Croatia Set Sights on Final Hurdle

SPORT Friday 13 July 2018 PAGEE | 21 PAGEPAGE | 24 Kane says this iiss justjust PridePride at stake as the start for yyoungoung Belgium,Belgiu England clash Englandgland in thirdthir place play-off

Croatia set sights on final hurdle AFP “We should be proud and hold our heads up high because MOSCOW: Croatia’s exhausted we’ve come a long way from two and battered players set their years ago.” sights on the World Cup final Kane looks set to claim the against France yesterday as Golden Boot as the World Cup’s England reflected on a missed leading scorer, but the Tot- opportunity to end more than tenham star rarely looked like half a century of pain. adding to his six goals against Luka Modric’s team were Croatia. taken to extra-time for the third Britain’s Daily Telegraph consecutive match in Moscow’s newspaper believes England Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday have “moved forward into a but somehow found the energy brighter age”. to overcome England 2-1. But the Guardian said the Croatia have now played the players might struggle to shake equivalent of a whole match off the ordeal of losing the semi- more than Didier Deschamps’ final. “The World Cup may never team ahead of Sunday’s final in open up so obligingly again,” the the Russian capital but must gird paper said. themselves for one final push for France, who boast a pow- glory. erful mix of youth and expe- In beating Gareth South- rience, will start as favourites gate’s young team, Croatia have when they play the third World surpassed the achievement of Cup final in their history after the heroes of 1998, who reached they beat Belgium 1-0 in Saint the semi-finals in France in their Petersburg on Tuesday. first World Cup as an inde- Manchester United mid- pendent nation. fielder Paul Pogba said the pain The victory sparked wild cel- Croatian players celebrate after defeating England in of losing the Euro 2016 final to ebrations in the Balkan nation, their FIFA 2018 World Cup semi-ﬁnal at the Luzhniki Portugal will spur him on. where tens of thousands of fans Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday. “I don’t have a star. It’s on poured onto the streets and the shirt but I didn’t win it. I want squares, singing, letting off flares one,” Pogba said of the star on and waving red-white-and-blue Dalic said there would be no said. “Going to extra-time might they took the lead through the match on TV in Britain. the French shirt that represents flags. excuses from his team despite be a problem along with the fact Kieran Trippier’s superb early But despite the bitter disap- the 1998 World Cup win. “Dream, Dream, Dream! their exertions over the past two France have had an extra day to free-kick, but Croatia hit back pointment, captain Harry Kane As Paris makes preparations Croatia are in the World Cup weeks. recover but there will be no through Ivan Perisic and Mario said England had restored pride for fans to watch the final, the final,” said the Sportske Novosti “This is fantastic. Two excuses.” Mandzukic in front of 78,000 during their run to the semi- Eiffel Tower’s management said newspaper, adding that coach players played with half a leg, For England, the emotions spectators. finals and could use it as a the monument would be shut as Zlatko Dalic “has entered into but it didn’t show. In extra-time are mixed -- pride at reaching In London, an initial wave of springboard for success. part of security measures being legend”. nobody wanted to be substituted. the last four is tempered by dis- elation turned to heartbreak as “It’s massive that we had a taken for a big-screen broadcast “The Fiery Ones are in the This shows character and is what appointment at letting a golden 30,000 beer-soaked fans in good tournament and restored of the World Cup final nearby. final, the nation is in a trance -- makes me proud. Nobody gave opportunity slip through their Hyde Park watched their team pride in the nation. The fans are During the Euro 2016 final, one more step to the title!” said up,” said Dalic. fingers. come up short. excited to watch us play and more than 90,000 people the Jutarnji List, using the team’s “We prepared to get to the They were on course for Around 26 million people that’s how we have to keep pro- packed into the Champ de Mars nickname. final and we want to play it,” he their first final since 1966 when are believed to have watched gressing,” he said. fan zone. Dalic credits team work and unity for Croatian ‘miracle’

REUETRS the likes of Neymar, Cristiano was quick to point out when asked “They were tired, they were Ronaldo and Lionel Messi all went if England had disrespected his exhausted, they were overjoyed,” MOSCOW: Croatia’s fairytale run home early. team with their confidence before he said. to the World Cup final is a foot- “For me, Messi is the best the semi-final. “They have a day off and we’ll balling “miracle” built on a foun- player in the world and Neymar is In Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic assess them tomorrow. They let dation of teamwork and unity very close,” Dalic told a news they have the midfield engines of their hair down and I approved that which has seen them outlast sides conference. both Real Madrid and Barcelona, because we have been in isolation reliant on brilliant individual “But at this World Cup, the while the scorer of their winner for 50 days.” talent, coach Zlatko Dalic said star-studded teams relying on the against the Three Lions, Mario Man- As on Wednesday after the yesterday. big names are already on the dzukic, won the Champions League match, Dalic pointed out that Wednesday’s 2-1 victory beach. It’s the compact, united with Bayern Munich and now plays Croatia did not have a stadium over England in Moscow sent teams fighting for something that for Juventus. suitable to host England in the new the Croatians into Sunday’s are still around. “Modric has had a brilliant Nations League later this year, an final against France, a third “It’s been the strangest World season with Real Madrid and here, issue that he viewed as proof of straight knockout match in Cup. Football has advanced so he’s still sprinting about the pitch the extraordinary feat he had which they had been much so any team can have well- in the 115th minute,” said the orchestrated. forced to play extra time. organised defence, so there are no coach. “We’ve definitely written our- The mental resilience huge winning margins and the “I think he has been the player selves into history, given the con- necessary to come team is everything. of the tournament regardless of the ditions and infrastructure back through such tests was “This was our problem for 10 result on Sunday.” home, we are a miracle,” he added. the result of the years, we had great individuals but Dalic said he had allowed his “This is maybe one of the emphasis on playing as no unity and that’s why I had to build players to celebrate the victory on greatest sporting achievements of a team, Dalic said, and that unity of purpose in the team.” Wednesday night and was conse- any Croatians. This is a global Croatian indicated a wider trend Croatia are hardly a team of no quently unaware of the extent of success and I’m very glad it’s hap- coach Zlatko at a World Cup where names, however, a fact that Dalic any injuries in his squad. pened under my management.” Dalic 18 SPORT FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018

France’s forward Kylian Mbappe reacts during a training session at the Glebovets Stadium in Istra, some 70 km west of Moscow, ahead of their FIFA 2018 World Cup ﬁnal match against Croatia. Team player Pogba does the dirty work to help France flourish AFP point, I’m not N’Golo, but I’ll happily do it. I have grown up, MOSCOW: A towering physique matured.” and range of flashy hairstyles France’s back four and goal- mean Paul Pogba rarely goes keeper Hugo Lloris have earned unnoticed but he has become deserved praise for four clean emblematic of a French squad sheets in six games in getting to willing to sacrifice personal gain the final, but the chalk-and- for World Cup glory. cheese midfield combination of France go into Sunday’s final the quiet Kante and confident against Croatia in Moscow Pogba has provided the perfect aiming to make amends for the screen in front of the defence. bitter disappointment of losing In a 1-0 semi-final win over the Euro 2016 final on home soil Belgium, Pogba routinely tracked to Portugal. Marouane Fellaini back into his Just weeks before Man- own box to snuff out his club chester United paid a then teammate’s physical threat from world-record £89 million ($118 crosses. million) to sign Pogba from “Paul was monstrous,” said Juventus, that final largely passed France boss Didier Deschamps. him by. The intervening two “He was very efficient in our years have not always been easy defensive plan.” either. Pogba has been criticised Pogba’s extroverted nature in England for failing to dom- has also seen him become a inate big games and was even leader for a young team on and dropped a number of times last off the field. season because his defensive He flew his barber out to work did not match the Russia from London to give some standards demanded by Jose members of the squad a mid- Mourinho. tournament haircut, while However, it is that aspect of Pogba’s social media output is Pogba’s game that has been so filled with pranks being played France’s forward Antoine Griezmann (left) vies with team-mate Paul Pogba during a training session at the Glebovets Stadium in Istra, impressive in Russia as he and on teammates. N’Golo Kante have laid the But the 25-year-old is also a some 70 km west of Moscow yesterday, ahead of their FIFA 2018 World Cup ﬁnal match against Croatia. perfect foundation for France’s source of advice for younger array of attacking talent head- players such as Mbappe and He can talk to players and give But with Croatia having World Cup. “I don’t have a star. a final. It’s really not good, very lined by Kylian Mbappe and semi-final match-winner Samuel advice because people really played 90 minutes more after It’s on the shirt but I didn’t win bitter... we really want to finish Antoine Griezmann. Umtiti, having already experi- listen to him “ said Umtiti. coming through three periods it. I want one,” well, with a smile.” “I want to win this World Cup enced huge highs and lows in a Pogba’s defensive discipline of extra-time -- and having a Pogba said of the star on the Pogba tends to live life with and you have to make sacrifices,” short career. will be fully tested by Croatia’s day less to recover than France French shirt that represents the a smile on his face. But in Russia said Pogba on Thursday. “I’ve known Pogba for a long midfield creators Luka Modric -- Les Bleus are the heavy 1998 World Cup win. he has proved how hard he is “Defending isn’t my strong time. He’s always been a leader. and Ivan Rakitic. favourites to win their second “I know the taste of defeat in willing to work for success. Maybe England did not show enough respect, says Dalic AFP national team, which we the game after being taken to that Real Madrid playmaker another excellent season at club deserved, especially when you extra time and penalties in Modric has been the outstanding level which saw him win the MOSCOW: Croatia coach Zlatko look at the clubs our players play each of the previous two player at the competition, having Champions League. Dalic (pictured) admits his team for. rounds. been named man of the match “He still sprints in the were spurred on by what they “This may have given us Captain Luka Modric made three times on their remarkable 115th minute, he tracks back, saw as a lack of respect towards extra motivation, but this is comments similar to those of his run in Russia. he leads the team, he is the them in the English media as football, you have to be dignified coach following Wednesday’s “Before the World Cup it was man of the tournament,” they won 2-1 in Wednesday’s in victory and in defeat.” game, after a match which saw only normal to talk about added the coach. World Cup semi-final. Croatia came from behind to the dreams of English fans Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, but “Nobody would be happier “We always respect our win the game at the Luzhniki doused. they have gone home, they are if Luka won the Ballon d’Or. He opponents and expect them to Stadium with Ivan Perisic equal- “We were motivated irre- at the beach and others have has won everything with his respect us back,” Dalic told ising in the second half before spective of that. We wanted to stayed, like Luka Modric,” he club but there is an empty reporters in Moscow Mario Mandzukic scored the make the final and make our said. trophy cabinet with his national yesterday. decisive goal in extra time. fans happy,” added Dalic, as his Modric has emerged as a team. “Maybe England or the Elements of the English side now prepare to take on leading contender to win the “He is at the pinnacle of his English media did not show media had talked up how tired France on Sunday. Ballon d’Or with his perform- career. I am sure he would be a enough respect to the Croatian Croatia might be coming into Meanwhile, Dalic insisted ances for Croatia following deserving winner.” Friday 13 July 2018 SPORT 19

Fulham beat Chelsea to Sarri to replace sacked sign Ivory Coast’s Seri Conte at Chelsea: Reports AFP London: Ivory Coast inter- AFP Chelsea manager Antonio “Thank You Boss,” The main reason for the pro- national Jean Michael Seri Conte celebrates winning the Terry posted on longed saga has been signed for Fulham yesterday, London: The long-running FA Cup final against Manchester Instagram alongside a compensation. chosing the Premier League saga over Antonio Conte’s future United at the Wembley Stadium, photo of the two of them Conte is due a reported £9m new boys over Chelsea and appears to have been resolved London, in this May 19, 2018 holding the Premier if he remains out of work for the German side Borussia with Chelsea sacking him as file picture. League trophy. season and with the major jobs Dortmund. manager and appointing “Great man, Great such as Real Madrid and the Italy The 26-year-old mid- Maurizio Sarri, according to manager. I wish you national post -- which he fielder signed a four-year media reports yesterday. every success in the occupied for two years till after contract -- with the option of The BBC said the 48-year- future.” Euro 2016 -- filled it is likely he a further year -- with Fulham old Italian’s two year reign -- Sarri has been will sit the year out. paying Ligue 1 side Nice a which brought league success in favourite to succeed his Napoli are also expecting reported £25m. 2017 and the FA Cup last season compatriot after compensation of around £4.5mi The transfer is subject to -- was ending although they impressing as manager of for Sarri, who is under contract international clearance and added Chelsea would not Serie A side Napoli, who even though he is no longer their a work permit for the comment. have replaced him with coach. 16-times capped Seri. However, Conte’s apparent former Chelsea handler Sarri is believed to have Seri was swayed by the dismissal drew a response from Carlo Ancelotti. agreed to bring former Chelsea promise of regular first team Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, who Sarri, who split his favourite Gianfranco Zola -- football and Chelsea’s case liked a tweet a Chelsea fan time between banking whose managerial career has was not helped by being still posted about Conte having been and playing football stalled after a series of failures in a state of flux over the sacked although the Spanish before he took up -- along as one of his backroom status of manager Antonio 2010 World Cup winner subse- coaching aged 40, has not staff. Conte, who has taken charge quently claimed he had liked it won a major honour in Sarri has also presented a list of training this week even by accident. run on his contract -- is seen to striker Diego Costa and constant three years at Napoli but has of players he would like to sign. though the belief persists that Conte leaves with the best have contributed to his own carping over the club’s failure to guided the club to finishes of They reportedly include Brazil- former Napoli boss Maurizio win percentage 65.1% of any of demise by falling out both with replace top players with those of second, third and second again. born Italy international mid- Sarri is to replace him. Chelsea’s managers in the the players and the board as the similar ability. The chainsmoking former fielder Jorginho from Napoli, Seri will be joined at Premier League era. sheen of the title victory quickly However, while present Empoli manager -- who will CSKA Moscow’s Russian play- Fulham by a familiar face as Former banker Sarri, 59, will disappeared. players may have had issues with have to restrain himself on the maker Aleksandr Golovin and 28-year-old French defender be Chelsea’s ninth full-time His intense training methods Conte, former Chelsea legend touchline in England where Italian defender Daniele Rugani Maxime Le Marchand also manager since Roman Abram- angered senior players and he John Terry, who left after the smoking is banned -- was named from Juventus, the side that signed from Nice for a fee ovich bought the club in 2003. alienated the board with dispar- league title winning campaign Serie A Coach of the Year in edged Napoli in the Serie A title believed to be £10million, Conte -- who had a year to aging treatment of Spanish had nothing but praise for him. 2016-17. race. subject to Premier League, FA, and international clearance. “It was great to get the move finalised,” Seri told the Fulham website. Juventus take aim at Europe’s “Now, I’m ready to get started and I am looking forward to meeting the squad and getting to know them, the head coach and his staff big guns with Ronaldo coup better. “I’m delighted to be here, AFP the giant investments being made in clubs it’s a new adventure that such as Paris Saint-Germain and Man- starts for me and I’m hoping Rome: Italian champions Juventus are chester City, likening the chances of an it will all go well.” aiming for top spot in Europe after pulling Italian team getting to a Champions Fulham said they had off what is being called the “deal of the League final to eating at a 100-euro res- seen off several top sides to century” to snatch superstar striker Cris- taurant with 10 euros in your pocket. secure the signature of the tiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. Allegri showed that Juve could go player who had been their top Once the stomping ground of the likes toe-to-toe with the big boys, and after target for their return to the of Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini, the splashing out on domestic stars Gonzalo elite after a hiatus of four league has lacked the stardust of Spain’s Higuain and Miralem Pjanic in previous years. La Liga and the Premier League. Ronaldo’s seasons, the club is now flexing its arrival puts all eyes on Serie A and gives muscles beyond the Alps. Juve a chance of going all the way in “There is only one thing that this mon- Croatia’s Vida Europe. strous player can not afford: to lose the “It’s a very big signing which marks a Champions League in his new colours,” apologises for step up for everyone at the club,” said wrote Italian daily La Repubblica coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has yesterday. Ukraine guided Juve to the last four of their seven The paper says that “the repercussions straight league titles. of this operation are unimaginable ... This comments “I think that the club has done some- is something that has never been seen thing extraordinary for Juventus and all before in Italy, a kind of global industrial Reuters of Italian football.” merger” between “the Juve empire, sup- The signing of the 33-year-old is the ported by a holding company in Exor that MOSCOW: Croatia defender first time since his Brazilian namesake generated 1.4bn euros in profits in 2017” Domagoj Vida apologised moved from Barcelona to Inter Milan in and Ronaldo’s empire, “which is an after his team’s World Cup 1997 that an Italian club has signed a con- incredible advertising and financial semi-final victory over tender for the title of world’s best player, machine”. England on Wednesday after and the transfer is aimed at taking Juve Analysts Banca IMI claim that the speaking out in support of to the top of the European pile. arrival of Ronaldo will strengthen the Russia’s neighbour and Ronaldo has scored 120 Champions Juventus brand globally. adversary Ukraine. League goals, more than anyone else in They claim that “Juventus will Spectators at Wednes- the history of the competition, and won benefit from increased ticket sales, day’s match in Moscow booed four out of the last five editions with Real. which we estimate at an additional 5-7 and whistled the Croatia “The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at million euros per season, and in general centre back, after a video Juve brings us back to those prestigious all brand-related activities”, such as posted online earlier in the 80s/90s when Italy collected top players: merchandising, marketing and spon- week showed Vida, a former from Zico to Falcao, from Platini to sorship on a scale that is difficult to player with Ukrainian club Maradona ... the arrival of the five-time estimate. “Since yesterday, football tel- side Dynamo Kiev, saying Ballon d’Or winner represents a new evision rights are theoretically worth 30 “Glory to Ukraine!”. beginning,” wrote Il Messaggero percent more. It’s a pity that they have “I know I made a mistake yesterday. already been sold (until 2021), but there and I would like to apologise Last season, Allegri also led Juventus are means of recovering,” wrote La again to Russian people,” Vida to their fourth consecutive Italian Cup, Repubblica. said, speaking in Russian in a with the double taking their Scudetto total “Just think of the next Italian Supercup live post-match interview to 34. But they haven’t won a Champions to be played in the Middle East: before it with the Rossiya 24 state TV League since 1996 and despite reaching was just an insignificant cup, but with CR7 channel late on Wednesday. the final in 2015 and 2017, lag way behind there it’s an event you buy unseen,” con- “I’m sorry. That’s life. You seven-time winners and fellow Serie A cludes the newspaper. have to learn from your mis- behemoth AC Milan in Europe. Turin-based daily La Stampa claimed takes,” he added after their 2-1 Allegri has masterminded the second that “everyone will watch us” now that extra-time win. Russia’s rela- phase of Juve’s rebirth from the ashes of Ronaldo is on his way. tions with Ukraine have been the notorious “Calciopoli” match-fixing “Ronaldo will offer great things to Juve fraught since Moscow annexed scandal, building on the domestic domi- and will increase the overall level of the Crimea in 2014 and backed nance re-established by former Italy championship,” said World Cup-winning pro-Russian separatists in coach Antonio Conte between 2011-2014 goalkeeper Dino Zoff in the same paper. eastern Ukraine. Russian and making Juve a force on the “It could be good for everyone. With Foreign Ministry spokes- continent. Ronaldo, all eyes will be on us and now Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a goal opportunity during woman Maria Zakharova yes- Conte famously lamented Juve’s the whole of Serie A can regain the lost Real Madrid’s Spanish league match against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium terday condemned the video limited spending capacity compared to ground.” in Barcelona in this May 6, 2018 file picture. as “not clever”. “ 20 SPORT FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018 FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018 SPORT 21

Nike celebrates Southgate’s men hailed as heroes Kane says this is just the two ﬁnalists

REUTERS England’s players greet the supporters after losing to REUTERS Croatia in the FIFA 2018 World Cup semi-final at the MOSCOW: Gareth Southgate’s start for young England MOSCOW: The World Cup final on Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday. England team were hailed as Sunday will not only be an all-Euro- heroes by British media, who pean affair but an all-Nike match. For acclaimed their achievement AFP together. Everybody knows how the first time in its history, the Amer- rather than dwelled on disap- close our team is and that all comes ican sportswear manufacturer will pointment after their MOSCOW: Harry Kane says from him.” be providing the kit for the two final- heart-breaking World Cup exit England restored pride during their Trippier was one of many Eng- ists, France and Croatia. on Wednesday. run to the World Cup semi-finals It hurts now but I land players with limited The result is a significant victory England’s hopes of reaching and can use the tournament as a know when we look international experience before the for Nike, as rival Adidas is a long- only their second ever World Cup springboard for sustained success back there are a lot tournament who went onto shine standing and prominent partner of final were dashed by Croatia, as for a talented young generation. in Russia. FIFA and the World Cup. Mario Mandzukic scored the Playing in their first World Cup of positives, (a lot And he expects a “great future” “We’ve had three of the four deciding goal in a 2-1 extra-time semi-final for 28 years, England of) experience we for England, with most of the cur- teams make the semi-finals and then win for Zlatko Dalic’s side on blew a golden opportunity to reach can take. That’s the rent squad still young enough to be two of our teams made the finals, Wednesday. their first final since 1966, surren- aim, in two years’ around for the 2022 World Cup. which is a first time for Nike,” Elliot Despite failing to make the dering a 1-0 half-time lead to lose time in the Euros to “There is a great future going Hill, Nike president of consumer and most of arguably their best 2-1 to Croatia after extra-time in forward, trust me, with this team,” marketplace, told Reuters. chance of reaching the final since Moscow on Wednesday. go again and win big added Trippier. Adidas sponsored 12 of the 32 Croatian 1966, British media hailed the The tournament’s top goals- tournaments: Kane “We’ve got a great team spirit, teams at the World Cup finalists com- defender team as heroes with Mirror Sport corer with sixx ggoals,oals, KaKanene h himselfimself greatggreat chchemistry,emistry, a a v veryery yo youngunng tee team.am. pared to NikeNike’s s 10 but saw one of its Dejan Lovren declaring them “National Treas- missed a hugee chcchanceance t too gig giveve En Eng-g- We cacann sucsucceedceed aandnd dodo th thehe co coun-ounu - mostmost prominprominente clients Germany ures”, while the Daily Mail land breathingngng sspacepace iinn ththehe fiffirstrsst hoholdoldld oourur hheadseads uupp hihighigh bbecauseecauuse trytry prproud.”ouo d.” knockedknocked out in the group stage while saluted their efforts. half. we’vewwee’vve cocomemem a llongonng wawwayy ffromromm t twowo eighteight ooff its teateamsm fell in the round of The Telegraph’s front page But he believeslieves evevenen bbrighterrighhtter yeyearsars aagago.go. 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HHee sesetsts tthehe Russia and England. main Defoe. the England football team. Peo- ityity of tthehe pplayerslal yers wwillilll plplayayy iinn ththee WorldWoW rld CuCup.”p.p ” EnEnglandn ggland WorldWWorld CuCupup feverfeveer sweptswwepe t thethe tottone,one, he bbroughtroughht tthishis teteamam sponsor Born to Croatian parents in the Bos- “This team have taken us to ple looked upon it with some nextnext WWorldorldl CCupup wwithith momorere EnglandEngll ann d manager.mmaanager.r nationnaatitioon bbackack hhohomeme aandnnd eevenven nian city of Zenica, Lovren was forced to afterafteter ththehe deddefeat,fef aat, tht thou-ouu- flee to Germany at just three years old sandssandd s oof AAFPFP when the Bosnian War broke out in 1992. EnEnglandgland fansfaf nsns His family eventually settled back in at tthehhe LLuzh-uzuzh- BEIJING:BEIJI A Chinese corpo- Croatia and the Liverpool defender ninikikik stadiumstadiiuumm raterat sponsor of the believes a tough upbringing and fierce ststayedayeedd FranceF football team, desire to make the nation of just over four bebbehindhhind llongong who promised its million people proud are key motivating afteraafter ththee fiffinalnan l customers a “total factors. whistlewwhistltle toto g giveivi e refund” of their “I think it is our mentality. We went theirttheir sisidedee a purchases if Les through again a lot... wars, all these things, rrorousingo uss inn g Blues win the World and even now the situation is not the best. send-off.seendnd-ooff. Cup, has seen its But it is unbelievable how many talents “It’s“IIt’t’s mammassivesssivi e stock dive 50 we have in sports,” Lovren told reporters thatthat wwee hahhadad a percent in just one after Croatia ended England’s World Cup goggoodod ttournamentournrnaamment month. dreams with a 2-1 semi-final win. andand restoredrestoredd ppriderir ded i inn Kitchen appli- “We knew we could write history and thethe nanation.tiioon. TThThehe fafansnns ance manufacturer we did it. Now there is only one game left areare exexcitedcitet d toto wwatchata chc Vatti has been a part- to make it forever.” us pplaylaay anandd tthat’shatt’ss ner of the French Lovren and his teammates have hohoww we havehavve toto FootballF Federation already gone further than Croatia ever kekeepep pprogress-roogresss- (FFF)(F since March, with have before at a World Cup, but can ining,”g,g ” adaddedddeed thethe company allowed to become legends if they gain revenge for Kane.Kanen . use tthe FFF logo in promo- France’s semi-final victory in the 1998 “W“Wee shshouldhoulld tionaltiona campaigns in China. World Cup. beb pproudroudd aandnnd ““IfIf the team of France is French right-back Lillian Thuram thethe cchampion,ha Vatti offers you scored his only two goals in a storied 142- a totaltotal rrefund,”e proclaimed an cap international career in that semi-final advertadvert frfromo May on the internet 20 years ago. andand in nenewspapers.w “I think now in many years people will FForor any purchase of a “cham- remember us, not the ‘98 team. This is pion package”package between June 1 and what I wanted, this is why I’m proud and 30, thethe comcompanyp promised a full I deserve this.” added Lovren. England’sEEnngglanndd’’s HaHarryrrr y refundrefund if FraFrancen won. The refund “I was only nine. I remember my mum KaKaneanen aapplaudspppplaudds wouldwould cover a set of four appliances was screaming and she was crying after English fans look dejected at a fan-zone in Nottingham, BritainWednesday on Wednesday as as ththeireie r fafansansn aafterfteer with a total valuev of 16,100 yuan the France game. People were talking they watch the FIFA 2018 World Cup semi-final between Englandnd and Croatia. Croatia. ththehe mmamatch.atcch. ($2,400).($2,400). about Lillian Thuram, where did he come The ad appappeared as a contract, from? Maybe it is our time for revenge.” with an official stamp, date and sig- Having seen off Argentina, Uruguay nature of the CEO. Another version and Belgium in 90 minutes and had an included a contract featuring photos extra day’s rest following their semi-final of France stars Antoine Griezmann, on Tuesday, France will be heavy favour- Kylian Mbappé and Paul Pogba. But ites to make amends for defeat to Portugal anxiety began to rise among Vatti on home soil in the final of Euro 2016 on shareholders as France advanced Sunday. through the tournament. However, Croatia have grown used to The company’s stock on the Shen- beating the odds, and will relish the role zhen Stock Exchange has lost 51.7 of underdogs once more. percent of its value since the tourna- “France are definitely the favourites, ment opened on June 14. there is no hiding from that, but we like “The amount to repay could be very that,” added Lovren. “We like to be the significant, but it was included in our underdogs from day one. English coach Gareth Southgate (left) consoles annual budget. It will not have huge “Without being arrogant. I think if you Ashley Young after their loss on Wednesday. At the consequences on the company,” Wang are in the final, you are the two best teams Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Croatia beat England Zhaozhao, a representative of Vatti told in the world.” 2-1 to book their place in the FIFA 2018 World Cup the China Securities Journal. final against France. 22 SPORT FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018 Serena one step away from Kerber too another Wimbledon crown good for REUTERS Ostapenko American was once again at her dominant best yes- LONDON: Serena terday as she bludgeoned REUTERS Williams demonstrated down five aces and 16 that having a baby had winners to finish off not robbed her of any of Goerges. LONDON: Germany’s Angelique Kerber proved too her phenomenal tennis In both sets Goerges steady for error-strewn Latvian Jelena Ostapenko as skills when she became was broken in the sixth she reached her second Wimbledon final with a the first mother in 38 game, surrendering each comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory yesterday. years to reach the with an error on break A first-ever duel between the two Grand Slam cham- Wimbledon final, with a point. pions with diametrically opposed playing styles ulti- 6-2, 6-4 demolition of She did fight back to mately boiled down to a simple mathematical formula. Germany’s Julia Goerges break Williams when the Young firebrand Ostapenko’s 30 winners far out- yesterday. American, seeded 25th weighed the 10 struck by the wily Kerber but the 36 Goerges had come despite her laughable unforced errors she committed on Centre Court made into her first Grand Slam ranking of 181st, was for an ugly balance sheet. semi-final having belted serving for the match at The 30-year-old Kerber, who offered up only a more winners (199), more 5-3 up in the second. miserly seven free points, really just had to stay calm aces (44) and more unre- However, Goerges and wait for her opponent to self-destruct and Ostapenko turned serves (113) than simply did not have the fell into the trap. anyone else in the firepower or belief to stop “I was expecting that she is playing like she played women’s draw but those the seven-times from the beginning: really hard, pushing me back,” statistics counted for little champion, who had Kerber said. when she came up hoisted the Venus Rose- “I was trying to stay focused and play every single against an opponent who water Dish on her two point because she started really well. Then I was just is in hot pursuit of a previous appearances in trying to find my rhythm and take my chances when I record-equalling 24th 2015 and 2016, from had them.” major. surging to a 20th suc- Former world number one Kerber needed only 68 Remarkably, the cessive Wimbledon win. minutes to reach her fourth Grand Slam final in which 36-year-old was back in A jubilant Williams she will face seven-times champion Serena Williams, a Grand Slam final just 10 was back giving the crowd who beat her in the 2016 final. months after giving birth a one-arm raised victory Williams dispatched Kerber’s compatriot Julia to her daughter Alexis twirl after reaching a 10th Georges in straight sets with another show of force. Olympia. Wimbledon final when Kerber can expect less charity in tomorrow’s “It’s crazy. I don’t her opponent swiped a lob showpiece. even know how to feel behind the baseline. The first game on Friday, served by Ostapenko, was because I literally didn’t Williams is the lowest a snapshot of what was to come and illustrated just why think I’d do this well in ranked player to reach the the 21-year-old has become such a “must see” player my fourth tournament women’s final but that on the WTA Tour and why watching American great back in 16 months,” said number will fool no one, Billie Jean King describes the Latvian’s all-or-nothing the American, who won and especially not Kerber style as “so much fun”. United States’ Serena Williams the 2017 Australian Open who was runner-up to the The old adage of feel your way in to a match and celebrates after beating Germany’s while in the early stages American in the 2016 final. start solidly does not appear to apply to Ostapenko who Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-4 in their of her pregnancy. For 29-year-old put together a crazy sequence to start her first Wim- women’s singles semi-final of the 2018 “When I don’t have Goerges, yesterday’s bledon semi-final. Wimbledon Championships yesterday. anything to lose, I can just outing was not com- Double fault, forehand winner, backhand error, play so free and that’s pletely a lost cause forehand winner, forehand error, backhand winner, what I’m doing. because despite the backhand winner, ace. “This is not inevitable mauling, she had finally Kerber was under pressure straight away on her for me, I had a really made it to a semi-final at own serve and the match might have taken a different Nadal and Djokovic to tough delivery and mul- one of the four majors - course if Ostapenko had not blazed a forehand long at tiple surgeries and almost albeit on her 42nd 30-30 with the court gaping. didn’t make it to be attempt. The left-hander had to save a break point, too, at renew rivalry in semis honest. I couldn’t even “Serena is the one 2-3 -- conjuring an ace. But the match turned a game walk to my mailbox, so who you want to play, later. it’s definitely not normal who you want to get the Consecutive Ostapenko backhand errors handed AFP for me to be in a Wim- experience from,” said 10th seed Kerber the first break and she proceeded to Nadal is chasing an 18th bledon final. the German, whose pre- win seven of the next eight games basically by defending LONDON: Rafael Nadal described long- Grand Slam title which “I’m enjoying every vious five visits to the All well and serving solidly to move into a 5-1 lead in the time rival Novak Djokovic as “one of the would put him just two moment.” England Club had ended second set. more complex” players he’s ever met as That enjoyment was in first-round defeats. Such is the damage Ostapenko can do when her they prepare to clash for the 52nd time behind Roger Federer who clear to see as she dashed “She knew how to game clicks that even the biggest leads look fragile and, today with a Wimbledon final spot at stake. was sensationally knocked Goerges’s hopes of setting win that match by her when she suddenly landed some telling blows to claw World number one Nadal, the 2008 out in the quarter-finals by up an all-German final experience, and... I had no back two games, a turnaround did not seem out of the and 2010 champion at the All England with Angelique Kerber in experience. question. Club, trails Djokovic, the 2011, 2014 and Kevin Anderson. 70 unforgiving minutes. “Right now I’m sitting Kerber looked worried and Ostapenko had a point 2015 winner, 26-25 in a rivalry which The 13th seed had here at a semi-final of to close to within a game but she dumped a backhand began at Roland Garros 12 years ago. World number one Nadal, the never taken a set off Wil- Wimbledon where a lot return into net and then coughed up two more errors Along the way, they have fought out 2008 and 2010 champion at liams in three previous of people are dreaming to hand Kerber victory. a series of classic and epic battles including meetings and unfortu- of. That’s something to be “I know she played a lot of good matches where she Djokovic’s 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 Aus- the All England Club, trails nately for her, the positive about today.” came back from a score like that, when she has nothing tralian Open final victory in 2012. Djokovic, the 2011, 2014 to lose,” Kerber said. “You never know what happen if At five hours and 53 minutes, it was and 2015 winner, 26-25 in it went to 5-4.” WIMBLEDON WOMEN’S SINGLES RESULTS the longest final ever at a Slam. a rivalry which began at Kerber is now back in a Grand Slam title match for The following year, Nadal downed the the first time since beating Karolina Pliskova in the 2016 SEMI-FINALS Serb, who was world number one at the Roland Garros 12 years ago. U.S. Open final -- having begun that year by stunning Angelique Kerber (GER x11) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x12) time, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7 in the semi- Serena Williams in the final of the Australian Open. finals in Paris, this time in four hours and Cecchinato last month, he even suggested 6-3, 6-3 After suffering a drastic loss of form in 2017, ending 37 minutes. he was ready to skip Wimbledon this year Serena Williams (USA x25) bt Julia Goerges (GER x13) the year ranked outside the top 20, a rejuvenated Kerber “It’s always a big challenge to face as his ranking slipped to 22, his lowest 6-2, 6-4 is back where she feels she clearly belongs. Novak,” said 32-year-old Nadal who is since August 2006. back in the semi-finals at Wimbledon for But the 31-year-old has been rejuve- Germany’s Angelique Kerber returns the ball to Latvia’s Jelena the first time since 2011 when he finished nated at Wimbledon, sweeping into the Ostapenko during their women’s singles semi-final of the 2018 runner-up to Djokovic. semi-finals for the eighth time. Wimbledon Championships yesterday. Kerber won 6-3, 6-3. “He is one of the more complex players Nadal had not dropped a set at the that I ever saw in our sport. You know that tournament until the quarter-finals where you can’t win against him if you don’t play he fought back to defeat Juan Martin del very well.” Potro 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Nadal is chasing an 18th Grand Slam Wednesday. title which would put him just two behind That four-hour and 48-minute epic Roger Federer who was sensationally put him into his sixth Wimbledon semi- knocked out in the quarter-finals by Kevin final and 28th at the majors. Anderson. Today’s other semi-final pitches For his part, Djokovic is eyeing a 13th Anderson, the eighth seed who lost to major after making the semi-finals of a Nadal in last year’s US Open final, against Slam for the first time since finishing ninth-seeded American John Isner. runner-up at the 2016 US Open. Both men are in the semi-finals at This time last year, few would have Wimbledon for the first time. expected to see either man back in the Anderson is the first South African to last-four at the All England Club. make the last-four since Kevin Curren in Nadal was knocked out in the fourth 1983. Isner had never got past the third round, losing 13-11 in the final set to Lux- round at Wimbledon before this year while embourg journeyman Gilles Muller. a run to the last-eight at the 2011 US Open On four of his previous five visits to had been his previous best at the majors. south-west London, he had been defeated The surprise presence of Anderson and by players outside the top 100. Isner means this year’s Wimbledon semi- Djokovic’s 2017 Wimbledon campaign finals will feature players all over the age ended in a quarter-final retirement with of 30 for the first time in the Open era. an elbow injury which led to surgery and Their clash, however, may not be easy precipitated a worrying dip in form and on the eye. confidence. Isner hasn’t been broken in 95 service When he lost in the French Open games and has fired 161 aces. quarter-finals to world number 72 Marco Anderson has 123 aces to his name. FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018 SPORT 23

Dan Martin Kuldeep and Rohit sparkle as wins Tour stage after India beat England by 8 wickets attacking window of AFP SCOREBOARD opportunity ENGLAND Bowling: U Yadav 9.5-0-70-2 (2w); Kaul 10-0-62- NOTTINGHAM: Kuldeep Yadav to J. Roy c Umesh Yadav b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 38 0; Chahal 10-0-51-1; Pandya 7-0-47-0 (2w); K Yadav AFP took six wickets as India over- J. Bairstow lbw b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 38 10-0-25-6; Raina 3-1-8-0 (1w) powered England in the first J. Root lbw b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 3 one-day international at Trent E. Morgan c Raina b Chahal ...... 19 INDIA MÛR-DE-BRETAGNE: Bridge yesterday. B. Stokes c Kaul b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 50 R. Sharma not out ...... 137 Ireland’s Dan Martin capped The left-arm wrist-spinner J. Buttler c Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 53 S. Dhawan c Rashid b Ali ...... 40 a daring, late attack on the returned career-best ODI figures M. Ali c Kohli b Umesh Yadav ...... 24 V. Kohli st Buttler b Rashid ...... 75 steep Mur de Bretagne to of six for 25 as England were dis- D. Willey c Rahul b Kuldeep Yadav ...... 1 KL Rahul not out ...... 9 snatch victory on the sixth missed for a mere 268 after India A. Rashid c Pandya b Umesh Yadav ...... 22 Extras (w8) ...... 8 stage of the Tour de France captain Virat Kohli sent them L. Plunkett run out (Raina/Dhoni) ...... 10 Total (2 wkts, 40.1 overs) ...... 269 yesterday, as several yellow M. Wood not out ...... 0 Did not bat: KL Rahul, S Raina, MS Dhoni, H Pandya, into bat. jersey contenders lost Extras (lb5, w5) ...... 10 K Yadav, U Yadav, S Kaul, Y Chahal Rohit Sharma, to the delight Total (all out, 49.5 overs ) ...... 268 Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Dhawan), 2-226 (Kohli) precious seconds. of thousands of India fans in a Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Roy), 2-81 (Root), 3-82 Bowling: Wood 6-0-55-0 (1w); Willey 5-0-25-0; Ali Overnight leader Greg sun-drenched capacity crowd of (Bairstow), 4-105 (Morgan), 5-198 (Buttler), 6-214 8.1-0-60-1 (1w); Plunkett 6-0-31-0; Stokes 4-0-27-0 Van Avermaet (BMC) finished over 17,000, then made a (Stokes), 7-216 (Willey), 8-245 (Ali), 9-261 (Rashid), (1w); Rashid 10-0-62-1; Root 1-0-9-0 (4w) just three seconds behind in century as the tourists won by 10-268 (Plunkett) Result: India won by eight wickets the main peloton to retain the eight wickets with 59 balls to yellow jersey ahead of today’s spare. seventh stage. Sharma was 137 not out, after Trafford in 2011). Kuldeep’s Kuldeep -- on review. England Van Avermaet leads Brit- putting on 167 for the second return was also the best by any captain Eoin Morgan (19) then ain’s Geraint Thomas (Sky) by wicket with Kohli (75) as India spinner against England in ODI carelessly chipped leg-spinner three seconds in the overall went 1-0 up in a three-match cricket. Yuzvendra Chahal to standings, with American India’s Rohit series that continues at Lord’s England, in the absence of midwicket. Tejay van Garderen (BMC) Sharma tomorrow. the injured Alex Hales, saw Stokes and Buttler staunched and France’s Julian Alap- It was all a far cry from the openers Jason Roy and Jonny the flow of wickets, with Buttler celebrates hilippe (Quick Step) at five June 19 ODI at Trent Bridge Bairstow put on a brisk 73. first to his fifty, off 45 balls. scoring a century and six seconds where England compiled a men’s But the introduction of But with England hoping he during a One- respectively. ODI record total of 481 for six in Kuldeep for the 11th over would cut loose, Buttler’s glance Day International In a frantic finale that saw a 242-run win over Australia changed the course of the match. off Kuldeep was well caught (ODI) cricket Martin of the UAE Emirates during a 5-0 series rout of their It took Kuldeep, a thorn in down the legside by wicket- match against Team break free of the pack arch-rivals. England’s side during India’s 2-1 keeper MS Dhoni. The normally England at 1km from the line to finish After Kuldeep had run win in the preceding Twenty20 hard-hitting Stokes then com- Trent Bridge ahead of AG2R’s Pierre through England’s top order with series, just two balls to strike. pleted a fifty off a sedate 102 in Nottingham, Latour, defending champion a burst of three wickets for five Roy (38), attempting an balls, including just two fours. central England, Chris Froome of Team Sky runs in 10 balls, Ben Stokes (50) ambitious reverse sweep, gave Stokes was also unable to yesterday. India lost eight seconds to key and Jos Buttler (53) shared a a dolly catch to Umesh Yadav. press on. One ball after reaching won by eight rivals. fifth-wicket stand of 93. Test captain Joe Root, in the his fifty, the left-hander tried to wickets. Froome was not alone. But neither could break the team after being left out of the reverse sweep Kuldeep only for AG2R’s Romain Bardet shackles and both fell to side that lost the third T20, then debutant Siddarth Kaul to hold After Shikhar Dhawan (40), Plunkett, completed an 82-ball cracked in the heat of the final Kuldeep, who was just the third played back to Kuldeep and was an excellent catch. sliced leg-spinner Adil Rashid to hundred -- his 18th at this level ascent and lost 31secs, while overseas spinner to take five plumb lbw for three. Kuldeep, who did not short third man, Sharma and -- when he drove Rashid for six. fellow contender Tom wickets in an ODI in England Bairstow, who would have concede a boundary in his Kohli kept the boundaries Kohli, surprisingly, didn’t Dumoulin (Sunweb), the 2017 after Sri Lanka great Muttiah been lbw for a duck in the first maximum 10 overs, struck again coming during a stand spanning reach three figures too and was Giro d’Italia champion, lost Muralitharan (five for 34 at over had India reviewed an lbw with his final delivery when 25 overs. Sharma, dropped on instead stumped by Buttler off nearly a minute after suf- Lord’s in 1998) and India’s Suraj appeal from Umesh, made an David Willey holed out to KL 92 by a diving Roy at backward Rashid -- but by then India had fering a mechanical problem. Randiv (five for 42 at Old attractive 38 before he was lbw Rahul. point off fast bowler Liam all but won the game. “It was sheer bad luck,” said Dumoulin. ““From then on, it was SCOREBOARD Pakistan just damage limitation,” he Karunaratne ton lifts SL SRI LANKA said. Danushka Gunathilaka c De Kock b Rabada ...... 26 Martin dedicated his win Dimuth Karunaratne not out ...... 158 braced for to his new team, who he Dhananjaya de Silva b Shamsi ...... 11 joined from Quick Step after to 287 on tough day one Kusal Mendis c Rabada b Steyn ...... 24 Bulawayo overtures from Sky and BMC Angelo Mathews c De Kock b Rabada ...... 1 in the close season. AFP eighth century in his 50th Test, The day belonged to Karu- Roshen Silva c Markram b Rabada ...... 0 test against “I came to this team to be built crucial partnerships naratne who stood tall during Niroshan Dickwella c Amla b Shamsi ...... 18 the leader and the pressure GALLE: Opener Dimuth Karu- including a 63-run 10th wicket his marathon stand after Rabada Dilruwan Perera c De Knock b Philander ...... 1 Zimbabwe at the beginning, of being the Rangana Herath run out ...... 1 naratne hit an unbeaten 158 to stand with Lakshan Sandakan, and then left-arm wrist spinner leader is why I didn’t do so Suranga Lakmal c De Kock b Rabada ...... 10 AFP lift Sri Lanka to 287 all out who made 25. Tabraiz Shamsi tore into the Sri Lakshan Sandakan st De Kock b Shamsi ...... 25 well in spring,” said the UAE against South Africa on day one In response South Africa Lankan middle-order. Extras: (7b, 1lb, 2w, 2nb) ...... 12 captain Martin. of the first Test in Galle were in trouble at four for one Rabada, who came back TOTAL: (all out) ...... 287 BULAWAYO: Pakistan will “But there’s a great feeling yesterday. at stumps after veteran spinner after an injury, returned figures Overs: 78.4 start their one-day interna- in the bus now, laughing and Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada Rangana Herath got Aiden of 4-50, while Shamsi took three Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-70, 3-115, 4-119, 5-119, tional series against joking and this win is for claimed four wickets to reduce Markram out for nought. wickets on a seemingly turning 6-161, 7-164, 8-176, 9-224, 10-287. Zimbabwe as clear favourites, them, they really looked after Sri Lanka to 176-8 but Karu- Dean Elgar, on four, and sub-continent pitch. Bowling: Vernon Philander 8-1-28-1, Dale Steyn but captain Sarfraz Ahmed me. naratne gave the total respect nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj Rabada had made the first 13-0-54-1, Kagiso Rabada 14-1-50-4, Keshav Maha- expects the hosts to be chal- “It was an early break but with his 222-ball knock after the were at the crease at close of breakthrough for South Africa, raj 17-3-49-0, Tabraiz Shamsi 25.4-2-91-3, Dean El- lenging opponents in their it was my only opportunity hosts elected to bat first. play on a tough day’s cricket that dismissing Danushka Gunath- gar 1-0-7-0. home conditions as their tour for the stage win as I’d never SOUTH AFRICA The left-handed Karu- saw rain in the afternoon and ilaka with a delivery that rose moves to Bulawayo for five have got it in a sprint,” Dean Elgar not out ...... 4 naratne, who registered his an extended final session. sharply and got the batsman Aiden Markram c Mathews b Herath ...... 0 games in the longer of explained Martin. caught behind for 26. Keshav Maharaj not out ...... 0 cricket’s two short formats. “When you get an oppor- He then struck twice in his TOTAL: (for 1 wicket) ...... 4 “The one-day series is tunity, if you think about it, sixth over of the day, removing Overs: 4 important, and it’s not easy to it’s gone. You just go. Angelo Mathews, for one, and Fall of wickets: 1-1. play Zimbabwe in their home “So I set off, kept my head Roshen Silva, for nought, shortly To bat: Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, conditions,” said Sarfraz. down, kept going and my legs after lunch. Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi, “The matches are also felt good.” Those two wickets came Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn. starting very early. It’s Yellow jersey wearer Van towards the start of Sri Lanka’s Bowling: Rangana Herath 2-1-1-1, Dilruwan Perera probably even more cold in Avermaet described the middle-order, when they lost six 2-1-3-0 Bulawayo too, so it’s not going climax as “an awesome wickets for 61 runs, slipping to be an easy series.” finish”. from a relatively comfortable With this tour taking Movistar veteran Ale- 115-2. Warner helps place in Zimbabwe’s winter, jandro Valverde was fourth But Karunaratne rarely meaning early sunsets on a on Wednesday’s stage and attempted to counter attack, Winnipeg ground without any flood- came third here in another preferring instead to steadily lights, the games will start at good ride for the 39-year-old, build his innings, which featured to big victory 9.15am local time (0715 GMT). who is now eighth overall at 13 fours and an impressive six That will make the toss 51sec. he hit off Dale Steyn in the first in Canada important, as batting condi- But it could have been a session. tions can be difficult in the terrible day for the Spanish AP He completed his ton with a morning despite the Queens team. boundary off Shamsi and then Sports Club track’s tradi- A group of five riders moved to 150 for the fourth time KING CITY: Former Australia tionally benign nature. broke early on the 181km run in his Test career. vice-captain David Warner led Spin can also be more of from Brest to Mur-de-Bre- South Africa skipper Faf du from the front as his Winnipeg a factor at Queens, and tagne and when the Quick Plessis was forced to rotate his Hawks team eased to an eight- Pakistan will be further Step team of stage contender regular bowling options as Kar- wicket win against the Edmonton buoyed by the possible return Julian Alaphilippe suddenly unaratne played sensible cricket Royals in a second-round match of legspinner Yasir Shah to accelerated on the flat, the with the tail enders. at the Global T20 Canada cricket their ODI playing XI. peloton split into three with Stand-in-captain Suranga tournament on Wednesday. Yasir, who last played an 100km remaining. Lakmal also fought with Karu- Chasing a target of 142, ODI for Pakistan against Movistar’s Nairo Sri Lanka’s naratne during their 48-run captain Warner made 42 in 35 England at Trent Bridge two Quintana, already 2 minutes Dimuth ninth wicket stand that frus- balls to set the Hawks on the years ago, missed the most 10 seconds down, and his Karunaratne trated the bowling side. road to victory. He shared an recent tour of England with a teammate Mikel Landa were celebrates his Sri Lanka’s regular captain opening stand of 90 in 11.4 overs stress fracture but has been caught in the second of three century on day Dinesh Chandimal is suspended with Lendl Simmons before the picked for the upcoming groups and had to work long one of the ﬁrst for the two-match series, after West Indian batsman had to games. With teenage leg- and hard to get back in the Test against pleading guilty to breaching the retire hurt on 38. spinner Shadab Khan also lead pack. South Africa in spirit of cricket during the Warner was caught off part of their squad, Pakistan But it was on the final Galle, Sri Lanka. team’s Test tour of West Indies Mohammad Irfan with the score have plenty of firepower climb that the action took last month. on 124. should conditions favour spin. flight. FRIDAY 13 JULY 2018 SPORT 24

Pride at stake as Belgium, England clash in third place play-off

REUTERS about the game after his side were Belgium won 1-0 and were beaten 1-0 by France on Tuesday. rewarded with games against Japan, ST PETERSBURG: Belgium and England “It’s a difficult emotion to manage. Brazil and France while England have already met during the World You’re disappointed because you lose played Colombia, Sweden and Croatia Cup in a match both teams seemed the semi-final, and it’s very difficult to but the end result for both sides was reluctant to win and tomorrow they see the opportunity of playing another the same -- semi-final elimination. will face each other again in a game game as a positive,” he said. “Sometimes I think you have to they both seem reluctant to play. Even so, he said he would try to look at the bigger picture and make The two sides must pick them- lift his team. decisions that might be criticised,” selves up and dust themselves down “We need to regroup and recover said Southgate at the time. after suffering the crushing disap- and see the opportunity. To try to The third-place match was pointment of semi-final defeats to play finish third in the World Cup doesn’t dropped from the European champi- for the modest prize of third place in happen often. The only time it hap- onship by UEFA following the 1980 a fixture often criticised as pointless. pened in Belgian football was in 1986, tournament but has remained part of “It’s not a game any team wants when we finished fourth.” the World Cup calendar despite com- to play,” said England manager Gareth The two teams previously met plaints. FIFA did not immediately Southgate after his team lost 2-1 to in their final group stage game respond to a request for comment. Croatia after extra time in Wednes- when both had already guaranteed Both teams are in their second day’s second semi-final. a place in the last 16 -- with the third-place match, Belgium having lost “Of course, we want to win, we’ll twist that the side who finished to France in 1986 and England to Italy be ready to go again because the team second would land in the easier four years later. take great pride in their performances. side of the draw. It tends to be a high-scoring fixture It’s a bit too early after that defeat to Martinez switched nine players and with each of the last four winners think about it.” Southgate brought in eight, a decision scoring three goals -- Turkey in 2002, His Belgian counterpart Roberto he described as a ‘no brainer’ in the Germany in 2006 and 2010 and Neth- Martinez was similarly unenthused circumstances. erlands in 2014.

No positive doping tests at Russia 2018 Belgium’s coach Roberto Martinez attends a training session in Dedovsk REUTERS outside Moscow yesterday ahead of the 2018 World Cup play-off for third MOSCOW: There have been no place match at the Saint Petersburg positive results from over 3,000 Stadium in Saint Petersburg. anti-doping tests carried out before and during the World Cup, FIFA said yesterday. FIFA collected 2,761 samples BBELGIUMEL VS ENGLAND - FACTBOX prior to the tournament and another 626 during it, including 108 collected ST PETERSBURG: Belgium play England in the World Cup third-place on non-matchdays, as part of the playoff in St Petersburg tomorrow. largest-ever World Cup testing programme. WHERE: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg “The regular tests were com- CAPACITY: 68,134 plemented by FIFA’s use of the WHEN: Saturday July 14, 5.00pm Qatar time athlete biological passport REFEREE: To be announced Key stats: - Belgium play in a third-place programme in WADA’s playoff match for a second time, having lost 4-2 after extra time to “ADAMS” system, under France in Mexico in 1986. which all test results, including those from con- England are also battling for bronze for a second time, denied federations and NADOs by hosts Italy in 1990 when Salvatore Schillaci netted a late collected at the main international football events as penalty winner in a 2-1 victory. well as national competi- tions, are gathered in the Belgium were beaten by France in their semi-final on Tuesday, athlete’s passport in the only game in which they failed to score in Russia, where ADAMS, which features a their 14 goals still make them the top-scoring side. haematological module (through blood) and a ster- England captain Harry Kane is the leader in the race for the oidal module (through urine),” ‘Golden Boot’ award for the tournament’s top scorer with six FIFA said in a statement. goals, and is level with former striker Gary Lineker for most “FIFA’s Athlete Passport goals scored by an England player at one World Cup. Management Unit, composed of independent experts, reviews the Belgium won their first five matches in Russia to set a new Belgian data of players to detect potential record for consecutive victories at the World Cup. It included beating deviations that may indicate an England in Kaliningrad in the group phase. abuse of performance-enhancing drugs. This applied to all partici- There have been nine different scorers for Belgium at this World pating players at the FIFA World Cup, just one off the record of 10 set by France in 1982 and matched Cup.” For this year’s tournament, every by Italy in 2006. participating player was tested in unannounced controls before the England have scored nine out of their 12 goals at this World Cup competition and further systematic from set pieces including penalties. It is also a record haul of goals tests have been performed during it, at a single World Cup for them, beating their previous record of 11 both with post-match controls and set back in 1966, when they won the title. on non-matchdays. Around 90 percent of all tests There are 11 of the 23 Belgian squad members who play at English clubs. were targeted, based on a number of criteria, including the recom- PREVIOUS MEETINGS: mendations of the Athlete Passport Belgium and England have played each other 22 times. Their first clash was Management Unit, potential 97 years ago in Brussels, which England won 2-0. Since then England have injuries suffered by the players, won 14 more of their meetings while Belgium have won just twice, including performance data and the athletes’ Harry Kane and victory in the group phase on June 28. test history. head coach Gareth Apart from their earlier encounter in Russia, England and Belgium have On average, every player from Southgate of England faced off twice before at the World Cup: a 4-4 draw in Switzerland in 1954 the four remaining teams has been react after the 2018 followed by a Round of 16 encounter in Italy in 1990 where England’s David tested 4.41 times since January, with FIFA World Cup match. Platt scored an extra-time winner. some of them tested eight times.