SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019 SPORT 21 If that match was the last of one my career, I don’t know. FOOTBALL During rehab I will be able to Del Potro says career Women’s World Cup ICC World Cup think clearly. I will know what could be over after England vs Cameroon Pakistan vs South Africa

my body is able to do. latest knee injury. ACTION France vs Brazil in London TODAY’S

Unheralded Sucher seizes Hamilton powers to French Travelers lead

AFP NEW YORK GP pole ahead of Bottas Zack Sucher pulled away atop AFP French Grand Prix Bull and Antonio Giovinazzi of a crowded leaderboard LE CASTELLET The starting grid for today’s French Alfa Romeo. “It’s not an easy yesterday at the Travelers Grand Prix: track,” said Hamilton. Championship, taking a Lewis Hamilton timed his best 1st row “It’s very technical and two-shot lead as he battles to lap to perfection yesterday when Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) Valtteri has been very quick all regain his US PGA Tour status. he took pole position ahead of Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) weekend. I’ve been chipping “Absolutely, it feels great,” his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri 2nd row away and the last two laps were said the 32-year-old who has Bottas with a blistering late effort Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) the ones.” played mainly on the Korn at the French Grand Prix. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) Bottas said: “I think Lewis Ferry Tour -- the develop- The five-time world 3rd row had a really good lap. It’s mental circuit formerly known champion, who had struggled between super close between us as the Web.com Tour. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) to match the Finn’s pace in the all weekend and it’s about fine “A lot of work to be done, Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) previous two practice ses- details.” but right now it’s feeling great.” 4th row sions, reeled off a fastest lap A happy Leclerc said: “At the Sucher, part of a six-way tie Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) in one minute and 28.319 end, I am pretty happy with my for the lead on Thursday, had Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) seconds to beat him by 0.286 lap and unfortunately it wasn’t an eagle and four birdies in his 5th row seconds. enough! A good start will be very five-under par 65 and was two It was the 86th pole of his Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull-Honda) important tomorrow.” strokes in front of 2011 PGA career for Hamilton, who won Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA/Alfa Romeo On an afternoon of searing Championship winner Keegan last year’s race from pole, and a Racing-Ferrari) heat and a gusty wind at the Bradley and Chez Reavie, who record-increasing 63rd front- 6th row remote Le Castellet circuit, the finished in a tie for third at the row lock-out for Mercedes. Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso-Honda) track temperature was 55 US Open last week. Hamilton has taken 60 of his Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo degrees as the session began and Knee and ankle injuries poles with Mercedes. Racing-Ferrari) the air was 30, conditions that forced Sucher out of his second It was a master-class from 7th row ensured plenty of complaints US PGA Tour season in 2017. He the dominant Silver Arrows Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) about the smooth, if slippery, sought a medical extension and team while their rivals Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point-Mercedes) asphalt surface. after surgery to repair two lig- laboured in pursuit, with 8th row As he had on Friday aments and a tendon in one Monegasque Charles Leclerc Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) afternoon and Saturday ankle he says he is finally taking third for Ferrari ahead Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) morning, Bottas was quick to set playing “pain free” although he of Max Verstappen, fourth for 9th row the pace and topped Q1 ahead is still recovering from knee Red Bull. Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes) of Hamilton with Leclerc a close tendon trouble. British rookie Lando Norris George Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes) third. “I just feel a lot better in my impressed with a fine effort to 10th row Out went Daniil Kvyat, of game right now,” said Sucher, take fifth ahead of his resurgent Robert Kubica (POL/Williams-Mercedes) Toro Rosso, who will start at the who was sidelined for more McLaren team-mate Carlos Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Honda) back of the grid after taking a than a year and is now ranked Sainz and, surprisingly, a new engine, Romain Grosjean 505th in the world. “After being Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the pole despondent Sebastian Vettel fin- in his Haas, Lance Stroll of Force out, just this year in general I’ve position after the qualifying session at the Circuit Paul Ricard in ished down in seventh in the Daniel Ricciardo was eighth India and the two Williams of felt a whole lot better. second Ferrari after a gearbox for Renault ahead of Frenchman George Russell and Robert Le Castellet, southern France, yesterday, ahead of today’s Formula “This will be a little bit of a issue during Q3. Pierre Gasly in the second Red Kubica. One Grand Prix de France. different feeling being in the final group of a PGA event,” added Sucher, who has been in contention “plenty” on the developmental tour. “After the Qatar’s Abdulla aims to fight back in Italy first few swings I’ll settle in and be hopefully good to go.” Reavie THE PENINSULA Friday evening and that left the telecommunications company, and Bradley both carded four- Adel Abdulla in action on the dried PORDENONE Can-Am Maverick X3 crew in Adel ceded time to his rivals in under par 66s on the par-70 river beds of northern Italy yesterday. third in the T3 category for mod- the opener and reached the TPC River Highlands course in Qatar’s Adel Abdulla faces a fight ified cross-country vehicles. The finish in ninth and slipped to Cromwell, Connecticut. back over the final stages of the early advantage went to Latvian eighth in the overall rankings. Italian Baja, round three of the driver Aleksandr Dorosinskiy Problems with a faulty wind- FIA World Cup for Cross- with Santiago Navarro of Spain screen wiper had cost the Qatari Green heads Country Bajas, after slipping to in second place. 39 minutes in the muddy and eighth in the T3 rankings with Three runs through a chal- sodden stage. leaderboard windscreen wiper issues after lenging and slightly modified Dorosinskiy set the fastest three of the event’s six timed gravel stage of 79.43km followed time of 1hr 09min 54sec to in Minnesota sections yesterday. yesterday. The timed section extend his outright T3 lead over The Doha-based driver and started and finished at Italian driver Amerigo Ventura French co-driver Jean-Michel Barbeano. to 3min 53sec. Navarro held AFP Polato clocked a time of 10min Running with support from third and Russian Fedor LOS ANGELES 11sec through the opening the FN Speed Team and Vorobyev and Italy’s Michele 12.09km Murlis super special on Ooredoo, the Qatar Cinotto rounded off the top five. Hannah Green has both momentum and luck on her side as she extended her lead at the Women’s PGA Champi- onship to three shots yesterday. Federer to meet Goffin Barty reaches The 22-year-old Aussie maintained her momentum from a superb opening round Birmingham final in which she needed just 23 in ‘special’ Halle final putts. On Friday she made 27 AFP putts en route to a three-under AFP BIRMINGHAM 69 and a seven-under 137 total. Roger Federer from Switzerland reacts HALLE Two-time major winner after he won his match against Pierre- French Open champion Ashleigh Barty is one win away from Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand is Roger Federer said it was a Hugues Herbert from France at in Halle, becoming the first Australian to be crowned women’s world second after shooting two- “special” feeling to reach the western Germany, yesterday. number one in 43 years after reaching the final of the WTA event under 70 at the Hazeltine final of the ATP event in Halle in Birmingham yesterday. National golf course in Chaska, for a 13th time after beating Barty beat Barbora Strycova 6-4, 6-4 in the Birmingham Minnesota. Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 6-3 semi-finals to advance to her third final of the season and extend New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, in yesterday’s semi-final. her winning streak to 11 consecutive matches. who shot 70, and defending Federer is chasing a record- The 23-year-old hit 11 aces and 24 winners and did not drop champion Park Sung-hyun, extending tenth title at the pre- her serve once in one hour and 24 minutes on court against who shot 71, are tied for third Wimbledon grass court event Strycova. at 141. this year, having suffered a sur- Standing in the way of Barty overtaking Japan’s Naomi Osaka Nelly Korda is at 142 with prise defeat to Croatian Borna at the top of the WTA rankings is a familiar foe in the shape of Angel Yin while Lizette Salas, Coric in last year’s final. her doubles partner Julia Goerges, who beat Petra Martic 6-4, Moriya Jutanugarn, Lin Xiyu, “It is very, very special. I am 6-3 in the other semi-final. Kang Ji-min, Caroline Hedwall, glad I got another chance this Barty would be the first female Australian world number one Nuria Iturrioz, Kim Hyo-joo, year, because last year I really since Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Pernilla Lindberg and Lexi didn’t know if I would ever play John Newcombe, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt are the three Thompson are at 143. another Halle final,” he said. gruelling three-set encounters going to need it tomorrow.” Australian men to have topped the tennis world since rankings Green also holed a shot for World number 43 Herbert, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and The 37-year-old Swiss will were introduced in 1973. the second straight day, this 28, struggled in his first-ever Roberto Bautista Agut earlier in face David Goffin in the final, Barty’s last defeat came on May 16 against Kristina Mlade- time after putting her second meeting with 20-time major the week. “I feel in a similar sit- after the Belgian fought to novic at the Italian Open in Rome. shot on the par-four 12th in the winner Federer, who is hoping uation to last year. I was perhaps victory over rising Italian star Success in Birmingham would be her third tournament win water. to win a ninth Wimbledon title more tired last year because I Matteo Berrettini. in a superb three months after victory at Roland Garros and at After a penalty drop, her next month. The straight-sets had played in Stuttgart the week “Goffin plays well from the Miami in March. But Barty is blocking out the thought of sitting ball ended up tucked down in victory provided welcome before,” said Federer. back of the court, he plays on top of the world for now, preferring to focus on her game- the rough. But she gouged it out respite for the Swiss star, who “I hope I can call on that aggressively and returns well,” plan for facing German eighth seed Goerges. with a wedge, and it rolled was forced to battle through extra bit of energy, because I am said Federer. straight in for a par save. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019 Kiwis seal Bumrah, Shami’s hat-trick save 5-run win despite India from Afghanistan shock Brathwaite AFP final over, with 16 required and SOUTHAMPTON drilled Shami’s first ball down fireworks the ground for four. Mohammed Shami took a With an incredible triumph AP dramatic hat-trick to finally within touching distance, Nabi LONDON clinch India’s thrilling 11-run win was caught by Pandya at long on over Afghanistan after the two balls later. New Zealand has held off a late minnows threatened one of the Shami then clean-bowled batting onslaught from Carlos biggest shocks in World Cup and Mujeeb Ur Brathwaite to beat the West India’s Mohammed history in Southampton Rahman to seal a nerve-jangling Indies by five runs and move Shami celebrates after yesterday. win with a hat-trick. atop the standings, yesterday. Afghanistan, appearing at “This win is right up there. taking the wicket of Brathwaite blazed 101 from only their second World Cup, lost We thought 250 was par and 270 Afghanistan’s Mujeeb 82 balls as the last three West the toss but restricted India to would have been an outstanding Ur Rahman to complete Indies wickets combined for 122 224 for eight in their 50 overs, effort. A team like Afghanistan a hat-trick and seal win runs and got within one shot of giving themselves a genuine doesn’t let you play how you for India, yesterday. a spectacular comeback victory. chance for a huge upset. want to play,” India Virat He went for broke, trying to They were well set at 106-2 Kohli said. hit the last ball of the 49th over in the 29th over, even though the “At the halfway mark we had from Jimmy Neesham for six run-rate was starting to edge up, some doubts in our mind but and was caught on the long-on but two wickets in one over from everyone had belief in the boundary by Trent Boult. paceman Jasprit Bumrah changing room. Skipper Kane Williamson’s removed and “All in all it was an out- 148 and 160-run partnership . standing bowling performance. with Ross Taylor helped New and It showed the character of our Zealand rally to 291-8 after batted sen- team.” losing both openers for first- sibly to keep their side in the Frustrated Afghanistan ball ducks in the first over. hunt, but when Zadran was skipper added: New Zealand appeared to caught by Yuzvendra Chahal off “We bowled really well. We did have the game in hand when Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan well in batting, but credit to Boult took four wickets and a were 166-6 in the 42nd over. Bumrah for how he bowled in “If you chase 250 then bowling superbly at the death. one by off-spinner Mujeeb Ur vital catch to remove Chris Nabi was still there in the the last two or three overs. middle order batsmen should go Shami finished with figures Rahman. The rest of India’s pow- Gayle for 87 to have the West longer and take responsibility.” of 4-40. erful top order all got estab- Indies reeling at 164-7 in the SCOREBOARD Earlier, an increasingly “When the captain has so lished, with Kohli making 67 27th over. fraught India were furious when much trust in you, it gives you a from 63 balls, but none went on Brathwaite’s cameo con- INDIA Rahmat Shah c Chahal b Bumrah ...... 36 the umpire turned down a huge lot of confidence to express to play a decisive innings for the tained five sixes and nine K. Rahul c Zazai b Nabi ...... 30 Hashmatullah Shahidi c and b Bumrah ...... 21 R. Sharma b Rahman ...... 1 b Chahal ...... 8 lbw shout at the start of the 29th yourself. That helps me keep a two-time champions. boundaries and took the match V. Kohli c Shah b Nabi ...... 67 Mohammad Nabi c Pandya b Shami ...... 52 over from Bumrah, who rapped clear head,” said man-of-the- Off-spinner Mujeeb was par- to the wire, sinking to his knees V. Shankar lbw b Shah ...... 29 Najibullah Zadran c Chahal b Pandya ...... 21 Shah on the pads -- Kohli’s side match Bumrah. ticularly impressive, conceding when he saw Boult hold the MS Dhoni st Alikhil b Rashid ...... 28 st Dhoni b Chahal ...... 14 had no reviews left. Afghanistan have been the just 26 runs in his 10 overs, while catch in the deep. K. Jadhav c sub () b Naib ....52 Ikram Alikhil ...... 7 Just three balls later Shah, on whipping boys of the tournament leg-spinner Rashid Khan bounced Earlier, Williamson under- H. Pandya c Alikhil b Alam ...... 7 Aftab Alam b Shami ...... 0 36, top-edged a hook and Chahal in England and Wales, often back from the most expensive lined his status as one of the M. Shami b Naib ...... 1 b Shami ...... 0 took a fine low catch running in looking out of their depth against spell in World Cup history World Cup’s most feared K. Yadav not out ...... 1 Extras (b4, lb4, w9) ...... 17 J. Bumrah not out ...... 1 Total (all out, 49.5 overs) ...... 213 from fine leg, sending the massed the more established teams. against England to take 1-38. batsmen with his highest ever Extras (w7) ...... 7 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Zazai), 2-64 (Naib), 3-106 ranks of flag-waving Indian sup- Yesterday’s match was only Kohli, who scored half-cen- ODI score of 148 against the Total (eight wickets, 50 overs) ...... 224 (Shah), 4-106 (Shahidi), 5-130 (Afghan), 6-166 (Za- porters wild. the third one-day international turies against Australia and West Indies yesterday. Did not bat: Y. Chahal dran), 7-190 (Rashid), 8-213 (Nabi), 9-213 (Alam), With his final ball of the over between the two teams and Pakistan, reached his third con- Williamson’s knock against Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Sharma), 2-64 (Rahul), 3-122 10-213 (Rahman) Bumrah turned the game sharply defeat for India would have been secutive fifty of the tournament West Indies was his second suc- (Shankar), 4-135 (Kohli), 5-192 (Dhoni), 6-217 (Pan- Bowling: Shami 9.5-1-40-4 (3w), Bumrah 10-1-39- back in India’s direction when a major embarrassment despite off 48 balls, with four fours, but cessive World Cup century as dya), 7-222 (Shami), 8-223 (Jadhav) 2, Chahal 10-0-36-2, Pandya 10-1-51-2 (2w), Yadav Shahidi could only offer up a last year’s tie in the Asia Cup. was caught by Shah off the he dominated with some Bowling: Rahman 10-0-26-1 (1w), Alam 7-1-54-1, 10-0-39-0 Naib 9-0-51-2 (2w), Nabi 9-0-33-2 (1w), Rashid 10- Result: India won by 11 runs simple caught-and-bowled India were on the back foot bowling of Nabi. elegant stroke-play. 0-38-1 (2w), Shah 5-0-22-1 (1w) Toss: India chance and he departed for 21. right at the start of the match Kedar Jadhav reached his Williamson paced his AFGHANISTAN Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Richard Illingworth Bumrah -- the world’s top- when in-form opener Rohit fifty off 66 balls, giving the innings with 14 fours and a six b Shami ...... 10 (ENG), TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) ranked one-day international Sharma, who has scored two scorecard a look of respectability during a composed 154-ball Gulbadin Naib c Shankar b Pandya ...... 27 Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) bowler -- finished with figures hundreds so far in the tour- and the total ultimately proved innings at Old Trafford. of 2 for 39 from his 10 overs, nament, was dismissed for just just too much for Afghanistan. The New Zealanders, the 2015 runners-up, have 11 points from five wins and a washout against India and are one point ahead of defending Pakistan morale high ahead Proteas inspired by champion Australia, two ahead of No. 2-ranked India, and three clear of top-ranked of SA match, says Sarfaraz SL’s victory over England. The West Indies still have a REUTERS mathematical chance of Pakistan’s captain LONDON England: Markram reaching the semi-finals, but Sarfaraz Ahmed next face India. Pakistan’s morale is high despite jogs during a AFP kind of focus on ourselves a crushing loss to arch-rivals practice session LONDON because if we put together our SCOREBOARD India in their last World Cup at Lords Cricket best game of cricket, it should NEW ZEALAND clash, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed Ground in London, South Africa’s Aiden Markram put us in a good position to M. Guptill lbw b Cottrell ...... 0 said on the eve of their match yesterday. says Sri Lanka’s stunning hopefully win games.” with South Africa at Lord’s today. World Cup upset of England While the Sri Lanka win C. Munro b Cottrell ...... 0 India extended their will inspire his side’s bid to showed anything can happen K. Williamson c Hope b Cottrell ...... 148 unblemished World Cup record avoid being eliminated from in the World Cup, Markram R. Taylor c Holder b Gayle ...... 69 against Pakistan by sealing an the tournament. conceded South Africa have T. Latham c and b Cottrell ...... 12 89-run win last week but Sar- The struggling Proteas to play much better to have J. Neesham c Cottrell b Brathwaite ...... 28 faraz said that his players were face Pakistan in a must-win any chance of advancing. C. De Grandhomme run out (Cottrell) ....16 coping well although there was clash at Lord’s today after South Africa need to win M. Santner c Cottrell b Brathwaite ...... 10 some pressure on him as captain. winning just one of their first all three of their remaining M. Henry not out ...... 0 The defeat as well as team’s six group games. game, while other results Extras (lb4, nb1, w3) ...... 8 failure to live up to the country’s With their troubled World must also go their way to Total (eight wickets, 50 overs) .....291 expectations has led the Pakistan Cup campaign facing a do-or- make the last four. Did not bat: Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult Cricket Board (PCB) to announce die moment, Markram “We can definitely take a Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-7, 3-167, 4-210, a “robust review” of the team’s revealed Sri Lanka’s shock bit of learning from that,” said 5-251, 6-270, 7-291, 8-291 performance in the last three 20-run win over the hosts this Markram who has managed Bowling: Cottrell 10-1-56-4 (1w), Roach years. week has revived South just 99 runs in four World Cup 10-2-38-0, Holder 7-0-42-0, Thomas 6-0- “Psychologically the Africa’s spirits. innings. But a lot of the focus 30-0, Brathwaite 6-0-58-2 (1w), Nurse pressure is on a captain if you “It’s definitely inspira- is on us really trying to put our 9-0-55-0, Gayle 2-0-8-1 (1w) lose a World Cup match against tional,” Markram told best game of cricket together India,” Sarfaraz told reporters reporters yesterday. to see how far it can take us.” WEST INDIES yesterday. “It’s nice to see that a team Markram claimed South C. Gayle c Boult b De Grandhomme ...... 87 “But we all are okay. We are like Sri Lanka with great Africa have never felt down S. Hope b Boult ...... 1 backing ourselves. Hopefully we players, and maybe have been and out despite their disap- N. Pooran c Latham b Boult ...... 1 will bounce back in tomorrow’s struggling for form, as have pointing run, which featured S. Hetmyer b Ferguson ...... 54 (today’s) match. It’s tough but after we, have been able to a dramatic last over loss to J. Holder c Latham b Ferguson ...... 0 “It’s tough but after the the match we gave overcome one of the New Zealand in their previous C. Brathwaite c Boult b Neesham...... 101 match we gave two days’ rest to two days’ rest to favourites.” match. A. Nurse c Latham b Boult ...... 1 the players. We’re practising the players. We’re Sri Lanka defended a “We definitely never feel hard and the morale is high.” modest 233-run target against done and out,” said Markram. E. Lewis c Neesham b Boult ...... 0 Pakistan are second from practising hard and a powerful England batting “We’ve sort of tried to put K. Roach c Latham b Henry ...... 14 bottom in the 10-team standings the morale is high: line-up, with veteran fast a lot of focus back completely S. Cottrell b Ferguson ...... 15 with one win from five games, Sarfaraz Ahmed bowler Lasith Malinga taking on to us going forward. O. Thomas not out ...... 0 but take on a South Africa side four wickets. “It’s obviously really Extras (lb3, w9) ...... 12 that has also failed to fire in the Markram said the result important that we win the Total (all out, 49 overs) ...... 286 competition. proves any team can win on remaining three games, and Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-20, 3-142, 4-142, Faf du Plessis’ team also Their only victory came in a opened up the race to the their day. “It was a great game if there’s outside chance of 5-152, 6-163, 7-164, 8-211, 9-245, 10-286, have three points to sit one low-scoring match against semi-finals. of cricket, and it just proves that qualifying, that would be Bowling: Boult 10-1-30-4 (1w), Henry 9-0- place above Pakistan following Afghanistan. “The tournament is open as soon as a team clicks on the incredible. 76-1 (2w), Ferguson 10-0-59-3 (2w), Nee- defeats by England, Bang- Pakistan will look to take now, so we have a chance. We’re day, any team at this World Cup “But the only way we’re sham 6-0-35-1, Santner 10-1-61-0, De ladesh, India and New Zealand, inspiration from Sri Lanka’s focussing match by match and can beat any other team.” going to do that is by winning Grandhomme 4-0-22-1 with the game against West stunning 20-run victory over we’ll try to win tomorrow. We’re “That’s why I say we really the next three games.” Result: New Zealand won by five runs Indies washed out. England on Friday that has hopeful against South Africa,” SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019 SPORT 23

Qatar, Japan not just making up Copa numbers AFP draw with Uruguay. Both sides may disjointed and underwhelming Olympics. When Moriyasu announced actually taking place at the same RIO DE JANEIRO only have one point from two group Argentina for whom Lionel Messi has his 23-man squad last month, 17 of time. games so far but they know that been unable to spark into life. the players were uncapped. Two Invitees have been a feature Japan and Qatar’s participation in victory in their final pool encounters And he knows that a victory friendlies and two Copa America of the Copa America since it adopted the Copa America may have raised will likely see them into the knock- over Qatar, which Argentina almost We want to be matches later, and nine of those have its current 12-team format in 1993. eyebrows in some quarters but the out rounds. certainly need to avoid being protagonists on the since made their debut. While the invitees have mostly two Asian nations have already “We want to be protagonists on knocked out of the competition, is But despite fielding such inex- been from the Americas -- Mexico proved they didn’t turn up in Brazil the pitch, our anything but a foregone pitch, our players perienced line-ups, Japan have have played 10 times, Costa Rica five just to make up the numbers. players have conclusion. have the quality impressed with their speed and times and the United States four Qatar began their Group B cam- the quality “You don’t win matches any to do that. We’re industry, as well as a willingness to times -- CONMEBOL had branched paign by fighting back from 2-0 to do that,” more just by pulling on the jersey,” attack. out once before when Japan were down to draw 2-2 with Paraguay said Qatar’s warned the Barcelona star, who a team that never While many fans may have invited to the 1999 tournament. before a late Duvan Zapata goal Spanish coach turns 32 on Monday. gives up: Qatar’s regarded the two Asian invitees as This was the first time there had denied them a point against Felix Sanchez. Having paid for their waste- coach Felix Sanchez amongst the weakest sides in the been two invitees from outside the Colombia in their next match. “We’re a fulness in front of goal and naivety tournament, both have proved they Americas and that policy will continue And while a youthful team that never at the back against Chile, Japan are no push-overs. with the next edition for which and inexperienced Japan gives up,” he coach Hajime Moriyasu rang the CONMEBOL is the South Australia and Qatar have been side was taught a harsh added about the changes ahead of their clash with from the controversially awarded American governing football invited to take part. lesson in clinical fin- Asian Uruguay. penalty, insisted the 15-time Copa federation that organizes the So far, Mexico have ishing by Chile in a champions. Having thrashed 10-man winners had not underestimated Copa America, while CONCACAF come the closest of 4-0 defeat, they Today, Ecuador 4-0 in their opener, their Asian opponents. groups countries from North and the guests to were then on the Qatar Uruguay had to come from behind Japan came to the tournament Central America, and the winning the Copa, wrong end of two face a twice to snatch the draw with Japan. with a squad made up mostly of Caribbean. reaching the final controversial VAR Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, under-23 players likely to be The CONCACAF Gold Cup, the in 1993 and decisions in their 2-2 who equalized the first time available next year for the Tokyo Copa America equivalent, is 2001.

Qatari players take part in a practice session in Porto Alegre, Brazil yesterday, on the eve of their Copa America match against Argentina.

Egypt win ACN opener Sanchez sends Chile into quarters REUTERS CAIRO AFP SALVADOR, BRAZIL Mahmoud Trezeguet handed hosts Egypt a winning start to the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) with the only goal of Alexis Sanchez put a miserable Friday’s opening game against Zimbabwe in a high tempo club season with Manchester start to the tournament. United behind him as he sent Chile His 41st-minute strike proved decisive as Egypt missed into the Copa America quarter- out on a myriad of chances to make a bigger impact but finals with the winning goal in will be satisfied to have taken the first three point haul of Friday’s 2-1 win over Ecuador. the month-long event. Jose Fuenzalida gave reigning Trezeguet’s finish overshadowed a return to Cairo for champions Chile an eighth-minute Champions League winner Mohamed Salah, whose every lead but Enner Valencia equalized touch was loudly cheered but who had a frustrating evening for Ecuador from the spot. as he could not convert his chances. Sanchez bagged the winner, his 43rd goal for his country, but Chile finished with 10 men after Gabriel Achilier’s red card a minute from time. The 30-year-old Sanchez started only nine Premier League matches, scoring just once, in an injury-interrupted season for the Red Devils in which he struggled to make an impact when he did play. But he scored for the second Chile’s Alexis Sanchez scores their second goal as Ecuador’s goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez attempts to game running in Salvador as Chile Algeria’s coach Djamel Belmadi (left) and captain Riyad save it during the Copa America - Group C match played at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, on Friday. joined Colombia as the only teams Mahrez attend a press conference in Cairo yesterday. to qualify for the knock-out stages after their first two games. Monday, opening the scoring after to try to beat the speedy Romario However, he revealed after- just eight minutes. Ecuador made Ibarra to the ball on the flank. Mahrez concerned wards that he turned his ankle a hash of clearing a corner and Ibarra went down from the Uruguay’s during the first half, aggravating Fuenzalida sent an angled volley slightest brush of contact and after an old injury. from the edge of the area into the a lengthy VAR delay, Arias was Laxalt down about unknown “I think I have a sprain, I hope far bottom corner. shown a yellow card. it’s not too serious. At half-time Ecuador brought the same In what proved a niggly with injury quantity Kenya they strapped it up, I played on muscular approach to the game encounter, referee Patricio with a bit of pain,” he said. that had seen them reduced to 10 Loustau showed nine yellow cards REUTERS Chile top Group C with a men in their opener against and a red. AP CAIRO perfect six points ahead of their Uruguay -- a 4-0 loss. “We lacked the intelligence to PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL clash with Uruguay at Rio’s iconic Sebastian Mendez found control the game after the first Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is wary of Kenya being some- Maracana on Monday. himself in the referee’s book after goal,” said Chile coach Reinaldo Uruguay says midfielder Diego Laxalt thing of an unknown commodity when the two teams kick Ecuador are left staring elim- just three minutes for a robust Rueda. has an injured left hamstring and off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in a Group C ination in the face after a second challenge on Charles Aranguiz. Chile were back in front early could recover in time to play again encounter today. straight defeat, knowing they must However, it was Chile who in the second period after more in the Copa America. “We do not know much about Kenya. We (the current beat Japan in Belo Horizonte on were lucky to reach the break with poor Ecuador defending. Laxalt was hurt on Thursday in players) never played against them,” Mahrez told a news Monday to stand any chance of a full complement after goal- Aranguiz was allowed to turn the 2-2 draw against Japan in Porto conference yesterday. progressing. keeper Gabriel Arias suffered two and cross far too easily on the right Alegre. He had to be replaced in the “We have watched a lot of videos of them and we have “We put in a huge effort but rushes of blood to the head. and Sanchez was left unmarked 27th minute, shortly after Japan played similar teams.” we’re making the mistake of First he clattered into Mendez at the back post to side-foot a scored its first goal at Arena Gremio. Kenya are making their first appearance in the tour- switching off and that’s why they inside the area, allowing Valencia volley beyond the despairing dive Uruguay did not say when Laxalt may nament since 2004. They last played Algeria 22 years ago. scored silly goals,” moaned to chip home the equalizer from of Alexander Dominguez. be available. Its last group match is Mahrez is Algeria’s highest profile player as they bid for Valencia. the spot on 28 minutes. Ecuador were bossing pos- tomorrow against Chile. It needs at their first Cup of Nations success since 1990. “We’ll try and beat Japan and Arias escaped further sanction, session but were toothless up least a draw to advance. But the Manchester City winger, who was named African then see where that takes us.” though, and that saved him five front, while Sanchez and Eduardo Uruguay has already had to drop Footballer of the Year in 2016, said he did not see himself Chile began as they had left off minutes before the break when Vargas provided far greater cut midfielder Matias Vecino after he was as a talisman for the side. in their 4-0 thrashing of Japan last he charged rashly out of his area and thrust for Chile. injured. SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019 24

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 23 Hamilton Sanchez sends powers to Chile into French GP pole Copa America ahead of Bottas quarter-finals

Coach Felix Sanchez offers tips to Qatari players during a practice session in Porto Alegre, Brazil yesterday, on the eve of their Copa America match against Argentina. Qatar face Argentina with eye on quarters

ARMSTRONG VAS The Asian champions are on In that case, Argentina will THE PENINSULA the verge of sending Messi’s hope Brazil beat Peru by more Here’sHere’s hhowo others team back home as Argentina than two goals and that Japan A ‘vigilant’ Qatar will be aiming face a survival test at the Copa doesn’t beat Ecuador tomorrow ccanan reachreach last-eight to maintain their impressive run America. The two- time World in Belo Horizonte in Group C. in Copa America challenge Cup champions have no choice If Argentina draw the Asian when they take on Lionel Messi’s but to beat Qatar champions, it will cheer for AP Argentina in a crucial Group B Colombia to beat Paraguay BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL match today. The last time Argentina crashed by more than two goals, The Asian champions are on out of a Copa America group and that Japan and Only defendingd champion Chile and the verge of sending Messi’s stage was in 1983. Ecuador draw as well. ColombiaColombia have qualified for the Copa team back home as Argentina The last time AmericaAmerica knockout stage after two rounds face a survival test at the Copa Argentina crashed of groupgrou matches. America. The two- time World lost with narrowly against out of a Copa TheTh third and last round started Cup champions have no choice Colombia, because of a goal we America group yesterday.yest but to beat Qatar, the host of the conceded with four minutes stage was in The top two in each group and 2022 World Cup. from the end, which shows that 1983. the two best third-place finishers The Qatar camp is upbeat we have a solid and strong “It advanceadva to the quarter-finals. after delivering two impressive defense,” said Boudaif. would be HereHe is the situation before the performances and have set their “We want to be protagonists crazy not roundround begins:begin eyes on the last-eight stage of on the pitch, our players have to advance GROUP B the South American showpiece the quality to do that,” said when three teams are With ColombiaColombia throughthr as group winners, the focus event. Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix practically guaranteed is on ArgentinaArgentina in laslastt position with one point. They climbed back from a Sanchez. in the next round,” To finishfinish second,second, LionelL Messi’s team will need to 2-0 deficit against Paraguay to “We’re a team that never Messi said drawing beatbeat QatarQatar in Porto AlegreAle today and hope Paraguay, draw 2-2, before losing to gives up,” he added about the with Paraguay on withwith two points, doesndoesn’t win against Colombia in Sal- Colombia after a goal scored Asian champions. Wednesday. vador.vvaddor. If ParaParaguayguay win, ArgentinaA will finish third. minutes before the final whistle. “We arrived with chances But the five- In that case,case, ArgentinaArgentin will hope Brazil beats Peru by “We have to be vigilant all of going through,” Sanchez said. time world player moremmoore than two goals and tthat Japan doesn’t beat Ecuador the time against Argentina,” said “It will be tremendously dif- of the year says tomorrowttooommorrow in Belo HorizoHorizonten in Group C. Qatari defender Karim Boudiaf ficult because of the Argentina Argentina’s reality is If ArgentinaArgentina draw withwi the Asian champions, it will on the eve of the match. potential everybody knows.” different now. cheercheeer for ColombiaColombia to beatbe Paraguay by more than two “With a great player like With Colombia through as “We knew that it goals,ggoaals, and that Japan anandd Ecuador draw as well. Lionel Messi in their ranks we group winner, the focus is on was not easy to come GROUP C will remain very careful. They Argentina in last position with play Copa America, we Chile,Chile, already qualifiedqualified to the next stage with six points, have strong players in the line one point. were searching for a anda d UruUruguay,guay, with ffourour points,p will play tomorrow in Rio of attack and we will give our To finish second, Messi’s team, for a system,” dde Janeiro forfor top place inin the group. best against Argentina and play team will need to beat Qatar in Messi said. “Nowadays JapanJapan and Ecuador facefa off later and need to win to with all strength. Our confidence Porto Alegre and hope Par- you don’t win because Qatari forward advanceaadvvance as one ofof the bestb third-place sides. To finish is very high and anything can aguay, with two points, doesn’t of the shirt anymore, Almoez Ali and second,sseccond, Japan needs to bebeata Ecuador and hope for Uruguay happen in football,” he added. win against Colombia in Sal- and we have to do Argentinian to lose.lose.o Ecuador can also ggo through if they score their first “We played a great game vador. If Paraguay wins, things well to get the skipper threethreee points aagainstgainst JapJapan,a and Bolivia don’t beat Vene- against Paraguay and we only Argentina will finish third. three points.” Lionel Messi zuezuelaela and Argentina drawdraw with Qatar. Asian Beach Handball: Qatar beat Iran to reach 5th final in a row

THE PENINSULA against Vietnam 2-0 (13-12, 18-16) While the finalists gear up for WEIHAI, CHINA yesterday. tomorrow’s title showdown, Iran will Qatar won title in 2011, 2013, meet Vietnam in the third place Qatar beat Iran 2-0 (20-14, 16-10) to 2015 and 2017 to become the most decider. reach their fifth consecutive final of successful team in the tournament’s Rest of the teams will compete the AHF Asian Beach Handball history and interestingly, Oman were for play-off spots today. Championships yesterday. the runners-up in all four of those The championship in China In the Chinese city of Weihai in finals. serves as a qualifier for both the 2019 Shangdong Province, the four-time On their way to the semi-finals, ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar champions, Qatar will meet their tra- Qatar convincingly beat Vietnam, and the 2020 IHF Men’s and A Qatari player prepares to score against Iran during ditional rivals Oman for the fifth time Chinese Taipei, Afghanistan, Philip- Women’s Beach Handball Champi- the semi-final of the AHF Asian Beach Handball in the championships’ 15-year pines and Indonesia, all in straight onships to be held in Italy. Championships in Weihai, China, yesterday. history after their West Asian coun- sets to become the only unbeaten Qatar and Oman have already terparts won their semi-final match team in the 12-nation tournament. booked their places in the IHF event.