Nasser al Attiyah, Overdrive Racing in quest for first Silk Way Rally success PAGE 15 WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019

Gutsy Ahmed Tijan lifts hopes despite CRICKET WORLD CUP blow to head in Hamburg PAGE 15 ENGLAND VS NEW ZEALAND ‘Respect, nothing else’: Kyrgios sets tone for Nadal blockbuster

AFP at all. I know him as a tennis two’s uncle and former coach, draw came out, I was super hap- 24-year-old argued with the LONDON player,” said Kyrgios. who lambasted the Australian py that I saw him in my section. umpire, slumped over the net “I get along with people. for his on-court behaviour. “When you’re a kid, you and played dead. NICK Kyrgios set the tone Some people I don’t get along Toni Nadal suggested it want to play the best players He also shaped to imitate a on Tuesday for a Wimbledon with. We have a mutual respect was the action of a man who in the world on I think it’s the forward defensive cricket shot blockbuster with bitter rival – but that’s about it, I think.” lacks education. best court in the world. and celebrated a point by run- Rafael Nadal by stating: “We Nadal and Kyrgios have “Bro, I did 12 years at school “This is something that I ning around madly in a circle. have mutual respect – but been involved in a bitter war of you idiot – I’m very educated. I can’t take for granted. There’s After dropping the sec- that’s about it.” words this year since the Aus- understand you’re upset that I no guarantee I’m going to be ond set, he needed a medical Kyrgios opened his Wim- tralian defeated the 18-time beat your family,” Kyrgios hit here again in this position. timeout for a leg injury before bledon campaign with a 7-6 major champion in a stormy back in an interview. “Could have an injury or attempting – and failing – to (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12/10), 0-6, clash in Acapulco. However, Nadal refused to something like that. I’m going finish the third set with an 6-1 win over fellow Australian It was the Australian’s third add fuel to the fire on Tuesday to grasp with both hands, go underarm serve. Jordan Thompson. win over Nadal in six meetings. ahead of Thursday’s clash. out there, give it my best shot.” He eventually took the However, all attention was Nadal accused his oppo- “I am too old to get into all Kyrgios, who famously set on an eighth set point be- on his second round duel with nent of “lacking respect” after this stuff,” the 33-year-old said. stunned Nadal as a 144-ranked fore conceding an 18-minute Nadal after the two-time cham- serving underarm, while Kyr- “I believed in what I said wildcard on his Wimbledon fourth set in which he collect- pion defeated Japanese quali- gios described the Spaniard but I am not going to get into tournament debut in 2014, ed just five points. fier Yuichi Sugita 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. as “super salty” and being his a fight with anyone.” put in a typically raucous and However, two breaks in a “Not sure that me and “polar opposite”. Australia’s Nick Kyrgios (left) and Spaniard Rafael Nadal during their Kyrgios admitted he was charismatic display on Court more composed decider set- Rafa could go down to the Kyrgios then became in- respective Wimbledon men singles first round matches on Tuesday. excited about the chance to Three on Tuesday. tled the tie and set the stage Dog and Fox and have a drink volved in a slanging match with While Kyrgios beat compatriot Jordan Thompson, Nadal defeated prove himself against Nadal. In a match where he fired for one of the most anticipated together. I don’t know him Toni Nadal, the world number Japanese Yuichi Sugita. (REUTERS) “I can’t wait. As soon as the 23 aces and 63 winners, the matches of the tournament.

Cup Talk ‘Hit-man’ on a song, Rohit ton sees India seal keeps India going SF spot, end B’desh run AJAY NAIDU BIRMINGHAM

THE setting was perfect. There was a buzz in the stands as the Indi- an fans, wearing Blue and waving the tri-colour, made an overwhelm- ing presence at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground. And, even as the sun played hide and seek with the cloud, Indian skipper Virat Kohli won an important toss and batted first. Thereafter, it was left to opener Rohit Sharma to charm the audience with the magic of his willow. Continuing with his sublime form in this World Cup, the Mumbai batsman might well have been greeting the audience saying ‘Good Morning’ as his first scoring stroke traveled well into the stands behind mid-wicket. Since then, he sent the pulses racing with strokes that were as brilliant as they were exciting. For someone who makes batting look so ridiculously easy, Rohit made a com- plete mockery of the opposition bowling reaching his fourth World Cup hundred. In doing so, he became only the second batsman in the world to score four hundreds in a World Cup. The 32-year old batsman’s dream run in this World Cup has seen him score 122 not out against South Africa, 140 against Pakistan, 102 against England and 104 against Bangladesh. Rohit is now the top most batsman in this World Cup with a tally of 544 runs. Rohit’s century against Bangladesh was his 26th One-day hundred. It was compiled in 92 balls and he decorated it with 7 gorgeous bounda- ries and 5 big sixes that brought the crowd to their feet. SCOREBOARD

INDIA BANGLADESH KL Rahul c Mushfiqur b Rubel 77 Tamim Iqbal b Shami 22 Breaks Dhoni’s record of most sixes R. Sharma c Liton b Soumya 104 Soumya Sarkar c Kohli b Pandya 33 As Rohit milked the Bangladesh bowling at will smashing five towering V. Kohli c Rubel b Mustafizur 26 Shakib Al Hasan c Karthik b Pandya 66 sixes all over the park, he broke Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s record of hit- STANDINGS R. Pant c Mosaddek b Shakib 48 Mushfiqur Rahim c Shami b Chahal 24 ting most sixes in ODIs by an Indian batsmen. He had struck just one H. Pandya c Soumya b Mustafizur 0 Liton Das c Karthik b Pandya 22 TEAM P W L NRR PTS M. Dhoni c Shakib b Mustafizur 35 Mosaddek Hossain b Bumrah 3 six in his hundred against England on Sunday that drew him level with D. Karthik c Mosaddek b Mustafizur 8 Sabbir Rahman b Bumrah 36 Dhoni’s tally of 225 sixes. Rohit opened his account with a pulled six AUSTRALIA 8 7 1 +1.000 14 B. Kumar run out (Mushfiqur/Mustafizur) 2 Mohammad Saifuddin not out 51 off Bangladesh skipper Mushrafe Mortaza that saw him break the pre- INDIA 8 6 1 +0.811 13 M. Shami b Mustafizur 1 Mashrafe Mortaza c Dhoni b Kumar 8 J. Bumrah not out 0 Rubel Hossain b Bumrah 9 vious record. He sent another four deliveries sailing into the stands NEW ZEALAND 8 5 2 +0.572 11 Extras: (lb6, nb1, w6) 13 Mustafizur Rahman b Bumrah 0 to give him an overall tally of 230 sixes. Sachin Tendulkar is the next ENGLAND 8 5 3 +1.000 10 TOTAL: (For 9 wickets, 50 overs) 314 Extras: (b1, lb1, w10) 12 best Indian batsman with 195 sixes in One-dayers. Pakistan’s Shahid PAKISTAN 8 4 3 -0.792 9 Did not bat: Y. Chahal TOTAL: (All out, 48 overs) 286 Afridi is the No 1 batsman in the world with most sixes in One-dayers India opener Rohit Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-180 (Sharma), 2-195 (Rahul), 3-237 Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Tamim), 2-74 (Soumya), 3-121 SRI LANKA 8 3 3 -0.934 8 (Kohli), 4-237 (Pandya), 5-277 (Pant), 6-298 (Karthik), (Mushfiqur), 4-162 (Liton), 5-173 (Mosaddek), 6-179 with a tally of 351 sixes from 398 games. Chris Gayle is the next best BANGLADESH 8 3 3 -0.195 7 celebrates making his fourth 7-311 (Dhoni), 8-314 (Kumar), 9-314 (Shami). (Shakib), 7-245 (Sabbir), 8-257 (Mashrafe), 9-286 with 324 (297 ODIs). Sanath Jayasurya (445 ODIs) is at the third SOUTH AFRICA 8 2 5 -0.080 5 century of 2019 Cricket Bowling: Mortaza 5-0-36-0 (1w); Saifuddin 7-0-59-0; (Rubel), 10-286 (Mustafizur). position with 270 sixes followed by Rohit Sharma with 230 sixes. World Cup in the group stage Mustafizur 10-1-59-5 (1nb, 2w); Shakib 10-0-41-1 Bowling: Kumar 9-1-51-1 (3w); Bumrah 10-1-55-4 WEST INDIES 8 1 6 -0.335 3 (1w); Mosaddek 4-0-32-0 (1w); Rubel 8-0-48-1; (2w); Shami 9-0-68-1 (1w); Chahal 10-0-50-1 (2w); match against Bangladesh at Soumya 6-0-33-1 (1w). Pandya 10-0-60-3 (2w). AFGHANISTAN 8 0 8 -1.418 0 Edgbaston in Birmingham on Note: Top four teams qualify for semi-finals. Toss: India; Result: India won by 28 runs Man-of-the-match: Rohit Sharma (IND) Tuesday. (AFP) Qatar’s Al Sadd, Duhail to clash in AFC CL Rd of 16 Opener becomes the first Indian to score four centuries in a World Cup

DOHA: The 2019 AFC Cham- Zobahan (Iran) Round of 16 tie AFP Hardik Pandya three, including tournament – chipped in with a pions League pitted against the victors of the BIRMINGHAM the prize scalp of Shakib. 33-ball 35. quarter-finals tie between Saudi clubs Al Ahli Defeat ended Bangladesh’s Paceman Mohammed draw was held and Al Hilal. The first leg will be INDIA opener Rohit Sharma hit slim hopes of a place in the last Shami struck early in Bang- on Tuesday played on August 27 with the his fourth century of the World four after they had impressed ladesh’s reply when Tamim, morning at return leg on September 17. Cup as Virat Kohli’s side booked during wins over South Africa who made 22, chopped the the Asian The AFC decided to postpone their place in the semi-finals and the West Indies. ball onto his stumps. Football the 16th round of Champions with a 28-run win over Bangla- The day belonged to the in- Shakib struck his sixth fif- Confederation League from May to early desh at Edgbaston on Tuesday. form Sharma, who played an ty-plus score that includes two (AFC) head- August because of the par- Sharma’s attacking 104 laid attacking knock, hitting seven hundreds to keep Bangladesh quarters in ticipation of Qatar in Copa the foundation of India’s 314 fours and five sixes in his 92- in hunt. But Pandya soon ac- Kuala Lumpur. America in Brazil. In the East for nine after Kohli elected to ball innings while being cheered counted for Liton and Shakib In the West Zone quarter-finals, zone, defending champions bat first in India’s penultimate on by another largely pro-India to leave Bangladesh struggling the winner of Qatar’s Al Sadd Kashima Antlers, aiming to be- match of the league phase. crowd in Birmingham. at 179-6 in the 34th over. vs Al Duhail round of 16 tie, come the first Japanese side Yet for the second match in Sharma and opening part- FAN FOLLOWING: India captain Virat Kohli meets with an India fan, Shakib played well for his scheduled for August 6 and to win back-to-back titles, will a row Sharma – as happened ner KL Rahul put on 180 – the Charulata Patel, at the end of the match against Bangladesh at 46th ODI fifty but was undone 13, will play the winner of the face two-time AFC Champions during India’s 31-run defeat by highest stand for the first wicket Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) by a slower ball and caught at clash between Saudi Arabia’s Al League winners Guangzhou England at Edgbaston on Sun- in the tournament. But Sharma extra cover. Mohammad Saifud- Nasr and Al Wahda of the UAE. Evergrande FC from China PR. day -- was dropped in single fig- should have been out for nine opener’s slot following an injury Rishabh Pant showed his din made an unbeaten 51 only to The first leg will take place on Guangzhou, who have not ures before making a hundred. only for Tamim Iqbal to drop a to Shikhar Dhawan, was caught worth at the number four posi- run out of partners as Bumrah August 26, with the return leg gone beyond the quarter-final India’s bowlers then com- simple catch at deep midwicket behind off Rubel Hossain for 77. tion with a brisk 48, using the ended the match with two wick- on September 16. stage since 2015, will wel- bined to dismiss Bangladesh for following a mistimed pull off Mustafizur took five wickets, short boundary at one side of ets in successive deliveries. The other West Zone quarter- come Kashima on August 28 286 with two overs to spare after paceman Mustafizur Rahman. including star batsman Kohli for Edgbaston to his advantage. Bangladesh face Pakistan in final will see the winners of before travelling to Japan on star batsman Shakib Al Hasan Sharma was finally was 26, to check India’s surge. M.S. Dhoni, who received their last group match at Lord’s the Al Ittihad (Saudia) and September 18. (TNN) top-scored with a valiant 66. caught at extra cover by Liton The paceman struck twice flak for his slow innings in In- on Friday. India will meet Sri Jasprit Bumrah took four Das off the bowling of Soumya in the space of three balls to dis- dia’s defeat by England on Sun- Lanka on the final day of the wickets and fellow paceman Sarkar and Rahul, who filled an miss both Kohli and Pandya. day – their only loss so far this round-robin phase on Saturday. 14 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Sports

Wimbledon: Day Two Flag kick Barty, Kerber Madagascar president charters plane for cruise into Africa Cup fans 2nd round MADAGASCAN President An- dry Rajoelina has chartered a AFP 480-seater plane to take football LONDON fans to Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after the country EIGHT-TIME Wimbledon unexpectedly qualified for the champion Roger Federer over- round of 16. came a first set scare to reach Excitement has been building in the second round on Tuesday the Indian Ocean island nation beating South African debutant as the team emerged on top of Lloyd Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. group B after beating three-time Federer, took time to get tournament winners Nigeria 2-0. going and was helped by his op- There are no direct commercial ponent suffering a calf problem flights from Madagascar to Egypt. midway through the match. “Barea”, who take their nick- “I struggled early on, my name from a breed of local cat- legs were frozen and the ball tle, will play Democratic Republic was not going where I wanted it Federer of Congo or South Africa on Sun- to,” said Federer. day. “After hearing the demands “He was hitting big and of supporters, President Andry things were going quickly. I was Rajoelina and the Madagascan nervous for a set and a half. So state have decided to mobilise it took a good effort from me. an Airbus 380, with Lloyd played a good match.” ends debutant 480 seats, to transport sup- Two-time French Open porters,” Rinah Rakotomanga, champion Dominic Thiem’s communications chief for the lack of ease on grass being ex- presidency, said.(AFP) posed by veteran American serve and volleyer Sam Querrey. Harris’ flutter Querrey, a Wimbledon Rabiot ready for a semi-finalist in 2017, prevailed fresh start after 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0. sealing Juve move “There’s still things which are not easy,” said Thiem. FRENCH midfielder Adrien Rabiot “I mean, last year and this in opener is ready to put a difficult six year together I played four grass months behind him and move court matches, which is not a lot on having completed a switch to at all. All the clay court season it Roger Federer in action during his 1st round match against South Africa’s debutant Lloyd George Harris (inset) at the All England Club in London on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Serie A champions Juventus. takes a lot out of me,” added the “The last few months were com- 25-year-old Austrian. very tough and it took a little tant for me to be strong on my plicated for me on a personal Women’s World No. 1 time to get used to the court,” RESULTS: ROUND ONE serve,” she said. and sporting level,” he told reporters at his media presenta- Ashleigh Barty and defending said Barty. “It definitely took MEN: Sam Querrey (USA) bt Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) Cecchinato (ITA) 6-0, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5); Matteo Berrettini 6-4; Barbora Zahlavova (CZE) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR Barty may have not been champion Angelique Kerber some time to adjust.” 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-0; Gilles Simon (FRA (ITA x17) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 x32) 6-3, 6-2; Elise Mertens (BEL x21) bt Fiona Ferro nervous but Kerber, who came tion on Tuesday. “But today, I am avoided the fate of second seed Barty, who is bidding to x20) bt Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-2; (7/3); Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Brayden Schnur (FRA) 6-2, 6-0; Monica Niculescu (ROU) bt Andrea into the tournament on the ready to leave it all behind to Naomi Osaka and came through become the first woman since Dan Evans (GBR) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG) 6-3, (CAN) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Petkovic (GER) 2-6, 6-2, 7-5; Tamara Zidansek (SLO) bt back of being the beaten final- begin this new adventure.” 7-6 (7/5), 6-3; Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x18) bt WOMEN: Ashleigh Barty (AUS x1) bt Saisai Zheng (CHN) Eugénie Bouchard (CAN) 6-3, 5-7, 8-6; Wang Qiang The 24-year-old Rabiot was their first round clashes safely. Serena Williams in 2015 to James Ward (GBR) 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 8-6; Jo-Wilfried 6-4, 6-2; Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) bt Svetlana (CHN x15) bt Vera Lapko (BLR) 6-2, 6-2; Sloane ist at Eastbourne last Saturday, Barty beat China’s Zheng win both the French Open and Tsonga (FRA) bt Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4; Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Harriet Dart (GBR) bt Stephens (USA x9) bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 6-2, 6-4; confessed to being so before she frozen out at former club Paris Saisai 6-4, 6-2 while Kerber, the Wimbledon in the same season, Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 7-6 Christina McHale (USA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Kaia Kanepi (EST) Wang Yafan (CHN) bt Tereza Martincova (CZE) 6-2, 7-5; walked out onto Centre Court. Saint-Germain after negotia- fourth seed, beat fellow German drew on the film The Lion King (7/4), 3-6, 7-6 (12/10), 0-6, 6-1; Kei Nishikori (JPN bt Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 5-7, 7-5, 6-4; Belinda Bencic Katerina Siniaková (CZE) bt Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) Her game appeared to re- tions over a new contract broke x8) bt Thiago Monteiro (BRA) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4; (SUI x13) bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6-2, 6-3; 2-6, 6-1, 6-1; Johanna Konta (GBR x19) bt Ana Bogdan Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-3. to describe how she felt leading Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-2, Lauren Davis (USA) bt Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-3, 6-2; (ROU) 7-5, 6-2; Magda Linette (POL) bt Anna Kalinskaya flect that as she lost her serve on down in December. And Rabiot Whilst Barty did not have it into the match. 6-4, 6-4; Steve Johnson (USA) bt Albert Ramos (ESP) Angelique Kerber (GER x5) bt Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-4, (RUS) 6-0, 7-6 (11/9); Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) bt several occasions but in the end revealed Juventus goalkeeper all her own way in the first set “Kind of came into it think- 6-4, 6-2, 6-3; Alex De Minaur (AUS x25) bt Marco 6-3; Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Katie Swan (GBR) 6-2, Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2. won comfortably enough. legend Gianluigi Buffon, who being pegged back to 4-4 after ing kind of like hakuna matata “This is the tournament was at PSG last year, was influ- leading 3-0 she had little trou- (Swahili for no trouble and a 23-year-old. knocked out then defending for a place in the last 32. of the year where you really ential in him choosing Turin to ble after winning the first set. title of a song in the film), just Barty plays tricky Belgian champion Garbine Muguruza “It will be an exceptional would like to play your best kick-start his career. (DPA) “The first round is always relax and go for it,” said the Alison Van Uytvanck, who last year in the second round, challenge and it will be impor- tennis,” said Kerber. ‘Thankful’ Serena scraps through unexpected dogfight Holders Cameroon

REUTERS 6-2 7-5. But she put the seven- nis tracks to Williams, hav- 29 minutes, Williams had to to face Nigeria as LONDON times champion through her ing only played one previous wait until the eighth game of paces, testing the injuries that match against a top-20 player the second set to break serve SERENA Williams began her have limited the American to and never beaten someone only for the resilient Italian Ghana pinch top spot first-round clash at Wimbledon seven matches since the Aus- ranked higher than 102. to fire straight back and then in complete comfort, but ended tralian Open in January. Yet her staying power level at 5-5. AFP over Guinea-Bissau, and their it screaming in delight as she “She never gave up - it’s against the 23-times Grand After getting her nose back ISMAILIA, EGYPT path to retaining the title finally suppressed Giulia Gatto- good for me to play matches Slam singles champion, who in front, Williams brought up grew increasingly more diffi- Monticone having been dragged like this as I haven’t played too has amassed nearly $89 million match point on Gatto-Mon- DEFENDING Africa Cup of cult with a wounded Nigeria into an unlikely dogfight by the many matches this year,” said in prize money, gave the fans ticone’s serve, pumping her Nations champions Cam- now awaiting them in the next world number 161. Williams. “It’s the best I’ve felt on Centre Court a contest they fists furiously before wrapping eroon will meet Nigeria in a round and hosts Egypt likely The Italian qualifier, who since February. It felt amazing could not have expected when up the encounter following a clash of continental giants in facing the winner of that tie. was making only her second to be on grass after some tough Williams took the opening five lengthy rally and rapid exchange the last 16 after Tuesday’s 0-0 Jordan Ayew struck for Grand Slam appearance at the times on clay. I’m so thankful games. From then on, however, at the net. Next up for the for- draw with Benin allowed Gha- the second time in three age of 31 having amassed a rela- and I’m happy to be back doing Serena Williams celebrates beat- the two players went toe-to-toe, mer world number one will be a na to finish top of Group F. matches in the group’s other tively modest $300,000 in prize what I love.” ing Giulia Gatto-Monticone during albeit in a scrappy encounter second-round clash against Kaja Cameroon stuttered to game in Suez as Ghana sent money throughout a pedestrian Gatto-Monticone came their women’s singles first round low on quality. Juvan, a highly-rated 18-year- a second goalless stalemate Guinea-Bissau home without career, was eventually subdued from the other side of the ten- match on Tuesday. (AFP) After taking the first set in old prospect from Slovenia. in succession as Ghana, a point or a goal. who drew their opening two Richard Ofori made a games, beat Guinea-Bissau sharp stop to prevent former 2-0 to finish ahead of the Liverpool youth team for- holders on goals scored. ward Toni Silva giving Guin- The Black Stars will take ea-Bissau a shock lead but Defending champs Chile eager to make on the runners-up from Ayew, who endured a miser- Group E, where all four able season at Crystal Palace, teams remain in contention, has rediscovered his form for for a place in the quarter- his country. Copa history against Peru, says Vidal finals while Benin scraped Ayew collected a ball down through as one of the best the left-hand side right at the AFP and Jose Fuenzalida in a three- third-place sides. start of the second half and PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL pronged attack. Saturnin Allagbe re- ran towards goal as the de- Peru are clear underdogs placed Fabien Farnolle in fence backed off before pick- CHILE midfielder Arturo Vidal having been surprise qualifiers goal for Benin and produced ing out the corner of the net. says the reigning Copa America for the semi-finals. fine saves to deny Ambroise Mamadu Cande rattled champions are focused on mak- They arrived in the knock- Oyongo and Cameroon cap- the woodwork for Guinea- ing history ahead of their semi- out stages demoralized follow- tain Eric Maxim Choupo- Bissau while Ayew twice hit final against Peru. ing a 5-0 thrashing by hosts Bra- Moting but the Indomitable the post for Ghana before The 2015 and 2016 cham- zil in their final group match and Lions again looked worry- Thomas Partey slid in to con- pions are aiming for a third progressed to the semi-finals on ingly blunt in attack. vert Baba Rahman’s cross 20 continental title in a row, a feat penalties, but only after Uru- Clarence Seedorf’s side minutes from time to send the only achieved once before by guay had three goals ruled out have scored just twice in four-time champions through Argentina in successive years for offside in their quarter-final, Egypt, in the opening 2-0 win as group winners. from 1945-47. Legacy! two of those by the slimmest of “We want to leave our leg- margins that VAR spotted but acy as triple champions, that’s We want to leave our legacy were invisible to the naked eye. our dream,” said the Barcelona Chile players take part in a training session in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande as triple champions, that’s Even so, coach Ricardo midfielder, an integral part of do Sul ahead of their Copa America semi-final match against Peru.(AFP) our dream. That’s why we Gareca says there’s no hint of Chile’s only two previous Copa an inferiority complex amongst successes. Colombia” who Chile beat on Vargas, who scored twice in want to play our best match his players. “That’s why we want to penalties in the quarter-final. Chile’s opening 4-0 thrashing of the Copa against Peru. It “We’re in the right con- play our best match of the Copa “That’s why it will be a very of Japan, may never have had would be something historic ditions to tackle this kind of against Peru. It would be some- difficult match and fantastic to the chance to add to his Copa for us to get to the final and match,” he said. thing historic for us to get to the play in it.” ledger, but for a change of heart that’s our aim. “Maybe it’s a bigger match final and that’s our aim.” Vidal pointed to Peru cap- by Chile’s Colombian coach Re- than the others before but we Chile faced Peru in the tain and striker Paolo Guerrero inaldo Rueda. Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal can play better.” 2015 semi-finals on home as the biggest threat Chile will Vargas, known as “Tur- While Chile can boast estab- soil when they won 2-1 before face on Wednesday. boman” for his incredible en- lished European-based talents beating Argentina on penalties Guerrero and Chile’s Eduar- gine, fell out of favour with in 49 matches for his Mexican in midfield such as Barcelona’s in the final for their first ever do Vargas, with 12 goals each, Rueda for disciplinary reasons club side Tigres last season. Vidal, Charles Aranguiz of Bayer continental success. are the top two still active scor- following a friendly with Swe- It was a good move as Var- Leverkusen and Bologna’s Er- “We need to play the perfect ers in Copa history. den in 2018. gas has been electric in the tour- ick Pulgar, Rueda feels that in match, to win it with authority,” “He’s a player who knows He spent almost 18 months nament alongside a rejuvenated Christian Cueva, who plays for added Vidal. how to play against four defend- overlooked by the Colombian Alexis Sanchez – who’s looked Brazilians Santos, he has one of Ghana’s Thomas celebrates scoring the second goal with teammates “Peru have great teamwork, ers and it always takes a lot out before being recalled for the his old self after 18 months of the most under-rated players in during their Group F Africa Cup of Nations 2019 match against they play well, very similar to of us to mark him,” said Vidal. Copa America following 17 goals misery at Manchester United -- the tournament. Guinea Bissau at the Suez Army Stadium on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Sports Wednesday, July 3, 2019 15 Attiyah in search of first Silk Way Rally success

last season – the best ever fin- drivers Jérôme Pelichet and with the short opening stage Overdrive Racing ish on the event for a Toyota Matthieu Serradori. through the Russian ‘Taiga’ and Overdrive Racing - but Van Loon said: “Sebastien forest between Irkutsk and enters three have never won the Silk Way already has a lot of experience Baykalsk on July 7. The route Toyota Hiluxes Rally. Attiyah also finished in various cars and with dif- then heads towards the Mon- second overall back in 2010 ferent drivers. I hope we click golian wilderness with a sec- with German navigator Timo quickly in the car. It will take ond stage between Baykalsk TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Gottschalk. some getting used to because, and Ulan Ude on July 8. DOHA The three-time winner after years with Dutch naviga- Crews then move on to- of the Dakar Rally in South tors, the official language will wards the Mongolian capi- OVERDRIVE Racing begins America has been in impres- now be English. tal of Ulan Bator on July 9 its quest to win the gruelling sive form so far this season “I am looking forward to and the route features a loop Silk Way Rally for the first and leads the FIA World Cup this rally. Every time before stage to the east of the city time with the event starting in for Cross-Country Rallies fol- it came into the schedule at on July 10. From there, crews the eastern Siberian city of Ir- lowing wins in Qatar and Ka- the wrong tone, always in the head through the Mongolian kutsk on Sunday (July 7). zakhstan. He faces 52 rivals middle of the summer vaca- steppes towards Mandalgovi The 5,000-km cross- in the car category in central tions for the children. Now on July 11 and on to Dalanzad- country rally offers 10 special Asia. Attiyah is running un- this rally takes a little less gad on July 12. stages and will pass through der the Toyota Gazoo Rac- time and is a fraction earlier, The rally caravan then some of the most demanding ing South Africa banner at so I can finally do it once. I takes a winding trail towards terrain that Russia, Mongolia the Silk Way Rally. He said: Qatar’s ace rallyist Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah in action in his Toyota Hilux. hear from various drivers that China with a seventh stage and China have to offer be- “This is one event that I really the dunes in China are huge.” between Dalanzadgad and fore the finish in Dunhuang on want to win and, hopefully, all in 2016 and the winner of eighth overall in Kazakhstan Van Loon has worked The year’s Silk Way Rally Bayinbaolige in Inner Mon- Tuesday (July 16). this will be my year. I have the event in 2018 before join- earlier in the season. with Overdrive Racing for is being observed by the FIA golia on July 13 and a timed The Belgian team will taken part in six rallies so far ing Overdrive Racing. On that several seasons and will be for possible future inclusion in test to Alashan in northern run three Toyota Hiluxes for this season and won all six, occasion the Riyadh driver Experienced Dutch hoping that the new partner- the FIA World Cup for Cross- China on July 14. Qatar’s Nasser bin Saleh al including the win at Rally Ka- teamed up with German navi- The experienced Dutchman ship with Delaunay brings Country Rallies. The ninth edi- The penultimate section Attiyah, Saudi Arabia’s Ya- zakhstan at the start of June. gator Timo Gottschalk when Erik van Loon drives the third success against his two Over- tion of the event will start from crosses into Jiayuguan on July zeed al Rajhi and Dutchman This is a long and demanding the event started in Astrakhan Toyota Hilux and teams up drive team-mates and other Speransky Square in Irkutsk, 15 and the final competitive Erik van Loon. rally and the stages will be a and finished in Moscow. This with Frenchman Sebastien rivals, including American Siberia, on July 6 at 18.00hrs action takes teams to the fin- Attiyah and his French challenge for everyone.” year he is working with Dirk Delaunay, a veteran of nine Bryce Menzies, the Russian (local time). ish near the high dunes of the co-driver Matthieu Baumel Saudi Arabian driver Ya- von Zitzewitz with whom he Dakars and a podium finisher duo of Denis Krotov and An- Competitive action, to- Gobi Desert and the finish in finished second in the event zeed al Rajhi was second over- finished second in Qatar and in both the T2 and T3 classes. drey Rudskoy and French talling 2,593.15km, kicks off Dunhuang on July 16.

Cup Tales Gutsy Tijan lifts Qatar World Cup pitches tougher to Taylor pays no bat on second, says Morgan heed to critics of ‘world class’ CHESTER-LE-STREET: The pitches prepared for the Cricket World skipper Kane despite blow to head Cup do not last the full 100 overs and have not aided batsmen chasing a score in the second innings, England skipper Eoin Mor- DURHAM: New Zealand gan said on Tuesday. Many teams have found it difficult to chase skipper Kane Williamson is TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK big totals at the World Cup, with the pitch appearing to slow down a “world class” leader and DOHA Qatar’s Ahmed and the ball not coming on to the bat as quickly as in first innings. pundits should not brand him Tijan (right) India’s unbeaten run at the tournament came to an end after Eng- as timid or cautious after A concussion to Ahmed Tijan had nearly with teammate land beat them by 31 runs on Sunday, despite having five wickets the Kiwis lost their last two ended Qatar’s campaign in the ongoing Cherif Younousse in hand, with Indian batsmen blaming the slowness of the pitch matches at the Cricket World FIVB Beach Volleyball World Champion- during the World after they were unable to hit boundaries. “I think every wicket Cup, batsman Ross Taylor ships premature in Hamburg. But gutsy Beach Volleyball that we have played on so far has been tougher to bat on in the said on Tuesday. and tough as he is, the defender returned Championships second innings, regardless if we had won or not,” Morgan told New Zealand were firm to the Am Rothenbaum Stadium court on in Hamburg. reporters ahead of Wednesday’s match against New Zealand. favourites to become the first time and provided enough support to his “Even the games I have watched on TV, it’s been tougher (in the) team to seal a semi-final spot partner Cherif Younousse to see off the second innings... The wickets haven’t been as good as they have after winning five matches in challenge of Italians Adrian Carambula in the last four years.” a row but consecutive losses and Enrico Rossi in a three-sett thriller. to Pakistan and Australia have Both Younousse and Tijan went for left Williamson’s side in third a ball which was about to land between Avishka Fernando can be Sri Lanka’s place with one game to go. them. Younousse’s knee hit the head of ‘spark’, feels Jayawardene British media have picked on his teammate, resulting in medical atten- Williamson’s sedate captaincy tion for Tijan. However, when back on the LONDON: Former captain Ma- style which they said was court, he asked Younousse to help him in hela Jayawardene says Avishka in stark contrast to former the defence. They took some time before Fernando can be the “spark” captain Brendon McCullum’s Tijan’s mind began working again and the to reignite Sri Lanka after the gung-ho approach but Taylor Qatari progressed to post a superb come- match could have gone either way,” said sence. “We were aware that our opponents 21-year-old hit his maiden one- said he was not concerned by back victory. Tijan. are not in good shape, though their rank- day international ton against the the reaction from pundits. That exciting 56-minute opening Pool Talking about the second match ing is high. So we just played tough and West Indies. Fernando’s century “I think Kane is a fantastic D match triumph in fact set the ball rolling against Czechs Ondrej Perusic and David ensured our win to finish on the top of the on Monday helped secure Sri world class batsman and a for the fourth seeds Younousse and Tijan, Schweiner, Tijan said: “The rivals in the pool.” Lanka’s third win of the tourna- world class captain,” he told who won the remaining two games and second match were quite thrilled to face us Having cleared the first hurdle, the ment but it was too little too late reporters ahead of Wednes- finished on the top. By the end of Mon- and they posted comments and pictures Qatari team is upbeat and Ahmed says for the Asian side, who cannot day’s match against England. day’s action, teams from Qatar and Russia about it on Instagram as well. We did not he and Cherif are committed to pushing qualify for the semi-finals. “It has Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando “You don’t have to look far, (third seeds Viacheslav Krasilnikov and expect them to be so aggressive and play at the barrier higher. “We’re happy to have been a tough couple of years for celebrates his century against the last couple of matches. Oleg Stoyanovskiy) were the only ones to such a high level. qualified for the next stage after being on Sri Lanka but we have learned our the West Indies. (REUTERS) “There’s some pundits out win their respective pools. “They really surprised us with their the top of the group. We’re waiting for the lessons,” Jayawardene wrote in a there saying he was a great Tijan revealed on the rest day on Tues- approach. They won the first set but we draw to learn about the first opponents. column for the International Cricket Council (ICC). “It is important captain. We lose a couple of day that he was feeling quite groggy after again stage a bold recovery and forced the The going has been good so far. Every- that we plan around a group of players who will be there for the next games and he is a bad cap- the hard knock in the head. After resuming tie-break set. They were against ahead to- thing is fine and we want continue the mo- four years and I think Avishka has shown he has to be a big part tain. He is still a great captain, the action, though he was not able to focus wards the closing stages but we rallied and mentum. We’re enjoying the world cham- of that.” “He will take a lot of confidence from this and he has now leads from the front and the fully, he just managed to hang on and it was caught them at 14 to force extra points. pionships and will keep our high-level of proven to himself that he can go on and do it on the international team respect him and I love Younousse’s brilliant support that enabled Here, we used our experience and won the beach volleyball as we’re aiming a podium stage,” added Jayawardene. “I thought he might start the tourna- playing under him. Taylor said them to finish the day on the top. third set for our second win in the pool,” finish in Hamburg.” ment but the selectors understandably went with experience. But as he expected a high-scoring “After we won, we were really sur- Tijan recalled. Qatar’s second pair of Tamer Abdelra- this tournament has progressed, it’s been clear we have needed a match at The Riverside Ground prised how we pulled it off. I just carried Tijan said he knew that Dried soul and Assam Mahmoud lost their third spark. And there it is.” Fernando was only drafted into the side for after Sri Lanka beat West on with my 50 percent of abilities. Cherif Koekelkoren and Tom van Walle won’t be Pool E match to Americans Billy Allen Sri Lanka’s sixth match. He impressed in making 49 in a shock win Indies by 23 runs at the same was a huge help and he withdrew a bit to a big problem in the third match. His rea- and Stafford Slick United 13-21, 11-21 and over England and was Sri Lanka’s joint top scorer with 30 in a disap- venue on Monday, with both help me defend the balls. In the end, it son was the Belgians had recently come bowed out of the world championship, fin- pointing nine-wicket thrashing by South Africa. (AGENCIES) teams scoring 300-plus runs. was really a big relief to have won. Or the back on the Tour due to injury-forced ab- ishing fourth and last. England, New Zealand keen to keep date with destiny

recalled paceman Liam Plun- Henry at the expense of spin- League stage World Cup match kett (3-55) once again taking ner Ish Sodhi, given the River- wickets through the middle side is not renowned for turn- is a virtual quarter-final clash overs. ing pitches. “Winning a game like this, But while several England AFP And, with both Asian teams under the pressure we were un- batsmen have made hundreds CHESTER-LE-STREET (UK) well behind on net run-rate, it der, can only stand us in good at the World Cup, New Zealand would take a big New Zealand stead, potentially for the New appear dangerously over-reli- ENGLAND and New Zealand loss allied to a commanding Zealand game and hopefully ant on captain Kane William- head into their final World Pakistan victory or two Bang- after that,” said Woakes. son and fellow senior batsman Cup group match on Wednes- ladesh wins by big margins, to “You don’t actually play Ross Taylor for runs. day, each knowing that a win deny the 2015 losing finalists a much knockout cricket, so to Colin Munro was dropped would see them into the semi- place in the last four. put ourselves in the heat of the for the Australia game, while finals. But right now, England and battle -- obviously we’d rather fellow opener Martin Guptill Even a defeat would not New Zealand’s World Cup des- have qualified by now -- could has managed just 85 runs from spell the end of either team’s tiny is in their own hands. potentially help us.” six innings since his 73 not out chances of emerging as one of England travel to the By contrast, New Zealand against Sri Lanka. the top four from the 10-team northeast buoyed by a 31-run head into the match following Wicketkeeper-batsman round-robin phase. win over an India side that successive losses to Pakistan Tom Latham is averaging just Were England to lose in were previously unbeaten. and Australia that have put a 8.2 at this tournament. Chester-le-Street, Pakistan Sunday’s success against taken the gloss off a promising “We’re still in charge of our could leapfrog them into the India, the team that recently campaign. destination and where we’re top four with victory over replaced England at the top England’s Ben Stokes (centre) stretches during a training session at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le- An attack led by left-arm heading, and that’s always a Bangladesh. of the one-day international Street on Tuesday, ahead of their 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match against New Zealand. (AFP) quick Trent Boult, who took nice thing to have,” said Craig Given that they play each rankings, came after back-to- a hat-trick hero against Aus- McMillan, New Zealand’s bat- other in their final pool match, back defeats by Sri Lanka and England, other than the result, Jonny Bairstow (111) and cessive fifty, to boost the total tralia, and featuring the ex- ting coach. only one of Bangladesh -- who reigning champions Australia was that the defeat of India was Jason Roy, who made 66 fol- to 337-7. press pace of Lockie Ferguson “Obviously (Guptill and also still have to face India -- or had led many pundits to ques- built on many of the factors lowing his return from a ham- England, bidding to win is a testing proposition for any Latham) are short on runs but Pakistan can draw level with tion their tournament nerve that have been key to their ODI string injury, put on 160 for the their first World Cup, then kept side. we’re excited by the fact that we New Zealand in the event the and nous. revival since a first-round exit first wicket before the in-form things tight in the field, with New Zealand could now re- haven’t quite clicked as a bat- Black Caps lose on Wednesday. But the pleasing aspect for at the 2015 World Cup. Ben Stokes hit 79, his third suc- Chris Woakes impressive and call another paceman in Matt ting group yet.”