Established 1961 Sport SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2017 Medvedeva wins NHK Trophy Trailblazer Feng is China’s Vandeweghe gives US early 12to secure Grand Prix berth 13 first world No 1 golfer 14 lead in Fed Cup final WELLINGTON: Peru’s Yoshimar Yotun (L) goes down in a tackle by New Zealand’s Michael McGlinchey during the World Cup football qualifying match between New Zealand and Peru at Westpac Stadium in Wellington yesterday. — AFP N Zealand, Peru draw in WCup playoff Peru dominates early exchanges against nervous New Zealand WELLINGTON: Oceania champion New Zealand held side deserved to win the match and reassured the deflection trickle back toward the net before goalkeep- adversity.” Peru to a 0-0 draw yesterday in the first leg of their team’s supporters they were determined to win at home er Stefan Marinovic cleared it off the line just in time. Kosta Barbarouses, left alone up front in the initial intercontinental World Cup playoff that will decide the and end their long World Cup drought. Marinovic also pulled off two notable saves in the sec- absence of Wood, flashed across goal in the 33rd final qualifier for Russia next year. “We have many fans and everyone is behind the ond half, palming a header from Aldo Corzo over the minute after getting in behind the Peru defense. The teams will head to Lima next week for the sec- team and I want to tell them bar in the 63rd minute and Wood, who was introduced after 73 minutes, had a ond leg with the South Americans hoping to return to that we have a good chance stopping a low shot from sniff of a chance in the 83rd minute and Barbarouses the World Cup for the first time in 36 years and New to qualify but it won’t be Yordy Reina a minute later. shot just wide seconds later. Ryan Thomas then blasted Zealand looking to make just its third appearance at the easy,” he said. “Don’t worry But the All Whites also cre- a powerful shot past the post in the 85th minute with finals. Peru, which finished fifth in the South American about this result because ated some chances of their the goalkeeper off his line, before Pedro Aquino had qualifying tournament and is currently ranked 10th in the team will still give 100 It’s not a 90 own to put the visitors one of Peru’s best chances in the 88th minute but the world, was heavily favored to beat New Zealand, percent in its attempt to under pressure and New missed the target after Markinovic had been knocked but struggled in the absence of star striker and captain, qualify.” minute match, Zealand manager Anthony down. Paolo Guerrero, who was suspended after failing a Peru dominated the early Hudson said it was signifi- Peru has qualified for the World Cup on four previ- doping test. exchanges against a nerv- it’s 180 minutes cant that his team did not ous occasions, reaching the quarterfinals in 1970, but New Zealand, ranked 122nd in the world, also suf- ous New Zealand team, give up an away goal, has not made it back to the sport’s marquee tournament fered a setback before kickoff when key striker Chris retaining possession for although he stressed “the since 1982. They edged out Chile on goal difference to Wood was forced out of the starting lineup because of long periods and playing at mindset is we’ve achieved finish fifth in the South American qualifiers and book a a lingering hamstring injury, but steadily grew in confi- pace and with precision, but nothing.” place in the intercontinental playoffs against the cham- dence as the match progressed and brought on the was thwarted by the home team’s staunch defense, led “The key for us, and we said this at the beginning, it’s pions of Oceania, the only regional confederation not Burnley forward as a second half substitute as they by the captain Winston Reid. not a 90 minute match, it’s 180 minutes,” he said. “We guaranteed direct entry. New Zealand has qualified for pressed for a late goal. Peru came close to scoring in the seventh minute have to still be in the game in the last 15 minutes over in the World Cup finals just twice before, in 1982 and Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca said he believed his after a mix-up by the New Zealand defense saw a Lima. This suits us. We’re accustomed to that sort of 2010.—AFP from all European tournaments until June 30 and club, whose reputation is tainted.” fined 10,000 euros ($11,650). Evra was widely The ban handed down by UEFA mirrored ‘Karate kick’ condemned for the assault on a Marseille spec- that given to Evra’s French compatriot Eric tator which took place during the pre-match Cantona for his flying kick in 1995. Cantona, warm-up of a Europa League tie at Portuguese who was playing for Manchester United at Evra leaves side Vitoria Guimaraes last week. Crystal Palace when the attack took place, was He had been suspended by Marseille in the banned for eight months by the English FA. Marseille, banned wake of the controversy while the club’s fanati- UEFA added Friday that they have not asked cal followers made it abundantly clear that he FIFA to extend the ban internationally which was no longer welcome at the Stade Velodrome. would have prevented Evra from seeking a new until June 30 “This Game is Over” said a banner unfurled at club outside of Europe. the ground at last weekend’s 5-0 win over Caen. France national coach Didier Deschamps said MARSEILLE: Patrice Evra parted ways with Another banner read: “We don’t want you in he was saddened by the affair. “It’s a very com- Marseille on Friday after his infamous karate our colours anymore. Evra get lost.” Marseille plicated situation, I wouldn’t wish anyone to be kick on one of his own fans, just moments after president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said Friday that in this situation,” said Deschamps after France’s being banned from European tournaments until it was a sombre day for the 1993 European 2-0 friendly win over Wales in Paris on Friday June 30, 2018. champions. “Today, there is sadness, firstly for night. “The sanctions have been announced and Marseille said they and the 36-year-old Patrice Evra, who obviously understood the they are heavy.” Evra had already attempted defender had both agreed the former consequences of his actions and who will no damage limitation at the weekend. “Great result Manchester United and French international longer be able to display his passion at tonight well done guys I’m really proud of you. would leave by “mutual consent”. “The player’s Marseille,” said Eyraud. Thanks to all real Olympique Marseille fans... MARSEILLE: File photo shows Olympique de Marseille Patrice contract is officially terminated with immediate “Then, for the supporters of Marseille, who I’m receiving so much support from them,” he Evra posing with his new jersey during a press conference with effect,” said the club. are stigmatised because of the irresponsible wrote on his Instagram account after the win manager Andoni Zubizarreta (L) and president Jacques-Henri Moments earlier, Evra was banned by UEFA behaviour of a handful of them. “Finally, for the against Caen.—AFP Eyraud. — AFP.