FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2019 SPORT 17 It was just so good to see us go out and play with the belief and intensity TODAY TOMORROW that we had spoken about. When we coach Pakistan vs vs 12:30pm (Qatar time) 12:30pm (Qatar time) in Cardiff put all three disciplines together we Mickey Arthur know we can beat anybody. We now Match No: 11 Afghanistan vs need to stay consistent and ruthless. At Bristol County Ground 3:30pm (Qatar time) in Taunton

Serb World No. 1 beats Zverev to make ninth appearance at Roland Garros last-four Ruthless Djokovic sets up Thiem semi

AFP PARIS FRENCH OPEN RESULTS Anisimova blows Novak Djokovic reached his ninth MEN Halep out as dream Roland Garros semi-final yesterday, QUARTER-FINALS sweeping past Alexander Zverev to run continues keep his bid to become just the second Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x5) 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 man to hold all four Slams at the same Dominic Thiem (AUT x4) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x10) 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 REUTERS time twice firmly on track. PARIS Top seed and world number one WOMEN Djokovic won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 and will QUARTER-FINALS Teenage sensation Amanda Anisimova blew face Austrian fourth seed Dominic Ashleigh Barty (AUS x8) bt Madison Keys (USA x14) 6-3, 7-5 defending champion Simona Halep out of Thiem today in what will be his 35th Amanda Anisimova (USA) bt Simona Halep (ROM x3) 6-2, 6-4 the French Open with a shock 6-2, 6-4 Grand Slam semi-final. victory in the quarter-finals yesterday, and Thiem reached the semi-finals for immediately set her sights on winning the a fourth successive year with a 6-2, Suzanne Lenglen Cup. 6-4, 6-2 victory against Russian 10th Third seed Halep, who had been looking seed Karen Khachanov. to become the first woman to retain her title “It was a big challenge for me at Roland Garros since Belgian Justine Henin today but I was hitting the ball more won three times in a row from 2005-07, cleanly,” said 32-year-old Djokovic. never found a solution to counter the “It’s a great joy to be in the semi- 17-year-old American’s beguiling mix of finals again.” speed and accuracy. The problem for Djokovic now in The unseeded Anisimova, the first player his pursuit of a second title in Paris and born in the 2000s to reach the last eight at 16th major is the weather. a Grand Slam, can become the first teenager Heavy rain is forecast to hit Paris to lift the trophy here since Iva Majoli of again on Friday after Wednesday’s Croatia prevailed in 1997. washout. She next faces Australian eighth seed “I just have to keep my concen- Ashleigh Barty, who beat American Madison tration and stay in the moment. I hope Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (right) reacts as Germany’s Alexander Zverev falls on the ground, during their men’s singles Keys in the day’s other rescheduled quarter- to continue like this,” said the Serb. quarter-final match of the 2019 French Open in Paris, yesterday. final after Wednesday’s complete washout. Today’s other semi-final will see Halep’s defeat means that the 2019 Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer champion will be the ninth different winner resume their great rivalry, meaning in the third and fifth games of the TODAY’S ORDER OF PLAY Court Suzanne Lenglen, hammering in the last 10 Grand Slam tournaments. this is the first time the top four seeds opening set and finally broke through 29 winners, as his erratic opponent Anisimova played fearlessly from the have all reached the last four at a for a 5-4 lead. COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER (1050 GMT) contrived to tally 37 unforced errors start to storm to a 4-2 lead, and then broke Grand Slam since the 2013 Australian But top seed Djokovic levelled 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) vs 2-Rafa and only 17 winners. Halep again to bag the opening set in under Open. immediately before claiming the set Nadal (Spain) “The key was to control the points. half an hour. The last time Djokovic made the on a Zverev double fault. 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs 4-Dominic I’ll be ready to maybe come back here With balls flying off her racket like a semi-finals was 2016 when he went Djokovic dominated the second set Thiem (Austria) tomorrow. This is one of my favourite speeding bullet, Anisimova piled on the on to win the title. as breaks in the second and eighth courts in the world,” said the 25-year- pressure as she lured her opponent to the net He has a 6-2 career lead over games were enough to tighten his grip. COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN old, who is chasing a maiden Grand before finishing off the point with passing shots. Thiem and beat the Austrian in the The world number one saved two 8-Ashleigh Barty () vs Amanda Slam title. Anisimova was 3-1 up in the second when Rome semi-finals in the run-up to more break points in the opening game Anisimova (US) Khachanov had impressed in a Halep earned break points, but the American Paris. of the third set and again made the fourth-round victory over Juan Martin fended them off with some superb angled However, Thiem came out on top German pay with a break for 4-2. COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU del Potro, but was never in with a winners. in the Roland Garros quarter-finals in Zverev’s 40th and last unforced 26-Johanna Konta (Britain) vs Marketa chance in the quarter-final, which was Halep eventually broke back in the straight sets in 2017. error proved to be the final point of Vondrousova (Czech Republic) delayed from Wednesday due to rain, seventh game when Anisimova overcooked Fifth seed Zverev, bidding to reach the one-sided quarter-final. dropping serve twice in the opening set. a backhand down the line. a maiden Slam semi-final and become “I had chances in the first set but He managed to get to 4-4 in the The teenager showed signs of nerves at the first German in the last-four in he broke back and was in control,” said The world number five finished second, only to see Thiem reel off eight 4-4 but Halep failed to convert a break point. Paris since Michael Stich in 1996, made the German. with eight double faults while con- of the next 10 games and seal a last- That miss proved costly for Halep as Ani- the stronger start. “When he’s in control, he’s tough verting just one of eight break points. four spot without even facing a break simova wrapped up the greatest win of her The 22-year-old had break points to beat. He’s number one for a reason. Thiem was utterly dominant on point in the match. young career with her 25th winner. Johnson skeptical about NBA Finals: Curry’s heroics not defending Canadian Open enough as Raptors win game 3 AP ANCASTER, ONTARIO REUTERS A couple of key changes have stacked the odds against Dustin OAKLAND Johnson as he tries to defend his RBC Canadian Open title. The No. 2 player in the world pulled away from the field Missing two key pillars of their after a nearly two-hour rain delay to win his first Canadian starting lineup, the Golden State Open last year, firing 6-under 66 in last year’s final round to Warriors had to turn to two-time finish at 23 under. MVP Stephen Curry against the But this year the only Canadian stop on the PGA Tour has Toronto Raptors in Game Three moved from Glen Abbey Golf Club, a course Johnson is familiar of the NBA Finals in Oakland on with, to Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Wednesday. More importantly, the tournament has moved up in the Curry obliged and gave them golf calendar, making it a lead-in event to the US Open and 47 points and six three pointers drawing a significantly stronger group of competitors. while playing nearly the entire “I mean, it’s a really good field. It’s a golf course I haven’t game but it was not enough. played. That definitely adds a little bit more difficulty to it,” The two-time defending Johnson said on Wednesday. “I don’t know the golf course as champions fell 123-109 to the vis- well as I know Glen Abbey, where I played a lot of Opens.” itors and now trail 2-1 in the best- Johnson is joined by top-ranked Brooks Koepka, fresh off of of-seven series as the team’s his PGA Championship win, No. 4 Rory McIlroy and No. 6 Justin other starters could only muster Thomas, who was added to the field today. 36 points combined. Historically, the Canadian Open was held Despite playing without in September, but starting in 2007 it was shooting guard Klay Thompson played in late July, the prime golf season. (hamstring) and forward Kevin Stephen Curry (second left) of the Golden State Warriors attempts to shoot during Game Three of the Unfortunately, it was also the week after Durant (calf), Warriors coach 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on Wednesday. the British Open, causing many of the Steve Kerr said the team could PGA Tour’s top players to miss the tour- still hold their head high. nament as they recovered from the chal- “Very proud,” he told “The moment is now. You got Forward Draymond Green who had a career playoff high in lenging major. reporters when asked about the to try to have ‘next man up’ men- said he also liked his team’s effort points despite being aggressively Now in early June, many golfers are team’s effort, which included tality, like we always say, and just and struck an optimistic tone. double teamed throughout the using the Canadian event as a players diving for loose balls and go out and fight,” he said. “Win the next game, go back contest. tune-up for the US Open. sacrificing their bodies to take “We did that tonight. We can to Toronto, win Game Five, come “Steph was incredible. He A total of 26 Cana- charges on defense. “They played play better, obviously better on back to Oracle, win Game Six and does things that honestly I don’t dians will be competing really, really hard and gave it eve- the defensive end, but I liked the then celebrate. think anybody has ever done for the national rything they had and just ran into competitiveness that we had, “Fun times ahead.” before,” he said. championship. a better team tonight.” understanding that we’re missing Kerr said he thought “The way he plays the game, No Canadian has Curry echoed Kerr’s com- 50 points pretty much between Thompson would be back for the way he shoots it and the com- won the event ments and said the team, who KD and Klay. Game Four on Friday in Oakland bination of his ball handling and since Pat Fletcher play under the motto ‘Strength in “So we’ll adjust. And it’s a long but did not have an update on shooting skills, it’s incredible to in 1954. Numbers’, would not use the series you know. It’s going to be Durant’s status. watch. Dustin Johnson injuries as an excuse. fun for us.” Kerr tipped his hat to Curry, “He was amazing.” 18 SPORT FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2019 Coulter-Nile and Starc star in Australia’s win over Windies

AFP nine. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc Australia’s Mitchell NOTTINGHAM did the bulk of the damage with Starc (centre) five for 46 -- the first five- Nathan Coulter-Nile’s record- haul of this World Cup celebrates with team- breaking innings laid the -- including a late burst of four mates after taking platform for Australia’s 15-run for two in 11 balls -- as Australia the wicket of West victory over the West Indies followed up their seven-wicket Indies’ Jason Holder, yesterday as the World Cup win over minnows yesterday. holders bounced back from a Afghanistan. top-order collapse to make it The West Indies had two successive wins. bounced out Pakistan for just Australia were in dire straits 105 when winning their tour- at 38 for four after the West nament opener at Trent Bridge Indies fast bowlers proved too last week and adopted similar hot to handle early on at Trent tactics against Australia after Bridge. Holder won the toss. But Coulter-Nile’s career- Oshane Thomas had Aus- AB de Villiers best 92 -- the highest score by tralia Aaron Finch (six) any number eight batsman or caught before opening partner lower in a World Cup -- helped David Warner (three) was held take them to 288 all out. at backward point off Sheldon He carried on a recovery Cottrell -- a wicket that saw the started by former skipper Steve left-arm quick, still a member Smith (73), with the pair bailing of the Jamaica Defence Force, Selectors Australia out in a stand of 102 celebrate with his trademark in 89 balls. salute. West Indies, despite a Australia were now 26 for right to reject painstaking 68 from opener two, with boos ringing out as Shai Hope and 51 from captain Warner walked off and Smith De Villiers for Jason Holder finished on 273 for walked on -- a now familiar

World Cup: SCOREBOARD Convener Australia S. Hope c Khawaja b Cummins ...... 68 D. Warner c Hetmyer b Cottrell ...... 3 N. Pooran c Finch b Zampa ...... 40 A. Finch c Hope b Thomas ...... 6 S. Hetmyer run out ...... 21 response by crowds in England as he surpassed his previous several well-struck AFP U. Khawaja c Hope b Russell ...... 13 J. Holder c Zampa b Starc ...... 51 to the pair having only recently international best of 34. boundaries. S. Smith c Cottrell b Thomas ...... 73 A. Russell c Maxwell b Starc ...... 15 returned from year-long bans His blistering assault off 60 West Indies, however, suf- G. Maxwell c Hope b Cottrell ...... 0 C. Brathwaite c Finch b Starc ...... 16 for their roles in a ball-tam- balls featuring eight fours and fered a huge setback when South African selection convener M. Stoinis c Pooran b Holder ...... 19 A. Nurse not out ...... 19 pering scandal in . four sixes also saw him beat Hope chipped a Pat Cummins Linda Zondi said yesterday he A. Carey c Hope b Russell ...... 45 S. Cottrell b Starc ...... 1 Smith had a lucky break on former Zimbabwe international slower ball to mid-on. was “shocked” when told that N. Coulter-Nile c Holder b Brathwaite ...... 92 O. Thomas not out ...... 0 26 when he top-edged a hook Heath Streak’s previous World Russell then got off the P. Cummins c Cottrell b Brathwaite ...... 2 Extras (lb9, w11) ...... 20 batting star AB de Villiers had M. Starc c Holder b Brathwaite ...... 8 Total (nine , 50 overs) ...... 273 off Holder only for Cottrell at Cup best by a No 8 of 72 before, mark with a huge straight six made himself available for the A. Zampa not out ...... 0 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Lewis), 2-31 (Gayle), 3-99 long leg to slip as he eyed a in sight of a hundred, he drove off leg-spinner Adam Zampa World Cup. Extras (b1, lb1, w24, nb1) ...... 27 (Pooran), 4-149 (Hetmyer), 5-190 (Hope), 6-216 catch. Carlos Brathwaite to Holder at that took the West Indies to 200 Zondi said he was informed Total (all out, 49 overs) ...... 288 (Russell), 7-252 (Brathwaite), 8-252 (Holder), His patient innings ended long-off. before he was well caught over on the day of the squad Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Finch), 2-26 (Warner), 3-36 9-256 (Cottrell) when he flicked Thomas high In the West Indies’ run- the shoulder by . announcement in April by captain (Khawaja), 4-38 (Maxwell), 5-79 (Stoinis), 6-147 Bowling: Starc 10-1-46-5 (4w), Cummins 10-3- towards deep backward square chase, big-hitting opener Chris But as long as Holder was Faf du Plessis and coach Ottis (Carey), 7-249 (Smith), 8-268 (Cummins), 9-284 41-2 (3w), Coulter-Nile 10-0-70-0, Maxwell 6-1-31- only for Cottrell, skirting the Gayle, having overturned two there the West Indies still had (Coulter-Nile), 10-288 (Starc) 0, Zampa 10-0-58-1, Stoinis 4-0-18-0 Gibson that De Villiers had said Bowling: Thomas 10-0-63-2 (1nb, 8w); Cottrell 9-0- Result: Australia won by 15 runs boundary, to grab the ball one- ‘out’ decisions, was eventually a chance. he was willing to come out of 56-2 (3w); Russell 8-0-41-2 (5w); Brathwaite 10-0- Toss: West Indies handed, throw it back into he lbw to Starc for 21. He completed a run-a-ball retirement. 67-3 (2w); Holder 7-2-28-1; Nurse 5-0-31-0 (2w) Umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI), Chris Gaf- field of play as he stepped over But Hope, biding his time, fifty but trying to take on Starc, Zondi said it would not have West Indies faney (NZL) the rope -- thereby avoiding a completed a 76-ball fifty. rather than wait to attack Aus- been morally right to include De C. Gayle lbw b Starc ...... 21 TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA) six -- and complete a sensa- Holder who overturned tralia’s lesser bowlers, he was Villiers. E. Lewis c Smith b Cummins ...... 1 Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) tional catch. decisions against him on seven caught at short fine leg as the “I pleaded with AB de Villiers But Coulter-Nile cashed in and 22, upped the tempo with West Indies’ hopes faded. not to retire in 2018. I did give him the option to plan and monitor his season to get him to the World Cup fresh and in a good space,” Karunaratne unfazed said Zondi. Pakistan urged to stay “He turned down the offer by poor Cup record and said he was at peace with his decision to retire.” Zondi said it would unfair to against Pakistan ‘ruthless’ in SL game other players to accede to De Vil- liers’ belated request. AFP Pakistan could be a mental AFP “The decision was based on BRISTOL barrier, captain Karunaratne BRISTOL principle; we had to be fair to the told reporters: “We may not team, the selection panel, our Dimuth Karunaratne have won against Pakistan Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur franchise system and players.” (pictured) insists Sri Lanka in the World Cup but it has urged his team to “stay De Villiers surprised South can end their wretched doesn’t bother us. ruthless” at the World Cup as African officials when he made World Cup record against “It’s just another one-day they train their sights on Sri an announcement on social Pakistan when they clash in international for us so if we Lanka after shocking England. media last year that he was Bristol today. perform well on that day we The notoriously unpre- retiring from international cricket Pakistan have won all can win.” dictable Pakistan side held their following a successful comeback seven World Cup encounters Karunaratne admitted nerve to beat the hosts by 14 runs in a Test series against against Sri Lanka dating back his team were low on confi- at Trent Bridge on Monday, just Australia. to the inaugural World Cup dence after being shot out for three days after crashing to a Pakistan’s head coach Mickey “For Faf du Plessis and Ottis in 1975. 136 by New Zealand, but he seven-wicket defeat against the Arthur (left) speaks with Gibson to share AB’s desire to be But Sri Lanka are opti- believes they have more than West Indies at the same venue. captain included in the squad on the day mistic after recovering from enough talent to see off That ended a sequence of 11 during a training session at we announced our World Cup a crushing 10-wicket defeat Pakistan consecutive defeats in com- Trent Bridge in Nottingham, squad on April 18 was a shock to in their opening match “Pakistan is an unpre- pleted one-day internationals. in this June 2, 2019 file photo. all of us,” said Zondi. against New Zealand. dictable team but we are also Arthur praised his team’s “At no point in the year that A hard-earned 34-run coming into this game having resolve after a “shocking” defeat he had retired did he make win against minnows won one and lost one. We in their tournament opener. , But the 1996 champions will himself available for selection. It Afghanistan lifted Sri Lankan were low in confidence but “It was just so good to see us and Sarfaraz Ahmed. be wary of another middle-order was no option when I received spirits, although Karunaratne we will give our best shot out go out and play with the belief Pacemen and batting collapse after they lost five the news on the day of the squad acknowledges they still have to beat them,” he said. and intensity that we had spoken , and leg- wickets for 14 runs against New announcement, our squad was room for improvement. Sri Lanka will have to about,” said Arthur. spinner , took the Zealand and seven wickets for 36 finalised and confirmed. AB is The next test for the 1996 guard against another “When we put all three dis- wickets to restrict England to runs against Afghanistan. undoubtedly one of the best champions comes against an middle-order collapse, which ciplines together we know we 334-9 in their 50 overs. Sri Lankan coach Chandika players in the world, but above unpredictable Pakistan side derailed their good starts in can beat anybody. We now need “You could see the hunger, Hathurusingha said he had told all else, we have to stay true to who were bowled out for 105 both the matches, a to stay consistent and ruthless.” the determination and the his batsmen to up their game. our morals and principles, there in their opeopeningning seven-seven weakweaknessness KarunaratneKarunaratne Pakistan posted an resolve to do well in batting after “I don’t give pep talks. I give is no regret in the decision.” wicketwicket ddefeatefeat against tthehe hhopesopes will be impressive 348-8 against a a horror show and then the honest talk, that’s all. WestWest IndiesIndies befobeforere a addressed.addressed. potent England bowling attack, bowlers fought hard, so we need “I tell them what has to be shock 14-run vicvictorytory “We“We havehave with fifties from veteran to repeat that in the coming done. They have to come and againstagainst hhostsosts anandd somesome areas to matches as well,” said Arthur. perform,” said Hathurusingha, toutournamentrna m e n t improveimprove iinn Pakistan have won all seven who praised opener Kusal fafavouritesv ourites batting,”batting,” saisaidd of their World Cup matches Perera for his 78-run knock, The decision was England.England. Karunaratne,Karunaratne, against Sri Lanka dating back to which helped Sri Lanka reach based on principle; Asked yyes-es- whosewhose teamteam the first tournament in 1975. 201 against Afghanistan. When we put all we had to be fair terdayterday ifif Sri slslumpedumped Pakistan will be tempted to “He’s an amazing player,” Lanka’sLanka’s past ffromrom 144-1 to three disciplines bring in fast bowler Mohammad said Hathurusingha. to the team, the struggless truggles 202011 aallll out together we know we Hasnain for his raw pace, some- “We have given him the full selection panel, our againstagainst aagainstgai nst thing that New Zealand exploited licence to bat the way he wants can beat anybody. franchise system and AfghAfghan-an- against Sri Lanka during their to bat. We know that when he’s We now need to players: South African istan.istan. 10-wicket rout of their oppo- come up, most of the time it’s stay consistent and nents in Cardiff on Saturday. match-winning.” selection convener ruthless: Pakistan On Tuesday, Sri Lanka beat But one factor outside any- Linda Zondi Afghanistan in a rain-shortened body’s control is the weather, coach Mickey Arthur match, also in Cardiff, to breathe with persistent rain forecast for life into their campaign. Bristol today. FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2019 SPORT 19 Women’s World Cup kicks off in France USA favourites in toughest-ever field

REUTERS Despite their rich football PARIS tradition, Brazil have never won a World Cup or an Olympic gold The United States may be medal, and with prolific striker favourites to retain their Marta now 33, this may be the Women’s World Cup title but the last chance for her to grab one rapid development of the game of those elusive titles. globally means they will face a There will be no shortage of tougher field than ever before sparks in Group D where a strong when the tournament gets under England side have been paired way in France today. with Scotland, Argentina and Hundreds of thousands of 2011 champions Japan, while tickets have been sold and world European champions Nether- governing body FIFA is banking lands take on Canada, Cameroon on the women’s game taking a and New Zealand in Group E. huge step forward on the back The Dutch slipped up in qual- of a successful tournament. ifying and needed play-off wins The eighth edition of the against Denmark and Switzerland Women’s World Cup will be to book their berth, but their potent attack will be keen to The eighth edition of impress an army of travelling fans. the Women’s World Cup The United States look to have secured a relatively easy will be contested by draw with their first two games 24 teams in nine cities against Chile and Thailand, but across France, with the In this file photo taken on July 5, 2015, USA players celebrate after their victory in the final of 2015 FIFA Women’s World Sweden will pose a problem in hosts facing South Korea Cup against Japan in Vancouver. their final encounter, which is in the opening game at likely to decide the outcome of the Parc des Princes in Group F. As ever, discussions about Paris. contested by 24 teams in nine be staged in Lyon, home to pow- Germany and Japan will also winner Ada Hegerberg, who has gender equality will never be too cities across France, with the erhouse Olympique Lyonnais, hope to lift the trophy. declined to play for the national far away, and despite the fact The top two teams in hosts facing South Korea in the historically the most successful Though France have a tough side since the end of Euro 2017, that FIFA has doubled the prize each of the six qualifying opening game at the Parc des club in women’s football in draw in Group A alongside South citing disagreements over how money on offer since the 2015 groups will advance to Princes in Paris. France, with the showpiece Korea, Norway and Nigeria, they the team is run. event in Canada, it has still come the knockout stages, The top two in each of the six match slated for July 7. will look to win it outright to give Two-times winners Germany in for criticism. where they will be qualifying groups will advance With a passionate home themselves the best chance of an will face off against China, Spain However, fans and players to the knockout stages, where crowd behind them and a strong easy route through the knockout and debutants South Africa in are expected to park those dis- joined by the four best they will be joined by the four domestic league, the French will rounds. Group B, while Australia, Italy, cussions, at least temporarily, third-placed teams. best third-placed teams. fancy their chances on home soil, Former champions Norway Brazil and Jamaica are set to when the action finally gets The semi-finals and final will while England, Australia, will be without Ballon d’Or battle it out in Group C. underway in Paris.

Iran’s Mehdi Taremi scores the second goal City launch Qualifying for Qatar 2022 during the friendly against Syria in Tehran, legal bid to yesterday. Iran won 5-0. stop potential World Cup begins in Asia CL ban AP captain Tsedenbal Norjmaa Bhutan beat Guam 1-0. The SEOUL scoring from a free kick return legs take place next AFP after nine minutes and week. The opening round of LAUSANNE Qualifying for the Qatar 2022 Naranbold Nyam-Osor qualifiers features Asia’s 12 World Cup got under way in netting in the second half. lowest-ranked teams, with Manchester City have launched Asia yesterday, with Mongolia Macau beat Sri Lanka 1-0 the six winners joining 34 a legal bid to stop UEFA banning and Macau among the teams while Cambodia, coached by other countries in the group them from the 2020-2021 earning first-leg wins in the former Japan international stage that kicks off in Champions League, the Court preliminary round. Keisuke Honda, won 2-0 September. of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Mongolia beat Brunei against Pakistan.Also Bang- Malaysia plays Timor said yesterday. 2-0 in Ulaanbaatar, with ladesh won 1-0 in Laos and Leste today. Abu Dhabi-owned City, who retained the Premier League title this season, are in danger of being kicked out of future editions of the Champions Ronaldo sends Portugal to Nations League final League after UEFA looked into reported Financial Fair Play breaches. The investigation was REUTERS conceded. Their top player made The referee, after consulting triggered by European football’s Portugal’s Cristiano PORTO the difference,” he said. the video assistant, then decided governing body in March after Ronaldo celebrates after Switzerland created some to review the Swiss incident on claims City had hidden revenue Evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo completing his hat-trick early openings while Ronaldo the pitchside monitor and from overvalued commercial scored a hat-trick, including two on Wednesday. missed a good early chance for awarded them the spot kick. deals in order to meet the UEFA late goals, to give Portugal a 3-1 Portugal when he dragged his The incident seemed to spending guidelines. win over Switzerland in a shot wide after the Swiss gave unsettle Portugal and the Swiss According to the Lausanne Nations League semi-final away possession in defence. took control with Shaqiri, looking based CAS the Premier League featuring an extraordinary VAR But there was no mistake in to make an impression after champions have now filed an incident on Wednesday. the 25th minute when he went getting limited playing time for appeal with the court ahead of Ronaldo blasted Portugal down under a challenge from Liverpool this season, at the an imminent sentencing ahead from a free kick in the Kevin Mbabu on the edge of the centre of their best moves. decision from UEFA’s Club 25th minute, his first goal for his area, got up and sent his free kick Steven Zuber and Haris Financial Control Body’s (CFCB) country for nearly a year, but the fizzing past a wrong-footed Seferovic both missed chances adjudicatory chamber. Swiss equalised with a penalty Sommer and into the net. and the Swiss were then It is believed the committee after halftime which will raise Switzerland got back into the destroyed by Ronaldo at his is unlikely to rule against the more questions over the use of match in extraordinary circum- most deadly Bernardo Silva conclusions of chief investi- the VAR system. stances after halftime Swiss mid- produced a low cross from the gator Yves Leterme, who signed After a largely anonymous fielder Steven Zuber went down right and Ronaldo swept the over his probe into alleged pay- second half, Ronaldo suddenly under a challenge from Nelson ball home with his first touch to ments deception two weeks ago sprang to life to by scoring twice Cup in Russia - rescued Portugal genius in art, and in sculpture Semedo as he ran onto Xherdan rescue his side in the 88th and is thought to have recom- in the last three minutes to com- after the Swiss had dominated and he is a football genius.” Shaqiri’s through ball and minute. mended City should be banned plete the 53rd hat-trick of his for the final half hour and \Swiss coach Vladimir appealed for a penalty but play Two minutes later, he col- from the Champions League. career and the seventh for his threatened to snatch a shock win. Petkovic was left to rue a missed continued. lected the ball on the counter- The decision would leave country, showing that even at 34 “There’s no adjective to opportunity. Portugal then went straight attack, twisted past his marker Pep Guardiola’s side out of he is always a threat. describe him,” said Portugal “We had the chance to get a down the other end and were and curled the ball into the far Europe’s elite club competition, His goals -- his first for his coach Fernando Santos. second but didn’t take it. We got awarded a penalty for a foul on corner for his 88th international potentially for the 2020-21 country since last year’s World “He’s a genius. You can be a outnumbered at the back and Silva. goal in 157 appearances. campaign. Real Madrid agree fee for Chelsea’s Hazard: Reports

REUTERS Madrid or London. Spain’s AS sports Sky Sports television said Chelsea “My dream was to play in the Hee LONDON daily, citing unnamed sources, said on had wanted in the region of £130m Premier League and I did it for seven scoredd 1616 its website that the Premier League side ($165.20m), a fee that could ultimately years. I think it’s a goodbye,” he said goals and Chelsea forward Eden Hazard had accepted Real’s offer for the be reached through performance- after that game. createdted (pictured) is set to join Real Madrid 28-year-old. related clauses. He joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012 anotherer 15 iinn after a deal worth €100m ($112.65m) It said Hazard, who is training with Hazard, who was set to become a for £32m and won the Europa League the Premierremier plus add-ons was agreed between the Belgium ahead of a weekend Euro 2020 free agent in June 2020, guided Chelsea in his first season. Leagueue last two clubs yesterday, British and qualifier against Kazakhstan, had been to the Europa League title in Baku last He later won the Premier League seasono n aass Spanish media reported. informed and the deal could be month with two goals in a 4-1 win over title in 2015 and 2017 as well as one Chelseaea finishedfinished There was no official word from announced later. London rivals Arsenal. League Cup and FA Cup. third inn tthehe tabtable.le. SPORT Friday 7 June 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Ruthless Hat-trick hero Djokovic beats Ronaldo sends Zverev to set Portugal to Nations up Thiem semi League final Brazil win friendly against Qatar

QNA Qatari captain RIO DE JANEIRO Hasan Al Haydos Qatar lost to Brazil 2-0 in a (left) and friendly on Wednesday as part Brazil’s of the two sides’ preparations for the Copa America. The vies for match took place at Estadio the ball Nacional De Brasilia. possession Richarlison and Gabriel during their Jesus scored the two goals in international the 16th and 24th minutes. friendly PSG’s superstar Neymar was match, played injured in the match. at the Mane Qatar had a chance to pull Garrincha a goal back in the 96th minute Stadium, after the referee penalized in Brasilia, Ederson for a mistimed chal- Brazil, on lenge following a VAR review, Wednesday. however, Boualem Khoukhi’s spot-kick cannoned against the crossbar. The match was eventful in the first half. This was not just due to the two goals scored, but also due to Neymar’s injury that took Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President place in the 21st minute and a of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) presents a Qatari penalty that was overturned team jersey to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ahead of after a VAR review. the international friendly in Brasilia, on Wednesday. Qatar had won seven suc- cessive matches heading into the friendly but the Copa America guests were com- QFA chief pletely outplayed as Brazil Sanchez hails Al Annabi’s fighting spirit hit the front in the 16th meets minute. picked out TTHEHE PENINPENINSULASULA Asian Cup champions Qatar - Richarlison, who rose highest RRIOIO DE JANEIROJANEIRO along with Japan - will take part Brazilian to head past Saad Al Sheeb as guests in the 12-team tour- for his fourth international QataQatarr coach FFelixe Sanchez is nament. It will be Qatar’s maiden President goal. ppleasedleased with ththee way his players Qatar played an attacking appearance in a tournament in It was five minutes later ffoughtought aagainstgainst BrazilBr in an inter- game against a Brazil South America. THE PENINSULA that Neymar got injured and nnationalational friendlfriendlyy yesterday. team which has great The 2019 Copa America - the BRASILIA eventually replaced. Qatar concededconced two goals in players. Those players 46th edition of the event - will be That did not hamper tthehe firfirstst hhalfalf oof a 2-0 loss but played across five cities in Brazil - Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Brazil, who doubled their lead producedproduced attattackinga football in play for great clubs in Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Rio Ahmed Al Thani, President of eight minutes later through tthehe second half.h Europe: Sanchez de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo. the Qatar Football Association Jesus following some neat “Qatar played The tournament is set to get (QFA), met with the Brazilian combination play with an attacking under way on June 14 and will run President, Jair Bolsonaro before Richarlison. game against a keep pace with the Brazilian team for three weeks until the final on the international friendly Brazil with at times during the first half, and July 7. between the two countries on thought he had the chance great players. our team played well in the second Qatar’s opening match of the Wednesday. to make it 3-0 after a Those players half. I think we got many positives tournament will be against Par- The QFA chief and the Bra- handball inside the box six pplay for great out of this match,” Sanchez said. aguay on June 16 followed by a zillian head of state exchanged minutes before half-time, cclubsl in Europe,” “The players have gained a lot match against Colombia (June 19) souvenirs before the match however, the referee SanchezSa said after of experience from this encounter, and against former world cham- which took place in Brasilia. overturned his original the match. which will give them a moral pions Argentina on June 23. H E Ibrahim Al Abdullah, decision following a VAR “They have boost in the upcoming matches Chile have won the past two Ambassador of the State of review. plplayersayer like Dani Alves, in Copa America, where we will tournaments but have slipped to Qatar to Brazil, was also The second half saw the Neymar Jr, GGabriel Jesus and play in a very difficult group,” 13 in the world rankings - below present. introduction of Lucas Paqueta others.others. ThisThis wwas an important Sanchez said. Denmark - as hosts Brazil who The QFA President wished and Champions League semi- match for us asa we prepare for Sanchez wished Neymar a start off as favourites, will attempt Brazil success in qualifying for finalist David Neres. tthehe Copa AAmerica,” the ‘speedy recovery’ after the Bra- to win the tournament for the first the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be The second half changes SpaniardSpaniard saisaid.d zilian striker - who plays for PSG time in 12 years. played in Qatar. however did affect proceedings “In“In thethe llong run, this was - suffered an ankle injury in the and the match first to live up a greatgreat mmatcha for us since same clash played at Mane Gar- Brazil’s Neymar leaves the pitch after being injured to the action seen in the first we are ppreparingr for the rincha Stadium. during the friendly match against Qatar at the half. 22022022 FIFFIFAA World Cup,” he Qatar, who arrived in Brazil Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, on Wednesday. Qatar will face Paraguay on saisaidd in hish remarks after more than a week ago, will now June 16 in their first match of the ggame.am prepare for a friendly against a Coach Felix Sanchez Copa America. “We“W were able to local club on June 9. Neymar out of Copa America with injury AFP tournament, the Brazilian Football Confed- Ankle problems ruled him out of the RIO DE JANEIRO eration (CBF) said. second half of the just-completed Ligue 1 The injury comes just nine days before season in France. When he did finally return Brazil star Neymar has been ruled out of the Brazil’s opening Copa America game against to the team, he played as PSG suffered a shock Copa America after tearing ankle ligaments Bolivia. defeat to Rennes in the French Cup final and during his country’s 2-0 win over Qatar in a Before the injury, CBF President Rogerio then lashed out at a supporter in the stands pre-tournament friendly, capping a troubled Caboclo had insisted on Wednesday for the afterwards. season for the world’s most expensive player. second time this week that Neymar would In a sign of how significant a figure The injury to the Paris Saint-Germain play in the tournament despite the rape Neymar remains in Brazilian life, the coun- player is a huge blow to host nation Brazil’s accusations. try’s President Jair Bolsonaro offered his preparations for the South American conti- Caboclo’s assurances came after CBF vice public backing for the player ahead of the nental championship, which begins in just president Francisco Noveletto was quoted match. over a week’s time. by Brazilian media as saying he was willing “He’s going through a difficult moment A distraught-looking Neymar covered his to “bet” that Neymar would quit. but I believe him,” said Bolsonaro. face with his hands as he sat on the bench With Neymar ruled out, the host nation At a news conference Monday, national after hobbling from the field in the 20th face an uphill battle to win South America’s coach was bombarded with questions minute at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha Stadium continental championship for the first time about effect of the affair on the squad. on Wednesday. since 2007. Attempting to sidestep the issue, Tite said A large ice pack had been strapped to his The injury also leaves a question mark he would “not judge” Neymar, who he said lower right leg. over the future career of a player who cost was “indispensable” to the team. “Due to the seriousness of the injury, Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain a world In the match, two Premier League-based Neymar will neither be fit nor have time to record fee of €222m ($248m) when he moved players, Richarlison and , scored recuperate sufficiently to participate” in the from Barcelona in 2017. Brazil’s goals in the first half.