THURSDAY 4 JULY 2019 SPORT 17 We’ve no regrets, we lost the game. We’ve come to the CRICKET World Cup and given our Neville says ‘no regrets’ Wimbledon ICC World Cup absolute all. We’ve had the after England’s Fourth day of the Afghanistan vs West Indies

best 46 days of our lives. agonising Cup exit. ACTION championship at Leeds TODAY’S

The Secretary-General of the Association of National Olympic Committees, Gunilla Lindberg receiving a memento from Secretary-General of Qatar Qatar’s Ebraz gallops Olympic Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain yesterday. to victory in France THE PENINSULA DOHA’

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Ebraz proved his superiority again when he landed the Group 3 Shadwell - Coupe Du Sud-Ouest Des Pur-Sang Arabes at La Teste, France. The grey six-year-old son of Amer had already been the favourite of the 1,900-metre contest for three-year-old and older pure Arabians and he con- firmed that he was the class act of the black type event and that he was fit and ready to land the spoils after a long QOC’s Al Buainain meets break. However, before scoring this victory in spectacular fashion, his fans broke out ANOC Secretary-General in a cold sweat when he fell on his knees while jumping out of the gate and was far QNA the ANOC 2019 World Beach Games from the front when things became DOHA and meetings of ANOC General Jockey Julian Smart (right), who guided Ebraz to victory in La Teste, France, poses serious. Assembly, scheduled to be held in for a picture with other team members. Yet, Ebraz managed to bounce from The Secretary-General of Qatar Doha in October. the back of the pack and was clearly completed the frame further three “Normally in a purebred Arabian Olympic Committee (QOC) Jassim bin The QOC Secretary-General above all of his rivals. He surged to take quarters of a length behind. Thomas race, after such a start, it is over... But Rashid Al Buainain yesterday met the praised the big role of Lindberg and the lead in the last strides and stayed on Fourcy’s charge was ridden by Jerome Ebraz is not like any other horse and Secretary-General of the Association ANOC. to win, under P C Boudot, by a nose in Cabre. he was ridden by a cracking jockey! He of National Olympic Committees For her part, Lindberg com- front of the A De Watrigant-saddled and The winning trainer Julian Smart was did his job. Now he has three options: (ANOC) Gunilla Lindberg. mended the sporting renaissance in FX Bertras-ridden Taymour (Mahabb), delighted with Ebraz’s performance. Newbury, Goodwood or Deauville. The meeting reviewed aspects of t Qatar and the efforts of QOC and who was seen as a winner for a while. Al “I was scared when I saw him trip Then, it will be the Qatar Arabian World sports cooperation, and the ongoing its pioneering role in serving the Shaqab Racing’s Melabi (Dahess) when they jumped out’, Smart said. Cup.” preparations for the organization of Olympic movement.

NBA: Simmons, 76ers in talks Djokovic cruises into third round over extension

AP NEW YORK as Opelka pulls off another upset

Ben Simmons is apparently about to become the next AFP applause for giving a line judge recipient of a big commitment LONDON a warm embrace after acciden- from the Philadelphia 76ers. tally colliding with her as he The All-Star point guard Defending champion Novak sprinted to hit a . and the 76ers are negotiating a Djokovic reached the “I was a bit too far to return $170m, five-year extension, Wimbledon third round for the a serve. I think I went against according to a person with 11th consecutive year yesterday her, so I was sure she had some knowledge of the situation said with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over pain and was not happy, so I on condition of anonymity Denis Kudla of the United States. gave her a little hug,” said the Tuesday because neither the Top seed Djokovic goes on genial Swiss. team nor Simmons revealed to face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz Also feeling the pain was any details publicly. for a place in the last 16. Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan ESPN first reported the Djokovic defeated the Pole who was forced to retire when negotiations between Simmons in straight sets in the first round just two points from victory and the 76ers. The deal will at Roland Garros in May. against Ukraine eighth seed Elina begin in the 2020-21 season. Earlier, three-time major Svitolina. Simmons will make about winner Stan Wawrinka was World number 62 Gasparyan $8.1m this season, the last of his knocked out of Wimbledon, was 7-5, 5-4 ahead when she Reilly Opelka of the US returns against Switzerland’s four-year rookie deal. falling in five sets to 6ft 11in collapsed to the ground on Court Stan Wawrinka during their men’s singles match at Assuming the sides agree on (2.1m) Reilly Opelka. Three, suffering with cramping. what will be a full max, Two-time quarter-finalist Although she bravely tried to the Wimbledon Championships, yesterday. Simmons’ salary for the Wawrinka, 34, was beaten 7-5, continue, the Russian, who has following season would jump 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 by his undergone three knee surgeries to about $29.3m and even- American opponent, the tallest in her career, was forced to quit. tually rise to nearly $39m in man in the sport and 13 years his “I was a little bit shocked, it’s defeat British number one Kyle proceedings on Centre Court, 2024-25. junior. never nice to get this when Edmund 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 52nd-ranked Puig was clearly Wimbledon It’s already been an off- Opelka fired 23 aces and 59 someone is injured like that,” 6-4. Czech third seed Karolina over-awed, winning just nine Championships season of big financial commit- winners and goes on to face 2016 said Svitolina who goes on to Pliskova reached the last 32 with points in a 20-minute first set. Order of play on the main ments for Philadelphia, which runner-up Milos Raonic of face Greece’s for a 6-0, 6-4 win over Puerto Rico’s Former world number one show courts on the fourth will sign Tobias Harris to a Canada. a place in the last 16. Olympic champion Monica Puig. and double day of the Wimbledon $180m, five-year deal and add Opelka will be appearing in “It’s really unfortunate for Pliskova, one of four players winner swept championships today (play Al Horford on a four-year deal the third round at a Slam for the her.” who could end Wimbledon as past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic starts at 1200 GMT unless that could reach $109m. first time having never won a Spanish veteran Fernando world number one, will face 6-2, 6-0. stated, prefix number denotes Those deals cannot be grass court match in his career Verdasco staged the comeback Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan for a Azarenka, now at 40 in the seeding): finalized until the league’s mor- prior to coming to Wimbledon. of the day when he recovered spot in the fourth round. world, was a semi-finalist at the Centre Court atorium ends Saturday at noon Wawrinka won heartfelt from two sets and 3-0 down to In a match which opened All England Club in 2011 and 8-Kei Nishikori (Japan) vs Eastern. 2012. Next up is a last-32 clash Cameron Norrie (Britain) Simmons was the No. 1 with fellow ex-world number Katerina Siniakova (Czech overall pick in the 2016 draft one Simona Halep who defeated Republic) vs 19-Johanna Konta and wound up making his NBA fellow Romanian Mihaela Buzar- (Britain) debut in the 2017-18 season, nescu 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Nick Kyrgios (Australia) vs earning Rookie of the Year “We have had very tough 3-Rafa Nadal (Spain) honours. matches in the past,” said Halep, Court One He was an All-Star for the who is 2-2 in career meetings (France) first time last season, and has with the 29-year-old vs 6-Petra Kvitova (Czech averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 Azarenka. Republic) rebounds and 7.9 assists in his One of those wins came at Jay Clarke (Britain) vs 2-Roger two on-court seasons. Wimbledon in 2017 in the fourth Federer (Switzerland) Simmons’ extension, when round while it’s been seven years 11- (US) vs finalized, will push the amount since Azarenka beat Halep. Kaja Juvan (Slovenia) of money committed to point “It’s going to be a big chal- Court Two (1000 GMT) guards this offseason - either lenge for me, a tough one, 1-Ash Barty (Australia) vs via free agency or extensions - because she’s playing not very Alison Van Uytvanck (Belgium) past the $1.2bn mark. flat but she’s very aggressive. So Dan Evans (Britain) vs Among the biggest winners on grass it’s not that easy.” 18-Nikoloz Basilashvili of that sweepstakes: Portland’s Djokovic’s path to a fifth title (Georgia) Damian Lillard got a $196m was eased on Monday when Lauren Davis (US) vs extension, Denver’s Jamal potential title rivals Stefanos 5- (Germany) Murray got one for $170m and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns against Denis Kudla of the US during their men’s singles match Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev 17-Matteo Berrettini (Italy) vs Simmons is on his way to at the Wimbledon Championships, yesterday. were knocked out of his section Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) getting the same. of the draw. 18 SPORT THURSDAY 4 JULY 2019

ICC WORLD CUP 2019 Bairstow stars as England crush POINTS TABLE RANK/TEAM M W L N/R PT 1: Australia 8 7 1 0 14 2: India 8 6 1 1 13 Kiwis to storm into semi-finals 3: England 9 6 3 0 12 4: New Zealand 9 5 3 1 11 AFP the tournament following losses England’s Jonny CHESTER-LE-STREET 5: Pakistan 8 4 3 1 9 to Pakistan and champions Aus- Bairstow celebrates 6: Sri Lanka 8 3 3 2 8 tralia -- the team that beat them his century, yesterday. Jonny Bairstow’s second in the 2015 final. 7: Bangladesh 8 3 4 1 7 successive hundred laid the One consolation for the Black 8: South Africa 8 2 5 1 5 foundation for England’s 119-run Caps is that they should still join 9: West Indies 8 1 6 1 3 thrashing of New Zealand that Australia, India and England in saw the tournament hosts secure the last four as it will take a 10: Afghanistan 8 0 8 0 0 their place in the semi-finals of colossal change in net run-rate the World Cup yesterday. for Pakistan to overtake them It is the first time England even if Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side have reached this stage since beat Bangladesh at Lord’s Imam vows 1992, when they made the last tomorrow. I am really of their three losing appearances “I am really pleased,” said no let-up in in the final. man-of-the-match Bairstow. pleased. We England, yet to win the World “We knew these two games knew these two Cup, were set for a huge score at were must-win to give ourselves games were Bangladesh 194-1 off 30 overs before man- the best opportunity of reaching must-win to give aging just 111 in the last 20 against the semi-final. match a New Zealand attack missing “We knew the performances ourselves the injured fast bowler Lockie in the last couple of games weren’t best opportunity AFP Ferguson. up to scratch. To play the way we of reaching the LONDON But, with Bairstow making have and hopefully keep it going semi-final: Jonny 106, a total of 305-8 proved more into the semis is pleasing.” Imam-ul-Haq (pictured below) than enough at England are now guaranteed Bairstow says Pakistan will go all out Chester-le-Street. to finish third in the standings against Bangladesh tomorrow New Zealand could only and so will play in the second even if they have no realistic manage 186 in reply as they suf- semi-final at Edgbaston on July line to face India, currently One consolation for unlucky fashion when fast chance of reaching the World Cup fered a third successive defeat of 11. As things stand, they are in second, but it is still possible for the Black Caps is that bowler Mark Wood got his fin- semi-finals. Virat Kohli’s men to leapfrog gertips to a Taylor drive and A win for the tournament hosts SCOREBOARD Australia at the top of the they should still join deflected the ball onto the non- England against New Zealand yes- ENGLAND H. Nicholls lbw b Woakes ...... 0 standings. Australia, India and striker’s stumps with Williamson terday all but ended the 1992 J. Roy c Santner b Neesham ...... 60 K. Williamson run out (Wood) ...... 27 If England do play India it England in the last out of his ground. champions’ chances of reaching J. Bairstow b Henry ...... 106 R. Taylor run out (Rashid/Buttler) ...... 28 will be a repeat of Sunday’s Taylor was far more respon- the last four. England advanced J. Root c Latham b Boult ...... 24 T. Latham c Buttler b Plunkett ...... 57 four as it will take match at the Birmingham sible for his own exit when, with 12 points while New Zealand J. Buttler c Williamson b Boult ...... 11 J. Neesham b Wood ...... 19 a colossal change E. Morgan c Santner b Henry ...... 42 C. de Grandhomme c Root b Stokes ...... 3 ground when, following back- deciding to go for a risky second have a far-superior net run rate B. Stokes c Henry b Santner ...... 11 M. Santner lbw b Wood ...... 12 to-back defeats by Sri Lanka and in net run-rate for run on 28, he failed to beat Adil to Pakistan would likely progress C. Woakes c Williamson b Neesham ...... 4 T. Southee not out ...... 7 Australia, they inflicted a first Pakistan to overtake Rashid’s throw from fine leg to even if the two teams finished L. Plunkett not out ...... 15 M. Henry b Wood ...... 7 reverse upon Kohli’s side. them even if Sarfaraz Buttler. After a brief stoppage level on 11 points. A. Rashid b Southee ...... 16 T. Boult st Buttler b Rashid ...... 4 New Zealand, who would when a streaker ran onto the field, Imam said there was no J. Archer not out ...... 1 Extras (b2, lb6, w6) ...... 14 have reached the semi-finals Ahmed’s side beat the Black Caps lost Tom Latham, despondency in the Pakistan camp Extras (b4, lb4, w7) ...... 15 Total (all out, 45 overs) ...... 186 Total (eight wickets, 50 overs) ...... 305 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Nicholls), 2-14 (Guptill), 3-61 had they won this match, saw Bangladesh at Lord’s caught behind for 57, to leave despite the difficult situation. Did not bat: Mark Wood (Williamson), 4-69 (Taylor), 5-123 (Neesham), 6-128 their chase start badly when tomorrow. them all but beaten at 164-7. “We have to play positive Fall of wickets: 1-123 (Roy), 2-194 (Root), 3-206 (De Grandhomme), 7-164 (Latham), 8-166 (Santner), Henry Nicholls was lbw for a Earlier, Bairstow and Jason cricket and end on a high,” said (Bairstow), 4-214 (Buttler), 5-248 (Stokes), 6-259 9-181 (Henry), 10-186 (Boult) golden duck to Chris Woakes Roy (60) got England off to a the Pakistan opener. (Woakes), 7-272 (Morgan), 8-301 (Rashid) Bowling: Woakes 8-0-44-1 (1w); Archer 7-1-17-1 and decided against a review Williamson and Ross Taylor flyer with an opening part- Pakistan won just one of their Bowling: Santner 10-0-65-1 (w2); Boult 10-0-56-2 (1w); Plunkett 8-0-28-1 (1w); Wood 9-0-34-3 (2w); that would have reprieved him. were dismissed by contrasting nership of 123 -- their third first five World Cup matches but (w1); Southee 9-0-70-1; Henry 10-0-54-2 (w2); De Root 3-0-15-0; Rashid 5-0-30-1, Stokes 5-0-10-1 Martin Guptill, the leading run-outs. century stand in a row. bounced back strongly with vic- Grandhomme 1-0-11-0; Neesham 10-1-41-2 (w2) (1w) NEW ZEALAND Result: England won by 119 runs run-scorer at the 2015 World Black Caps skipper Wil- Bairstow reached his ninth tories against South Africa, New M. Guptill c Buttler b Archer ...... 8 Man-of-the match: Jonny Bairstow Cup, then fell cheaply but worse liamson, who came into this one-day international hundred Zealand and Afghanistan to give followed for New Zealand when match with a tournament off 95 balls, including 14 fours themselves a shot at reaching the senior batsmen Kane average of 113.50, fell for 27 in and a six. semi-finals. Imam said the 41-run defeat against defending champions Aus- Police probe tralia earlier in the competition Afghanistan have need for was painful. “I think the Australia defeat crowd hurts me a lot. I was set and playing well. I should have won speed, says captain Naib trouble in that match for Pakistan,” said Imam. AFP Leeds clash “We lost four quick wickets LEEDS AFP and I think I should have won that Afghanistan’s captain Gulbadin LONDON game and we would have beaten Naib reacts during match against Afghanistan captain Gulbadin a big team in the World Cup.” Naib admits his team would Pakistan on Saturday. Police have launched an Imam, who scored his only benefit from the emergence of a investigation after “unprec- fifty of the tournament in that top-class pace bowler to edented” crowd trouble at match, said he was disappointed supplement their quality spin the World Cup match with his batting during the Ambati Rayudu attack. between Pakistan and tournament. Naib’s side, who have lost all Afghanistan at Headingley, “I think what expectations I India batsman eight of their group-stage during which a number of had from myself I could not do like matches, will play their last arrests were made. that,” said Imam, who has so far Rayudu retires game at this year’s World Cup Videos shared on social scored 205 in seven innings. when they face the West Indies media show a fight between “I had starts but couldn’t score from all forms in Leeds today. fans outside the ground, with big. Although Afghanistan If you find two, a metal barrier being bran- “I am very young so I have spinners Rashid Khan and three, good fast dished and kicks, punches learned a lot in this World Cup. REUTERS Mujeeb Ur Rahman are potential bowlers, maybe and shouting during Satur- What mistakes I have committed, MUMBAI match-winners, Naib knows the day’s game in Leeds. I have learned from them and I team needs a sharper pace it will be good Police said mobile phone am sure that will help me,” said India batsman Ambati Rayudu attack to trouble the world’s best for us here in footage showed people being the 23-year-old. has announced his retirement teams. the World Cup: assaulted, and appealed for from all forms of cricket, the “If you look over the last two Gulbadin Naib anyone who was a victim or Indian cricket board (BCCI) said or three years, we’re just witness of an attack, or who yesterday. depending on spinners, espe- has original footage of the Rayudu, who last played a cially when Mujeeb joined the incidents, to contact them. one-day international (ODI) in team,” Naib said. find the fast bowlers’ “If you find two, three, good “The scenes that were March, was not picked in India’s “We have two spinners in department. We all worked on fast bowlers, maybe it will be witnessed were completely 15-man squad for the World Rashid and Mujeeb. So if you the spinners, so that’s why we good for us here in the World unprecedented at a cricket Cup. work on the fast bowlers in the have world-class spinners.” Cup,” he said. match,” said Superintendent The 33-year-old was not last two or three years, maybe Naib has not given up hope “Hopefully in the future we Chris Bowen. He said policing considered as a replacement we have good pacers now in this that his country’s talent scouts can find a good fast bowler. And arrangements had now been when India lost opener Shikhar tournament. can unearth the kind of quality I’m hoping I’ll be working on it,” reviewed for matches at Head- Dhawan and Vijay Shankar to “This is a problem. We didn’t pace bowler he needs. he added. ingley this week. injuries, with Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal called up instead. “I have come to the decision ‘No show’ fears will see kids in Lord’s pavilion to step away from the sport and retire from all forms and levels of the game,” Rayudu said. AFP A Marylebone Cricket “It has been a wonderful LONDON when TV images of a sparsely the membership sent by MCC rest of the ground,” he said. journey of playing the sport and populated pavilion contrasted secretary and chief executive “This is damaging to MCC’s Club statement learning from every up and Children will be able to watch with packed stands in the rest Guy Lavender explained the global reputation and the com- says schoolchildren down it brought upon for the an international match from the of the ground. pavilion was “heavily undersub- mittee is determined to avoid a had been invited to last 25 years at various different pavilion at Lord’s for the first A Marylebone Cricket Club scribed” for the match, with less repetition of these images on levels.” time tomorrow as cricket bosses statement said 250 school- than 50 percent of tickets sold. Friday (tomorrow).” watch tomorrow’s Rayudu, who played over scramble to make sure seats are children had been invited to “Members may recall the ICC Lavender tried to allay fears World Cup match 200 Twenty20 matches, scored filled. watch tomorrow’s World Cup Women’s World Cup Final in about an increase in noise levels between Pakistan over 4,500 runs including one Officials fear a repeat of the match between neighbours 2017, when unfavourable com- by saying the schoolchildren and Bangladesh in the century and 24 fifties. He played scenes during the 2017 Pakistan and Bangladesh in the parisons were made between the would be “under the strict 55 ODIs, amassing 1,694 runs Women’s World Cup final pavilion. number of members in the supervision of their teachers pavilion. with three centuries at an between England and India, But an email to pavilion and full stands in the and our community staff”. average of 47. THURSDAY 4 JULY 2019 SPORT 19

Jesus, Firmino send Brazil into final

AFP Brazil’s Gabriel Moments later, Messi beat two men BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL Jesus celebrates on the right, won back the ball with a after scoring sliding tackle after overrunning it, but Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino against Argentina then wastefully shot high and wide. scored the goals as Brazil beat arch- during their Copa At the other end, Arthur shot pow- rivals Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday to America semi-final erfully, but straight at goalkeeper Franco qualify for the Copa America final. at the Mineirao Armani. Played in a white-hot atmosphere Stadium in Belo Argentina pushed Brazil back at the and with tempers threatening to boil Horizonte, Brazil, start of the second half and Aguero over, Argentina came close to scoring on Tuesday. picked out Lautaro Martinez in the box themselves but both Sergio Aguero and but he didn’t catch his left-foot volley Lionel Messi hit the woodwork. cleanly and Alisson gathered Hosts Brazil will play the winners of comfortably. Wednesday second semi-final between Another promising attacking move champions Chile and Peru in Sunday’s ended with Rodrigo de Paul blazing over final. from 20 yards. It was the first time these age-old But Jesus produced a beautiful piece rivals had met in a major competition of skill, including a pirouetting drag- since Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in the back, before teeing up Philippe Coutinho 2007 Copa final. who should have done better than English-based Jesus and Firmino shooting over. were the stars, each creating the other’s Moments later, though, a blocked goal, although captain Dani Alves had shot from Martinez looped over to Messi a major say in the opener. who lashed a shot from an angle against Defeat meant Barcelona great the post, with Alisson beaten. Messi’s hopes of landing a major inter- Alisson was alert to clutch a Messi national honour with Argentina became free-kick on 66 minutes that looked des- even more remote. tined for the top corner. He will get another opportunity next By then, Argentina coach Lionel year, though, with the fourth Copa Scaloni had already gone for broke, America in the last five years, due to be bringing off midfielder Marcos Acuna played in Argentina and Colombia. and sending on speedy winger Angel Di In what was always expected to be Maria, with Messi dropping into a deeper a feisty affair there were some wild early role. tackles flying in, and Argentina’s Nicolas Just as Argentina looked capable of Tagliafico was first to be booked for a The first chance came when Argen- right with a no-look pass, the Liverpool down just in front of the line before finding a way back into the match, Brazil lunge at Jesus. tina’s Leandro Paredes let fly from 30 forward crossing for the unmarked Jesus Brazil scrambled it clear. stung them on the counter-attack with The pitch looked like it had been yards but the ball whistled just over the to tap home. Messi then burst into life, driving at Manchester City’s Jesus getting away trampled by a herd of wildebeest before top of goalkeeper Alisson’s goal. Two-footed lunges were flying in as heart of the Brazil defense and playing from two defenders and teeing up the kick-off and both sides struggled to play Brazil took the lead on 19 minutes the match threatened to descend from in Aguero, who took advantage of a unmarked Liverpool striker Firmino for flowing football. after a piece of individual brilliance from niggly to dirty. Thiago Silva slip to make space for a tap in on 71 minutes. Brazil’s Casemiro was even jeered Alves. Argentina almost levelled on the half himself but Marquinhos was quickly Scaloni threw on another forward after sending a long crossfield ball He beat three players on a mazy run hour when Aguero headed Messi’s free- across to block the Manchester City in Paulo Dybala but there was no way straight out of play. before sending Firmino clear down the kick onto the bar, the ball bouncing striker’s shot. back for Argentina. Messi vows to play on after Morgan fires USA into Women’s Argentina’s latest heartache World Cup final AFP Scaloni meanwhile insisted his new-look BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL squad had a bright future despite the AP PSG sign defeat. LYON, FRANCE Lionel Messi vowed to extend his interna- “Without a doubt, today we showed Sarabia tional career after yet another bid to win a that this group of players feel the jersey like Alex Morgan celebrated her go-ahead goal with a major title with Argentina ended in failure no-one else,” he said. cheeky tea-sipping celebration and Alyssa Naeher from Sevilla at the Copa America on Tuesday. “We showed an image for the future of stopped a late penalty kick to send the United States The 32-year-old Barcelona star, who this squad and these players and the great into the final at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 AP infamously quit international football after path they are on. victory over England on Tuesday night. PARIS Argentina’s defeat in the 2016 Copa America He said the defeat was “unfair” claiming The top-ranked United States will face the Centenario final, said he had no plans to that “no other team has created as many winner of yesterday’s semi-final between the Paris Saint-Germain have signed hang up his boots after a 2-0 semi-final loss goalscoring chances against Brazil as we Netherlands and Sweden in the Americans’ third attacking midfielder Pablo Sarabia to Brazil. did.” straight appearance in the World Cup title match. (pictured above) from Sevilla. “If I can still help in any way, I will con- Messi’s best chance came on 57 minutes Christen Press, who was in the starting line PSG said on their Twitter tinue to do so. I feel really good in this when he volleyed against the post. Scaloni after Megan Rapinoe was left off, put the United account Sarabia signed a five- group,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or said the veteran was Argentina’s States up early in the match but Ellen White’s goal year contract. The value of the winner. “standard-bearer.” tied it before 20 minutes had passed. Morgan’s deal was not disclosed. “This is a good, talented gen- “Brazil were continuously trying to stop sixth goal of the tournament came before the break Sarabia joins the French eration who showed that they passes from reaching him and we kept - and on her 30th birthday. She hadn’t had a goal champion amid speculation star love the national team,” he looking for ways to get him the ball,” Scaloni since she scored five in the team’s 13-0 rout of forward Neymar wants to return added. said. Thailand to open the tournament. to Barcelona. “They have a future and great “It was thrilling to see him play. It didn’t It was also White’s sixth goal but Morgan has The 27-year-old Sarabia foundations, they just need to be work out today but he’ll have his rematch the edge for the tournament’s Golden Boot with impressed in three seasons at given time.” and the whole squad will have their three assists. White appeared to score her seventh Sevilla, though he has yet to be Messi will get another chance rematch.” in the 69th minute but video review determined selected for Spain. to break his tournament duck next Scaloni was unhappy with some of she was offside - and the Americans in the crowd As a youth player at Real year when the Copa America takes Ecuadoran referee Roddy Zambrano’s deci- of 53,512 at Stade de Lyon roared. Madrid, he captained the national place in Argentina and Colombia, sions, not least the fact that Argentina “Just incredible,” said Morgan, who paid tribute under-19 team to the European Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts with the 2022 World Cup looming picked up six bookings to Brazil’s two. to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for saving a late title in 2011. He was in the squad after losing the Copa America semi- further on the horizon. “I don’t think he was qualified for a penalty from England captain Steph Houghton Argentina coach Lionel match of this level.” which was European champion final against Brazil, on Tuesday. that could have forced extra time. at under-21 level two years later. Al Duhail train in Portugal ahead of ACL face-off against Al Sadd THE PENINSULA ACL showdown as well as the Meanwhile, Al Sadd, AFC Champions League Al Duhails players in action during DOHA upcoming QSL season and under the watchful eyes of Round of 16 tie with Al Duhail a practice session at the Al Duhail the curtain raiser to the their new coach, Barca in August. Stadium in Doha ahead of their AFC Former Qatar Stars League 2019-20 QSL season, Sheikh legend and former captain Before travelling to Champions League (QSL) champions Al Duhail Jassim Cup on August 17 Xavi Hernandez, have also Spain, the team will undergo match against Iran’s have set up training camp in where the two rivals meet launched their preparations physical examinations and Esteghlal in this Porto Mayo, Portugal ahead once again. for the crunch tie as well as other tests in Doha. This will file photo. of their AFC Champions In the ACL quarter-finals, the new domestic season. help ensure the fitness and League (ACL) Round of 16 the winner of the all-Qatari Ahead of their ACL Round of readiness of each player clash against familiar oppo- contest will meet Saudi Ara- 16 encounter, the Wolves will prior to selecting the squad nents Al Sadd. bia’s Al Nassr or Al Wahda hold their overseas camp in for the camp. Al Duhail, whose reign as FSCC of the United Arab Spain. Xavi will take over as the QSL champions was ended Emirates in the next stage This year, Al Sadd have head coach of the first team, by Al Sadd last season, ended with one out of the four opted to hold the overseas from the beginning of the the campaign brightly by teams making it to the semis. camp in Girona, 100 kilo- 2019-20 season and it will be winning the Amir Cup with Al Duhail advanced to metres away from Barcelona. his first coaching job. The a 4-1 triumph in the final the AFC Champions League The camp will be held from World Cup winning legend over their domestic rivals. knockout stage after fin- July 14-29 and will feature a spent four years playing for Al Duhail coach Rui Faria ishing second behind Al number of friendly games Al Sadd, after joining the club will be looking to get his Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia in that will help the team from Barcelona in the squad fully prepared for the Group C. prepare for the upcoming summer of 2015. THURSDAY 4 JULY 2019 20

PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Bairstow stars as Cope America: England crush Jesus, Firmino Kiwis to storm send Brazil into semi-finals into Copa final Tokyo Olympic stadium 90% complete REUTERS TOKYO

With the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics a little over a year away, the National Stadium, set to be the centre- piece of the Games, is 90% completed and will open its doors for the first time The new $1.25bn National Stadium will open its in December. doors for the first time in December. Media were shown inside the $1.25bn stadium yesterday, 387 days before the opening ceremony will be The 60,000 capacity stadium will host the opening ceremony, England’s held at the same venue. athletics and soccer events during the 2020 Games. Jonny The 60,000 capacity stadium, Bairstow which will also host the athletics and The Olympic Stadium is one of eight new venues celebrates soccer events during the Games, was to be used at Tokyo 2020, all of which are after scoring designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and aims to embody Japan’s con- on schedule for completion. a century nection with nature. yesterday. Wood collected from all of Japan’s 47 prefectures has been used to build England in semis the stadium’s iconic slated roof, and the seats, 45,000 of which have been after 27 years installed, are a mix of green, brown and white to reflect trees growing. AP The final preparations are being CHESTER-LE-STREET completed before an inauguration event in front of the public on Dec. 21. England qualified for the Cricket “The work for this stadium has been World Cup semi-finals for the first This photo taken yesterday in Tokyo, Japan, shows a general view of the construction site for the new National Stadium, going on for three years and we have time in 27 years yesterday with a five months to go,” said National venue for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 119-run win over New Zealand. Jonny Stadium Development Director Takeo Bairstow’s second century in a row Takahashi. laid but this is expected to be completed opened in November 2017 while the The first apartments are also being helped England to 305-8 off its 50 overs, “About 90% of the construction in the next month. newly-built archery and rowing venues completed at the Olympic and Paral- and the Black Caps were eventually work has been completed and, as you The Olympic Stadium is one of eight have recently opened. The canoe slalom ympic village, with Tokyo 2020 organ- dismissed for 186 and leapfrogged in can see, almost all the buildings have new venues to be used at Tokyo 2020, venue is set to be unveiled on Saturday isers saying 88-92% of all residential the standings by England, who will end been completed. all of which are on schedule for whilst construction continues at the buildings are finished. the group stage in third place. “We are now working on the completion. Aquatics Centre, which is 75 percent There will be 18,000 beds available It also resulted in England reaching interior and facility equipment inside The Musashino Forest Sports Plaza, complete, the Gymnastics Centre and at the village during the Olympics, the semis for the first time since 1992, the stadium. a venue to be used at Tokyo 2020 but Ariake Arena, which will host volleyball 12,000 of those for athletes, and 8,000 when they lost to Pakistan in the final. ”The grass and track have yet to be not built specifically for the Games, was and wheelchair basketball next July. available during the Paralympics.