FLAWED POLICY Owner of the Phoenix football academy, guardian, agent and manager of Leon Bailey one of the best young football talent in Europe, Craig Butler, has come out swinging at current Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) director Vin Blaine, as well as the federation’s failed policy of scouring the lower leagues of England in search of eligible and willing players to represent Jamaica . Butler was emphatic in stating that in pondering his role and the role of his young charges in the future of Jamaica’s football, he will have nothing to do with Blaine. Butler has indicated that he wants the job of Jamaica’s director of football. The outspoken football man also used the term ‘dregs’ to refer to some of the players recruited from England by the JFF. Of course, Butler is being roundly chastised for his lack of tact, and political correctness in making these forthright pronouncements. To speak out publicly of his desire to have Blaine’s job is premature and inappropriate, while he is being accused of disrespecting the national representatives by calling them ‘dregs’. All this while the substantive and fundamental issue at stake, which is the necessary and inevitable changing of the thinking about the way forward for our football, is getting lost in the firestorm of yet another exercise of majoring in the minor. Butler’s claim to fame is in his conviction, belief and success in developing young Jamaican players. His entire ideology of identifying and grooming young players and teaching them the basics of the game before seeking to export their talents to the lucrative leagues of Europe, contrasts sharply with what has obtained within the corridors of power in the JFF for the last decade and a half. The difference is simple but fundamental. Butler is about believing and developing young Jamaican talent, while the ‘old order’ has shown nothing but disdain and disrespect for local players, which manifested itself in the flawed and failed policy of begging half good, half-committed players from England and elsewhere to come and represent Jamaica. We are now at a crossroads with our football, and while Butler is totally in sync with the modern trends and football best practices, the JFF leadership has been caught napping. They are basically left with no choice but to announce a cliched roundabout turn, and spout a new found confidence in the abilities of young Jamaican players. One wonders how genuine this new-found confidence is. With that kind of paradigm shift in the thinking around the football, Butler taking over the role of director of football from Blaine would make a lot of sense. If Blaine is hurt by the way things are evolving, that represents a minor personal inconvenience in the pursuance of the wider good. As for Butler’s reference to some of the foreign born recruits as ‘dregs,’ of course it is harsh and probably inappropriate, but again we are creating a storm in a teacup. This is clouding the more fundamental message – that the time is at hand for us to formulate policies, programmes and philosophies that will enhance the development of our talented young players and stop the wholesale sponging of overseas journeymen. Fundamentally, Butler is right. He may be a little eccentric, arrogant and unorthodox, but again, dwelling on those human imperfections is another debilitating exercise of majoring in the minor, while missing the fundamental, which is the progressive winds of change that are currently engulfing local football.
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph believes that despite being in dire straits, the West Indies still have what it takes to pull off a positive result against Pakistan in the first Brighto Paints-Q Mobile Test at Sabina Park. Heading into today’s final day, the West Indies are 93 for four in their second innings and still require another 28 runs to make Pakistan bat again. This is after the Pakistanis, on the back of an undefeated 99 from captain Misbah-ul-Haq, had earlier posted 407 in their first innings in response to the West Indies modest first innings effort of 286. Not out at the crease when stumps were drawn are debutant batsman Vishaul Singh and nightwatchman, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who are both not out on zero. The specialist batsmen to have been dismissed are openers Kieron Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite, debutant Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope with Roston Chase the only other left in the pavilion. They were all victims of leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who has so far claimed four for 33 off nine overs. “There is a lot left to go in the game. We just have to stay focused and do what we have to do,” expressed an optimistic Joseph. “We are in a tight spot at the moment, but I think every batsmen remaining still has a role to play as it’s a team game, and we will just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.” The West Indies, who started 121 in arears, were never allowed to settle in their bid to share control of the encounter, and as early as the 11th over, saw one of their main batsmen, Brathwaite, revert to the pavilion. He was bowled by a straight delivery from Shah, which cannoned into his middle stump with the scoreboard on 22 runs. This brought together Powell and Hetmyer, and in an entertaining partnership, which yielded 50 runs. They appeared steadfast in reducing the deficit runs all by themselves with a flurry of straight drives and cuts. However with the total on 72, Hetmyer was bowled by Shah after playing on for 20, and with it brought another two quick wickets. The first was that of Hope, who after facing 14 deliveries, was trapped leg before wicket with another straight delivery from Shah for six to take the score to 84 for three. This was followed by arguably the biggest wicket to fall in the innings when the free-flowing and by then well-set Powell was caught for 49 after driving at a wide delivery to make the total 84 for nine. Earlier, Pakistan, who had resumed the day on 201 for four, in addition to Misbah, who was put down in the field twice, were parried by 54 wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and 22 from Asad Shafiq. Joseph with three for 71 and Shannon Gabriel three for 92 were the leading West Indies bowlers. ”I thought I bowled well by sticking to the good areas and being as patient as possible and reaped the rewards,” highlighted Joseph. Play is scheduled to resume at 9:30am. SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st Innings 286 PAKISTAN 1st Innings (overnight 201 for five) Azhar Ali c wkp Dowrich b Joseph 15 Ahmed Shehzad lbw b Holder 31 Babar Azam b Gabriel 72 Younis Khan c Brathwaite b Gabriel 58 *Misbah-ul-Haq not out 99 Asad Shafiq c wkp Dowrich b Gabriel 22 +Sarfraz Ahmed b Bishoo 54 Mohammed Amir c wkp Dowrich b Joseph 11 Wahab Riaz b Joseph 9 Yasir Shah run out 8 Mohammed Abbas lbw b Chase 1 Extras (b4, lb10, w1, nb12) 27 TOTAL (all out; 138.4 overs) 407 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Azhar Ali), 2-54 (Ahmed Shehzad), 3-185 (Younis Khan), 4-186 (Babar Azam), 5-236 (Asad Shafiq), 6-324 (Sarfraz Ahmed), 7-341 (Mohammad Amir), 8-355 (Wahab Riaz), 9-373 (Yasir Shah), 10-407 (Mohammad Abbas) Bowling: Gabriel 29-6-92-3 (nb6), Joseph 31-8-71-3 (nb2), Holder 30-6-65-1 (nb4), Bishoo 33-2-106-1 (w1), Chase 8.4-1-37-1, Brathwaite 7-1-22-0. WEST INDIES 2nd Innings K Brathwaite b Yasir Shah 14 K Powell c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 49 S Hetmyer b Yasir Shah 20 S Hope lbw b Yasir Shah 6 D Bishoo not out 0 V Singh not out 0 Extras (lb4) 4 TOTAL (4 wkts, 28 overs) 93 Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Brathwaite), 2-72 (Hetmyer), 3-84 (Hope), 4-89 (Powell) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 9-2-11-0, Mohammad Abbas 6-0-21-0, Yasir Shah 9-0-33-4, Wahab Riaz 4-0-24-0. Position: West Indies trail by 28 runs with six second innings wickets intact. Toss: Pakistan. Umpires: R Illingworth, R Kettleborough; TV – B Oxenford. STAY FOCUSED
Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:11SEA GAMES 2019: PH’s Nesthy Petecio boxing featherweight final (HIGHLIGHTS)08:07Athletes treated to a spectacle as SEA Games 2019 officially ends06:27SEA Games 2019: No surprises as Gilas Pilipinas cruises to basketball gold05:02SEA Games 2019: Philippines clinches historic gold in women’s basketball05:21Drama in karate: Tsukii ‘very sad’ over coach’s bullying, cold shoulder03:24PH’s James Palicte boxing light welterweight final (HIGHLIGHTS) It was duplicated only in triathlon when the country won the gold and silver in both men’s and women’s divisions.Amit, 35, stormed to 5-2 lead in final but Centeno managed to come back and even went on the hill ahead of her.“I missed the 3 ball that’s why she went on a hill also, from then I thought it’s all lost,” said Centeno whose mother hugged her after the final match.ADVERTISEMENT National Historical team rescues Amorsolos, artifacts from Taal Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit of the Philippines celebrate after winning gold and silver medals, respectively, in the women’s 9-ball singles event of the 29th Southeast Asian Games billiards competition Sunday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SEA GAMES MEDIA POOLKUALA LUMPUR — In a sure-gold match for Team Philippines, Chezka Centeno managed to pull off a heart-stopping victory Sunday.The 18-year-old defending champion battled back from a three-rack deficit to defeat two-time world champion Rubilen Amit, 7-6, in the Southeast Asian Games women’s 9-ball singles at KLCC Hall 4.ADVERTISEMENT Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees McGregor awed by clinical Mayweather Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to give up royal titles Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ LATEST STORIES Search on for 5 Indonesians snatched anew in Lahad Datu Amit blew what could have been a clear victory when she scratched hitting the 6-ball in the 13th game in an open table, sending Centeno back to steal the victory via run-out.“In my mind I said I lost it already,” said Centeno in Filipino referring to the point when she missed the 3-ball in the 12th game that brought Amit back on the table.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’“But she scratched. I didn’t expect that. Ate Champ (Amit) is a great player,” said Centeno.Her victory, a repeat of the 2015 Singapore edition, once again stamped the Philippines’ dominance in women’s pool. MOST READ Police seize P68-M worth of ‘shabu’ in Pasay Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ View comments Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia dies
OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson LATEST STORIES Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. MOST READ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PBA IMAGESSTA. ROSA — Paul Lee slogged his way out of Santa Rosa Multipurpose Complex Tuesday night. His head was slightly down, his gloomy face barely seen as he wore a black cap tilted downward.Star is one game away from getting swept by Meralco, which looked every bit of a top-seeded team, and the Hotshots could likely be without their prized guard as they fight for survival starting Thursday.ADVERTISEMENT Lopetegui wants focus on soccer after Pique jeered by fans Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed View comments How to help the Taal evacuees The playoff schedule also didn’t help the 28-year-old’s health issues with teams playing every other day.READ: Top seed Meralco comes back to beat Star in semis opener“Our games have been in succession so our PT told me that this is expected to happen. There’s a slight meniscus tear,” said Lee, who scored 11 points in Game 1.Lee said his status is “day-to-day” and he offered no assurance on whether he’s going to be available in Game 3 on Thursday.“I didn’t practice yesterday (Monday). I just tried to play today,” he said. “It’s painful. I made a quick move in the first quarter and I felt something.”ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Mos Burger to open in Manila; teases with a pop-up Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ In ‘Jojo Rabbit,’ Comedy and Drama Collide DAY6 is for everybody Lee logged only three minutes and 44 seconds in Game 2 in what could be his season-finale after his nagging knee injury recurred at the worst possible time for the Hotshots.READ: Meralco zaps lackluster Star, nears PBA semis sweepFEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smog“It’s the old injury,” Lee told reporters. “I aggravated it last game. I actually just forced myself to play last game. I tested it but I couldn’t.”He has been bothered by the same knee injury since last year. It was also the reason why he was pulled out of Gilas Pilipinas last March and in May of 2016.
Westbrook’s 3-pointer lifts Thunder past Hawks Gary Harris scored 17 points for Denver.C.J. McCollum led Portland with 15 points, while Shabazz Napier had 14. Rookie Zach Collins scored a career-high 10 points, but fouled out after playing 18 minutes.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkPortland played without Damian Lillard, who strained a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s game against San Antonio. Lillard is the Blazers’ leading scorer at 25.2 points a game.The Blazers, who lost their sixth consecutive home game, heard scattered boos from the crowd during the fourth quarter. Denver, establishing its offense in the paint, shot nearly 50 percent (42 of 85) from the floor. Portland couldn’t get untracked offensively, particularly from 3-point range, where it was just 5 of 21.The Nuggets led 52-41 at halftime as Jokic scored 18 first-half points. They separated themselves from Portland late in the second quarter with a 10-0 run.Denver continued to punish Portland inside during the third quarter, as Chandler scored eight points and Jokic seven in taking an 80-66 lead. The Nuggets led by as many as 19 points during the third quarter.Portland was unable to get closer than 10 in the fourth.ADVERTISEMENT Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson LATEST STORIES Meralco ‘never the same’ after Almazan injury in PBA Finals View comments Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Brian Heruela arrival bolsters Phoenix backcourt, defense Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Scottie Thompson also worthy of Finals MVP, thinks Cone Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, shoots past Portland Trail Blazers center Zach Collins, left, and forward Ed Davis, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game. APPORTLAND, Oregon — Nikola Jokic scored 27 points and the Denver Nuggets won for the first time in Portland since 2013, beating the Trail Blazers 102-85 on Friday (Saturday Manila time).Jokic hit 12 of 21 shots and grabbed eight rebounds as the Nuggets ended a nine-game losing streak to the Blazers in Portland. Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson MOST READ Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina
JRU improved to 2-8, while sending AMA to its fifth straight defeat and fall to a 1-8 card.Robbie Manalang showed the way for the Titans with 26 points and three assists, while Carlo Escalambre had 21 markers and eight boards.The Scores:JRU 98 — Porter 21, Apinan 17, Grospe 17, Pontejos 17, Yu 8, Mendoza 7, De Guzman 6, Dela Virgen 2, Silvarez 2, Esguerra 1, Bordon 0, Sawat 0.AMA ONLINE EDUCATION 87 — Manalang 26, C. Escalambre 21, Martinez 16, Andaya 7, Garcia 6, Paras 6, Lao 5, Antonares 0, Quijano 0, Taganas 0.ADVERTISEMENT Judy Ann’s 1st project for 2020 is giving her a ‘stomachache’ Kris Porter scattered 21 markers and six rebounds, while Ervin Grospe and Jeckster Apinan both tallied 17 points and five boards apiece.JRU coach Gio Lasquety commended his players for stepping up to the plate despite the team’s struggles this conference.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown“It was evident that the team’s maturity wasn’t there during that eight-game losing skid. Bright side there is we’re learning and we’re gaining valuable lessons in this campaign,” he said.The Heavy Bombers didn’t shy away from seizing this opportunity in a battle between two also-ran squads, setting the tone and taking a 16-5 advantage to open the game before extending the lead to as high as 20, 59-39. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew LATEST STORIES Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Scarlett Johansson, Sterling K. Brown among SAG Awards presenters Cabuyao City rising above the ashes through volunteerism Quarters: 28-13, 53-35, 77-66, 98-87.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next In Liverpool, Man United sees the pain and path to recovery Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina PBA IMAGESJose Rizal University saved some semblance of pride after ending its eight-game losing skid with a 98-87 victory over AMA Online Education in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Monday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.Paolo Pontejos made the big shots late for the Heavy Bombers as he dropped seven of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to fend off the Titans’ late rally that cut what was once a 20-point advantage down to just seven, 81-74 with 7:19 remaining.ADVERTISEMENT Pacquiao to fellow boxers, athletes: ‘Humble yourself’ Conor McGregor seeks to emerge from controversy in UFC comeback MOST READ Recto seeks to establish Taal rehab body to aid community, eruption victims View comments
Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames BIÑAN — Kiefer Ravena welcomed NLEX’s 120-115 overtime victory over Phoenix as a much-needed relief as another loss would further endanger his side’s playoff chances in the ongoing 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.ADVERTISEMENT Paraiso’s UST stint not yet final, says Ayo Jo Koy draws ire for cutting through Cebu City traffic with ‘wang-wang’ MOST READ The win, their first in four tries, was a big confidence boost for the Road Warriors who have struggled to sustain their good showing last conference.“It’s really a big thorn that was taken out of us,” said Ravena on Friday. “We’re barely breathing. The water is already up here on our necks. We’re already in survival mode.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownThe victory, however, wasn’t a pretty as NLEX lost hold of a 19-point lead in the first half and allowed Phoenix to force overtime before coming through in the end.“We kind of played not to lose instead of fighting it out and really waiting for the final buzzer,” admitted Ravena. P16.5-M worth of aid provided for Taal Volcano eruption victims — NDRRMC Green group flags ‘overkill’ use of plastic banderitas in Manila Sto. Niño feast Luckily, import Arnett Moultrie played his best game to date with 37 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists.It may not have been the best of games from the Road Warriors, but any win is welcome at this point for the team which has worked tirelessly to get over its winless start.“We had 37 assists and I don’t know if it’s the conference-high. But it just goes to show the hours and hours of hard work and repetition that we put in. Everybody is stepping up and it’s all spread out. We had our usual numbers from our net which was very key to our victory tonight.”Ravena, however, knows better not to get too overconfident as NLEX is looking at a long and challenging road ahead, starting on Wednesday against GlobalPort.“We’ll take it. We’re in a situation where we couldn’t afford to be choosy. We just need to win,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award ‘Stop romanticizing Pinoy resilience’ Truck driver killed in Davao del Sur road accident LATEST STORIES In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next View comments
MOST READ Nicholas Baldwin of Seychelles is in second followed by Simon Cochrane of New Zealand.Cochrane got the early head start in the race but Lampret gained steam after the 62 kilometer mark to take pole position.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownFour Filipinos took the sixth to ninth places early with Benjamin Rana in sixth, Jonard Saim in seventh, August Benedicto in eighth and Arland Macasieb in ninth.A pair of Australians are pacing the pro women field with Liz Blatchford the frontrunner followed by Dimity Lee Duke. Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Weinstein rape trial After Game 1 gaffe, J.R. Smith seeking a bounce-back effort Rounding out the top five in the pro men are Cameron Brown of New Zealand and Eneko Elosegui of Spain.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award China population now over 1.4 billion as birthrate falls Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Dave Chappelle donates P1 million to Taal relief operations
Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netThe first full distance Ironman race in the Philippines is underway.As of posting time, Freddy Lampret of Austria is leading the way after 92 kilometers in the bike in the top pro men.ADVERTISEMENT Winfrey details her decision to withdraw from Simmons film Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Lacson: Calamity fund cut; where did P4 billion go? LATEST STORIES Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Poland’s Jan Bednarek, centre, scores the opening goal during the group H match between Japan and Poland at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)VOLGOGRAD, Russia — Amid a crescendo of boos and whistles as neither side tried to score, Japan advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup because of a newly implemented tiebreaker — fewer yellow cards.The Japanese, barely playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, lost to Poland 1-0 Thursday. But they still reached the round of 16 because Colombia beat Senegal 1-0 in the other Group H match.ADVERTISEMENT Both Japan and Senegal finished the group phase with four points, had the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored. Starting at this year’s tournament, disciplinary records — known as fair play — were added by FIFA as a tiebreaker. Japan had four yellow cards in its three group matches while Senegal had six.It’s the first time since 1982 that no African team has advanced from the first round at the World Cup.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownPoland, which had already been eliminated, got its goal from defender Jan Bednarek in the 59th minute. He beat his marker at the far post and volleyed in a swerving free kick from Rafal Kurzawa.When Bednarek scored, Japan was facing elimination. However, Colombia’s goal in the 74th minute of the other group match in Samara meant Japan was in second place and would advance. Taal victims get help from Kalayaan town World Cup: Colombia advances, Senegal eliminated by tiebreaker Christopher Tolkien, son of Lord of the Rings author, dies aged 95 Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Harvey Weinstein rape trial Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown LATEST STORIES Bicol riders extend help to Taal evacuees Cloudy skies over Luzon due to amihan In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding GROUP DYNAMICSJapan will next face the winner of Group G, either Belgium or England, on Monday in Rostov-on-Don. Colombia, which won the group with six points, will play the second place team in that group on Tuesday in Moscow.Senegal, however, has become the first victim of the new tiebreaker.“I don’t know if the regulation is cruel or not, but I can’t ask my players to go on the pitch in order to avoid yellow cards,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said. “You have to be in contact with other players when you play football. This is how you play football. It worked against us.”KNOCKOUT ROUNDJapan has reached the knockout round at the World Cup three times in the last five tournaments.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next MOST READ As the game continued, it barely got above walking pace, prompting many inside the Volgograd Arena to show their displeasure by whistling and booing.During injury time, Japan’s players softly passed the ball among themselves, while their Polish opponents barely made an effort, content to finish the tournament with a victory following two losses.Japan coach Akira Nishino made six changes to the starting lineup ahead of the match — all four of Japan’s scorers in the previous two games were left on the bench. But the Japanese still had more of the chances in the first half.Poland had an early chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute when Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima stopped a header from Kamil Grosicki. Scampering across his goal before diving, Kawashima clawed the ball to safety just before it had crossed the line.Robert Lewandowski then had a chance to put Poland ahead 2-0 — a result that would have allowed Senegal to advance — in the 74th minute after a swift counterattack but his effort flew over the bar.ADVERTISEMENT Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award View comments
LATEST STORIES Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs Lacson: Calamity fund cut; where did P4 billion go? ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins It is Djokovic’s 13th major trophy, the fourth-highest total in the history of men’s tennis.But it’s also his first in more than two years.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’During that time, Djokovic struggled with a painful right elbow that eventually required surgery and as his losses accumulated, his ranking fell out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade. He grew so frustrated with his form that he spoke about skipping the grass-court circuit.Fortunately for him, he changed his mind. Report: Disney dropping the ‘Fox’ from movie studio names Putin’s, Xi’s ruler-for-life moves pose challenges to West Trump assembles a made-for-TV impeachment defense team MOST READ In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’
Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding View comments Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Kevin Anderson of South Africa during the men’s singles final match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday July 15, 2018. (Pool photo by NEIL HALL via AP)LONDON — Novak Djokovic is back at his best and the Wimbledon champion for a fourth time, grabbing a lead right away against a weary Kevin Anderson in the final and winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) on Sunday.Anderson nearly managed to extend the match, holding five set points to force a fourth set. Djokovic held steady, saving all five of those, then was as superior in the tiebreaker as he was most of the sun-drenched afternoon.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. At No. 21, Djokovic is the lowest-ranked Wimbledon titlist since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Pacquiao landed more power punches than Matthysse’s total—stats