WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 16 Bahrain bow to Argentina

Bahrain put up YESTERDAY’S RESULTS spirited• fight in POOL E Argentina loss in Brazil bt Russia 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22) FIVB U21 Worlds China bt Korea 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20)

• Italy, Brazil POOL F secured their places Italy bt Iran 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 31-29) in the last four Argentina bt Bahrain 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 25-15)

TDT | Manama POOL G Canada bt Czech Republic 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 28-26, 15-25, 17-15) ahrain put up a spirited Egypt bt Puerto Rico 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-12) fight against Argentina in a 1-3 (22-25, 19-25, 25-19, B POOL H 15-25) loss yesterday night in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Poland bt Tunisia 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-20) Championship 2019 at Shaikh Cuba bt Morocco 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-13) Isa Sports City in Riffa. The result was their second straight setback in Pool F of the TODAY’S SCHEDULE tournament’s second round, and it officially eliminated the hosts 11.30am: Korea vs Brazil, Egypt vs Canada from further contention for a 2pm: Russia vs China, Czech Republic vs Puerto Rico berth in the semi-finals. 4.30pm: Italy vs Argentina, Morocco v Tunisia The Argentinians, on the other 7pm: Bahrain vs Iran, Poland vs Cuba hand, kept their bid alive and Brazil’s Victor Aleksander Almeida Cardoso goes against the triple block of Russia must win their last game today for all teams. The semi-finals are Alabbar added 13. even under pressure. In the third against Italy to have any chance scheduled for Friday. In Italy’s win, the Iranians and fourth sets, they played ab- “We played our best volleyball tion groups, Canada and Egypt of advancing. In Bahrain’s loss, the home were on the brink of forcing the solutely better than us. today. Russia is a strong team. I both needed to go the distance The Italians, along with Brazil, side managed to extend the tie-breaker late in the fourth set, “This set that we lost against am very happy because we were in five-set victories over their have virtually secured their plac- match after losing the first two but the Italians showed their them means that we have to pay able to play against a big team opponents, whereas Poland and es in the last four after claiming sets. Their rivals were too good mettle and fought back to even- attention. It serves to make us quite well.” Cuba both cruised in three-set- their second wins yesterday in in the end, however, and they tually close things out for a hard- understand that in this phase of China, meanwhile, bounced ters against theirs. this ongoing stage. managed to stay in the race for earned 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, the tournament, nothing is easy.” back from a loss the previous day The Canadians beat the Czech Italy took down Asian champi- a semi-final place. 31-29) triumph. Meanwhile, Brazil virtually with a resounding 3-0 (25-18, 25- Republic 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 28-26, ons Iran in the other Pool F en- Argentina had the advantage Daniele Lavia was in fine form, booked their final four tickets 22, 25-20) sweep of Korea in an 15-25, 17-15) while Egypt battled counter in a thrilling match that in all categories in the match, in- scoring 24 points to lead the with their their second straight all-Asian affair. back from a set down to win 3-2 lasted over two hours, while Bra- cluding in attack (46-44), block winners. Kristian Gamba added win while handing Russia their Chengcheng Xiu was the lead- (25-23, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-12) zil claimed a well-deserved win (9-5) and serve (7-6), while also another 16 for Italy. For Iran, first loss of the competition in a ing scorer for the Chinese with against Puerto Rico. Both match- over previously unbeaten Russia being gifted 32 points on Bah- Porya Yali was the top man with 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22) 13, while teammate Dejun Zhai es were in Pool G. in Pool E. in the same group, rain’s errors. 20 while skipper Amirhossein decision. had 12. Korea captain Donghy- In Pool H, Poland outclassed China beat Korea in straight sets, Franco Medina was the top Esfandiar added 17. Victor Aleksander Almeida eok Im paced his spearheaded Tunisia 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25- setting up a do-or-die match-up individual scorer for the Ar- Italy head coach Monica Cres- Cardoso had 25 points to lead his team with 10 points. 20) to secure their place in with the Russians today for a gentinians with 15 points, while ta commented: “It was extreme- Brazil. Angellus Costa Da Silva China captain Chen Leiyang the bracket for final rankings berth in the final four. Nicolas Zerba chipped in with ly difficult to play against Iran. added 13 in the win. Maksim said: “The match was really good ninth through 12th, as did Cuba, The second round of the tour- 12. Bahrain captain Mahmood From the start, we knew that Sapozhkov paced Russia with because we did many things to who won Cuba bt Morocco 3-0 nament concludes today and Abdulhusain led his team with it was going to be tough. In the 22 points. prepare. We played well today.” (25-15, 25-22, 25-13) against there is still plenty to play for 14 points, while Sayed Mohamed first two sets, we played well Brazil coach Giovane Gavio: Meanwhile, in the classifica- Morocco.

Zidane: Bale declined to play De Gea keen to captain United as keeper nears new deal Reuters | London AFP | Washington long been linked with a move away said. “It’s amazing, so of course I’ll be from Old Trafford but said he wanted really, really happy to captain. eal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has denied anchester United goalkeeper to help the team return to the summit “It’s my ninth season, I feel like one Rdisrespecting Wales star Gareth Bale as he MDavid de Gea, reported to be of English soccer at a supporters’ of the most experienced players. We discussed the expected transfer of the 30-year-old on the verge of event in Singapore. have to improve a lot. forward from the giants on Monday. agreeing a six- United’s previous captain Antonio “We are Manchester United, we Speaking to reporters on the eve of Real Ma- year contract Valencia left at the end of last season need to fight for trophies. When you Gareth drid’s friendly with Arsenal at FedEx Field -- home extension, has and De Gea is one of several players put on this badge, that’s what it means Bale of the NFL’s Washington Redskins -- Zidane said said he would in the frame to replace him along — fight for everything, give your best it was Bale who chose not to play in Madrid’s 3-1 welcome be- with Ashley Young, , Chris and bring the team again to the top.” friendly defeat to Bayern in Houston on Saturday. ing captain Smalling and Paul Pogba. United, who have not lost a match “I did not disrespect anyone, least of all Gareth,” of the Premier “I’ve been captain for some games. on their pre-season tour so far, beat- a frustrated-sounding Zidane said. “I said that the League club. Of course it is amazing to be captain ing Perth Glory, Leeds United and In- club is working to facilitate Bale’s departure, noth- De Gea, of a club like Manchester United ter Milan, take on Tottenham Hotspur ing more. 28, has and defend this badge,” De Gea in Shanghai on Thursday. “The other day, Gareth did not dress for the game, he did not want to because the club was negotiating his departure,” he added. Zidane had been branded a “disgrace” by Bale’s agent for his comments after the Saturday match, Arsenal’s Emery admires when he said he hoped Bale’s move from the club happened soon “for everyone’s sake.” Ceballos as they work on a signing “He shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid,” agent Jonathan Reuters | Washington the possibility to sign one player, in 2017. Barnett fumed. Emery said ahead of his side’s “He played very well in the Bale has been frozen out in Madrid by Zidane rsenal manager Unai final International Champi- Under-21s (for Spain), his na- despite helping his side to a Spanish title and AEmery said on Mon- ons Cup match against Real in tional team won the (2019 Eu- four Champions Leagues since arriving from day that Real Madrid Washington D.C yesterday. “We ropean Championship) compe- Tottenham Hotspur six year ago. Dani Ceballos have different names and tition. He can play as a number His brace, including a brilliant bicycle kick, was someone he admired the club is working on that. eight or a number 10.” sank Liverpool in the 2018 final, but he was as the “Ceballos is a very good If Arsenal beat Real they shunted aside by Zidane as soon as he re - club work on bringing in player. I know him from will travel back to England turned to the Real bench in early March. one player. (Real) Betis at the be- with a 100% record from After Zidane’s reappointment, Bale played The Gunners have yet ginning and Real their United States tour. 90 minutes in just three of the remaining to make a marquee signing Madrid,” he add- Arsenal’s youngsters 11 matches, was left out completely four in this transfer window, ed of Ceballos, have been impressive, times and frequently substituted when but British media have re- who started scoring seven of the he did play. ported that Ceballos, 22, out at Bet- team’s eight pre-sea- “Today, he is a Real Madrid player,” is close to completing a is before son goals, but Emery Zidane said, adding that the striker David de season-long loan move to moving plans to give the sen- would train with the team Monday Gea London. to Ma- ior players more game night. “We are speaking about drid Dani time in the U.S. capital. Ceballos