8 Giants 1 mondbacks while Jake Lamb had starting lineup as the designated this season and has struck out 61 Cubs 5 Tigers 3 two hits. Greinke (9-5) allowed hitter, batting sixth, against the batters in 49 1/3 innings. He also Brewers 2 Twins 0 Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke throws in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at two runs – the fi rst time he has Seattle Mariners on Tuesday is batting .280 with six home Athletics 6 Padres 2 Chase Field on Tuesday. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, July 5, 2018 SPORT

CYCLING Dumoulin hits out at handling of Security blanket for Tour Froome case La Roche-sur-Yon, France: The way Chris Froome’s recently resolved ‘salbuta- mol’ dossier was handled has damaged cycling and may drive fans away from the riders including Froome sport, world champion Tom Dumoulin said yesterday. Dumoulin beat Froome to the World’s biggest cycling race starts on Saturday, just days after Froome was cleared of doping suspicions world time trial title in Bergen in October, but came second AFP on that hill, we know how it can be,” he to the Sky team leader at the La Roche-sur-Yon, France said, stressing that communications 2018 Giro d’Italia. between security offi cers was the key to “It’s incredible,” the Dutch safety alongside multi-lingual signs. A Sunweb rider said when ver 30,000 security agents gendarme engaged in Tour security said asked how he felt about the will be deployed to protect the key message was for all spectators to recent UCI ruling on Froome. riders during the Tour de keep calm. “I’m not blaming Froome,” France, organisers said yes- “We call for calm, stand back and he said. “He’s been cleared. terdayO after the head of world cycling above it all and don’t pay too much at- It’s how the whole case has called for a safe environment for British tention to any wild statements, the im- been handled which is just a rider Chris Froome. portant thing is to stay calm and let us mess, it’s really unfortunate The world’s biggest cycling race do out job,” he said its not what cycling needs,” starts on Saturday, just days after four- Thouault said security arrangements Dumoulin said in English. time champion Froome was cleared of had been agreed between Tour organis- “It’s ruining the reputation doping suspicions by the Union Cycliste ers and the Ministry of the Interior with of cycling and fans are prob- Internationale (UCI), headed by David the Tour paying around four mn euros ably walking away from the Lappartient. In a post on his Twitter ac- of the security budget. Kenyan-born sport because of this. It’s just count, Lappartient said the UCI’s deci- Froome, 33, is a favourite to win his fi fth the way its been handled — sion should be respected, as should “all Tour de France after he was cleared to not how it should have been.” riders, including Chris Froome”. ride following the conclusion of a probe The world’s biggest cycling “I have heard calls, sometimes com- into an abnormal test sample during the race starts on Saturday, pletely irrational, to violence on the Tour of Spain last year. just days after Froome was Tour de France,” he said. “I cannot ac- He recorded an adverse analytical cleared of doping suspicions cept that and I call on all spectators to fi nding (AAF) for Salbutamol, an asth- by the UCI. Kenyan-born protect all the athletes and to respect the ma medication, meaning he exceeded Froome, 33, was under inves- judicial decision so that Chris Froome the allowed dose of a permitted sub- tigation after delivering an can compete in a safe and serene envi- stance. “I feel the need to say to cycling abnormal test sample during ronment like all other athletes.” lovers, to lovers of the Tour de France, the Tour of Spain last year. Tour de France security chief Pierre- that the decision that was taken (to drop However, hostility to Yves Thouault said that he shared Lap- the case against Froome) was taken on Froome had been growing in partient’s concerns but was ready to the basis of reports from experts which some quarters in the run-up unleash a huge security operation to led the World Anti-Doping Agency to the race and earlier yes- police the 10 to 12mn fans expected to (WADA) to consider that no violation of terday UCI president David turn up to watch the race this year. anti-doping rules had taken place. And Lappartient called upon “There will be 23,000 police and from this point on, that decision must the French public to allow 6,000 fi remen,” Thouault said, adding be respected,” Lappartient added. Froome to compete in a safe several thousand private security agents Opposition to Froome had been environment. Dumoulin was would also be deployed. “We are con- building in France ahead of the Tour, asked if he expected Froome cerned with mountain top fi nishes,” he with fi ve-time Tour winner Bernard to get a hostile reception on said. Hinault labelling him a cheat and or- the Tour. Two years ago the “But we will not be focusing more on ganisers barring him from riding before Briton had urine thrown at one team than on any other,” he said, being forced to relent earlier this week him by a roadside spectator. mentioning one notorous mountain and lifting the ban. “I won’t hug too close to his stretch of the three-week Tour. “The Froome is out to emulate fi ve-time wheel on the ascents, then,” top section of the Alpe d’Huez will have winners Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Dumoulin joked. over 3.5km of railing on either side,” he Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain when Froome used a personal said of the climb notorious for attract- he competes for a fi fth win in the three- bodyguard during the 2017 ing huge unruly crowds where punches week Tour. A win would also make Tour de France and has have been thrown, and urine splashed Froome the fi rst man to win a Giro-Tour retained his services for this Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (centre) trains with his Team Sky cycling teammates yesterday in Saint-Mars-la-Reorthe, on competitors including Froome. de France double in the same season for year’s tour. western France, three days prior to the start of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. (AFP) “We’ll have several hundred offi cers twenty years.

BADMINTON F1 Sindhu enters pre-quarters, Hamilton eyes sixth win at Silverstone Reuters Srikanth falls to Momota Silverstone, England

IANS Jakarta ilverstone can provide the antidote to Austria for Lewis Hamilton this weekend, with a record sixth Brit- io Olympics silver med- ish Grand Prix win — and his fi fth in allist PV Sindhu was the Sa row — there for the taking. The reigning lone bright spot in an Formula One world champion has been un- otherwise disappoint- beatable in front of his home crowd in recent ingR day for India at the Indone- years and is fi rm favourite to continue that sia Open badminton tournament success and retake the overall lead from Fer- here yesterday. rari’s Sebastian Vettel. Barring Sindhu, who advanced Last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix saw to the pre-quarterfi nals of wom- Hamilton’s fi rst retirement since 2016, en’s singles after registering a ending a record run of 33 successive scor- win over Thailand’s Pornpawee ing fi nishes, and left him a point behind his Chochuwong 21-15, 19-21, 21- German rival after a race won by Red Bull’s 13, all the other Indian shuttlers, Max Verstappen. Silverstone should come including World No.7 Kidambi PV Sindhu of India hits a return during her win over Pornpawee back to Mercedes’ strengths. The team have Srikanth crashed out. Sindhu Chochuwong of Thailand at the Indonesia Open in Jakarta. (AFP) gone through what went wrong in Spielberg, the World No.3 overcame a stiff where tactical errors were made and Valtteri challenge from the Thai shuttler Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt before script was similar in the doubles Bottas also retired due to mechanical failure, before pocketing the aff air 21-15, going down in straight games 12- competition too, with the men’s and intend to hit back hard. 19-21, 21-13. The Hyderabadi will 21, 10-21. double duo of B. Sumeeth Red- “When you get knocked down to the now face Japan’s Aya Ohori to- In men’s singles competition, dy and Manu Attri went down ground, you can either stay on the fl oor or day. Meanwhile, London Olym- former World No.1 Srikanth’s to China’s Zhang Nan and Liu get back up and fi ght even harder. I am ready pics bronze medallist Saina Ne- campaign ended after a narrow Cheng 21-15, 15-21, 17-21. to fi ght,” Hamilton told his 6.6mn followers hwal will also be in action in the opening-round loss. Srikanth Another Chinese pair of Huang on Instagram. The four-times world cham- pre-quarters, where the former suff ered his second successive Yaqiong and Zheng Siwei out- pion can always count on massive support World No.1 will be up against loss to in-form Japanese Kento classed India in the mixed dou- at Silverstone and that energy has inspired Chinese Chen Yufei today. Momota in less than a week. bles aff air as N. Sikki Reddy and some exceptional performances at a circuit Last Sunday’s Austrian GP saw Lewis Hamilton’s first retirement since 2016, ending a record Meanwhile, in another Despite displaying a massive Pranav Chopra suff ered straight that hosted the fi rst world championship run of 33 successive scoring finishes, and left him a point behind by Sebastian Vettel. (AFP) women’s singles match, young fi ght against Momota, Srikanth game defeats. The Indian duo race back in 1950. Vaishnavi Reddy Jakka failed to lost the issue 12-21, 21-14, 15-21 lost the issue 21-21, 14-21 in just The only Briton in a grand prix that comes really interesting variable that’s thrown into Mercedes will be very strong this weekend.” put up a fi ght against Denmark’s in an one hour long battle. The 26 minutes. a day after England play Sweden in a World the mix,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner Ferrari have not won in Britain since Fern- Cup quarter-fi nal in Russia, Hamilton will said. ando Alonso, now at McLaren, triumphed in feel the love and is ready to reciprocate. “I “Who expects 30 degrees at Silverstone? 2011 and they struggled last year with the BOXING feel very proud to represent Britain, and to Silverstone is always extremes — extremely tyres. Vettel, who left Silverstone a point be- be at the top of the sport, and being the one cold, extremely windy or extremely wet. hind Hamilton, suff ered a dramatic penul- raising the Union Jack, hopefully against a Could this year be extremely hot?” timate lap blowout, while teammate Kimi German one, is an honour and a privilege,” With much of the circuit full throttle, en- Raikkonen suff ered high wear and had to pit he said recently. gine power becomes ever more crucial. “As for a fresh set in the closing laps. DeGale surrenders IBF belt With Britain basking in a heatwave, high soon as you turn into a corner that scrubs “On paper, Silverstone looks quite dif- temperatures must also be factored in. “I speed off the car so if you’ve got the power fi cult for us,” Ferrari boss Maurizio Arriva- think they (Mercedes) will be very strong to keep accelerating and pulling through bene said. “Aerodynamics are very impor- in hope of greater glory at Silverstone but... we see these tyres are that corner, there’s obviously advantage to tant and it will be a diffi cult race for us, so AFP for him. DeGale — who learnt reer where I want to be involved pretty sensitive to heat and that could be a that,” Horner added. “I think that’s where we have to stay focused.” London his art in the Dale Youth Gym in the biggest fi ghts possible.” which sprang to global attention DeGale has an array of poten- when it was gutted in the Gren- tial mouthwatering opponents. FOCUS ames DeGale said yester- fell Tower fi re tragedy last year — Among them could be WBO day that he has given up took middleweight Olympic gold middleweight champion Billy Joe his IBF world super-mid- in Beijing in 2008. Saunders or fellow former Dale dleweight title so he can He fi rst won the world title Youth Gym product and WBA McLaren racing director Boullier resigns secureJ big bouts to light up his when in 2015 he outpointed An- super-middleweight champion fi nal fi ghting years. dre Dirrell in Boston. He lost it to George Groves, should the latter Reuters of this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The ance Director, responsible for trackside op- “I have relinquished my IBF Caleb Truax last December but win the upcoming World Boxing Silverstone, England former world champions, currently sixth in erations. title as I look to secure big fi ghts regained it in a brutal 12 round Super Series fi nal with challeng- the standings after nine races, said Brazilian Team boss Zak Brown, who accepted in the fi nal chapter of my career,” rematch in Las Vegas in April. er Callum Smith. former Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Fer- Boullier’s resignation on Tuesday, said the DeGale wrote on social media. “I’ve achieved so much, Ol- “My team have been working cLaren announced the resig- ran had taken a new role as sporting director. restructuring marked the fi rst step on the The 32-year-old former Ol- ympic gold, British and European very very hard behind the scenes nation of racing director Eric The team said Simon Roberts, chief op- road to recovery with the team addressing ympic boxing gold medallist said titles and becoming a two-time and we’ve got some exciting Boullier yesterday as part of a erating offi cer of McLaren Racing, will now their issues “head on”. McLaren have not his representatives were work- world champion,” DeGale wrote. news to announce soon,” added restructuring of the Formula oversee production, engineering and logis- won a race since 2012 and switched to Re- ing to secure top notch bouts “This is the fi nal phase of my ca- DeGale. MOne team’s technical management ahead tics. Andrea Stella was appointed Perform- nault engines this season. Gulf Times Thursday, July 5, 2018 7 SPORT

CRICKET FIRST TEST Roach fi ve-for Pakistan knock bundles out Bangladesh for hosts Zimbabwe record low of 43

AFP North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda

emar Roach took fi ve wickets as West Indies out of T20I series demolished Bangladesh for 43, their lowest Test total,K on the opening morning of Pakistan are now assured of a place in Sunday’s final against Australia the fi rst Test in Antigua yester- day. At lunch at the Sir Vivian Ri- AFP chards Stadium, West Indies had Harare reached nine without loss. Bangladesh’s pitiful perform- ance was also the second short- akistan knocked Zimbabwe out est fi rst innings in the 141-year of the Twenty20 tri-series in history of Test cricket. At 18.4 Harare in a closely-fought en- overs, it was just one ball longer counter yesterday, beating the than Australia’s dismissal for 60 Phosts by seven wickets with fi ve deliver- off 18.3 overs by England at Not- ies to spare. Opener Fakhar Zaman top- tingham in 2015. scored for Pakistan with 47 before cap- Put in to bat on the green- tain Sarfraz Ahmed overcame a spirited est surface seen in the ten years Zimbabwean fi ghtback and saw his side of Test cricket at the venue, the home with an unbeaten 38. Bangladeshis were no match for Their eff orts meant that Zimbabwean the quality of the West Indies all-rounder Solomon Mire’s bellicose fast bowling. Roach set the rout earlier innings earlier went in vain. Mire in motion by claiming the fi rst struck 94, the highest score by a Zimba- fi ve wickets for eight runs in just bwean in Twenty20 internationals, but fi ve overs despite appearing to be Zimbabwe’s 162 for 4 was not enough to troubled by a muscular strain be- overcome the world’s top-ranked T20 hind his right knee. side. However, it was the visit- Kemar Roach of West Indies Zaman said Pakistan was always con- ing batsmen who felt the great- bowls during the first Test fi dent they could pull off a successful est discomfort with only opener against Bangladesh in North chase. “We have a very deep batting line- Liton Das reaching double-fi g- Sound, Antigua. (AFP) up, so we were confi dent we could chase ures in a performance that once it,” he said. again exposed the vulnerabil- of Bangladesh’s most eff ective Pakistan given a rapid start by Zaman ity of their players in conditions seamer Mustafi zur Rahman. and fellow opener Haris Sohail, who took away from what they are gener- In his very fi rst session of Test 56 from the Powerplay. ally familiar with on the Indian cricket, he came to the crease Sohail holed out soon afterwards, but sub-continent. Das was sixth as the last man in the batting Zaman continued to show the sort of out for 25, an ugly heave off ering line-up and had fi rst to use the touch that made him vital to Pakistan’s a simple catch to Roston Chase new ball in the West Indies re- successful Champions Trophy run last at backward point off Miguel ply. If they were relying on their year. Cummins to end any prospect most senior players to lead them Mixing aggression with an ability to of Roach claiming all ten wickets through what was expected to be manoeuvre the ball around the fi eld, he Pakistan’s Mohamed Nawaz attempts to stop a Solomon Mire shot during the T20 tri-series at Harare Sports Club yesterday. (AFP) in the innings. Cummins, whose a tough opening session, Bang- cracked four fours and a six. place in the fi nal eleven was in ladesh were poorly served by the The tactic spoke volumes about his de- match. Executing his attacking strokes into the stands beyond long leg to move boosted Zimbabwe to a respectable total question after a lack of success in experienced quartet as captain velopment as a limited overs batsman. “In perfectly, Ahmed found the gaps and the into the 20s and was soon smashing Paki- after two poor outings in this tourna- the preceding three-Test series Shakib Al Hassan, former skipper the start in T20 I was hitting every ball in boundaries whenever they were needed. stan’s attack to all corners of the ground. ment. “We were expecting 130 to 140 on against Sri Lanka, took two more Musfi qur Rahim and all-rounder my striking zone, but after playing eight He displayed a particularly deft touch Mire’s fourth six took him to a 32-ball this pitch, but Mire played a very good in- wickets. Mahmudullah all failed to score to 10 games I sat with some senior players with his late cut, taking boundaries off half century, his fi rst in this format, and nings,” said Zaman. West Indies captain Jason while opener Tamim Iqbal con- like Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed, and left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and he wasn’t done there. He collected a fi fth It was not enough to beat Pakistan, Holder, fresh from a nine-wicket tributed four runs before becom- spoke about my gameplans with them,” Wellington Masakadza with the stroke. six with a huge strike down the ground however, who are now assured a place in haul in defeat in the fi nal Test ing the fi rst wicket to fall, caught Zaman explained. “I realised that I could With four runs needed from the fi nal off Mohamed Nawaz’ left-arm spin, and Sunday’s fi nal against Australia. against the Sri Lankans in Barba- at the wicket, to trigger the swift play proper cricket shots and be success- over, it was also the shot he used to end then lifted fast bowler Mohammad Amir dos, polished off the innings with tumbling of wickets. ful (in T20), and that’s what I’ve been do- the game, gliding seamer Chris Mpofu to for the biggest hit of the day, over the roof BRIEF SCORES the wickets of Kamrul Islam and ing recently.” the third man boundary. of the three storey stand beyond mid- Zimbabwe 162 for 3 in 20 overs (C. Zhuwao debutant Abu Jayed. BRIEF SCORES AT LUNCH He may have learnt even more from Where Ahmed’s innings was one of fi - wicket. 24, S. Mire 94, T. Musakanda 33) lost Jayed was always in line for Bangladesh I innings 43 all out Ahmed’s innings of calm precision that nesse, Mire’s 63-ball 94 for Zimbabwe He eventually fell for 94 attempt- to Pakistan 162 for 3 in 19.1 overs his maiden Test cap given the in 18.4 overs (L. Das 25; K. Roach kept Pakistan up with an asking rate that showcased big-hitting ability. ing another big hit, but his 64-run third (F. Zaman 47, Talat 44, S. Ahmed not pitch conditions and the absence 5-8, M. Cummins 3-11, 2-10) vs West hovered around eight for much of the Mire started slowly, but hit his fi rst six wicket stand with Tarisai Musakanda out 38) by seven wickets through injury from the tour Indies I innings 9-0.

SPOTLIGHT QNB STARS LEAGUE ‘Lethal’ Kuldeep key for Al Khor sign Sulaka and Bugshan l Khor have roped in experienced kanine of Morocco. Sami Trabelsi’s side also defender Rebin Sulaka to beef has the services of Algerian midfi elder Nadir India, says captain Kohli up their backline ahead of the new Belhadj, formerly of Al Sadd. QNB Stars League season. Al Khor Al Sailiya fi nished sixth (28 points) in the alsoA managed to sign Mohamed Ahmed last season after remaining in fourth spot for AFP Manchester, United Kingdom Bugshan from Al Shamal Club. many weeks. Sulaka, a Iraqi-born Swedish player, is one of the tallest members of the side at 1.93 AL SADD LAUNCH ndia captain Virat Kohli meters. The 26-year-old, who played for Al PRE-SEASON TRAINING believes “lethal” left-arm Markhiya last season, has already joined Al Al Sadd have kicked off their pre-season wrist spinner Kuldeep Khor at their pre-season training camp in training at the club premises. Coached by Yadav will have a pivotal the Netherlands. Jesualdo Ferreira, Sadd players participated roleI to play during the rest of With Adel al-Sulaimi taking over as coach in fi tness drills during the fi rst session held his side’s tour of England. Yadav for Al Khor, the QNB stars League outfi t will at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. produced a man-of-the-match be looking to get positive results in the new The training session was attended by a display as he fi nished with 5-24 season that kicks off on August 4. Al Khor large number of non-international players in India’s emphatic eight-wick- fi nished eighth last season. who will continue training on a daily basis et win over England in the fi rst until July 12. Al Sadd will have their pre- Twenty20 international at Old AL SAILIYA SIGN SYRIAN WINGER season camp in Bad Haring in Austria until Traff ord. YOUSSEF AHEAD OF NEW SEASON ing camp in Tunisia starting next week. July 28. In Austria, Ferreira’s side are sched- England had been in a good Al Sailiya have signed Syrian winger Fahd Youssef has appeared for Al Jazeera and uled to play friendlies on July 19, 23 and 27 position at 94-1 but could only like home conditions,” he ex- chipping up in the air. He bowled Youssef. The 31-year-old attacking mid- Al Wehdat over the course of last three sea- before returning to Doha for the start of the post 159-8 with Yadav’s goog- plained. “The wicket was very well.” fi elder will be part of the pre-season train- sons. Earlier Al Sailiya signed Rachid Tiber- new QNB Stars League season. lies at one point giving him three dry but when I bowled my fi rst Morgan added: “The more wickets in four balls on his way to over I felt like there was going to time you spend at the crease the his best fi gures in T20 interna- be a bit of turn so I stuck to one better you see the ball. I think like QATAR ROUND-UP tionals. KL Rahul’s unbeaten 101 line and length. it’s any challenge. If you are fac- from 54 balls then guided India “I bowled my wrong ‘uns in ing it at 90mph bowling it’s dif- to a comfortable victory with 10 the perfect areas. It’s my fi rst fi cult to replicate it in practice. balls to spare as they produced tour and things are going quite And the same with a guy who Qatar basketball team prepare for an impressive display, backed well. Probably after this game, spins it both ways. You have a by a partisan support on a sun- and for the next few games, Eng- clear plan and stick to it. drenched Manchester evening. land’s batsmen will prepare well. “Jos Buttler is a magnifi cent FIBA World Cup Asian qualifi ers Yadav’s performance was also Obviously, they are quality play- player of spin. If you go back a reminder that despite their ers.” and analyse how Alex Hales and atar’s basketball team will hold the draw for the upcoming Asian Games from each group progressing to the knock- improvement in limited-overs The only England player to Jos played him they didn’t give training sessions from August 2 (ASIAD), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) out round. cricket England remain vulner- really trouble India was wicket- chances but acknowledged he to 13 in Serbia in preparation for announced. able against spin. “He’s going to keeper Jos Buttler as he made a bowled well.” the upcoming FIBA Basketball Joining Qatar in the No 2 pot are China, QATAR HANDBALL TEAM TO PLAY be eff ective on any pitches we 46-ball 69 before he also suc- Kohli also commended Rahul WorldQ Cup Championship 2019 scheduled the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea FOUR PRACTICE MATCHES play on,” Kohli said. cumbed to the mastery of Ya- on his innings which mixed fi - in China. (DPRK), Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Qatar handball team will play two matches “When it turns, he’s going to dav’s googly. England captain nesse with power hitting as he Qatar cruised their way to the second Emirates, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand. with Iran at the end of this month to prepare be even more lethal. He’s very Eoin Morgan admits his players made his second century in T20 round of Asian Zone qualifi cation for the The No 1 seeded pot consists of Indo- for the 18th Asian Games to be held in Indo- diffi cult to pick. I hope he can will have to fi nd a way to counter internationals. “He’s someone FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 84-79 nesia, Japan, Syria, the Republic of Korea, nesia from August 18 to September 2. keep the batsmen guessing. the danger posed by Yadav dur- who has come a long way — he win over Iraq in group D clash. Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. The Qatari team will also play two quali- Looking at how convincing we ing the remainder of the English batted so clean, so crisp in the The team’s training programme in Serbia The No 3 seed pot includes Malaysia, Laos, fying matches with Portugal’s Lisbon team were in all three skill-sets gives summer. IPL and he has carried it for- also comes in the light of its preparation for Jordan, Yemen, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the early next month before departing for the me great please as captain, espe- “Kuldeep is a very good bowl- ward,” added the India skipper. the upcoming 2018 Asian Games scheduled Philippines and Hong Kong. Asian Games. cially some of the younger guys er,” Morgan said. “And he will “We want guys like him to step in Indonesia. Nepal, India, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Qatar won gold in the last edition of the stepping up and doing the job.” continue to be a threat. Maybe up, so other guys can play with Tajikistan, Singapore, Myanmar and Pal- Asian Games in Incheon in 2014. They also With the United Kingdom en- we can be a bit better. It’s some- more freedom. He can bat long as QATAR FOOTBALL TEAM SEEDED IN estine are in group four. A total of 32 men’s won the 18th Asian Men’s Championship in joying a sustained spell of hot thing we’ll assess. He took three well. He’s very hungry, has great POT TWO FOR ASIAN GAMES football teams have registered to compete in Suwon, South Korea, early this year, quali- weather, Yadav said he felt com- wickets in four balls today and technique, and it’s a great sign for The Qatar under 23 national football team the Asian Games. The teams will be divided fying for the World Championships in Ger- fortable at Old Traff ord. “It felt deceived us. It wasn’t a case of Indian cricket.” were placed in the No 2 seed pot ahead of into eight groups, with the two best teams many and Denmark next year 2019.

Thursday, July 5, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

DIAMOND LEAGUE Red-hot Samba guns for sixth straight victory Agencies the two scheduled fi nals at Zurich and Lausanne then Brussels, at which qualifi ers from the previous 12 meetings will contest sudden-death competitions for the ti- atar’s 400 metres hurdles tle of overall Diamond League champi- phenomenon Abderrahman on and a winner’s cheque for $50,000. Samba will be gunning for The men’s 400m hurdles heats at the his sixth successive Diamond Asian Games, which are being jointly LeagueQ victory at the Stade de la Pon- hosted by the Indonesian capital of taise in Lausanne today. Jakarta and Palembang, capital of the The 22-year-old has won all fi ve of South Sumatra province, will take place his Diamond League races this season. on August 26, with the fi nal scheduled He became only the second man to go the following day. under 47 seconds for the event at last “This may be the last day for me in week’s race in Paris, where he clocked the season,” Abderrahman said yester- 46.98 seconds, just 0.20 off the world day. “I can’t compete in the IAAF Dia- record set by Kevin Young of the United mond League fi nal because I have Asian States in winning the 1992 Olympic ti- Games. I cannot compete any more in tle. Qatar’s another champion athlete, the Diamond League. This will be the world High Jump champion Mutaz last one for me this season.” Essa Barshim will miss the event due to There could be fi reworks too in twisted foot and ankle. the 110m hurdles in Lausanne, where Samba will once again be the over- Sergey Shubenkov - world champion in whelming favourite today, consider- 2015 and silver medallist last year - is in ing h is red-hot for. His opponents the form of his life. have struggled to catch up with him. World and Olympic 800m cham- Norway’s world champion Karsten pion Caster Semenya, who led from Warholm has suff ered four succes- gun to tape in Paris to lower her African sive defeats, and defending Diamond and Diamond League record to 1min League champion Kyron McMaster of 54.25sec, will compete over 1,500m the British Virgin Isles is also strug- against a fi eld that includes seven ath- gling. letes with personal bests of under four Meanwhile, Samba said that he was minutes - a distinction the South Af- ‘excited’ by the idea of winning the rican will surely be seeking for herself. world title, and maybe also breaking the But victory is far from certain for this world record, at next year’s IAAF World serial winner over 800m given the pres- Championships to be held in Qatar. ence of athletes such as Sifan Hassan of The Qatar sensation announced the The Netherlands, who has a best of yesterday that today’s IAAF Diamond 3:56.05, Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum, who League meeting in Lausanne will be his has run 3:58.09, and Britain’s world in- last of the season. door silver medallist Laura Muir, who Samba said he would have to miss the has run 3:55.22. Norway’s Henrik Inge- Diamond League fi nal for his event be- brigtsen looks highly likely to improve cause he will be representing Qatar at his 5,000m personal best of 13:16.97 in the Asian Games in Jakarta. a race that looks highly likely to become The men’s 400m hurdles fi nal will a tear-up between supremely talented take place on August 30 in the fi rst of Ethiopians. Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba smiles during a press conference in Lausanne yesterday.

WIMBLEDON FOCUS Sharapova Federer, Serena cruise insists she’s still Grand Slam force as Wozniacki crashes AFP London Former world number one Karolina Pliskova finally makes it to the third round on her seventh visit aria Sharapova in- to Wimbledon after seeing off two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-3 sists she is not fi n- ished as a Grand AFP to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Slam force despite in September. Serena, seeded 25th after Mher worst ever performance London her return from maternity leave, faces at Wimbledon, a tournament France’s Kristina Mladenovic or Ger- which should be her perfect oger Federer extended his many’s Tatjana Maria for a place in the showcase. The 31-year-old gave fl awless winning streak at last 16. up a set and a 5-2 lead to lose in Wimbledon to 26 consecu- Wozniacki, plagued by an invasion of the fi rst round on Tuesday to fel- tive sets as the defending fl ying ants during the Court One clash, low Russian Vitalia Diatchenko, championR crushed Lukas Lacko, while saved fi ve match points but has now an injury-plagued qualifi er Serena Williams powered to her 16th failed to get past the last 16 in 12 visits ranked a lowly 132 in the world. successive win in yesterday’s second to the All England Club. It was a bitter Diatchenko, who needed round action. While Federer and Serena defeat for the 27-year-old Dane, who treatment on her back on three strolled, Caroline Wozniacki suff ered was expected to challenge for the Wim- occasions, celebrated an un- fresh Wimbledon woe as the world bledon title after winning her maiden likely 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 number two suff ered a shock 6-4, 1-6, Grand Slam crown at the Australian triumph after more than three 7-5 defeat against Ekaterina Makarova. Open in January. hours on Court Two. The match Federer delivered a Centre Court With fl ying ants stuck in Wozniacki’s ended in twilight, a fi tting meta- masterclass lasting 89 minutes as the hair and dive-bombing her throughout phor for Sharapova who slipped Swiss star hit 48 winners and 16 aces in the match, the former world number to her fi rst ever opening round his 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 victory. The 36-year- one asked the umpire if there was some- defeat at the All England Club old is now on his joint second longest thing that could be sprayed to keep the where she fi rst burst upon the streak of sets won at Wimbledon — his bugs away. “They’re in my mouth and scene in 2003. One year later, best was 34 between the third round in in my hair and everywhere — we need as a 17-year-old, she stunned 2005 to the 2006 fi nal. to do something. Is there a spray?” she Serena Williams to capture the Next up for Federer is a third round said. “I want to be here to focus on ten- Wimbledon title, the fi rst of her tie against German world number 64 nis, not eating bugs.” fi ve majors. However, she has Jan-Lennard Struff who came back Five-time champion Venus Williams been back to the Wimbledon fi - from two sets down to defeat 39-year- battled into the third round with a 4-6, nal only once since 2004, losing old Ivo Karlovic 13-11 in the fi nal set. In 6-0, 6-1 win over Romanian qualifi er to Petra Kvitova in 2011. his 20th Wimbledon appearance, top Alexandra Dulgheru. Venus reached her Before Diatchenko, there had seed Federer, a 20-time major winner, ninth Wimbledon fi nal last year, but the already been some embarrassing is bidding to become only the second American star was denied a sixth title howlers — in 2008, losing to Alla player to claim nine singles titles at the by Garbine Muguruza. Kudryatseva, ranked 154, then to All England Club after Martina Navra- Making her 21st Wimbledon appear- world number 45 Gisela Dulko in tilova. ance, 38-year-old Venus is the oldest 2009 and to Michelle Larcher de On the evidence of his ruthless dem- woman in this year’s tournament. But Brito, a 131st-ranked Portuguese olition of Slovakian world number 73 she didn’t look her age in making it 89 qualifi er in 2013. Lacko, it will take something special to career match wins at Wimbledon by This year was Sharapova’s fi rst stop Federer making more Wimbledon demolishing Dulgheru in the fi nal two appearance at Wimbledon since history. “I played very well. I felt good sets. Asked if her wealth of Wimbledon 2015 having been sidelined by out there, less nerves than in the fi rst experience was a key factor, Venus said: a doping ban in 2016 and injury round,” Federer said. “I’m happy how I “I’d love to have that extra advantage. If last year. Since her return from am hitting the ball, good concentration that’s working for me I’m all for it. It’s suspension, her Slam record on my service games and able to mix just about winning the match. If that’s Roger Federer plays a forehand en route to his win over Lukas Lacko at the Wimbledon championship. (USA TODAY Sports) stands at a last-16 run at the US it up with some slices. Of course, you your best or not doesn’t matter.” Open, third round in Australia sometimes play the percentages, but if Venus next faces Dutch 20th seed bt Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), and a quarter-fi nal place at Ro- you do that too much it becomes bor- Kiki Bertens, who beat Russian world 7-6 (7/3); Mackenzie McDonald (USA) bt land Garros. ing, so I like to mix it up.” number 107 Anna Blinkova 6-4, 6-0. Nicolás Jarry (CHI) 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 3-6, 6-2, Steady, not spectacular but Federer wasn’t the only former Former world number one Karolina 11-9; Dennis Novak (AUT) bt Lucas Pouille Sharapova insists there are posi- champion in peak form on Centre Court Pliskova fi nally made it to the third (FRA x17) 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (8/10), 3-6, 6-2; Milos tives. “I have to take away the as seven-time winner Serena routed round on her seventh visit to Wimble- Raonic (CAN x13) bt John Millman (AUS) things that didn’t work well Bulgarian qualifi er Viktoriya Tomova don after seeing off two-time Austral- 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4); Radu Albot for me and get back and work 6-1, 6-4. Williams brushed aside To- ian Open champion Victoria Azarenka (MDA) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 through those, look for my next mova in just 66 minutes with 24 win- 6-3, 6-3. Former Wimbledon fi nalist (7/3), 5-7, 6-3 opportunities,” said Sharapova ners and four aces to extend her streak Agnieszka Radwanska lost 7-5, 6-4 to WOMEN: Karolína Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Vic- whose fate was sealed against of consecutive match wins at the All Czech world number 66 Lucie Safarova. toria Azarenka (BLR) 6-3, 6-3; Mihaela Bu- Diatchenko when she served England Club. “It was better than the zarnescu (ROM x29) bt Katie Swan (GBR) up her 11th double fault of the fi rst round. I’m happy I’m going in the WIMBLEDON SECOND ROUND RESULTS 6-0, 6-3; Kiki Bertens (NED x20) bt Anna match. Tuesday’s loss was her right direction,” Serena said. “I’m get- (x denotes seeded player): Blinkova (RUS) 6-4, 6-0; Venus Williams fi rst opening round exit at a Slam ting there. I expect to get there, not only MEN: Roger Federer (SUI x1) bt Lukás (USA x9) bt Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 4-6, since Australia in 2010. Before for Wimbledon but for the tournaments Lacko (SVK) 6-4, 6-4, 6-1; Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-1; Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) bt Andrea that, her only other fi rst-up in the future.” (FRA x22) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-5, 7-5, Petkovic (GER) 6-4, 6-3; Donna Vekic (CRO) Ekaterina Makarova is delighted after knocking out Caroline Wozniacki. (AFP) losses came in her maiden sea- The 36-year-old, whose winning run 7-6 (7/4); Daniil Medvedev (RUS) bt Guill- bt Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 7-5, 6-4; Serena son in Melbourne and Paris in encompasses her Wimbledon titles in ermo García-López (ESP) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; Sam Williams (USA x25) bt Viktoriya Tomova Keys (USA x10) bt Luksika Kumkhum (THA) (CZE) bt Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x32) 2003. Sharapova admitted that 2015 and 2016, missed the grass-court Querrey (USA x11) bt Sergiy Stakhovsky (BUL) 6-1, 6-4; Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) bt 6-4, 6-3; Camila Giorgi (ITA) bt Madison 7-5, 6-4; Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) bt Caro- the passing years pose a new Grand Slam last year while she prepared (UKR) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3; Gael Monfils (FRA) Sorana Cirstea (ROM) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3; Madison Brengle (USA) 6-4, 6-4; Lucie Safarova line Wozniacki (DEN x2) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 challenge.