Sports

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia — Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win on Monday and set up a clash with five-time champions Brazil. 

The distraught Japanese, who went 2-0 up with goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui early in the second half, fell to the turf after Chadli poked the ball home from Thomas Meunier’s cross four minutes into added time at the Rostov Arena.

Belgium, who had taken a conservative approach to the game, got back into contention with late goals by Jan Vertonghen and substitute Marouane Fellaini before Chadli struck.

“That’s what happens in the World Cup. It was a test of character and a test of the team. It tells you everything about this group of players,” said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.

One of the most exciting teams of the group phase, Belgium faced an embarrassing exit but finally clicked to become the first team to win a World Cup knockout game from two goals down since West Germany beat England 3-2 after extra time in 1970. 

Belgium’s “golden generation” have now scored 12 goals in four games in Russia. 

Both teams fought a tight midfield battle but their forwards froze in the area and Belgium’s wide players, Meunier and Yannick Carrasco, did not take risks going forward, effectively turning a 3-4-3 formation into a more conservative 5-2-3 system. 

Neymar barged his way into the World Cup limelight with a goal, an assist and another helping of histrionics as Brazil roared into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monday that inflicted a seventh straight last-16 exit on the central Americans.

The PSG forward was both architect and executioner for Brazil, sliding home in the second half and then teeing up Roberto Firmino late on, but he also writhed on the floor, seemingly in agony, after Mexico’s Miguel Layun had made slight contact with his ankle.

That should not overshadow his generally positive display however, as the five-times champions beat an otherwise stubborn Mexico, whose World Cup began with such promise with a victory over champions Germany, but ended in familiar fashion in the first knockout round.

It was the seventh World Cup running that Brazil has reached the last eight, where it will now face Belgium, while Mexico has not made it to that stage since it hosted the tournament in 1986.

Mexico, which enjoyed an enviable recent record against Brazil having won seven of their previous 15 matches against them, were a threat on the counter in the first half but then faded without ever really being put to the sword.

Brazil kept clean sheets in seven of their previous eight games, it was never going to commit men forward and allow Mexico to pick them off on the counter in the same way that Germany did in the group stage.

A glaring spotlight had been on Neymar after his opening three performances saw him miss a litany of chances, frequently squander possession and spend far too long on the turf.

Yet, he answered a number of questions with his performance and a decisive finish early in the second half from a move that he had started himself.

Minutes after the restart Brazil took the lead in exquisite fashion with Neymar starting and ending the move.

He darted across the edge of the area before a perfect backheel released Willian, whose low cross fizzed into the danger area where Neymar slid in to turn the ball home.

Brazil had to wait until the 88th minute to put the match to bed when Neymar was the architect, crossing for Firmino to tap the ball home.

Croatia came back after conceding in the opening minute to earn a World Cup quarter-final berth after edging Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the two sides drew 1-1 in the round of 16 match on Sunday.

They could have wrapped up the result five minutes from the end of extra time, but Luka Modric had his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

However, the Croatia captain returned to bravely take one of the post-match kicks as goalkeeper Danijel Subasic save three of Denmark's efforts to set up a quarter-final meeting with Russia on Saturday.

It was Modric's sublime pass that put Ante Rebic through on goal, before being brought down by Mathias Jorgensen, and offered Croatia a chance to win just before the lottery of the shootout. But Schmeichel made a smart save to keep the 1-1 stalemate intact through two hours of at times pedestrian football.

Two chaotic goals in the opening four minutes made for a rollicking start at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. However, it proved a false dawn as the spectacle faded with both sides choosing caution as its priority given the rare chance to reach the last eight at a World Cup.

Jorgensen took all of 57 seconds to breach the Croatia defence at the end of a long throw-in by Jonas Knudsen, stabbing at the ball with his left foot as he took it off teammate Thomas Delaney.

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic got a hand to Jorgensen's toe-poke but effectively deflected the ball across his own line.

There was an element of comedy to the fourth-minute equaliser for Mario Mandzukic as Denmark's early advantage quickly disappeared.

A kick across the Danish defence was firmly hit away by Henrik Dalsgaard, but straight into the face of team mate Andreas Christensen, creating a pinball effect that saw the ball fall for Mandzukic, who then expertly turned it into the net from close range.

The anticipated influence of Christian Eriksen for the Danes and Croatia's Modric held out hopes of more mouth-watering action but their craft was only evident in patches.

Eriksen did shave the top of the woodwork just before halftime with a speculative effort while, at the other end, Ivan Rakitic forced a smart save from Schmeichel.

After the interval, the chances were even more sparse although Croatia did up the tempo towards the end of regulation time only to run into a resolute Denmark defence.

In extra time, Knudsen's long throws proved the most dangerous attacking weapon but eventually it was penalties that delivered a winner. 

The Host Russia beat Spain 4-3 on penalties thanks to two saves by its goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on Sunday to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals where they will face either Croatia.

Akinfeev saved Koke's and Iago Aspas' spot kicks after both teams had scored two apiece in what was Russia's first ever World Cup penalty shootout, to send his team to the last eight after a lacklustre 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

But there was high drama in the shootout for the 78,000 spectators at Luzhniki Stadium, with all four Russian penalty-takers keeping their cool and Akinfeev saving Aspas' spot kick with his foot to trigger wild celebrations.

"In the second half, we were trying to defend. We were hoping for penalties and that's what happened, thank God," Akinfeev said. "We are having a fantastic World Cup."

Spain, which has never beaten a host at World Cups or Euros, went ahead after 12 minutes when 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich bundled into Spain captain Sergio Ramos at the far post, knocking a free kick in with his heel for the 10th own goal of the tournament.

The 2010 world champion controlled the game with its slick passing but failed to add to its lead as the Russian's defended with discipline.

The game lacked pace and tempo even after the break with both teams cautious not concede too much space and the Russians playing without an out-and-out striker after the substitution of Dzyuba.

Akinfeev came to the rescue again to deny Rodrigo after his fine sprint in the second half of extra time before becoming a national hero by saving the two spot kicks to send the hosts past the former world champions.

AMMAN — Jordan’s young wrestlers returned from Saudi Arabia with an impressive eight medals, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The youngsters competed at the International Wrestling Championship and picked up three gold medals courtesy of Zeid Ishaq (38kg), Ortes Shameil (52kg) and Mohammad Zreqat (68kg).

Silvers were won by Suhaib Murafi (41kg), Suhaib Hassanat (48kg) and Ghaith Odeh (62kg), while Salah Murafi (44kg) and Yaseen Al Otaibi (57kg) added bronze medals to the team’s haul.

The Jordan Wrestling Federation participated in the championship to give their youngsters more experience by competing in international competition.

AMMAN — Some of the best Taekwondo fighters in the world will be competing in Amman this week at the Al Hassan International Taekwondo G1 Championship taking place from July 5-8. Saudi Arabia and Croatia are among the first teams to have arrived and they have been camping at the Olympic Preparations Centre along with the host nation. Over 1,000 fighters from all age categories are expected.

“Jordan is one of the strongest taekwondo nations in Asia, so coming here early to train alongside them, especially with the likes of Olympic gold medallist Ahmad Abu Ghaush, is a great opportunity for us,” said Saudi’s coach, Fahed Al Dwesan, who clinched gold at the Al Hassan Championship back in 2005.

“This event is one of the toughest in Asia and it will be ideal preparation for many of us as we head towards the Asian Games in Indonesia in August.” Faris Al Assaf, Jordan head coach, said that training camps with Croatia, Saudi Arabia and now Thailand reflect the great reputation that Jordan Taekwondo has across the world.

“We are delighted with these camps as it means that we are on the right track as a nation,” Assaf said. “We have the Asian Games and Youth Olympics approaching so these competitions are vital for our athletes. And to be able to host such a high caliber event in our own country makes it even more special.”

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani scored twice to earn the South Americans a 2-1 win over European champions Portugal in their World Cup round of 16 clash on Saturday and set up a quarter-final against France.

Cavani put Uruguay ahead in the seventh minute when he evaded the Portugal defence to meet Luis Suarez’s pinpoint cross with a bullet header at the far post.

Pepe headed Portugal level in the 55th minute, the first goal Uruguay has conceded in the tournament, but Uruguay regained the lead seven minutes later when Rodrigo Bentancur found Cavani and he curled a brilliant first-time shot past Rui Patricio from the edge of the penalty area.

Portugal dominated possession but its attack did not have enough bite to break through the Uruguay defence twice, leaving the captain Cristiano Ronaldo a frustrated figure throughout the match.

The Real Madrid forward could not add to his four goals in the first two matches, failing to improve his record of failing to score in all six World Cup knockout matches he has played.

Ronaldo had an opportunity around the half-hour mark to score from a free kick 30 metres out but could only hit the wall.

Argentina crashes out, again

Teenager Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four minutes to send France charging into the World Cup quarter-finals and Lionel Messi home with a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina on Saturday.

The 19-year-old forward’s electric pace caused Argentina problems all afternoon and his twin strikes helped France overturn a 2-1 deficit and set up a quarter-final date with Uruguay.

While Mbappe was the most influential player on the pitch, Argentina’s Angel Di Maria and France full back Benjamin Pavard fought out a private contest for the best goal of the contest with two magnificent long-range strikes.

Mbappe, the first teenager since Brazilian great Pele in the 1958 final to score two goals in one World Cup match, then took over to send Argentina slumping out of the finals before the quarter-final round for the first time since 2002.

Mbappe set off on another driving run from well inside his own half and Marcos Rojo, well beaten for pace, bundled him to the floor inside the area.

Griezmann’s strike from the spot was not as clean as his free kick but goalkeeper Franco Armani went the wrong way.

Four minutes before the break, though, they were level, Di Maria received a pass from the left, took one touch to tee up the ball and hit the sweetest shot into the top-left corner of the net from 40 metres.

Three minutes into the second half and they were ahead, Messi curling a shot hopefully towards Hugo Lloris in the France goal and right back Mercado reacting instinctively to deflect the ball into the net.

The Argentina fans were now in full voice but their joy did not last long before France restored parity after 57 minutes, Pavard pouncing on an over-cooked cross some 20 metres out and lashing it on the half-volley into the net.

Mbappe’s first goal came seven minutes later when he snared a loose ball, taking one touch to race past his marker and lashing it home with his left foot through Armani’s dive.

His second came after 68 minutes as Olivier Giroud provided the subtlest of touches to lay the ball into Mbappe’s path and the teenager finishing right-footed with some elan.

Argentina continued to fight over the last 20 minutes but Aguero’s header from Messi’s cross in stoppage time was too little, too late.

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A superb second-half strike from Adnan Januzaj gave Belgium a 1-0 win over England on Thursday to see them top World Cup Group G with a perfect record and consign England to second place, with both sides already assured of going through to the last 16.

Belgium now faces Japan in Rostov-on-Don on Monday while England plays Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday in the knockout phase. Victory in the next round would see Belgium play Brazil or Mexico with England up against Sweden or Switzerland.

Belgum and England rested several first-choice players on Thursday and, despite half-chances at either end, the fans wondered if their teams were willing to accept second spot for an arguably easier run-in by avoiding the more fancied teams.

Yet, six minutes into the second half when the 23-year-old Januzaj shimmied on the edge of the box and sent a perfect shot into the far corner of the net past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford there was delight in the Belgian camp.

England rued a wasted opportunity by Marcus Rashford after 66 minutes, when he fired wide after finding himself one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal. But having rested striker Harry Kane and seven others, they found no reply.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez fielded Thomas Vermaelen at right-back after injury and sent on central defensive talisman Vincent Kompany near the end to complete a clean sweep with all 20 outfield players in the squad having played in Russia.

Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri set up the first goal and scored the second to give the North African side its first World Cup win in 40 years with a 2-1 victory over debutants Panama in its final Group G match on Thursday.

 Both teams had already failed to progress to the last 16 with Belgium and England qualifying from the group.

Japan coach Akira Nishino knew he was taking a big gamble in the World Cup on Thursday when he ordered his team to settle for a 1-0 loss to eliminated Poland, and he prayed that Senegal would not snatch the Samurai Blue’s spot in the last 16.

The Volgograd Arena rang with boos from supporters as Japanese players passed the ball tamely among themselves in the final minutes of the closing Group H game and Poland, happy with consolation points, chose not to chase them down.

The high-risk strategy could easily have gone wrong for Japan had Senegal equalised against Colombia in Samara.

In the end, the Africans lost 1-0 to the South Americans and went out by the narrowest of margins to second-placed Japan — a higher yellow card count after finishing level on points, goal difference and the number of goals scored.

Senegal lost out on a second spot in the group to Japan because of a worse disciplinary record.

“Senegal doesn’t qualify because we don’t deserve it. This is one of the rules,” their coach Aliou Cisse said.

“We have to respect it. We would prefer to be eliminated another way... We were fully committed and maybe because we were fully committed we got more yellow cards.”

Senegal followed Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Nigeria — all failing to advance past the group stage, meaning no African team has reached the second round for the first time since the 1982 finals in Spain.

“We did not go for victory but we just relied on the other match,” Nishino told reporters. “That was slightly regrettable but I suppose at that point I didn’t have any other plans.

“I am really not happy about how we played today but...we wanted to go through to the round of 16 and we have, and that is the only salvation that I get.”

Nishino said he passed on clear instructions to the rest of the team when he sent on midfielder Makoto Hasebe as a second-half substitute — no risks and no yellow cards.

“What if we conceded another goal and it was 0-2?” he said. “We went through. Therefore perhaps it was the right decision.”

He said he wanted Japan to be “more free and attacking in the next match” which will be against England or Belgium who play later on Thursday in Group G.

“They are both world-class teams,” he said. “It’s a great challenge for us to be faced against them...I’d like to play both of them because they will pose a fantastic challenge for us.”

AMMAN — European legends, female stars and the next generation of golfers will all gather at Ayla Golf Club in 2019 for a ground breaking new tournament: the Jordan Mixed Masters.

In a first-of-its-kind event, the European Challenge Tour, Ladies European Tour and Staysure Tour will co-sanction the new individual strokeplay event, to take place April 4-6.

The field will consist of 123 players — 40 from each tour and one leading amateur from the men’s ladies’ and over-50’s games — who will compete against each other in a single, mixed field.

Members from the three tours will tee off from different yardages, but will compete in a single competition. The three-day event will see the field cut to 60 for the final day’s play, competing for the grand prize. The leading players from the other two tours will also receive a special accolade.

The concept, which recognises the importance of equality and equal opportunity, was the vision of Ayla’s ownership, who have created a premier golf and leisure development close to the Red Sea City of Aqaba and on the shores of Jordan’s southern coastline.

Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “The Jordan Mixed Masters is a fantastic development for the Staysure Tour, the Challenge Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

“This unique event goes a step further, bringing together the stars of three tours for a truly innovative tournament. There seems to be an appetite in golf for mixed events right now, and this is another opportunity to deliver another entertaining yet credible format.

“The European Tour is leading the transformation of global golf and I commend Ayla’s vision and their determination to spearhead the concept of hosting the three tours.”

Chris White, director of operations at Ayla, said: “We are delighted to play such a pivotal role in the development of this new event prospect, and look forward to welcoming players from the Staysure Tour, the Challenge Tour and Ladies European Tour to Ayla Golf Club in 2019.

“Golf is one of the only sports whereby competitors, regardless of age or gender, can compete fairly together. To see our vision come to life and have the support and collaboration of all three tours gives us great confidence that our event will be recognised as unique in the world of golf and showcase not only the beauty of Ayla, but the great nation of Jordan.”

Alain de Soultrait, Director, European Challenge Tour, said: “The introduction of a tournament involving the Challenge Tour, Staysure Tour and the Ladies European Tour is a landmark moment for all three tours, and playing all together will be great.

“The Challenge Tour is also known for growing the game of golf across the globe, and by visiting Jordan for the first time we will celebrate a significant milestone of holding tournaments in 50 different countries.”

David MacLaren, head of the Staysure Tour, said: “Following on from the spectacular success of Dame Laura Davies’ trailblazing appearance at the Shipco Masters earlier this month, we are absolutely thrilled to be part of a unique tournament that will bring together players from different parts of the golfing spectrum, but who share in common great achievements within their individual tours.

“On behalf of the Staysure Tour, this tournament provides a fantastic platform for our members, including former Ryder Cup Captains and players, Senior Major Champions and European Tour winners, to demonstrate their enduring quality, talents and unique personalities.”

Mark Lichtenhein, chairman, Ladies European Tour, said: “The popularity of recent collaborative events such as the Oates Vic Open, LallaMeryem Cup and GolfSixes have demonstrated that there is a huge public appetite to see men and women playing alongside each other in different formats. 

“This unique tournament will be the first of its kind, where men and women will compete individually, for the same trophy. The event will give our players a tremendous opportunity to showcase their talents in a level playing field for both genders.”

The announcement of the event builds on the success of the European Tour’s innovative GolfSixes tournament, a 16-team, six-hole event, which included some of Europe’s top female stars and a mixed pairing of Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn and his Solheim Cup counterpart Catriona Matthew.

Male and female players will also tee it up in August in the new European Golf Team Championships, part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, which will include a mixed foursome strokeplay event.

Earlier this month, Dame Laura Davies made history as the first female competitor at a Staysure Tour event at the inaugural Shipco Masters promoted by Simon’s Golf in Denmark.

Georgia Hall, who progressed to the quarter-finals in the GolfSixes, welcomed the latest development: “GolfSixes was such a successful event and it was so nice to connect with so many fans. The format was popular with everyone and it was great to see so many women and juniors there.

“The Jordan Mixed Masters, presented by Ayla, is the next step to show that golf is a game for all. The women are looking forward to joining together to make this another fantastic week and the future is looking good with more events like this on the calendar.”

Phil Golding, a four-time Staysure Tour winner and two-time victor on the Challenge Tour, said: “This is such a unique tournament. It’s fantastic that we have brought the three tours together and it’s an event in a new country for us, which is another bonus.

“It’s great that we’re doing things a little bit different, and this is another step after playing on a nine-hole golf course in Sharjah over the last two seasons and also having Dame Laura play with us in Denmark. I’m really looking forward to it.”

A revived Japan go into Thursday’s decisive Group H match against an already-eliminated Poland knowing a draw would be sufficient to advance to the knockout rounds after it beat Colombia and drew with Senegal in its opening fixtures.

Given little hope coming into the tournament, a combination of luck, Colombia had a man sent off and gave away a penalty after just three minutes, organisation and clinical finishing has put Japan in prime position to progress.

Although a draw would be enough, Japan’s philosophy under new coach Akira Nishino has been an attacking one and they are likely to go for the win against the disappointing Poles.

“Japan is not the kind of team that can aim for a point and go and carry that plan out,” captain Makoto Hasebe said on Monday.

“I think we have to focus on getting three points rather than make calculations. We have four points after two games but we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”

Nishino promised attacking football when he took over in April and his side have obliged in Russia, with four goals scored and a hatful of chances created.

“I really wanted to win,” the coach said after its 2-2 draw against Senegal on Sunday, when Japan came from behind twice and equalised in the 78th minute. “We wanted to get the lead even though there was only a short period of time left.”

Japan’s task is likely to be made easier by the bitterly disappointing form of their opponents, who have lost both their games and have scored just once.

Poland, eighth in the FIFA rankings, has failed to live up to the strong World Cup qualifying campaign when it topped its group with just one loss.

A large part of their success had come courtesy of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored 16 goals in qualifying and came to Russia as Poland’s main man.

He has failed to live up to that billing, drawing a blank in his first two matches in Russia, lending credence to doubts about his ability to perform on the biggest of stages.

“Many things did not go as they should today, during this World Cup,” Lewandowski said after 3-0 loss to Colombia.

“I was alone, we fought, I fought, I did everything I could, but fighting is not enough to win World Cup matches, you also have to have quality, and we had too little of that.”

Senegal on 

shaky ground

Allowing a lead to twice slip from its grasp in the last World Cup game could come back to haunt Senegal when it faces Colombia in a decisive Group H clash in Samara on Thursday.

The west Africans could have ensured qualification to the next phase in Russia in Sunday’s second group match against Japan but are now on shaky ground after playing out a 2-2 draw, even if the permutations are still weighted in their favour.

On Thursday, as the group phase draws to a close, Senegal only needs a draw to advance but victory for Colombia will put them into the next round instead, leaving Senegal eliminated if Japan avoid defeat against Poland in Volgograd at the same time.

Colombia could also advance with a draw, but only if Japan loses.

Japan and Senegal head the group on four points each with Colombia one behind after rebounding with a 3-0 thumping of the now-eliminated Poland in Kazan on Sunday.

It was an emphatic reaffirmation of its potential after ten-man Colombia, quarter-finalists in Brazil four years ago, had suffered an upset defeat in the opening game to Japan.

The likes of Falcao and Juan Cuadrado underlined the quality in a team that welcomed back James Rodriguez, top scorer at the last World Cup, to a leading role after starting him from the bench against Japan.

“The team played as a unit and the football emerged from this unity. It led to the goals and now we have a good position in this World Cup,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said after the victory.

Senegal will be concerned by the potential of letting slip a favourable position, after kicking off the tournament with a 2-0 win over Poland and then being in command against Japan, only to prove unable to secure all the points.

“We still have our destiny in our own hands,” insisted defender Kalidou Koulibaly, but teammate Alfred Ndiaye warned of a hard task ahead. 

“Colombia’s style of play is similar to ours, very physical, moving forward quickly. We know that we must not lose this game. We’re aware that we will have to give everything to qualify,” Ndiaye said.