Iran coach Carlos Queiroz be-lieves his players have beenbrought closer together by

Nike’s decision to cut their sup-ply of World Cup kit to theteam but the acid test will comeagainst Morocco on Friday.

The late decision has dis-rupted Iran’s preparations, withsome players reportedly havingto buy their own footwear fromRussian shops or even ask clubteam-mates for help. “It hasbeen a source of inspirationfor us,” Queiroz said.

“This last comment ofNike was, in my personal view,an unnecessary statement.Everybody is aware about the

sanctions.“They should come out

and apologise because this ar-rogant conduct against 23 boysis absolutely ridiculous andunnecessary.”

Iran head into the matchagainst Morocco in Group Bon the back of a difficult build-up to the tournament overall,after friendly matches againstGreece and Kosovo were also

cancelled.It remains to be seen

whether Queiroz’s defiant ver-dict bears fruit, given any los-er of Friday’s crunch fixturein Saint Petersburg would beleft needing to beat either Spainor Portugal to reach the last 16.

French coach Herve Re-nard has instilled a relentlesswork ethic and defensive dis-cipline in the Morocco teambut this will be the country'sfirst outing at a WC since 1998and organisation will take theAtlas Lions only so far. AFP

Sans boots Iran readyfor Morocco clash

Photo: REUTERS

Spain name Fernando Hierroas coach for World Cup

S pain coach Julen Lopetegui wassensationally sacked on Wednes-day, two days before their opening

World Cup match, for failing to tell hisfederation about his move to RealMadrid after the tournament and re-placed by Fernando Hierro.

Former Spain defender Hierro’sonly previous senior coaching role wasone season with Oviedo in the Spanishsecond division, although he was alsoassistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid before that.

The 50-year-old will have barely 48 hours to prepare histeam for their opening World Cup match against neighboursand bitter rivals Portugal in Sochi on Friday. Real unexpect-edly announced on Tuesday that Lopetegui, who had only re-cently extended his contract with Spain and was unbeaten inhis 20 games in charge, would take over next season. REUTERS

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

German journo who exposed Russiadoping will not be at World Cup

German journalist Hajo Seppelt, whose investigative re-porting exposed Russia’s alleged state-sponsored doping,will not travel to the football World Cup tournament out

of security concerns, national broadcaster ARD said.World Cup host Russia had initially refused to issue Sep-

pelt a visa, but later relented after massive international pres-sure, with FIFA stressing the importance of media freedom toPresident Vladimir Putin’s government.

But Germany’s security agencies have since evaluated thesituation and found that it was risky for the journalist to trav-el to Russia, said ARD in a statement. AFP

DATE Match NoMATCH-UP TIME* VENUE

14 June Match 1 Russia vs Saudi Arabia 20:30 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow (completed)

15 June Match 2 Egypt vs Uruguay 17:30 Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg

15 June Match 3 Morocco vs Iran 20:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg

15 June Match 4 Portugal vs Spain 23:30 Fisht Stadium, Sochi

16 June Match 5 France vs Australia 15:30 Kazan Arena, Kazan

16 June Match 6 Argentina vs Iceland 18:30 Spartak Stadium, Moscow

16 June Match 7 Peru vs Denmark 21:30 Mordovia Arena, Saransk

17 June Match 8 Croatia vs Nigeria 00:30 Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad

17 June Match 9 Costa Rica vs Serbia 17:30 Samara Arena, Samara

17 June Match 10 Germany vs Mexico 20:30 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

17 June Match 11 Brazil vs Switzerland 23:30 Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don

18 June Match 12 Sweden vs South Korea 17:30 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

18 June Match 13 Belgium vs Panama 20:30 Fisht Stadium, Sochi

18 June Match 14 Tunisia vs England 23:30 Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

19 June Match 15 Colombia vs Japan 17:30 Mordovia Arena, Saransk

19 June Match 16 Poland vs Senegal 20:30 Spartak Stadium, Moscow

19 June Match 17 Russia vs Egypt 23:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg

20 June Match 18 Portugal vs Morocco 17:30 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

20 June Match 19 Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia20:30 Rostov Arena, Rostov-On-Don

20 June Match 20 Iran vs Spain 23:30 Kazan Arena, Kazan

21 June Match 21 Denmark vs Australia 17:30 Samara Arena, Samara

21 June Match 22 France vs Peru 20:30 Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg

21 June Match 23 Argentina vs Croatia 23:30 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

22 June Match 24 Brazil vs Costa Rica 17:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg

22 June Match 25 Nigeria vs Iceland 20:30 Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

22 June Match 26 Serbia vs Switzerland 23:30 Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad

23 June Match 27 Belgium vs Tunisia 17:30 Spartak Stadium, Moscow

23 June Match 28 South Korea vs Mexico 20:30 Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don

23 June Match 29 Germany vs Sweden 23:30 Fisht Stadium, Sochi

24 June Match 30 England vs Panama 17:30 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

24 June Match 31 Japan vs Senegal 20:30 Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg

24 June Match 32 Poland vs Colombia 23:30 Kazan Arena, Kazan

25 June Match 33 Uruguay vs Russia 19:30 Samara Arena, Samara

25 June Match 34 Saudi Arabia vs Egypt 19:30 Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

25 June Match 35 Spain vs Morocco 23:30 Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad

25 June Match 36 Iran vs Portugal 23:30 Mordovia Arena, Saransk

26 June Match 37 Australia vs Peru 19:30 Fisht Stadium, Sochi

26 June Match 38 Denmark vs France 19:30 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

26 June Match 39 Nigeria vs Argentina 23:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg

26 June Match 40 Iceland vs Croatia 23:30 Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don

27 June Match 41 South Korea vs Germany 19:30 Kazan Arena, Kazan

27 June Match 42 Mexico vs Sweden 19:30 Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg

27 June Match 43 Serbia vs Brazil 23:30 Spartak Stadium, Moscow

27 June Match 44 Switzerland vs Costa Rica 23:30 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

28 June Match 45 Japan vs Poland 19:30 Volgograd Arena, Volgograd

28 June Match 46 Senegal vs Colombia 19:30 Samara Arena, Samara

28 June Match 47 Panama vs Tunisia 23:30 Mordovia Arena, Saransk

28 June Match 48 England vs Belgium 23:30 Kaliningrad Stadium Kaliningrad

ROUND OF 1630 June Match 49 Winner Group C vs 19:30 Kazan Arena, Kazan

Runner-up Group D

30 June Match 50 Winner Group A vs 23:30 Fisht Stadium, SochiRunner-up Group B

1 July Match 51 Winner Group B vs 19:30 Luzhniki Stadium, MoscowRunner-up Group A

1 July Match 52 Winner Group D vs 23:30 Nizhny Novgorod StadiumRunner-up Group C

2 July Match 53 Winner Group E vs 19:30 Samara Arena, SamaraRunner-up Group F

2 July Match 54 Winner Group G vs 23:30 Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-DonRunner-up Group H

3 July Match 55 Winner Group F vs 19:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium St. PetersburgRunner-up Group E

3 July Match 56 Winner Group H vs 23:30 Spartak Stadium, MoscowRunner-up Group G

QUARTERFINALS6 July Match 57 Winner Match 49 vs 19:30 Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Winner Match 50

6 July Match 58 Winner Match 53 vs 23:30 Kazan Arena, KazanWinner Match 54

7 July Match 59 Winner Match 55 vs 19:30 Samara Arena, SamaraWinner Match 56

7 July Match 60 Winner Match 51 vs 23:30 Fisht Stadium, SochiWinner Match 52

SEMIFINALS10 July Match 61 Winner Match 57 vs 23:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium St. Petersburg

Winner Match 58

11 July Match 62 Winner Match 59 vs 23:30 Luzhniki Stadium, MoscowWinner Match 60

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF14 July Match 63 Loser Match 61 vs Loser 19:30 Saint Petersburg Stadium St. Petersburg

Match 62

FINAL15 July Match 64 Winner Match 61 vs 20:30 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Winner Match 62

*Indian Standard Time

MARK YOUR DATES

We pick the best FIFA World Cup first-timers XI

GOALKEEPER(CAPTAIN) DAVID DE GEA -AGE: 27,

TEAM: Spain, Club: Man United: The competi-tion for the goalkeeper slot was between Spain's

David de Gea and Germany's Marc-Andre TerStegen. Since Manuel Neuer is slowly regaining hisfitness, chances are that Ter Stegan might warm thebenches in Russia which gives de Gea an edge overthe German. Also, the shot-stopper has establishedhimself over the last few seasons as arguably the

best goalkeeper in the world. Though De Geawas part of Spain squad in the 2014 World

Cup, he didn't get any playing timeas Iker Casillas stood below

the bar.

HARRY KANE- AGE: 24, TEAM:ENGLAND, CLUB: SPURS: He hasbeen named the England captain.Considered among the world's topstrikers and scored 56 goals in 2017which was more than the tally ofCristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.England's chances in Russia hinges onthis Spurs striker’s goal-scoring prowess.

GABRIEL JESUS - AGE: 21, TEAM:BRAZIL, CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY:Though Gabriel Jesus underwentanother injury-hit season withManchester City, he regained histouch in the final stages of theleague. He managed to score 13goals from 29 appearances in theleague for City and is likely to partner Firmino for Brazilup front. In just 16 appearances for the Selecao, the 21-year-old striker has scored nine goals.

RADAMEL FALCAO - AGE: 32,TEAM: COLOMBIA, CLUB: ASMONACO: It’s a little bizarre that aplayer of Falcao's stature will bemaking his World Cup debut at theage of 32. Falcao was injured in 2014and his younger mate, JamesRodriguez, hogged the limelight inBrazil. Falcao would be keen to grab his share of eye-balls in Russia. “It would be wonderful to take part. I’vebattled and worked for this for so long…” said the play-er, also known as El Tigre (The Tiger), earlier.

MIRANDA - AGE: 33, TEAM: BRAZIL, CLUB: INTERMILAN: The centreback who madehis international debut in 2009was included as a reserve player inthe 2014 Brazil World Cup squad.Miranda was a key figure in an InterMilan team which qualified for theChampions League after a gap ofsix years. With Filipe Luiz doubtfulfor the World Cup, Miranda could take one of the slotsin the three-man defensive line-up.

MEDHI BENATIA - AGE: 31, TEAM: MOROCCO, CLUB:JUVENTUS: Benatia made news forthe wrong reasons as he concededthe controversial late penalty whichgave Real Madrid a place in theChampions League semis at theexpense of Juventus. But apartfrom that moment, Benatia was thebackbone of Juventus defence andhelped them to bag the Italian league-cup double.Benatia, who plays in Europe, could hold the key toMorocco’s progress in Russia.

KALIDOU KOULIBALY - AGE: 26, TEAM: SENEGAL, CLUB:Napoli: Koulibaly’s ability to pass the balland initiate attacks from the back iswhat make this 26-year-old a threatfor the rivals. He had an impressiveseason with Napoli this year and hisrivals would find it difficult to getpast this 6 feet 5 inch defender’stowering presence at the back.

NGOLO KANTE - AGE: 27, TEAM:FRANCE, CLUB: CHELSEA: Kanteis an automatic choice for the roleof defensive midfielder. His excel-lent ball winning skills and untiringattitude makes him the favouriteof every coach.

ISCO -AGE: 26, TEAM: SPAIN, CLUB:REAL MADRID: Though he often complains of lack ofplaying time at Real Madrid, he hasshown his penchant to break downopposition defence and scorewhenever given an opportunity.Moreover, his ability to findunmarked teammates often cre-ates goal scoring opportunities forhis team. He played a critical role inSpain's World Cup qualifiers as an attacking midfielderand was their top-scorer with five goals in the quali-fiers.

MOHAMED SALAH - AGE: 25 YEARS, TEAM; EGYPT,CLUB: Liverpool: Fans around theglobe are praying for Salah toreturn to fitness. The injury he suf-fered in the Champions Leaguefinal may not make him an auto-matic choice for Egypt's first gameagainst Uruguay but coach HectorCuper is likely to field him sooneven if he not fully fit. In terrific form for Liverpool thisseason, Salah has the ability to take his country togreater heights in Russia.

KYLIAN MBAPPE - AGE: 19, TEAM: FRANCE, CLUB:PSG: He is just 19 and has caughtthe eyes of the football world withhis sublime skills. Termed as thenext Ronaldo (Brazilian), Mbappe isa huge threat for the rivals alongthe wings. Though France have alot of attacking options at theirdisposal, coach Didier Deschampsshould give Mbappe the opportunity to showcase hisskills at football's biggest stage and the youngster isunlikely to disappoint.

MIDFIELDERS

RussiaSaudi ArabiaEgyptUruguay

GROUP APortugalSpainMoroccoIran

GROUP BArgentinaIcelandCroatiaNigeria

GROUP DBrazilSwitzerlandCosta RicaSerbia

GROUP EGermanyMexicoSwedenSouth Korea

GROUP FPolandSenegalColombiaJapan

GROUP HBelgiumPanamaTunisiaEngland

GROUP GFranceAustraliaPeruDenmark

GROUP C

COACH: TITE- AGE: 57,TEAM: BRAZIL: After Brazil'shumiliation in 2014 World Cupand the 2016 Copa America,Tite was appointed as Brazilcoach. Ever since, the teamhas undergone a remarkabletransformation and theTite has brought in solidi-ty to the Brazil squadwithout sacrificing theirnatural footballflair.

Phot

o:AF

P

Phot

o:AF

P

Phot

o:AF

P

Phot

o:AF

P

Photo: AFP

Phot

o:AF

PPh

oto:

AFP

Phot

o:AF

P

Phot

o:AF

PPh

oto:

AFP

Phot

o:AF

PPh

oto:

REUT

ERS

FIFA WC: Best of BEGINNERS

Nike announced they havebeen forbidden from providing football boots toIran's squad during the WC,on account of sanctionsimposed against the country by the US.

07It’s about battles on the field. It’s about do-or-die situations. It’s aboutjust one goal. It’s about victory. In short, it’s about playing fair.Howzzat? Well, that’s SIMPLY SPORTS!

Here’s a schedule of the action at the FIFA World Cup 2018 being held at Russia

FORWARDS DEFENDERS