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Sunday 2 JJulyuly 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 MotoGP: Marquez Djokovic and VAR is here to stay, clinches Sachsenringng Pliskova claim says FIFA President pole Eastbourne titles Infantino

THE FINAL Germany and Chile target Chile: What they need to repeat

Dominate possession: The South Amer- Confederations Cup glory icans’ best moments came when they had control of the ball, as this not only enabled them to penetrate in a dangerous and inci- Rizwan Rehmat Chile's midfielder (left) reacts during a training session in Saint Petersburg on Friday, ahead of sive manner, but it also allowed them to Saint Petersburg/ 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup final against Germany. defend high up the pitch. When they lost The Peninsula the ball, Germany took control of the mid- field and Chile lost their fluidity. orld Cup Strong pressure and seamless defen- champions sive cover: Chile were so impressive in this Germany area that they restricted the Germans to are just a very few clear-cut chances. Unfortunately win away for them, they paid dearly for their only Wfrom adding another global real covering lapse, when a speedy coun- title to their over bulging tro- ter-attack caught them out and resulted phy cabinet when they meet in the equaliser. They will be keen to avoid feisty rivals Chile in the final making that same mistake again. of the 2017 Confederations What they need to improve: Cup today. Better energy management: In the Chile, the two-time Copa Kazan game, the CONMEBOL side put America champions, won't be in an almost flawless first-half perform- pushovers as they produced ance, but the huge physical effort they had a fighting display against the expended came back to haunt them in the Germans in a 1-1 draw 10 second period. Against Portugal, on the days ago. other hand, they handled this aspect more Coach Joachim Loew's effectively, and appeared to have reserves relatively inexperienced Ger- of energy to spare, as the game went into man brigade is brimming extra time. Versus a youthful Germany side with confidence having on Sunday, this could be a telling factor. thrashed Mexico 4-1 in a Make the most of your chances: In ruthless exhibition of control- the first half of their previous encounter, led passing and aggressive Chile scored early on and proceeded to attacks in the second semi- create a number of excellent chances, but final of the Confederations they failed to double their lead, and in the Cup, the trial event before end, had to settle for a draw. This is not, next year's FIFA World Cup. however, an aspect that overly concerns In contrast, Chile relied coach Juan Antonio or forward Alexis on the brilliance of - minutes to stun Mexico in the "My players know there is Sanchez, who have both stated that “We’re keeper who semi-final on Thursday. Leip- work ahead but they are ambi- creating chances and the goals will come.” stopped three penalties to zig striker Timo Werner, 21, tious enough to beat Chile," power his country past Euro- made it 3-0 before substitute Loew said ahead of the final. Germany: What they need to pean champions Portugal in Amin Younes, 23, netted Ger- "A lot of work has gone I hope in the final we will be able to the event's first semi-final many's fourth goal to into our wins," the German repeat that failed to produce a goal complete a resounding win. coach said. show good football and lift the Cup. in the 120 minutes of regula- Marco Fabian reduced "We couldn’t pre-empt Many people believe that Germany tion play. the margin of defeat for Mex- this (reaching the final) as Take control: While it took the Ger- For Germany, who raced ico but Germany's 'young some players had little expe- are a young side but they have more mans almost the entire first half to get to glory at the 2014 FIFA legs' had too much power for rience and you couldn’t plus points than minus points. They their short passing game going, they did World Cup by playing effec- the South American giants. calculate how they'd react. show they were able to effectively do bat- tive yet daring football in Coach Loew, who opted "We’ve become a team deserve to be in the final. Germany tle with Chile in midfield when required. Brazil, the final couldn't have not to bring his World Cup over the last few weeks. have fast players, they create a lot of They subsequently enjoyed signif- come at a better time. winning stars to the Confed- There's fun in the dressing chances: Chile's Arturo Vidal icant possession of the ball, with which Attacking midfielder erations Cup, is a man feeling room, but they aren’t over the they probably could and should have done Leon Goretzka, who is just 22, ready for another successful top," Loew said. more. They now have the opportunity to hit two goals in the first eight run. The German coach said rectify that. he expects nothing short of a Clinical finishing: Joachim Low’s men dog-fight in the final. managed to put away their only real "Chile is the most power- chance in Kazan, and against opponents ful opponent in this opening stages," Loew said America titles. Coach Pizzi renowned for their defensive solidity, they tournament, we know them of his team's 4-1 victory. said: "We deserve to be in the will again need to instantly take advantage There is only one match to go. pretty well and we expect "They pushed us back a bit in final since we have made of any openings that come their way. Their them to go for it in the final," the second phase of the first great efforts to be here. You ruthless performance against Mexico in the We’re looking forward to playing he said. half, which was to be saw our efforts in the semi- semi-finals should provide a useful tem- Chile again, because in the second "They will be going flat expected, and we gave up a final. We did a great job. Now plate for this plan. out to pull it off, as they are lot of ball. All in all, 4-1 is a we want to perform well What they need to improve half (of the group stage match) we coming to the end of their great result. against an opponent at the Avoid early slip-ups: Germany know had the feeling the draw was not season, and we will have to "We wanted to go far, but highest level and win the that they cannot afford an early lapse in try and counter that," he this is nothing that we could tournament." concentration in the match, as conced- enough. Now we have another added. have expected at the start of Pizzi said Chile expect ing another goal in the opening stages to chance against this top flight team: Loew added Mexico game the tournament," Loew said. Germany to hit them hard. a team that is proficient at holding on to Germany's Leon Goretzka was good preparation for the In the opposite camp, "We are preparing for a the ball could be calamitous. final. Chile coach Juan Antonio difficult match. We know Again, versus El Tri, it was clear that "From the beginning, we Pizzi knows his team has the they are confident about they are capable of focusing completely did exactly what we set out legs to last 120 minutes, if their abilities. We respect when they need to. to do – we were very dom- needed in the final. the German team. But in a Stop forwards from getting in behind: inant and brilliant in the Chile goalkeeper Bravo match like this, you need to The first match exposed the significant saved three times as his side give your maximum effort," difference in speed between the Chilean defeated Portugal in a pen- Pizzi said. attackers and the German defenders, espe- alty shootout to reach the "That is the only option cially when the former would smoothly final three days ago. for the final," he said. switch sides. The world champions must The Copa America cham- Pizzi praised the efforts ensure there is no repeat of this situation pions won 3-0 in the shootout of Bravo, the semi-final hero. in Saint Petersburg, although it will depend after the teams finished goal- "Even if you don't talk on the defensive formation they choose less following 90 minutes and about his wonderful qualities, to adopt. extra-time. he has made great contribu- "We are happy to be in tions in our victories over the Statistics from the first game: the final," Bravo said after years. He is always helping stopping the three the team," Pizzi said. Germany vs Chile penalties. What does Pizzi think of "This is very important to fans calling Chile one of the us because it's like complet- best teams in the world? Possession: 51%-49% ing a very important cycle," "It does not matter what Shots on target: 3-4 Bravo said as Chile prepared people say. We just want to Shots off target: 3-6 This combination of pictures created on Friday shows Chile's Spanish coach Juan for their third big football enjoy every day as we con- Shots blocked: 3-1 Antonio Pizzi (left) in Moscow on June 18, 2017 and Germany's coach Joachim Loew final. Chile have already tinuously demand the best Corners: 1-4 in Sochi on June 25, 2017 during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. bagged the last two Copa from ourselves," Pizzi said. SPORT 2 JULY 2017 SUNDAY 21 Marquez clinches Sachsenring pole Eight years in a row GERMAN GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID

The Spaniard sets up Leading grid positions for today's German motorcycling Grand Prix after qualifying at the Sachsenring a fastest lap of one Circuit yesterday: minute 27.302 MotoGP seconds to live up to 1st row: 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1min 27.302sec, 2. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati Pramac) at his reputation of 0.160sec, 3. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 0.647 'King of the 2nd row: 4. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/LCR Honda) 0.787, 5. Jonas Folger (GER/Yamaha Tech3) 0.908, 6. Sachsenring' and Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 1.081 pick up his eighth 3rd row: 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 1.100, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1.224, 9. Valentino Rossi successive pole. (ITA/Yamaha) 1.367 4th row: 10. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 1.401, 11. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 1.521, Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Ducati Aspar) 1.666 Germany Moto2 AFP 1st row: 1. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 1min 32.159 sec, 2. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) at 0.253 sec, 3. Sandro Cortese (GER/Suter) 0.377 orld MotoGP 2nd row: 4. Mattia Pasini (ITA/Kalex) 0.519, 5. Hector Garzo (SPA/Tech 3) 0.588, 6. Miguel Oliveira champion (POR/KTM) 0.642 Marc Marquez 3rd row: 7. Thomas Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 0.672, 8. Simone Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) 0.915, 9. Fabio Quartararo stormed to an (FRA/Kalex) 1.035 incredible Moto3 Weighth successive German Grand 1st row: 1. Aron Canet (ESP/Honda) 1min 26.688sec, 2. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) at 0.245sec, 3. Nicolo Prix pole yesterday, as he looks Repsol Honda Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez steers his bike during the training session Bulega (ITA/KTM) 0.293 to give his title defence a boost. of the Moto Grand Prix of Germany at the Sachsenring Circuit in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, eastern 2nd row: 4. Marcos Ramirez (ESP/KTM) 0.498, 5. Tony Arbolino (ITA/Honda) 0.540, 6. Romano Fenati The Spaniard, who has also Germany, yesterday. (ITA/Honda) 0.566 won his last seven races across

3rd row: 7. Philipp Oettl (GER/KTM) 0.596, 8. Bo Bendsneyder (NED/KTM) 0.609, 9. Enea Bastianini

all three classes at the Sachsen- (ITA/Honda) 0.619 ring circuit, snatched the fastest 10th, by 11 points. "It was quite legendary compatriot Valentino improve again. Anyway, he was time from Danilo Petrucci with difficult to understand when to Rossi, laid down the gauntlet faster," Petrucci said. just two minutes remaining of push," Marquez said. early on in the second and final "In the dry, we're a bit more also had a slight bump with The 38-year-old Rossi has had qualifying in wet conditions. "I tried to be calm at the start. qualifying session. in trouble compared to the wet. Marquez, and although both a difficult week, and he could only Italian Petrucci will line up I was trying to take care and But five-time world cham- Tomorrow we don't know which riders stayed upright, Vinales qualify in ninth position behind second on the grid for Sunday's improve the lap time step-by- pion Marquez edged in front on weather it will be." was furious with his fellow Espargaro brothers Pol and Aleix. race, with Marquez's Honda step. Then at the end I really his penultimate lap, before fur- Yamaha's Maverick Vinales, Spaniard. The nine-time world cham- team-mate Dani Pedrosa com- pushed. I'm happy because it's ther extending his advantage to who lost the world champion- Briton Cal Crutchlow, home pion is third in the world pleting the front row. always very tricky in wet end up 0.16 seconds faster with ship lead when he crashed out hope Jonas Folger and Dovizio- championship, seven points Marquez is fourth in the rid- conditions." his third pole of the season. last Sunday, had a difficult day so's Ducati team-mate Jorge behind Dovizioso and three ers' standings, trailing leader Petrucci, who finished sec- "I did my best lap when Marc and had to settle for 11th along- Lorenzo make up the second row behind second-placed Andrea Dovizioso, who qualified ond last week in Assen behind was behind. He was able to side Dovizioso. The 22-year-old on the grid. Vinales. NBA: Curry inks $200m deal with Warriors, says report

Los Angeles Warriors that have helped him AFP become a four-time All-Star. He was named NBA Most olden State Warriors Valuable Player during the War- superstar Stephen Curry riors' championship winning run (pictured) has clinched a in 2014-2015 and the following G Stallions Academy team poses for a picture yesterday new five-year deal worth season became the first player $201m, the richest contract in in history to win the award in a before their departure to Brisbane, Australia. The Stallions NBA history, ESPN reported on unanimous vote. will play 14 matches during the tour. Friday. He averaged 25.3 points per Curry, who recently helped game this regular season and has the Warriors to their second NBA led the league in three-point Finals crown in three years, is field goals for five straight sea- Qatar's Stallions the first player to break the $200 sons. That remarkable run of million barrier, ESPN said, cit- scoring included 402 three- ing the player's agent Jeff pointers in 2015-2016 -- a Austin. single-season record. No other Cricket Academy News of the agreement player had passed 300 threes in wipes away any uncertainty over $12.1m last season. That fig- terms of annual salary and win- a season before Curry. concerning the future of Curry, ure is dwarfed by the league's nings -- placing him behind Real In an interview earlier this who had been on a four-year highest-earner, LeBron James, star year, Curry had shrugged off his begin Australia tour contract worth a relatively mod- who stands to earn $33.3m next ($58m), 's disparity in earnings with the est $44 million until his new season and $35.6m in 2018- ($53m) and the NFL's Andrew NBA's best-paid players. The Peninsula intend to play ten 40 over deal. 2019. According to a survey of Luck ($47m) on Forbes' 2017 list. "One thing my pops always games and four T20s. The tour Despite being one of the the world's best paid athletes Curry's existing contract had told me is you never count fter successful tours of will provide a lifelong experi- league's highest profile stars, released earlier this month by been agreed when there were another man's money," Curry England, Dubai and Sri ence for our players and its also Curry had languished way down Forbes, Curry had earned an still doubts about his long-term told The San Jose Mercury ALanka, Qatar’s, Stallions a great opportunity for us to the pecking order of the NBA's additional $35m in endorse- fitness, with the player thought News. Cricket Academy yesterday carry to promote's Qatar's name best-paid players. ments to go alongside his $12m to have issues concerning the "It's what you've got and embarked on their first tour to in international cricketing According to the basketball- salary. durability of his ankles. how you take care of it. And if Australia. circle." reference.com website, Curry However, his new deal However, those doubts have I'm complaining about $44 m The touring party consists Stallions Sports Services is had been the 82nd best-paid would make him the world's been obliterated during a series over four years, then I've got of more than 50 that includes the leading sports academy in player in the league, earning just fourth highest paid athlete -- in of dazzling seasons for the other issues in my life," he said. players, coaches and parents Doha, currently providing and will be based in Brisbane coaching in Cricket, Basketball during the ten-day period. and Badminton for juniors from During the period the acad- the age of 6 years and above emy boys will play 14 matches through a well-qualified and Lingmerth stretches PGA National lead with leading clubs and experienced team of coaches. academies. The academy has already Two teams will be repre- done many Cricket tours to Potomac, United States 18-hole lead, the Swede sizzled 2015 Memorial, beating Eng- PGA NATIONAL SCORES senting Stallions on the England, and UAE AFP at the start again with birdies on land's Justin Rose in a playoff. Top scores after Friday's second round of the US Australian Tour. during the past two years and three of the first five holes. Several top players are PGA National (par-70, USA unless noted): The Under-15 and Under planning to tour Oman in hile some top Euro- "I'm very pleased, but got a already in Europe ahead of the 130 - David Lingmerth (SWE) 65-65 -12 teams are both having expe- December 2017 and South pean golfers are long way to go," Lingmerth said. British Open in three weeks at 132 - Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 67-65 rienced players who have been Africa in March 2018. Walready back home "Been in pretty good control of Royal Birkdale. Lingmerth has 134 - Daniel Summerhays 66-68 part of Stallions for past three The academy in Qatar was preparing for the British Open, my game so far. Still 36 holes to not qualified but would take one 135 - Arjun Atwal (IND) 68-67, Kang Sung (KOR) years. During the tour the teams launched with the purpose of Sweden's David Lingmerth is go, so looking forward to the of four spots on offer this week 66-69 will be managed by the quali- developing the game of cricket making the most of his decision weekend. Everything's feeling with a victory. He's dubious on 136 - Nick Taylor (CAN) 66-70, Ricky Barnes 68- fied Stallions senior coaches in Qatar, and to provide to play a familiar American really good." the benefits of being there now. 68 Ashan Perera, Saman Fonseka, opportunities to aspiring course this week. Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open "We're talking about the 137 - Harris English 70-67, Johnson Wagner 66- Haresh Rathnayake, Shivani young cricketers to have the Lingmerth fired a bogey- champion, shot 65 to stand sec- British Open," Lingmerth said. 71 Mishra and head coach Sidath opportunity to learn from free five-under par 65 to grab a ond on 132 with American "There's not necessarily a huge 138 - Michael Kim 69-69, Tyrone Van Aswegan Tennakoon. qualified and experienced two-stroke lead over Austral- Daniel Summerhays third on advantage of going over there (RSA) 72-66, Danny Lee (NZL) 70-68, Kyle Reifers Commenting on the tour coaches. The academy has ia's Geoff Ogilvy after Friday's 134. India's Arjun Atwal and this early. A lot of guys like play- 70-68, Bryson DeChambeau 67-71, Marc Leish- Tennakoon, the Head Coach of already produced 18 players second round of the PGA South Korean Kang Sung were ing Scottish Open the week man (AUS) 66-72 Stallions said: “This tour will (both girls and boys) to Qatar National, standing on 10-under five adrift on 135. No one else before, which I think is a good 139 - Andrew Loupe 70-69, Keegan Bradley 71- provide our players a rare national cricket teams. 130 at TPC Potomac. was within six strokes of the idea, because links golf is a lit- 68, Patrick Reed 67-72, Bill Haas 69-70, Peter opportunity to experience the The new cricket season for

After birdies on four of his lead. tle different. So getting Malnati 72-67, Martin Laird (SCO) 67-72, Curtis longer version of the game Stallions will start in Septem- first six holes Thursday helped Lingmerth, 29, seeks his sec- acclimated to it a little bit sure Luck (AUS) 68-71 against quality opponents on ber 2017 at their fully equipped him shoot 65 and seize the ond PGA title after taking the doesn't hurt." top facilities in Brisbane as we practice locations in Doha. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 2 JULY 2017 Nadal ready for big Djokovic and Pliskova improvement on claim Eastbourne titles Wimbledon woes Madrid always difficult. I am excited to before Wimbledon for the first Reuters be playing again here, in a tour- Djokovic ends title time since 2010, captured his Serbia's Novak Djokovic nament that I really love. But at wait 68th career title – but just the celebrates with the trophy afael Nadal (pictured) is the same time I tell you, it's a after winning the final against Novak Djokovic second this year – after down- adamant that he will not tournament that you can go out France's Gael Monfils in clinches his first title ing Monfils for the 14th time in R be discouraged by the very early. Eastbourne yesterday. since January with a as many meetings. memory of recent Wimbledon "But if I am able to go "It's been a great decision to woes as he prepares to follow through at the beginning, I think 6-3, 6-4 victory over come here," Djokovic, whose up his landmark 10th French I am with confidence. I am Gael Monfils form has dramatically tailed off Open triumph with a third suc- playing well since the beginning since completing the career cess on the sport's most storied of the season, so let's see." Pliskova beats Danish Grand Slam at last year's French lawns. This is somewhat of an sixth seed Wozniacki Open, told Eurosport. Nadal spurned the chance understatement from the mod- 6-4, 6-4 to underline "Coming to Eastbourne I of a warm-up tournament at est 31-year-old. her status as a obviously haven't had as much Queen's Club to put less pres- Since reaching the Austral- Wimbledon title success as in previous seasons sure on his body after his ian Open final at the start of the contender during the first six months." exertions at Roland Garros. He year, where only a dazzlingly The world number four will opted to fine tune his game in rejuvenated Roger Federer face Slovakia's Martin Klizan in Mallorca instead. could eclipse him, Nadal has Eastbourne the first round at Wimbledon Now, Spain's two-times won four clay titles. At times he AFP where he is a three-time former champion is determined to has looked something near to champion. improve on a series of shock his rampaging finest. ovak Djokovic The Serb, who will have defeats he has suffered to unh- Nadal confirmed that his clinched his first former players Andre Agassi and eralded opposition at coach Carlos Moya would not title since January Mario Ancic on his Wimbledon Wimbledon since winning his be attending Wimbledon with with a 6-3, 6-4 vic- coaching team, spent only an last title in 2010 and reaching him but added that his uncle tory over Gael hour and a quarter in taming the the final the following year. Toni would be part of his "great NMonfils in yesterday's East- French second seed. Nadal lost to Lukas Rosol in team". bourne final, while Karolina Djokovic has now won 19 the second round in 2012 when He sounded refreshed by Pliskova lifted the women's tro- consecutive matches against struggling with knee problems, his spell training at home. "It phy after defeating Caroline French players and 56 of 57 dat- He didn't drop serve, while the grass-court season, but it Steve Darcis in 2013 (first was great," he said. Wozniacki. ing back to the 2010 Davis Cup breaking Monfils three times en gave me a lot of confidence com- round), the then new boy Nick "I would love to have been Djokovic, playing the week final. route to his first grass-court title ing to London." Kyrgios in 2014 (fourth round) playing in Queen's, obviously, outside of Wimbledon. Pliskova needed 80 minutes and Dustin Brown in 2015 (sec- but after the last three months Earlier, third seed Pliskova to win the trophy and become ond round) before missing last and after what happened in beat Danish sixth seed Wozni- the first top-10 player to win the year with a wrist injury. Roland Garros, we decided that acki 6-4, 6-4 to underline her event since former Wimbledon Yet he is adamant that the for my body it was better to status as a Wimbledon title champion Marion Bartoli in 2011. losses have not left a scar. have a slower change to the contender. The world number three was "My motivation is always grass." The Czech secured her third clinical in going one better than high in all the events that I play. title of the season after breaking when she lost to Dominika If not, I am not playing," said Wozniacki once in both sets, Cibulkova in last year's final, Nadal, whose victory in Paris leaving the Dane still searching becoming the first Czech to win took his Grand Slam total to 15. for a first trophy since her win the Eastbourne title since Jana "It's true that what hap- in Hong Kong last October. Novotna in 1998. pened with my knees in 2012 "I just wanted to play some The 25-year-old fired ten was more difficult (but) at the matches and to see how it goes aces in an impressive serving same time, it's true that in 2014 and to have some hits on grass, display, as Wozniacki was I played a good event when I especially when I came from unsuccessful on four break- lost in the fourth round against Czech (Republic), I didn't prac- point chances. Nick. But I had my chances, too. tise much on grass," Pliskova Pliskova will go into Wim- "After that, last year I said. bledon as one of the favourites couldn't play (and) 2015 was not Czech Karolina Pliskova poses with the trophy after beating "That's what happened, and for the title, having also reached my year, of course. Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in the women's final at the ATP it came out that I got the title. I the French Open semi-finals at "Let's see what's going on Aegon International in Eastbourne, yesterday. didn't really expect this start of Roland Garros last month. this year. I know it's

England recall Ballance for South Dhoni stars as India outwit Africa opener Windies to take 2-0 lead London AFP Jamaica SCOREBOARD Reuters atsman Gary Ballance has India: S Hope c and b Pandya ...... 24 been give a chance to revive ndia's Mahendra Singh Dhoni A Rahane c Bishoo b Cummins ...... 72 R Chase b K Yadav ...... 2 S Dhawan c Chase b Cummins ...... 2 J Mohammed lbw K Yadav ...... 40 his England Test career top-scored with an unbeaten B V Kohli c K Hope b Holder ...... 11 J Holder stpd wkpr Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 6 after being named in the squad I 78 and off-spinner Ravichan- Y Singh lbw Bishoo ...... 39 R Powell c Pandya b K Yadav ...... 30 for next Thursday's first Test dran Ashwin took three M.S Dhoni (not out) ...... 78 A Nurse c U Yadav b Ashwin ...... 6 against South Africa. as they beat West Indies by 93 K Jadhav (not out) ...... 40 D Bishoo (not out) ...... 4 The Zimbabwe-born 27-year- runs in a one-day international Extras (LB-1, W-8) ...... 9 M Cummins lbw Ashwin ...... 1 old has battled his way back into Gary Ballance on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in Total (4 wkts) ...... 251 K Williams b Jadhav ...... 1 contention with a superb season the five-match series. Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-34, 3-100, 4-170 Extras (LB-6, W-17) ...... 23 Did not bat: H Pandya, K Yadav, R Ashwin, B Kumar, U Total (all out, 38.1 overs) 158 for in the County India eked out 251 for four off Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-54, 3-58, 4-69, 5-87, 6-141, Championship after being and experience to our 50 overs on a slow pitch in North Bowling: M Cummins 10-0-56-2 (2w), J Holder 10-1- England squad 7-148, 8-156, 9-157 dropped following a torrid series middle-order." Sound, Antigua in the third ODI, 53-1 (2w), K Williams 10-0-69-0 (1w), A Nurse 10-0- against Bangladesh last Ballance's county team- after the first match was washed 34-0 (1w), D Bishoo 10-0-38-1 (2w) Bowling: B Kumar 5-0-19-0, U Yadav 7-0-32-1 (5w), (capt), , James An- H Pandya 6-0-32-2 (3w), K Yadav 10-1-41-3, R Ashwin

October. mate Joe Root will lead the side derson, (wkt), Gary out and the tourists cruised to vic- West Indies:

E Lewis b U Yadav ...... 2 10-1-28-3 (3w), K Jadhav 0.1-0-0-1 "Gary Ballance could play his for the first time since replac- tory in the second. Ballance, , , K Hope c Jadhav b Pandya ...... 19 Result: India won by 93 runs first Test since October," said Eng- ing Alastair Cook as skipper in Liam Dawson, Keaton Jennings, Toby West Indies were never in land national selector James February, although the Essex Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood the hunt in reply, all out for 158 Whitaker. opener retains his place in the off 38.1 overs in another medi- balls, and Yuvraj Singh (39) set top-scored for West Indies with "He has been in fantastic squad. ocre performance at the Sir the visitors on the road to a 40 before falling lbw to left-arm touch with the bat in the Cham- Senior bowler Stuart Broad Roland-Jones could make his Vivian Richards Stadium. decent score, before Dhoni took chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who pionship averaging over 100. He was included after shaking off Test debut at his home ground A 66-run third- stand over with a typically impressive picked up 3-41, while the eco- deserves to be included and we a heel problem, while uncapped with and Jake between Ajinkya Rahane, who run-a-ball performance. nomical Ashwin collected 3-28 feel that he will add maturity Middlesex seamer Toby Ball ruled out through injury. compiled a patient 72 off 112 In reply, Jason Mohammed off his 10 overs. Players consider South Africa tour boycott over talks breakdown

Sydney CA and the players' union tempestuous days of Kerry discuss a more detailed unemployed as of yesterday. assistance to those out-of-con- AFP both confirmed they had failed Packer's World Series Cricket response to the contract ACA Chief Executive Alistair tract men and women. to reach an agreement on a new revolution of the 1970s. standoff. Nicholson said the union had Hazlewood said waking up he Australian Cricketers' Memorandum of Understand- Leading fast bowler Josh Among the issues that will planned for the possibility that effectively unemployed on Sat- Association executive ing before Friday's deadline, Hazlewood said the breakdown be canvassed will be the avail- no deal would be reached and urday was "a different feel". Tmeets today to decide leaving players unemployed and in pay negotiations has left a bit- ability of players for the had put in place a number of "To be contracted for the whether players will boycott this threatening fixtures including ter taste with the players, adding Australia A tour to South Africa measures to deal with the asso- best part of 10 years, nearly for month's Australia A tour to this year's Ashes series. "we are, obviously, willing to do scheduled to begin on July 8, the ciated contingencies. me, it's going to be a different South Africa after a failure to The ACA likened the rancor- what we need to." ACA said and the employment Among them have been the stage and we'll see how it pans strike a new pay deal with ous split in Australian cricket as The players' union said it rights for the more than 200 establishment of a players' sup- out," Hazlewood told Fairfax Cricket Australia. the worst since the will meet in Sydney today to players now out of contract and port fund to lend direct financial Media.ar. SUNDAY 2 JULY 2017 SPORT 23 VAR is here to stay, says FIFA President

Rizwan Rehmat happy with that. “Nothing in the Saint Petersburg / standing in the way of using The Peninsula VAR. Those who want to see more justice on the pitch for a he use of the Video job that is incredibly difficult, Assistant Referee we have to make sure we can I will give you some (VAR) system has take away their (referee’s) been introduced in pressure. figures that would football to eliminate “It only brings benefit. We show how the Tthe chances of mistakes by just have to work on the com- tournament went match officials on the pitch, munication. If the final decision FIFA President said yesterday. is correct then that is beneficial for the referees. So Pierluigi Collina, Chairman to all,” the FIFA President said. far we had an of FIFA’s Referees Committee, Collina said one of the ref- yesterday endorsed the use of erees at the Confederations Cup average of 25 fouls the video technology, saying sent a positive feedback on VAR per match. Certainly referees at the Confederations via a text message. it (this number) Cup are delighted to officiate at “I got a text from one of the a match with ‘less pressure’. Confed Cup referees. He said: proves that referees “We created football history. “I am enjoying the matches kept control of the VAR was a great success in Rus- because I feel less pressure.” match every time. sia. It has been a great success This is what the referee because on many occasions the feels. There is pressure because We had 47 yellow video people had the chance to he has to make the decision. cards and two red cards and there were assist the referee,” Infantino Now there are more than 30 said yesterday as Russia pre- cameras to help him make a only two incidents of player dissent. So pared to host the better informed decision,” all in all, the referee decisions were Confederations Cup final today. Collina said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures as he speaks during accepted by the players. “We had six game-chang- “So VAR is a very positive ing decisions so far. The video the a press conference of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup tool to help referees avoid mak- official corrected the mistakes at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, yesterday. ing mistakes. This is what Pierluigi Collina, made by the referee on the happened during the competi- pitch. Without the VAR, we not happen any longer because details - on the communication, tion,” the popular retired Chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee would have had a different those mistakes are corrected. on the speed of decisions being referee added. tournament. We would have The tournaments will see more taken,” Infantino said. “I full share the views of had a tournament that would justice on the pitch,” Infantino “When it comes to decisions FIFA President about the posi- have been a little less fair on the said. that leave room for interpreta- tive outcomes so far. We are pitch,” Infantino added. The FIFA President said VAR tion, it’s always the referee who happy about the results. Please Infatino said the use of VAR is a work in progress with many decides on the pitch. There remember we are a work in encouraged fair play. improvements to come.“Of always be discussions but big progress. Cup. That is not a big number. The real experience is the match “So my question is can we course, it is a test. You have to mistakes will be corrected. This “Also know that we have We are aware that we can itself. We are happy so far. I discuss the value of fair play? take into account that it takes was asked for so many decades only used VAR in 74 matches. improve. want to stress the VAR is to help We cannot. Thanks to VAR, now some time to put things in order. and we have finally put it We used this in 52 Under-20 “The referees are also learn- avoid big mistakes. It is not to we know that big mistakes will We need to work on some of the together in place. We are very games and 14 matches at Confed ing before and during matches. make every ruling,” he said.

Portugal's Jose Fonte takes part in a training Portugal eye consolation session in Moscow yesterday ahead of today's 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup win in third place play-off third place match against Mexico.

Moscow federation and I decided that it would European champions have kept a clean AFP be a nice gesture to give him a chance sheet in all three games since, Santos is to be with his family." well aware of the threat posed by the uropean champions Portugal will Portugal are often accused of rely- Gold Cup holders. have to make do without ing heavily on Ronaldo, but they won "Mexico had an excellent tourna- ECristiano Ronaldo as they seek the their first major title without their tal- ment in the group stage, and even in the consolation of a third-place finish in isman as he went off injured early in last game against Germany they looked a today's Confederations Cup play-off year's 1-0 extra-time win over France very dynamic team that always tries to against Mexico. in the Euro 2016 final. win the game they're playing. The Real Madrid star was excused Borussia Dortmund's Raphael Guer- "They're a team with a lot of deter- from the squad for the game in Moscow reiro is also missing for Portugal through mination. But I hope that tomorrow my following Wednesday's penalty shoot- injury, but veteran defender Pepe team will be able to score while not con- out defeat to Chile in the semi-finals, returns after he was suspended for the ceding any goals, unlike in our first returning home to meet his newborn Chile clash. meeting here." twins. "It will be a game with the same Mexico, appearing at their seventh The 32-year-old, who already has a commitment and the same willingness Confederations Cup, are hoping to seven-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo to win from both sides, I believe," said restore pride after Thursday's 4-1 semi- Jnr, from a previous relationship, is Santos. final defeat against world champions believed to have fathered the twins with "None of us wanted to play this game Germany. a surrogate mother in the United States. as our main goal was to reach the final. "For us it means a lot to be here and "We knew he was having family But as we failed to get that result we to play such a match," said Mexico coach "And I continue to believe that it's a that they will remain competitive and matters at home," Portugal manager have to be motivated for Sunday's Juan Carlos Osorio, whose team quickly great opportunity for Mexican football it will be very difficult to beat them," Fernando Santos told a news confer- encounter. move on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, to compete against one of the best teams he said. ence yeserday. "We have the same objective as we which gets underway in the United in the world." Mexico, who won the tournament "Obviously it was an important have had in the last two and a half years States next weekend. Osorio added that, even in the in 1999, have fallen behind in each of moment in his life to have these chil- -- to play for the win in every game." "It's an opportunity to grow for us, absence of Ronaldo, Portugal remain their four matches in Russia. They will dren, whom he hasn't seen yet. Mexico's Hector Moreno headed a to gain experience. And don't forget that very strong opponents. welcome back captain Andres Guar- "And as we failed to reach the final late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Portu- we're going to play against the reigning "Obviously, when they have Ron- dado, who was banned for the Germany here the president of our football gal in the group stage, and though the European champions. aldo they're even better but I'm sure game. Froome makes instant impact as Thomas wins Tour opener

Duesseldorf, Germany, have major consequences in the after skidding off on a corner. Froome, the last rider out, Reuters three-week battle for the yellow He was taken to hospital was 12 seconds slower than jersey. with leg injuries. Thomas but significantly eigning champion Chris While it was a great start for It was a huge blow for his quicker than his main GC Froome wasted no time Team Sky, with Thomas, three- team mate Nairo Quintana too rivals. Rflexing his muscles at the times champion Froome and as the Colombian was count- Quintana was 48 seconds Tour de France as he powered Vasil Kiryienka all in the top six ing on Valverde's experience slower than Thomas with Aus- to sixth place in a treacherous of the 198 riders to start, Movis- in the mountain stages to tralian Richie Porte one opening time trial won superbly tar's Alejandro Valverde's Tour come. second quicker than the by Team Sky colleague Geraint is already over after a sickening Thomas showed brilliant Colombian. Thomas yesterday. crash. bike-handling as he finished in Hopes that Tony Martin Heavy rain turned what, on Heavy rain made the roads 16 minutes 04 seconds, five would mark the first German Stage winner Great Britain's Geraint Thomas celebrates on the paper, had looked like a regula- greasy and there were several seconds ahead of BMC's Swiss Grand Depart since Berlin in podium after winning during a 14 km individual time-trial, the tion 14-km circuit alongside the crashes, although Valverde's was rider Stefan Kueng, who was 1987 with a home win were first stage of the 104th edition of the Tour de France cycling River Rhine into an incident- by far the worst, the Spaniard two seconds ahead of Kir- washed away as he could only race in and around Dusseldorf, Germany, yesterday. packed Grand Depart that could careering into crowd barriers yienka in third. manage fourth quickest.