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Home , Geoff Cameron, Tim Ream, Tom Heaton, Wayne Hennessey

TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017 SPORTS Heaton replaces Hart for England in France

CROISSY-SUR-SEINE: Tom Heaton of Burnley will of Croissy-sur-Seine yesterday.“Tom has had an (Sunderland’s) and then a couple the armband in the manager’s first two matches replace in goal for England in today’s outstanding season, and we have got to maintain of lads coming up potentially from the in charge, against Malta and Slovenia last friendly against France in Paris, manager Gareth the squad environment, make people feel Championship next year, we are very healthy.” autumn. Southgate has confirmed. involved by giving them game time. “Harry will captain the team. It is probably a The 31-year-old Heaton will win his third inter- “In the past, one or two goalkeepers have giv- KANE CAPTAIN AGAIN similar scenario to October when Jordan national cap in the match at the Stade de France, en up international football because they have will once again wear the captain’s Henderson captained the team in the first game as Hart-criticised following his performance in not had that chance, so I am conscious of keeping armband, just as he did at the weekend when his and was starting the second so it made sense to Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Scotland-is left out. them involved.” stoppage-time strike rescued a point for England keep it as it was, and it’s the same with Harry this Stoke City’s will play the second Butland is not long back from a lengthy spell in the World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park. time,” said Southgate, while insisting no long- half, as Southgate reiterated that it was always his out injured, and the decision to give him a chance The Tottenham Hotspur striker, who has won term decision had been made on the issue. plan to give someone else a chance in England’s for part of the friendly means Southampton’s the ’s Golden Boot for the past After Tuesday’s game, England are next in final run-out of the season, having named four is the goalkeeper to miss out. two seasons, will again take advantage of the fact action in early September with a World Cup quali- goalkeepers in his squad. “Jack is coming back from a long lay-off. We England have no permanent skipper with Wayne fying double-header against Malta and Slovakia. “It was never my intention to start Hart in this think he can also challenge for the number one Rooney now out of favour. “I’m not committing to a timescale on that. I’m game. Tom Heaton will start and Jack Butland will spot moving forward,” added Southgate. Southgate said Kane would follow in the foot- not in a rush to make that decision. At some point play the second half,” Southgate told reporters “It is difficult on Fraser, who is also a very good steps of Liverpool midfielder , it’s something we should do but it’s been good to after England trained in the leafy Parisian suburb goalkeeper, but with those four and currently recovering from injury but who wore devolve the leadership.” — AFP Russia eyes World Cup

MOSCOW: Alexei Sorokin has the daunting definitely not a steady trend in our country. task of making sure Russia is ready to host Russia’s multi-ethnic society is not mired in fans and teams from around the globe at racism. For me it’s an obvious fact. the World Cup in 2018. The clashes between the fans in One year ahead of the tournament, the Marseille last year were a kind of ugly CEO of Russia’s organising committee is deeds. But Russia’s authorities have worked looking to meet construction deadlines out a comprehensive security concept that and calm security fears as the country will act during these football tournaments gears up for the warm-up Confederations to avoid any chance of the repetition of Cup on June 17. such kind of events here. We’re confident Q: What does it mean for Russia to that the Confederations and World Cups in host the Confederations Cup and World Russia will be completely safe. We’ve imple- Cup? mented the special Fan ID, which gives foot- A: We were so excited when FIFA ball lovers from all over the world the right entrusted us with holding the World Cup. to enter the country without a visa and to It’s the first time this event will take place in move between the host cities for free dur- Eastern Europe. And for us it’s a great ing the events. But this ID will also serve as chance to present our country to the entire an additional security measure. world the best way. And we will be happy A number of international agreements to host all the guests, who decide to attend have been recently signed giving Russia’s the events, and to make their stay here law enforcement authorities a chance to pleasant and unforgettable. exchange information with foreign police Q: What have been the major chal- to identify the worst hooligans and keep lenges in preparing for the them from football venues. Confederations and the World Cups Q: Critics say that hosting of these across such a vast country? major events is a PR stunt Russia’s A: The preparations for the World Cup President Vladimir Putin, but offers little MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s Hirving Lozano (L) vies with US’s (R) during their 2018 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifier football are still going on but I can say that we for average Russians. How can you match in Mexico City, on Sunday. — AFP experienced few troubles in our prepara- ensure there is a lasting, positive legacy tions for these events so far. The prepara- from these tournaments? tions for the Confederations Cup run A: I think it’s not fair to say that the Bradley’s stunning early goal smoothly as the four cities that will host hosting of major football tournaments is the event (Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan just a PR move for the Kremlin. Russia has and Sochi) are well-known sporting centres invested huge sums into the preparations helps US to 1-1 tie at Mexico with developed infrastructure and solid for the Confederations and the World Cups. experience of staging major events. And The infrastructure in the host cities was MEXICO CITY: watched Hector the fourth-place team faces Asia’s No. 5 nation in decided as far back as January to start five they’re all ready to receive the large flow of being upgraded anyway but the World Cup Moreno’s pass to Javier Hernandez in the center a playoff. defenders at Mexico. “We tossed it around in our tourists. has sped up this process a great deal. The circle and thought back to the videos he had Panama hosts Honduras today, when Costa office with our coaches and they were probably Q: There are serious worries over preparations for the World Cup have devel- seen of the star pushing the ball back. So even Rica hosts Trinidad and Tobago. Quite a turn- not real supportive of the idea since they maybe hooliganism and racism at these events oped not only the football venues and before Chicharito tapped the ball toward Hector around since November, when a 2-1 home loss don’t have enough experience in that forma- and critics say Russian officials do not training grounds but the transportation Herrera, Bradley stepped up. to Mexico and a 4-0 wipeout in Costa Rica tion,” Arena said. “I was pretty confident we take the problems seriously enough. systems, the hotel networks and other The US captain knocked the ball toward caused the US Soccer Federation to fire coach could implement it. We have very good center How can Russia ensure safe and enjoy- facilities in the host cities. Mexico’s goal, sprinted to catch up and lofted a Jurgen Klinsmann and bring back Arena, the US backs, and that’s the key to that system.” able tournaments for fans? It will definitely be good for people right-footed chip from about 40 yards over goal- coach from 1998-2006. “It’s going to be very DeAndre Yedlin remained on the right, with A: Of course there have been outbreaks regardless of their relation to football. I keeper Guillermo Ochoa’s outstretched arm and challenging right to end, but I feel good about and joining Geoff of racism in Russia in the past and some- believe that you can’t argue with these under the crossbar. The crowd of 81,000 at where we are,” Arena said. “We’ve made up some Cameron in the center and 35-year-old times they still happen here. However it’s benefits. — AFP Estadio Azteca was stunned. The United States lost ground, so I feel good about that.” DaMarcus Beasley on the left, Beasley, who had had taken the lead six minutes into Sunday not started for the US since October 2015, night’s World Cup qualifier. “Here you know that ADVANTAGE became the first American to appear in qualifiers if you catch a ball right, that with the thin air the Herrera nearly put El Tri ahead in the 71st of five World Cup cycles. ball’s going to really fly,” Bradley said. with a 30-yard free kick that rebounded off the “Mexico does an unbelievable job in their US coach Bruce Arena changed seven of 11 crossbar. Three minutes later, Bradley sent a 30- spacing,” Arena said. “They like to open you up starters and employed a five-man defense to yard shot off a post. and attack the gaps between your back line if overcome the 7,820-foot altitude and short Mexico had only a modest 10-7 advantage in you’re playing a back four, and we protected all recovery time. His team US did not quite soar all shots at a venue where it usually dominates. those spaces.” night, but Bradley’s goal set the tone. Carlos Vela Speaking shortly after downpour began in stop- Klinsmann tried a similar tactic during in tied it in the 23rd minute on a counterattack page time, Arena said a key was exploiting his November’s loss to El Tri but quickly abandoned with a 23-yard shot that beat goalkeeper Brad roster’s depth and revealed he divulged to play- it. “Last time we did this in Columbus, it was a Guzan to the near post, but the Americans hung ers of when training camp opened on May 29 maybe,” Gonzalez said. “We didn’t know until a on for a 1-1 tie to gain only their third point at that he planned different lineups and formations couple days before the game and then it was Azteca. for the upcoming qualifiers. just thrown out there. Now we had two weeks to “The bad start in the hex meant that every “To repeat the lineup we played on Thursday, really prepare.” point now is worth its weight in gold,” Bradley we would have struggled big-time in the alti- Arena said 38-year-old remains said. Mexico leads the final round of the North tude,” Arena said. “We told the team on day one the Americans’ No. 1 goalkeeper, but for this and Central American and Caribbean region we were going to make seven-to-11 changes for match he preferred Guzan, partly because with 14 points, followed by Costa Rica and the this game. We went with seven. I was close to Howard is coming off surgery to repair the US (eight each), Panama (six), Honduras (four) nine yesterday.” adductor muscle in his right leg, an injury sus- and Trinidad and Tobago (three). The top three While he employed a standard 4-4-2 forma- tained against Mexico last fall that still affects his advance to next year’s World Cup in Russia, and tion in the 2-0 home win over Trinidad, Arena kicking. —AP

BLIDA: Algeria’s Yacine Brahimi (R) reacts as Togo’s Atchou Koffi Franco (C) and Wales draw as Spain and Lalawele Atakora (L) look on during their 2019 African Cup of Nations qualification Group D football match between Algeria and Togo at the Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida on Sunday. — AFP Italy stay neck and neck

Jorge Sampaoli charged with PARIS: ’s penalty helped Wales to first-half opener and allowed the Irish to main- said O’Neill. Ireland are next in action on a precious 1-1 draw in Serbia in World Cup quali- tain their unbeaten record in qualifying. September 2, when they go to Georgia, who preventing Messi-less WCup fying on Sunday as they kept their hopes of a It could have been better for Martin O’Neill’s drew 2-2 in Moldova. Those two sides are well place at the finals in Russia alive. side, but there was controversy in the 87th adrift at the bottom of the section. BUENOS AIRES: A year out from the final Association’s (AFA) patience with coach Chris Coleman’s side were missing star man minute as the hosts thought they had won it. World Cup of Lionel Messi’s prime years, Edgardo Bauza as he was sacked. due to suspension in Belgrade but Austrian substitute Florian Grillitsch sliced a Costa wins it for Spain Argentina are just beginning a new era as Indeed, Samapoli will be the third coach Arsenal midfielder Ramsey inspired the visitors corner up into the air inside his own six-yard box Spain remain level on points with Italy at the Jorge Sampaoli attempts to turn around the to take charge of La Albiceleste in qualifying into a half-time lead when he floated in a 35th- and Stefan Lainer helped the ball into his own top of Group G after grinding out a 2-1 victory two-time world champions’ faltering qualify- as former Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino minute penalty, sending goalkeeper Vladimir net under pressure from Shane Duffy on the line. away to Macedonia, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa ing campaign. quit following the 2016 Copa America, cit- Stojkovic the wrong way. However, Spanish referee David Fernandez scoring what proved to be the winner. Sampaoli’s first match in charge since ing “serious problems” with AFA. Bauza won Ramsey had helped win the penalty by forc- Borbalan disallowed the effort, apparently The visitors took a 15th-minute lead as leaving Sevilla to answer his country’s call just three of eight qualifiers in charge, but ing Stojovic into a foul just outside the box as penalising Duffy for leading with his arm. David Silva netted after being brilliantly set gave cause for optimism as Argentina saw his case wasn’t helped by Messi’s absence the goalkeeper tried to shepherd the ball behind “There’s nothing wrong with it at all-he’s up by a combination of Andres Iniesta and off an under-strength Brazil 1-0 in for a number of key games through injury for a goal-kick-from ’s resulting deliv- called a foul on Shane Duffy and I can’t see it,” Jordi Alba. —AFP Melbourne on Friday. and suspension. ery, was fouled as he tried to head However, there is a long way to go for the ball. Samapoli to turn an underperforming unit MESSI DEPENDANT However, substitute Aleksandar Prijovic set into the World Cup contenders they should Tellingly, Argentina have won five of the up Aleksandar Mitrovic to fire past Wayne be based on the talent at their disposal. six qualifiers Messi has been available for, Hennessey and equalise in the 73rd minute as “It is a huge confidence boost to beat but just one of the eight the Barcelona star Serbia stayed top of qualifying Group D. Brazil because for us it is a derby and, going has missed. “It was a great point. They huffed and puffed forward, it will help,” said Sampaoli. The 57- Luckily for Sampaoli, Messi’s initial four- a little bit but it wasn’t like they were peppering year-old has already proven himself as an game ban for swearing at an assistant refer- Wayne Hennessey,” Coleman told . international boss to Argentina’s cost as he ee during a 1-0 win over Chile in March was “You expect a tough game here. Everything I led Chile to the Copa America for the first quashed last month, freeing him up to play asked of the players they did it. That’s the type of time in 2015 — beating the country of his in the remaining qualifiers against Uruguay, togetherness these boys have got.” birth in the final on penalties. Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador. “He is the best Wales are still unbeaten in the group but this However, he now has four games to in the world by a long way,” said Sampaoli. was a fifth straight draw and they are third, four ensure Argentina and five-time World Player Yet, for all his success with Barcelona, points behind both Serbia and the Republic of of the Year Messi don’t suffer the embarrass- including four Champions League titles, Ireland, and level on points with Austria in ment of missing out on football’s biggest Messi, who turns 30 later this month, is yet fourth. Only the group winners qualify automati- stage in Russia next year. With only the top to win a major international tournament cally for next year’s finals, with the eight best four in South American qualifying automati- with Argentina having fallen short at the runners-up in the nine groups going into play- cally booking their place in Russia, final hurdle in the 2014 World Cup and 2015 offs for the last four spots. Argentina sit fifth, which would only be and 2016 Copa America. Sampaoli has Ireland came from behind to draw 1-1 with good enough for a playoff place against the already started to rebuild the team around Austria earlier with Stoke City striker Jon Walters winners of the Oceania confederation. his captain with experienced figures like volleying in the equaliser with five minutes left UDINE: Italy’s forward Andrea Belotti (R) is watched by teammate Antonio Candreva as he A 2-0 defeat to Bolivia in March proved Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi left out in Dublin. leaps for the ball during the FIFA WC 2018 football qualification match between Italy and the final straw for the Argentina Football of his first squad. — AFP That goal cancelled out Martin Hinteregger’s Liechtenstein at The Dacia Arena Stadium in Udine on Sunday. — AFP