Sports

DOHA: Brazil’s players have divided opinion after they celebrated their goals in the 4-1 World Cup mauling of South Korea with some extravagant dance moves, with even their coach getting in on the act. The pre-tournament favourites put on a fearsome display of attacking football on Monday to send South Korea home and set up a quarter-final in Qatar with …

DHAKA: India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes his side will bounce back in the three-match One-day International series against Bangladesh despite a shock defeat in the opening match. “We are very, very confident about tomorrow’s game. This is not the first time we have lost the first game in a series. It’s quite normal so we know how to bounce …

DOHA: Olivier Giroud believes his France scoring record is a great example for young players because it was a reward for his resilience after a career featuring many ups and downs. Giroud, 36, surpassed Thierry Henry’s mark when he netted his 52nd goal in 117 appearances for Les Bleus in their 3-1 World Cup last-16 win over Poland to become …

Doha: Serenity surrounds the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar; from the hotel where they’re lodged to the ground where they train. Groves of palm trees line the sidewalks at the Qatar University, which would usually be humming with student activity but is closed for the tournament. Several teams are using the grounds here for their training sessions and …

The morning after his side ended Japan’s dream of reaching the quarter-finals, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic held a news conference at the Al Ersal Com­plex training ground in the heart of Doha. His players had a day off after their excr­uciating penalty shoot­out win over a spirited Japa­nese side less than 12 hours ago. In Qatar, Dalic is looking …

David Warner withdrew a bid to overturn his lifetime Australian leadership ban on Wednesday, claiming an independent review panel wanted to “conduct a public lynching” and it would be traumatic for his family. The dynamic opener and former Test vice-captain was banned from any leadership role over his part in the Cape Town ball tampering affair in 2018. He was also slapped with …

England’s “Barmy Army” of diehard supporters brimmed with frenzied energy as they barrelled to victory in Rawalpindi this week, opening their first Pakistan Test tour in 17 years with barnstorming style. As England sealed a 74-run victory in Monday’s fading daylight, the gaggle of fanatical spectators chanted: “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to watch …

DOHA: World Cup favourites Brazil produced a performance to delight fans and terrify potential opponents on Monday as they ripped through South Korea with four first-half goals to secure a hugely impressive 4-1 victory in their last 16 clash. They were ahead after seven minutes when Raphinha’s low cross reached Vinicius Jr and he expertly lifted the ball above the …

DOHA: Matty Cash had just witnessed up close the blinding pace and brilliant finishing of the sharpshooting, quick-footed Kylian Mbappe. Poland had been floored 3-1 by holders France in their last-16 game at the Al Thumama Stadium and Cash, the England-born full-back who qualified to play for the Poles by virtue of his Polish grandparents, was swarmed by English reporters, …

AL RAYYAN: Speculation regarding the future of Portu­gal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his outburst following his substitution against South Korea were in sharp focus on Monday ahead of their World Cup last-16 game against Switzerland. The forward, who left Manchester United by mutual consent last month following a controversial interview, was linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia but Portugal coach Fernando …