6 August 30, 2017 Sharapova Wins Slam Carlos Queiroz Works Return, Ousts Halep at U.S. Open Wonders in Iran NEW YORK (AFP) - Former world Sharapova said of herself. “And if they’re national team players, number one Maria Sharapova has she’s not going anywhere.” they need to overcome the pressure made a triumphant return to Grand Sharapova, who tested positive for and show their abilities.” Slam competition after a 15-month meldonium at last year’s Australian Under Queiroz, Iran are starting to doping ban, outlasting second-ranked Open, improved to 7-0 in her all- deliver when the expectations are Simona Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the U.S time rivalry with Halep, extending high. Ahead of the Uzbekistan game .Open. her mastery over the 25-year-old in Tehran with the hosts needing The 30-year-old Russian, who had Romanian. to win to seal a place in Russia, all only one hardcourt tuneup match due An emotional Sharapova knew that it would happen and it to a nagging forearm injury, swatted punctuated her shot making, at did. 60 winners with 64 unforced errors, times erratic and other moments The team have become a machine, setting the tempo and baffling Halep spectacular, with screams and fist but one with some excitement at times in a tension-packed thriller pumps. She was energetic even at going forward. With 19 goals in at Arthur Ashe Stadium. rest, closing her eyes and bouncing 26 international appearances and “This girl has a lot of grit,” her legs as she sat between sets. some fine performances in the UEFA Champions League, it was no surprise that Sardar Azmoun, just 22, almost moved to Lazio in the Man City Make Move for summer. Karim Ansarifard has been Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez Carlos Queiroz helped Iran become the second team after Brazil to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. impressing with Olympiacos, Reza Ghoochannejhad finished the TEHRAN (ESPN) - Manchester Brazil to secure a place in Russia yet to concede a single goal in 720 Netherlands as the league’s third United boss Jose Mourinho has made next summer. They can seal a truly minutes of football. highest scorer and local striker the recently released 12-name shortlist memorable campaign by winning The performances and results on Mehdi Taremi has been proving the for FIFA coach of the Year. But there their final two games against South the pitch reflect what has happened doubters wrong and contributing is a former No. 2 at Old Trafford Korea and Syria to maintain their in the FIFA rankings off it. Iran have important goals. And then, in who is arguably more deserving of unbeaten run. been the top Asian team for over four midfield, there is emerging talent inclusion. Queiroz takes his team to Seoul years, and have steadily climbed up Saeid Ezatolahi, just 20, but already The likes of Mourinho, as well on Aug. 31. Under the former to the present position of 24 -- 20 becoming a star. All that is on top as Manchester City boss Pep Portugal boss, Iran have won their spots ahead of the continent’s next of the tightest backline this side of Guardiola, have spent hundreds of last four games against the Koreans. highest, Japan. Istanbul. millions of pounds for uncertain No mean feat considering that the Queiroz has produced a team who Under the guidance of the boss, league performances. However, Taeguk Warriors are Asia’s most consistently perform and relish there is not only a squad that looks Carlos Queiroz’s achievements with successful World Cup nation, who pressure situations. It is something set to have the best World Cup that Iran have been truly impressive. are looking to appear in a ninth that the Koreans envy. In this round the country has ever had, but also The Mozambique-born manager successive tournament. of qualification, the 2002 World Cup one that is set to be at the top of Alexis Sanchez has been quietly turning Team Melli In this third round of qualification, semifinalists have been quick to flee Asian football for years to come. MANCHESTER (AFP) - It has been duty with Chile ahead of their 2018 into a side who are not only the best Iran have collected 20 points the kitchen when the heat has hit. And all that adds up to an reported that Man City will make a World Cup qualifiers but Chilean in Asia, but have a real chance of from eight games, and sit seven “In this situation, the players will impressive coaching achievement. straight cash offer for Sanchez, who has media has reported that Sanchez has making it to the knockout stage of points clear at the top above the feel heavy pressure,” former captain That it did not happen in Europe is less than 12 months left on his contract, requested to leave the national team the 2018 World Cup. Koreans. Not only are the four-time and Manchester United legend Park not important. Queiroz deserves to but Arsenal are reportedly asking for squad to sort out “personal business” in Iran were the second team after participants unbeaten, they have Ji-Sung said earlier this month. “But be on the FIFA coach of the year list. cash plus Raheem Sterling in the deal. the next few days. A transfer fee of around $75 million has With Arsene Wenger insisting Thailand Set to Host MotoGP been mentioned for Sanchez, who can multiple times over the summer that Lippi Tells Lightweight China start talks with clubs outside of England Sanchez would not be sold, reports in 2018 in January about a free transfer next circulated late on Monday that Sanchez ‘Impossible May Happen’ summer. It seems increasingly likely he had handed in an official transfer BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is Wannapong, the governor of the Sports will not sign a new deal at Arsenal, so request for the first time as he wants to set to host a round of the MotoGP world Authority of Thailand, at the formal the Gunners may be forced to sell now force through a move away from the championship for the first time in 2018 signing. or risk losing him for nothing. Emirates Stadium. with a three-year contract due to be The race will be held at the Buriram Sanchez, 28, looked dejected during The striker, who scored 24 goals and signed in Bangkok on Thursday, series circuit in the northeast of the country. Arsenal’s 4-0 humbling at Liverpool added 10 assists in the PL last season, organizers announced on Monday. The track, which has previously on Sunday in his first appearance of the signed for current Man City boss Pep The official MotoGP.com website hosted the world superbike season after recovering from injury and Guardiola when he was in charge of said that Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief championship, will be the first all-new a busy summer away on international Barcelona back in 2011 and El Nino executive of commercial rights holders addition to the series since Argentina’s duty with Chile. Maravilla is believed to want to work Dorna Sports, would join Sakon Termas de Rio Hondo in 2014. He is currently away on international with Pep once again. Liverpool Agree Record Deal to Sign Keita China’s head coach Marcello Lippi, who masterminded Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph, has told his players not to give up hope of reaching LONDON (AFP) - Guinea of Naby Keita,” read the Liverpool next year’s World Cup international midfielder Naby Keita statement. will join Premier League giants “The Reds have agreed a deal with SHANGHAI (AFP) - Marcello Lippi triumph, says his much-derided side Liverpool next year after the English the German club and the midfielder says he is desperately short of options up can upset the odds. outfit agreed a reported club record that will see the 22-year-old move to front but China’s veteran Italian coach “We must keep on improving, deal of £48 million ($62 million, 51.9 Anfield on July 1, 2018 following the has told his players not to give up hope constantly upping our game and million euros) with German side RB conclusion of the current season.” of reaching next year’s World Cup. sometimes the impossible may Leipzig. Keita, who will be a pivotal figure in China are bottom of their qualifying happen,” he told Titan Sports weekly Liverpool will also reportedly pay an Leipzig’s maiden Champions League group with just one victory in eight ahead of the must-win game in Wuhan. undisclosed premium for the 22-year- campaign this term, said his present games and must win both their China are going to need goals -- and old, who scored eight goals in 31 club remained his immediate priority remaining matches if they are to stand other results to go their way -- if they league appearances last term to help but he was delighted to be joining such any chance of making it to Russia are to propel themselves off the bottom Leipzig finish runners-up in the title a historic club. 2018, starting at home to Uzbekistan of their qualifying group and into third race. Liverpool’s previous transfer on Thursday. place and a play-off spot. “Liverpool Football Club can confirm record was the £35 million they paid The 69-year-old Lippi, who Their final group match is at Qatar they have reached an agreement with Newcastle United to sign Andy Carroll masterminded Italy’s 2006 World Cup on September 5. RB Leipzig for the future transfer in January 2011. Guinea international midfielder Naby Keita will join Liverpool UN Panel Urges Russia to Fight Racism in Sports GENEVA (Reuters) - A United in football, and ensure that sports expresses its concern that racist summer. Russian Premier League that ended on Friday, issued their years, but added: “Violent racist Nations human rights panel has regulatory bodies investigate displays remain deeply entrenched champions Spartak Moscow and findings on Monday. attacks undertaken by groups such called on the Russian Federation manifestations of racism, among football fans, especially rivals Dynamo Moscow were each Igor Barinov, head of the Federal as neo-Nazi groups and Cossack to step up prosecutions of racist xenophobia and intolerance,” the against persons belonging to ethnic fined 250,000 rubles ($4,250) over Agency for Ethnic Affairs of the patrols, targeting particularly attacks by ultra-nationalists and UN Committee against Racial minorities and people of African fans’ racist behavior, the Russian Russian Federation, told the panel people from Central Asia and the neo-Nazis and of hate speech by Discrimination (CERD) said. Fines descent.” Football Union (RFU) said last on Aug. 4 that Moscow had taken Caucasus and persons belonging politicians. or administrative sanctions should Russia has pledged to crack down month. measures against the propagation to ethnic minorities including Russian authorities must intensify be imposed for such cases. on racism and fan violence as it The 18 independent experts, who of racist ideas. migrants, the Roma and people of measures to “vigorously combat The panel, referring to “the faces increased scrutiny before reviewed Russia’s record and those The UN panel said violent racist African descent, remain a pressing racist behavior in sports, particularly upcoming (2018) World Cup, hosting the World Cup finals next of seven other countries at a session attacks had decreased in recent problem.”