Kylian Mbappe is the youngest French player, at 19 years and six months, to start a World Cup game 2 Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018

REPORT FRA 2-1 AUS FOCUS Pique ‘surprise’ Griezmann hits VAR as Barcelona penalty as France lash out over Griezmann’s squeeze past Aussies decision

AFP Pogba scores the other goal as Les Bleus beat ’s men in opener Barcelona

pain and Barcelona de- fender Gerard Pique has said he is surprised at criticism of his role inS producing a video in which France star Antoine Griezmann announced he was staying at Atletico Madrid. Griezmann caused a stir after appearing in the fi lm on Thurs- day in which he ended specu- lation about a possible move to Barcelona by committing to Atletico. Barcelona had made Griez- mann, the top scorer at Euro 2016, their top summer transfer target. Barcelona defender Pique’s production company, Kosmos Studios, produced the slick fi lm entitled The Decision. Although France coach Didier Spanish defender Gerard Pique Deschamps said on Friday he had (left) vies for the ball with “no problem” with the timing Portuguese forward Cristiano of Griezmann’s announcement, Ronaldo during the Group B two days before Les Bleus kick off match in Sochi on Friday. (AFP) their campaign against in Kazan, the fact Pique played mer of 2017 he admitted knowing an indirect role in its production of ’s decision to quit Bar- has caused controversy in Spain. celona for Paris Saint-Germain Pique, however, said: “I was before the Brazilian star had in- surprised by the reaction in Bar- formed Barcelona chiefs. celona. I’m surprised that my This latest controversy has involvement and my love for the also led to calls for current Bar- club (Barcelona) is being placed celona president, Josep Maria in doubt. Bartomeu, to exercise tighter “I’ve spoken to the (club) pres- control over players. ident (Josep Maria Bartomeu) The man looking to replace and everything’s fi ne. He was a Bartomeu in 2021, Victor Font, bit annoyed because he thought said: “They (players) should not France’s Antoine Griezmann scores off a penalty during the Group C match against Australia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Kazan yesterday. (Reuters) he (Griezmann) would sign.” have an active role, without the The fi lm details negotiations participation of the club, in is- AFP elling only four minutes later after a clear we could play like this against France. A start to fi nishing the fi rst half wondering between Griezmann and Bar- sues which aff ect the interests of Kazan, Russia hand ball by Barcelona defender Samuel lot of moments they didn’t know what to how to pierce the Australia back line. celona before his decision to Barcelona.” Umtiti. do any more. Before Griezmann’s feat, Mbappe had remain at Atletico and Spanish Spain’s World Cup prepara- Didier Deschamps’ men were frustrat- “That’s a big compliment for us. If you made history at kick-off by becoming media reports have focused on tions were already rocked by the ntoine Griezmann scored the ed throughout by a gutsy Australian de- lose because of a penalty you can talk the youngest French player, at 19 and six assumptions Pique may have sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui fi rst VAR-assisted penalty fensive display and French pride was only about it... then (they scored) a lucky goal months, to start a World Cup game. known about Griezmann’s in- on the eve of the World Cup af- awarded in the history of the restored in the 81st minute. just before the end.” Only two minutes in, the fl eet-footed tentions, but failed to inform his ter Real Madrid announced the World Cup as title hopefuls Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, still Deschamps, a World Cup winner with Paris Saint-Germain forward cut in to own club. Spain coach would replace Zin- FranceA battled to a 2-1 win over gutsy wearing a bandage around a recent head France in 1998, will be thanking his lucky meet an enticing through ball from mid- The backlash against the Spain edine Zidane at the club after the Australia in Kazan yesterday. injury, had replaced Griezmann only stars after a performance which poses fi eld and force Ryan into action at his near international has been signifi - fi nals. The Atletico Madrid star wrote his minutes earlier and played a one-two more questions than answers about his post. cant. Shortly after Spain’s 3-3 World name into the history books after he went with Paul Pogba on the edge of the area. ambitious side, the second-youngest in Mbappe won a free kick 25 yards out Writing in Friday’s edition of Cup opening draw against Por- down under a tackle from Josh Risdon in The Manchester United midfi elder’s the tournament after Nigeria. after a challenge from behind but Paul Barcelona-based daily Sport, tugal on Friday, an under-fi re the penalty box in the second half of the shot took a defl ection off the boot of de- France are hoping to join tournament Pogba’s curling eff ort over the wall was the newspaper’s director, Ernest Pique tried to defl ect any per- Group C fi xture. fender before evading the favourites Brazil, Germany and Spain straight to Ryan. Folch, said: “The theatrical na- sonal responsibility in the con- Referee Andres Cunha from Uruguay outstretched hands of Ryan and bouncing in the latter stages as they look to make Deschamps had warned of the im- ture of this documentary shows troversy. did not initially award a spot-kick but over the line off the crossbar. amends for losing the Euro 2016 fi nal to provement Australia have made under perfectly just how powerful “I’m not responsible for the after viewing the VAR footage, ruled it Portugal. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, who took some players have become. They fact that Barcelona didn’t sign was a penalty and Griezmann coolly slot- EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS In a tight fi rst half that saw Griezmann, over from Ange Postecoglou in January. think they can now do what they a player about whom we’ve ted past Socceroos’ goalkeeper Mathew While Australia coach Bert van Marwijk teenager Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane But Australia spent most of the fi rst want.” been speaking for the past few Ryan. admitted his disappointment at seeing Dembele fail to spark, it was the yellow- half defending and ultimately frustrat- Barcelona’s other big sports months,” said Pique. “It’s a good job there was video in this VAR used against his side, he praised his clad Aussie fans who have invaded the ing France, rarely creating real chances of daily, Mundo Deportivo, also “Griezmann told me a few case,” Griezmann told beIN Sport TV. players’ eff orts. Tatar capital who had most to cheer their own. slammed Pique for encouraging months ago that he might sign “I think it was a penalty, he caught “I hoped that maybe one time there about. The real drama, however, unfolded af- watchers to “get out the pop- for Barcelona,” added Pique. me on the left foot. Just after I got up, would be a very honest referee, and in On 17 minutes France ‘keeper Hugo ter the interval with the VAR decision. corn to watch the unfortunate “I said we could fi lm it and it was hurting a bit. That’s not simula- that moment, that he wouldn’t go to the Lloris turned a dangerous defl ection from unfolding of events that, as the produce something to show peo- tion.” video screen,” the Dutchman said. Corentin Tolisso around his far post. RESULT producer, he knew all about”. ple how, from the inside, these But French celebrations were short- “I’m proud and disappointed, it was a It was a huge sight of relief for Les Group C: France 2 (Griezmann 58-pen, Pique has courted similar con- kinds of important decisions are lived, Australia captain lev- very good performance. No one expected Bleus, who went from making a bright Pogba 81) Australia 1 (Jedinak 62-pen) troversy in the past. In the sum- taken.”

REPORT PER 0-1 DEN Poulsen powers Denmark to crucial win over Peru

Reuters group and already picking up their fi rst but lost their way around the box as one Saransk, Russia points with a 2-1 win over Australia earlier gilt-edged chance after another was wast- on Saturday, both Peru and Denmark were ed. Coach opted for Guer- desperate for victory to boost their chances rero immediately after his side conceded the ussuf Poulsen redeemed himself of advancing to the playoff s. goal. by scoring the solitary goal against Both teams arrived in Saransk with an Guerrero, who was reprieved from a dop- Peru after giving away a fi rst-half identical 15-match unbeaten streak and ing ban just in time for the tournament, al- penalty as Denmark picked up a it appeared to be a matter of time before a most scored an equaliser but his header fl ew crucialY victory in Group C to begin their bright-looking Peru, egged on by massive straight into the hands of goalkeeper Kasper World Cup campaign at the Mordovia Arena support at the stadium, would score. Schmeichel. yesterday. Denmark started by playing long balls di- The marksman also came close when his ballooned the spot kick, rected at their wingers to take advantage of audacious backheel trickled past a helpless awarded after VAR consultation when their superior height factor but mostly end- Schmeichel and the post as Peru continued Poulsen brought down the penalty-taker, ed up playing catch up to Peru’s slick short to be denied an equaliser. just before halftime, the worst of several passing game for the opening half-hour. “Peru did as much as possible to win the misses for Peru, who were returning to the Eriksen was largely ineff ective during the game and score. Unfortunately, we didn’t fi nals after a gap of 36 years. fi rst half but started having an impact on the manage to do that,” Gareca said. Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian game once the Danes began playing more “I have nothing to say to my players. They Eriksen, who had an otherwise quiet out- passes. did their best. I really can’t complain. I think ing, set up the game’s decisive moment by Peru, who left out all-time top-scorer in general terms the result doesn’t really re- threading an immaculate defence-splitting Paolo Guerrero from their starting line-up, fl ect what happened on the pitch. But foot- pass to Poulsen who beat advancing Peru were awarded a penalty by referee Bakary ball is all about eff ectiveness.” goalkeeper in the 59th minute. Gassama after he consulted with the video Denmark will hope for another three “Of course it was an emotional game,” assistant referee for Poulsen’s foul on Cueva. points when they meet Australia while Peru Poulsen told reporters. “For me in particu- Yet he struck an awful penalty way over face the French side hoping to keep their lar, in the fi rst half I made a penalty, I was the bar, leaving the red-and-white clad Peru tournament hopes alive on Thursday. the bad guy. Then I scored, I was the good fans distraught, not to mention the crest- guy.” fallen Cueva himself. RESULT Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen (left) scores a goal past Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese during their Group C match With France fi rm favourites to top the Peru were pacy in their counter attacks Group C: Peru 0 Denmark 1 (Poulsen 59) in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Saransk, Russia, yesterday. (AFP) Brazil is the only country to appear in every World Cup 3 Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018

PREVIEW BRA vs SUI ROSTOV-ON-DON, 9PM Refreshed Brazil target strong start Five-times champs take on Swiss who Key facts won nine straight games in qualifying Brazil are the narrow favourites to lift the trophy for what would be Reuters than Dunga and previous coach Luiz a record-extending sixth time. They Rostov-on-Don, Russia Felipe Scolari, who was his physical are targeting a first triumph since education teacher at school. His im- 2002 and only their second on Eu- pact on the team has been remark- ropean soil since 1958 in Sweden. razil have shown all the signs able, winning 17 of 21 games and only Brazil have won 17 of their 21 they can rule the world yet losing once. games since coach succeeded again in Russia but they The coach has also had a fresh ap- Dunga in June 2016, only los- must make their excellent proach to team morale, dispensing ing once, a 1-0 friendly defeat to preparationsB count in their World with the position of a fi xed captain Argentina in Australia in July 2017. Cup Group E opener against a resil- and sharing the role around in each They have conceded just five goals ient Switzerland side today in Rostov. game with the aim of giving each since. The fi ve-times winners look to player extra responsibility. Switzerland have lost only one have returned to their thrilling best One of their most impressive dis- match, away to Portugal in the under coach Tite and were the fi rst plays was a 3-0 win over arch rivals Ar- World Cup qualifiers, since Euro team to qualify for the tournament gentina in qualifying while a recent 1-0 2016. They won all of their next after ripping their way to fi nish top of win over Germany, their tormentors in nine games in qualifying and nar- the notoriously diffi cult South Amer- 2014, was particularly cathartic. rowly overcame Northern Ireland ican qualifying phase. “The 7-1 is no longer in our heads, 1-0 in a playoff to make it to Russia. They have continued that rampant we have the level to be world cham- They beat Greece, Panama and form in their warm-up games and pions again and re-write our history,” Japan while drawing 1-1 with Spain forwards Willian, Roberto Firmino, said defender . in their last four friendlies. Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and “We have greater confi dence,” Switzerland have appeared at talisman Neymar all looked in good added midfi elder Paulinho. “Brazil 10 World Cups, including the last shape in wins over Croatia and Aus- are better prepared in a number of three, reaching the quarter-finals tria. ways. That is just part of . In in 1934, 1938 and again in 1954 Brazil were left humiliated by a 7-1 four years you learn a lot of things.” when they hosted the tournament. defeat to Germany in the semi-fi nals Standing in Brazil’s way is a Swit- They reached the last-16 in 2014, of last World Cup as tournament zerland side who are ranked sixth in where they lost to Argentina, and hosts. The rot continued with two the world after winning nine games in 2006, when they lost to Ukraine poor displays at the 2015 Copa Amer- in a row in qualifying, although many on penalties. ica and the 2016 Centenario edition of their best players go into the tour- which resulted in the dismissal of the nament following dismal campaigns HEAD-TO-HEAD defensively-minded coach Dunga. with their clubs. Brazil Draw Switzerland His replacement was the widely Talismanic attacker Xherdan Sha- 3 3 2 admired Tite, who had led Sao Paulo qiri was relegated with Stoke City, giants Corinthians to their fi rst ever Granit Xhaka had an inconsistent Last meeting: Switzerland 1 triumph in 2012 campaign with Arsenal while centre Brazil 0 (Aug. 2013) and an unlikely Club World Cup win forward Haris Seferovic failed to start over Chelsea. a single game in 2018 with Portu- Tite has a more attacking outlook guese giants Benfi ca.

Swiss coach not interested in ‘lovely’ football against Brazil

Switzerland coach Vladimir Petko- Captain Stephan Lichtsteiner has vic said his side must be prepared to come up against Brazil’s talisman win ugly in today’s World Cup Group Neymar while playing for Juventus E opener against the footballing when the forward was at Barcelona beauty of Brazil and their talented and he said it was not feasible to forward line, led by the dazzling only focus on keeping the world’s Neymar. most expensive player at bay. The Swiss have long had a reputa- “It’s practically impossible to tion for being hard to beat without “We’re not here to make a lovely completely neutralise Neymar for playing the most exciting football match but to win it,” Petkovic told 90 minutes, he’s the most complete and they have proved particularly a news conference on Friday in the player in that position in the world,” robust in the last two years, losing Rostov Arena. said Lichtsteiner, who recently only once in their last 22 games, to “We’ll try to be as organised as pos- signed for Premier League side European champions Portugal. sible, you need to provoke a team Arsenal. It is a similar record to five-times like Brazil into making mistakes so “We need to use our strength, use winners Brazil, who have won 17 you can create opportunities, that’s our full backs as wingers, we need of their 21 games under forward- the mentality you need to have to close the gaps in front of other thinking coach Tite and are one of because we’ll need to score one or players when we confront individual the favourites to lift the trophy. two goals to win the game.” players of that level.” Brazil’s Neymar takes part in a training session in Rostov-on-Don yesterday. (AFP)

PREVIEW CRC vs SRB SAMARA, 3PM Serbia, Costa Rica bring contrasting styles to dogfi ght

Reuters incentive to change. that Mitrovic and infl uential at- Samara, Russia Key facts Tiny Iceland’s run to the quar- tacking midfi elder Adem Ljajic ters at Euro 2016 was the latest have both recovered from minor example of how caution has be- knocks and trained with the rest erbia and Costa Rica Costa Rica conceded only come the most reliable means of of the team on Wednesday. begin their World Cup two goals in five games en over-achieving and Costa Rica Krstajic undoubtedly has plen- campaigns today with route to the quarter-finals at are seemingly designed accord- ty of midfi eld and attacking tal- the teams likely to adopt Brazil 2014. ing to that blueprint. ent at his disposal, but it is a dif- contrastingS approaches to mak- They play with fi ve at the back ferent story at the back. Serbia have qualified for ing the most of their limited re- their second World Cup as an and pack the rest of the team with Creaking veterans like Bran- sources at the tournament. independent nation following players who understand their de- islav Ivanovic, who can become Attack has proved something a group-stage exit in 2010. fensive responsibilities. Serbia’s most capped player on of a dirty word for some smaller Serbia scored in every Yet while history has numer- Sunday with 104 international nations in recent editions of the qualifier and averaged two ous examples of underdogs de- appearances, and Aleksandar global showpiece with a packed goals per game. fying their status by defending Kolarov will need to rediscover defence often proving the great- en masse, there are far fewer oc- their heyday if Serbia are to keep est weapon for teams not blessed casions when minnows have ex- opponents at bay in Russia. HEAD-TO-HEAD with the biggest talents. celled by casting caution to the They are likely to be joined at The two sides have never Costa Rica showed four years wind. the back by the inexperienced yet met. ago in reaching the quarter-fi nals Serbia, however, are not built highly-rated 20-year-old centre that the ability to frustrate oppo- to defend and will hope their at- half Nikola Milenkovic, who has nents with a far greater pedigree tacking talents can compensate been dubbed the ‘new Nemanja can take you a long way, as long as the Netherlands on penalties in for shortcomings at the back. Vidic’ after impressive perform- you can back up defensive organ- the last eight. Their coach Mladen Krstajic ances in the build-up. isation with Stakhanovite indus- They have shown little in qual- is likely to stick with the adven- Brazil are overwhelming fa- try and a decent counter-punch. ifi cation for Russia or in their turous 4-2-3-1 formation, which vourites to top Group E, which In Brazil, they conceded a warmup matches to suggest they thrashed Bolivia 5-1 in their fi nal also includes Switzerland, so a meagre two goals in fi ve games, will now cast off the shackles warm-up on Saturday when in- dogfi ght is likely to ensue to fol- beating Italy and Uruguay to top and, given the sport’s recent his- form striker Aleksandar Mitrovic low them into the knockouts — a group that also included Eng- tory of rewarding teams who play netted a hat-trick. and defeat would leave the losers Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (top) and teammate Aleksandar Kolarov take part in a training session on land, before eventually falling to it safe, they may feel there is little The good news for Serbia is in a precarious position. the eve of their 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Costa Rica in Samara yesterday. (AFP) Germany have averaged 3.5 goals per match in their World Cup openers since they last lost one – 36 years ago against Algeria 4 Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018

PREVIEW GER vs MEX MOSCOW (LUZHNIKI), 6PM FOCUS Germany’s Kimmich Troubled Germany looking to be himself, not Lahm 2.0

DPA Vatutinki, Russia will look to make ermany defender Joshua Kimmich of- ten hears comparisons between himself and GPhilipp Lahm. But the up-and- coming star said on Friday he is only playing his fi rst World Cup statement vs Mexico and cannot yet match the acco- lades of the long-time Germany and Bayern Munich leader. also venturing forward often to ‘We shouldn’t underestimate them, even if it was a clear win at Confederations Cup’ “He played right back and help out off ensively. characterized the Bayern and Germany midfi elder Toni AFP German national team for years. Kroos on Thursday said Kimmich Moscow World Cup title adds When he retired he was the cap- was well on his way to becoming tain of both teams and an abso- a world class player and Lahm’s no pressure against lute leader. I am now 23-years- successor, having shone at last ermany must shrug off a rocky old and it’s obvious that I cannot year’s Confederations Cup and World Cup build-up as they be- Mexico: Germany replace that one for one,” Kim- continued his fi ne form all sea- gin the defence of their title to- coach Loew mich told a news conference at son at Bayern, scoring six goals day against a vastly experienced Germany’s world Cup base in to go with 17 assists this term in GMexico side jolted by their own pre-tour- Vatutinki. all competitions. Germany are feeling no pressure as nament scandal. the reigning world champions going “I am not that far. I don’t have “Of course you are happy to While Manuel Neuer fi nally won his into their Group F opener against the experience. But I am not try- hear that from such a player like lengthy fi tness battle after more than Mexico today and cannot wait to ex- ing to copy him. I am trying to Toni Kroos. Praise is always good. eight months out, Mesut Ozil and Ilkay tend their record of opening game be Joshua Kimmich, not Philipp But you always want to improve Gundogan were jeered by Germany fans victories under coach Joachim Lahm 2.0.” yourself and live up to your own in recent friendlies after posing for a Loew, he said yesterday. Just like Lahm did, Kimmich expectations,” Kimmich said. photograph alongside Turkish President The Germans, World Cup winners plays right back for both Bayern “Praise is good, but it’s also a Recep Tayyip Erdogan. in 2014, kick off their title defence and the German national team — certain motivation.” Real Madrid midfi elder Toni Kroos said at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and what is discussed on talk shows should Loew said his players had nothing not concern the players, adding: “We are else on their mind other than win- SPOTLIGHT here to play football.” ning their opener. The form of Joachim Loew’s side is an- “The (2014) title plays no role. The other concern though, an unconvincing tension we have is a positive tension win over a Saudi Arabia outfi t thrashed and you can feel it rising. What you Gundogan’s car 5-0 in the World Cup opener represents won in the past does not matter,” Germany’s lone victory since romp- he said. ing through qualifying with maximum “Before the first match everyone vandalised following points. has this positive tension. You want it “We need the greed, the fi re — it’s part to start, to prove yourself, to take a of what makes things go off with a bang good step in this tournament and it Erdogan meeting sometimes in training and on the play- does not matter what you have won ing pitch. We will have to fi ght for every or not.” AFP inch,” said defender Jerome Boateng. Loew has been in charge since Berlin “I think we’re known as a team that 2006 and his team has won every starts well,” he added, saying he feels tournament opener at Euros and “better from day to day” after returning World Cups under him, a run they ermany’s Ilkay Gun- from a groin injury. want to extend against the Mexi- dogan had his car Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 on the Germany’s Manuel Neuer takes part in a training session on the eve of their 2018 FIFA cans. vandalised in the wake way to lifting last year’s Confederations World Cup match against Mexico in Moscow yesterday. (Reuters) He said that setbacks during their of him controversially Cup trophy but Kroos believes that result Gposing for a picture with Turkish preparation for Russia, such as a is of little signifi cance now. loss to Austria and a scrappy win President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “We shouldn’t underestimate them, Key facts against Saudi Arabia in their final German media reported yester- even if it was a clear win at the Confed- warm-up games, never shifted the day. erations Cup last year. We’re taking this Four-time winners Germany are going into the tournament with the aim of team’s focus. Gundogan, born in Germany very, very seriously and, once more for becoming only the third nation after Italy and Brazil to defend their World Cup “It is correct that we have won a lot to Turkish parents, fi led a com- emphasis, because it’s our fi rst game at crown. No country has done it since the back-to-back titles of Brazil in 1958-1962. of opening matches. We accept that plaint with police after his car the World Cup.” They have won the World Cup four times and have reached at least the semi- in our preparation things may go was damaged on the evening of Germany are trying to become the fi rst finals in every tournament since 2002. wrong at some point. What we focus June 7, the day before Germany’s team in 56 years to successfully defend After cruising through a perfect qualification with 10 wins out of 10 matches on is the first tournament game and last warm-up game in Cologne, their title, after Brazil in 1962, but Mexico and conceding just four goals, the Germans have managed just one win in their in the first games we have always not far from the hotel where the defender Carlos Salcedo believes their last six games going into the tournament. shown our good performance,” team was staying. Group F opponents are not invincible. Mexico have reached the last 16 each of the last six World Cups, but their Loew said. During the match, home fans best record of a quarter-final dates back to 1970 and 1986. In 1986, they lost to “It has to do with the self confidence loudly booed and whistled Gun- tos were then posted on social ‘NO ONE IS UNBEATABLE’ West Germany in the last eight. of the players. I hope we can suc- dogan when he came on and media as part of Erdogan’s cam- “We speak a lot about them and we con- ceed tomorrow against a very tough every time he touched the ball as paign for re-election as presi- sider them clearly superior,” said Salcedo, PREVIOUS MEETINGS opponent who plays well in almost Germany beat Saudi Arabia 2-1. dent of Turkey. who signed a four-year deal with Eintracht every aspect of their game.” Yesterday, pictures in Bild, After that on vote, on June 24, Frankfurt in May after spending the past Germany have lost just once in 11 matches against the Mexicans and crushed them a German tabloid, showed the a new system agreed in an April season on loan with the club. 4-1 last year en route to the Confederations Cup title. The world champions have also right rear side window had been 2017 referendum will come into “But no one is unbeatable. In football, won all three of their encounters at World Cups and both Confederations Cup matches smashed. force, which the opposition says the diff erence between levels has de- against them. Their only win over the Germans dates back 33 years. Police in Cologne told the will give the president authori- creased and there are lots of other factors. SID agency that the player had tarian powers. “There are just two or three play- lodged a complaint, the investi- The German football federa- ers who can score two or three goals per gation was in progress and po- tion (DFB) responded that the game, (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo third player — after compatriot Antonio reportedly partied with the women at a litical motivation had not been two men had allowed themselves and Neymar, who can shake things up Carbajal and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus private compound in Mexico City follow- ruled out. to be manipulated. with a stroke of individual genius.” — to feature at fi ve World Cups. ing the team’s 1-0 win over Scotland ear- On May 13, Gundogan, who “Football and the DFB uphold Like Germany, Mexico qualifi ed with But a number of Mexico players found lier this month. plays for Manchester City, and values that are not entirely em- ease for a seventh consecutive World Cup themselves embroiled in controversy Mexican offi cials ruled out sanctions another English-based, Gelsen- braced by Mr. Erdogan”, said the after punching their ticket to the fi nals following a farewell party with about 30 against the players involved because they kirchen-born, German interna- DFB. with three matches to spare. prostitutes ahead of their departure for attended the party in their free time, but tional of Turkish descent, Mesut German politicians from the Rafael Marquez, who will retire after Europe. the incident echoed similar scandals in Ozil, met Erdogan in London and far right to the Greens also criti- the tournament, is set to become just the Nine members of the World Cup squad recent years. gave him signed club shirts. Pho- cised the players.

BOTTOMLINE For Brazilian businesses, World Cup is time to slack off

AFP employs about 100 people in central sure workers watch the games — but in cal customs when it’s World Cup time. Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro. the offi ce, rather than going out. At the Michelin tire factory in Cam- Employees at the business have been There’s even been a special visit po Grande, west of Rio, the production given a mini-stadium experience fea- from former Brazil star Denilson who line runs 24 hours a day. But a spokes- hen Brazil’s team takes turing dozens of Brazilian fl ags hang- was part of the cup winning team in man for the French company said that to the fi eld at the World ing, artifi cial grass and pretend terrac- 2002. workers will be allowed to stop during Cup, workers back home ing. Of course there’ll be popcorn and Flytour travel agency chain says 30 changes of shift when Brazil’s playing. will down tools, pens and sandwiches during game time. percent of its 2,000 employees will Expatriate employees can be sur- Wcomputers. “We’ll stop for matches. There’s continue working during games, to prised by the slacking off . With the time diff erence, the games no question of lowering productivity, make sure that the business can func- “But even if it’s the fi rst time they’ve in Russia will be shown either in the though,” Melo said. “Our team is young tion. been in Brazil at World Cup time, our morning or afternoon — offi ce hours. and used to working autonomously, “We can’t completely stop. We have foreign bosses understand how impor- But football is sacred in Latin with fl exible hours.” clients traveling all over the world. tant it is in Brazilian culture to watch America’s biggest country and for Of course, the nationwide slowdown Their fl ights could be cancelled and the games,” Pfi zer Brazil human re- many nothing will get in the way means business opportunities for oth- they’d have to contact us at any mo- sources manager Sheila Ceglio said. of watching the “Selecao’s” games, ers. That means that the overall eco- ment,” human resources manager Carla State employees will also catch a starting today. nomic eff ect is expected to be largely Mota said. break. According to the national shopkeep- neutral. For restaurants on the other hand, The government has allowed them to ers’ federation CNDL, 28 percent of Twenty eight percent of businesses the World Cup is a time to maximise adapt their working hours around the service sector businesses will allow will see a rise in income during the profi ts. Brazil games, “as long as essential serv- employees to stay away or to watch the month-long championship and 23 per- “We’ve received many reservations ices are not interrupted”. games when Brazil plays. Seventeen cent will see a drop, according to Valor from businesses and we’ve decided, as There’ll be no such fun for Rio police percent have already prepared viewing fi nancial daily. an exception, to start serving break- offi cer Ulisses Achur. “We keep work- areas at the work place. fasts for the early morning matches,” ing as normal,” he said. “It’s practically impossible for peo- SHOOTING FOR PROFITS said Carla Teixeira, marketing manager The good news is that the city’s crim- ple to concentrate on work during Brazilian sportswear giant Netshoes in at the Emporio Colonial, in central Rio. inals are likely to be glued to the screen a Brazilian World Cup match,” said Sao Paulo has put artifi cial turf in its too. “We note there are fewer crimes at Robson Melo head of Estante Magica, elevators and given employees a ball to CROOKS HOOKED, TOO those times because most people are A worker unpacks cardboard boxes containing Brazil’s caps and others goodies for which publishes books by children and play with. It’s all part of ways to make Foreign businesses have to learn the lo- watching the game,” he said. fans as he sets up a fan shop in Samara, Russia, on Friday. (AFP) During the Soviet era, foreigners were banned from entering the city of Nizhny Novgorod, the site of secret weapons programmes 5 Gulf Times Sunday, June 17, 2018

A LOOK BACK SPOTLIGHT Costa fi nally making himself Salah World Cup at home in Spain

AFP next season. Sochi Hierro could have opted to start Aspas, the Celta Vigo for- ward who netted the winner in iego Costa looked Spain’s fi nal warm-up match return comes with like a misfi t at the against Tunisia. World Cup in Bra- But he went with Costa, Dzil in 2014, where who provides the bruising ele- Spain’s inability to accommo- ment in the Spain side in front date the burly centre-forward of the silky trio of Isco, David contributed to their disastrous Silva and Andres Iniesta. campaign. “We felt this was a game in But on Friday in Sochi, his which Diego could really help health warning physical presence and penal- us,” said Hierro. “He did a great ty-box prowess worked a treat job wearing out the opposition FIVE PLAYERS WHO ARRIVED AT THE WORLD CUP CARRYING INJURIES for the Spanish as they ended centre-backs.” a chaotic week with a thrill- Costa was a handful for Jose ing 3-3 draw against Portugal, Fonte and for Pepe — another Costa scoring twice. player born in the north-east “Spain adapt to Diego Cos- of Brazil and now representing ta” was the headline in Span- his adopted land. ish daily El Pais yesterday, with Things did not click for new coach Fernando Hierro Costa in 2014. He was hauled rewarded for his decision to off in Spain’s fi rst two matches select the Atletico Madrid man in Brazil, defeats agai