MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 2019 SPORT 07 It’s (Phillip Island circuit) one of my favourite tracks. I enjoy a MotoGP world FOOTBALL CRICKET lot, riding there. Long corners, champion EPL: Sheffield United vs Arsenal South Africa vs India MLS: Minnesota United ICC World Test Championship traction, very fast corners. Marc Marquez Yamaha normally are very fast there. ACTION vs LA Galaxy 3rd Test, Day 3 in Ranchi TODAY’S Thomas holds off Lee to win second CJ Cup title REUTERS off with a five-under 67 for a prematurely last Sunday and SEOUL winning total of 20-under 268, is in an incubator. while Lee carded 69 to finish “Before I tee off my very Inaugural champion Justin in second place to the first tee shot on Thursday, if Thomas staved off a challenge American. someone’s going to give me by Danny Lee to claim his “It was a very, very tough solo second, I would take it in second CJ Cup title in three day,” Thomas said after his 11th a heartbeat. It is a good week, years with a two-shot victory PGA Tour victory. but also very disappointing,” over the Korean-born New “Danny made it extremely he said. Zealander at Nine Bridges difficult. He really made a lot Hideki Matsuyama (65), yesterday. of putts, a lot of unbelievable Gary Woodland (66) and The overnight leaders were up and downs to kind of keep Cameron Smith (69) shared level for the first 13 holes before me from getting all the third place at 15-under. Thomas surged ahead with a momentum. I really, really A further three shots behind birdie on the 14th, while Lee played solidly today.” was Jordan Spieth, who returned bogeyed the 15th and 16th to It has been a difficult week 71, while fellow American Phil Justin Thomas of the US poses with the trophy after winning effectively drop out of for Lee whose second child, Mickelson finished with 68 to be the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges Golf Club in Jeju Island, yesterday. contention. originally due closer to joined by Australian Jason Day Thomas eventually signed Christmas, was born (71) at seven-under. Dominant Boks end Japan’s dream run REUTERS the teams had gone in with only two points separating TOKYO them after an unconverted fourth-minute try by winger Makazole Mapimpi was countered by a Yu There was never any shortage of courage, but not Tamura penalty for Japan. even the bravest of blossoms could punch through But in the event, after an exhilarating first 40 Springboks brawn yesterday as South Africa reached minutes, the Japanese team ran out of energy, ideas the rugby World Cup semi-finals by beating Japan and, finally, hope. 26-3 and ending their dream run at their home tour- They had not been tackled as fiercely this World nament. Cup as they were on Sunday night. Nor had they faced In what was a first World Cup quarter-final for such a disciplined, well-organised defence. the Japanese, neither an entire nation seemingly now And where the South Africans had been careless besotted by rugby, nor a raucous 50,000 crowd early on - they could have gone in at halftime three packed into Tokyo Stadium, could carry the hosts to or four tries to the good - they tightened everything victory. up in the second period to devastating effect. It was always going to be an enormous ask for Man of the match Faf de Klerk, who had helmed Japan to replicate what has been their greatest the South Africans artfully throughout, added a second moment on a rugby field -- beating South Africa 34-32 try on 66 minutes and Mapimpi added his second four in a World Cup group stage match in Brighton, minutes later. England, four years ago. Pollard converted one try and slotted three pen- South Africa had been stunned by that ‘Miracle in alties in the second period, all unanswered. Brighton’ but with victories over both Ireland and Japan could never hope to maintain the frenetic Scotland this World Cup, Japan no longer held any pace with which they had harried South Africa early element of surprise. on and departed the tournament beaten but with a Lines were clearly drawn, with both Japan and whole new army of fans for their exciting, free-flowing South Africa knowing precisely what they had to do rugby. to reach next weekend’s semi-final against Wales - South Africa must now regroup for their this was always going to be a battle between the Boks’ Yokohama semi-final against Wales who earlier forwards and the Brave Blossoms’ lightning backs. recorded a 20-19 victory over 14-man France, who South African fly-half Handre Pollard (centre) runs with the ball past Japanese players during The first half was close -- mostly due to South had lock Sebastian Vahaamahina sent off at Oita the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, yesterday. Africa’s profligacy with the line at their mercy -- and Stadium. Dramatic late try sends Wales Japan rugby in good place despite through to World Cup semis exit, says Joseph REUTERS Wales’ Dan Biggar converts a try during the Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against France in OITA Oita, Japan, yesterday. AFP TOKYO Wales advanced to their third World Cup semi-final when Ross Japan coach Jamie Joseph insisted rugby in the country was Moriarty’s late try gave then a 20-19 in a “good place” despite his team’s 26-3 defeat by South victory over a battling France team Africa that saw them exit the World Cup at the quarter-final who played the last half-hour with stage. 14 men after lock Sebastien The loss brought to an end the Brave Blossoms adventure Vahaamahina was sent off on home soil, with the Springboks going on to play Wales in yesterday. the semi-finals next weekend in Yokohama. France were leading 19-10 “I’m just really proud of the Japan team,” said Joseph, who when Vahaamahina had a moment used the last five minutes of the match as an example of how of madness - elbowing Aaron Japan was well placed. Wainwright in a maul - and though “We were down by 20-odd points and every guy showed they defended superbly after that, the ability to come back, to never lay down,” he said. “That will replacement number eight help us after the World Cup. Moriarty, who had been yellow- “I can’t tell you about what’s next. I know that Japanese carded himself earlier, won it six rugby is in a good place now.” minutes from time when he Joseph referenced the recall at the age of 38 of lock Luke grabbed a loose ball and forced his Thompson and James Moore’s transformation from average way over the line. Eight years ago club rugby player, allied with the “younger Japanese players an early red card for Wales captain have come through, that’s the future for Japanese rugby”. Sam Warburton played a key role “It’s been a lot of work by a lot of people.” as France triumphed 9-8 in their Joseph, whose side was only 5-3 down at half-time, said World Cup semi-final in Auckland. dynamism and total commitment. out of the tackle to Virimi Vakatawa, France responded by buckling they had expected an “attritional” battle with a tough Bok team. This time it was the Welsh who Vahaamahina bundled over for the and the unstoppable centre proved down and showing real aggression “They were able to snuff us out,” the former All Black said. benefited to reach the last four for first score before Damian Penaud just that. The halftime score of 19-10 in defence, giving up just one Biggar A ferocious Springbok defensive effort nullified Japan’s the third time, having lost to New set up the second by beating Liam was extremely kind to Wales and penalty in the next 25 minutes. But much vaunted attacking dangers that had helped them rack Zealand in 1987 and France in 2011. Williams in an aerial duel - which every player in both camps would just as it looked as if they might hold up wins over Six Nations giants Ireland, Scotland, Samoa and They will face either South Africa very few people can manage - to have been well aware that earlier out for a memorable victory, Russia to top their pool. who beat Japan later yesterday. set his backline moving and even- this year France led 16-0 at halftime replacement scrum half Tomos Wil- “We played really well in the last four games, but South The French will be furious that tually sent flanker Charles Ollivon in Paris but lost 24-19 as Wales liams stripped the ball from French Africa were another step up, you have to take your hat off, they allowed themselves to be over. completed the biggest comeback hands after a five-metre scrum and they’re a good side.” forced onto the defensive, having The first contribution of his in Six Nations history. Moriarty, villain turned hero, more Japan’s future, Joseph insisted, was bright although he ques- played superbly for most of the replacement Moriarty was a high Something similar then began than made up for his earlier yellow tioned whether the current structures of the Japanese Top opening 50 minutes. tackle that sent him straight back to look likely when Vahaamahina by grabbing it and diving over. League and university league might need an overhaul.