In a survey by broadcaster RTL, 48 percent of Germans say Loew should remain as head coach and 37 percent want him to go, with the remaining 15 percent undecided.

His star players agree, but the German Football Association (DFB) expect to hear Loew’s decision in the coming weeks amid the biggest crisis of his 12-year reign.

“He should stay, he has been doing a great job for years, bringing young players into the team, and I hope ‘Jogi’ will stay,” midfielder Sami Khedira told German daily Bild.

Forward Thomas Mueller, who like Khedira had a desperately poor World Cup, agreed, saying: “Basically we are all convinced of his way of doing things.”

Loew dropped both Khedira and Mueller for their poor displays against Mexico and Sweden respectively in the group stages as his misplaced loyalty in several 2014 World Cup stars backfired.

Only last month, Loew signed a lucrative contract extension with the DFB until 2022.

Yet now he has retreated to his home in Freiburg in the Black Forest to consider his future.

Despite winning the 2014 World Cup, then lifting the 2017 Confederations Cup while unearthing a new crop of stars, Loew’s golden reputation has taken a mauling in Germany.

The holders finished bottom of their group, failing to progress at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.

However like the fans, pundits are also keeping faith in Loew.

“Letting a coach go is relatively easy, then comes the next step, who is a potential successor?” ex-Germany defender Christoph Metzelder told Sky Sports.

“I’m relatively out of answers, as I am sure others are too.”

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, and 73-year-old Jupp Heynckes, who coached Bayern last season before retiring, have been linked to the job, but none are currently likely successors.

Lothar Matthaeus, who captained West Germany to the 1990 title, said Loew’s motivation must be the key factor.

“Does he have the power, desire and motivation to steer this ship, which has completely foundered, in the right direction again?” Matthaeus told Sky Sports.

Matthaeus says the DFB will not sack Loew, but questions whether he “has the motivation to lead Germany into the Euro 2020 qualifiers,” the draw for which takes place in December in Dublin.

The world No 4 has lost on all four they have met. The Chinese will take on world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan in the final today. Tai ousted Pusarla V Sindhu of India 21-15 19-21 21-11 in the other semi-finals.

Ratchanok and other Thai players will next enter the Indonesia Open, a World Tour Super 1000 level, which kicks off in Jakarta on Tuesday. |– The Nation

Jazz shot a third-round 68 for a total 15 under-par-198 to share the lead with strong contender Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, the seven-time Asian Tour winner who shot a third-round 65 in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

“I will try not to think about the title. The only pressure I have is whether I can play up to my level in the final. I have to be solid,” said 22-year-old Jazz whose only Tour win came in the Bangladesh Open last year.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert 

Pavit, 29, sank five birdies, one eagle against a bogey for a 65 on 14 under-par-199 to stay in contention for his second Tour win after the 2016 Macau Open

“All players in the final group stand a shot at winning. You just try to focus on your game plan, not thinking too much ahead. I have to rely on my experience,” added Pavit.

After Prayad Marksaeng won the title in 2015 when the event was still held in Samui, foreign players Scott Hend of Australia and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia won the successive editions.

Asian Games national player Sadom Kaewkanjana, an amateur, is also another Thai contender to win the event after firing a 66 and a total 200 for tied fourth along with Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and American Korean Sihwan Kim.

Gaganjeet Bhullar 

Argentina, the beaten finalists four years ago, escaped by the skin of their teeth after a ragged group phase and will rely heavily on Messi when their ageing team face France in Kazan at 1400 GMT.

The French, armed with Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and wonder kid Kylian Mbappe have failed to fire the imagination so far and must sharpen up fast to keep alive their hopes of adding a second World Cup to the title they won on home soil two decades ago.

Before the tournament, France were widely tipped for a run to the final but they have failed to click so far, scoring just three times in three matches.

“Our group games left a mixed impression,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “From tomorrow it’s a new start for us.

“It’s make or break. We don’t have any choice. We have to do everything possible to make sure it goes well for us.”

Messi has spent the tournament trying to hold his unbalanced and labouring squad together, even apparently bypassing coach Jorge Sampaoli to give coaching instructions in the 2-1 win against Nigeria that saved the South Americans from a humiliating group-stage exit.

He has scored only once and Argentina’s campaign so far has been defined as much by Diego Maradona’s increasingly erratic and emotional outbursts as by any signs the two-time winners can reach the final again.

Sampaoli warned his players that Messi cannot do it on his own.

“Leo has such clear vision when it comes to football that he allows us to see things that, sometimes, only a true genius sees,” Sampaoli said.

“It’s often difficult to be at the level of such a great player. He’s a shining light for us all, and we have to do our very best to all try to be at his level.”

– Ronaldo reliance –

Ronaldo tore out of the blocks in Russia, smashing a hat-trick in his first game against Spain and he added another goal in the 1-0 win against Morocco.

But Portugal’s problem against a Uruguay team with the meanest defence of the tournament could be their over-reliance on the 33-year-old five-time world player of the year.

“We have to play as a team. If Ronaldo plays alone we will lose,” Portugal coach Fernando Santos said.

Uruguay won the last of their two World Cups in 1950 but they have high hopes thanks to their stingy defence and two of the world’s most prolific strikers, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.

The World Cup featured 122 goals in a frequently thrilling first phase and, following Argentina’s near-collapse and the stunning failure of holders Germany to advance past the opening stage for the first time in 80 years, the draw is lopsided.

France, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil and Uruguay are all gathered in one section of the competition, with only Spain among recent winners in the other half.

It means that if, for example, England can beat Colombia on Tuesday, they will fancy their chances of reaching a potential semi-final against 2010 winners Spain.

– FIFA back VAR –

FIFA have declared the video assistant referee system, introduced to the World Cup finals for the first time in Russia, a success.

Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of FIFA’s referees committee, said he was pleased with the impact of VAR but that it did not mean all decisions would be perfect.

FIFA said VAR crews conducted checks on 335 incidents during the group stage, helping achieve a 99.3 percent rate of correct decisions.

“VAR doesn’t mean perfection,” Collina said. “There could still be some wrong interpretation or even mistakes, so it’s not a perfection that can be reached having implemented VAR.”

Ryu So-yeon fired her second straight three-under 69 at the Women’s PGA Championship on Friday to grab a share of the halfway stage lead with Brooke Henderson and Park Sung-hyun.The two-time major champion from South Korea posted one of the few sub-par rounds in the morning at the Kemper Lakes course.

“I really enjoyed every moment with my little golf ball out there,” said Ryu, who is in her 11th season as a pro.

Ryu’s 69s give her a six-under 138 total atop the leaderboard with former Women’s PGA Championship winner Henderson, who had a 71, and Park, who posted a 72.

Temperatures at the Kemper Lakes course climbed to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) for the golfers who teed off in the afternoon.

Ryu is playing with plenty of confidence after collecting her first win of 2018 at the Meijer Classic two weeks ago.

“It’s better to think about winning the tournament, better to keep telling yourself how confident you are,” Ryu said. “I think after I won the Meijer Classic, that’s the attitude I have to have for this year.”

Canada’s Henderson had her patience tested on Friday but managed to stay in the hunt. The 2016 tournament winner finished with four bogeys and five birdies in her round.

“It was kind of up-and-down all day,” said Henderson. “I would have liked to have shot a little bit better today, but one-under when it was so hot and so windy, I’ll take it.”

Park had the solo lead heading into round two but stumbled a little on Friday.

She hit just eight fairways and recorded 29 putts to finish the day at even par 72 after a sizzling 66 on Thursday.

Former world No. 1 and two-time major champion Lydia Ko recorded the low round of the day with a six-under 66. Her round included eight birdies and two bogeys as she vaulted 81 spots up the leaderboard. She now sits just two-strokes back of the lead at four-under par heading into the weekend.

“I tried to make as many birdies as I can, and I know it’s difficult out there with the wind being a little bit more up than yesterday,” Ko said. “My goal was to try to make the cut, so I think mission accomplished.”

Ko is tied for fifth with Annie Park and Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand.

The cut line fell at three-over par, sending home several major champions including Chun In-gee, Morgan Pressel and Anna Nordqvist.

Two Thai doubles teams were eliminated. Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai went down to second seeded Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping of China 13-21 21-14 14-21 in mixed doubles.

In women’s doubles, Jongkolphan Kittitharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai lost to top seeded Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China 11-21 14-21.

Ratchanok lines up the semi-final final clash with He Bingjiao of China who upset world No 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-18 21-18 on Saturday. The world No 4 has never beaten the Chinese rival in all their three previous encounters.

The blazing finish saw Kim, the highest-ranked Asian Tour player in the field, sign for a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 and a 12-under-par 130 total to match the efforts of Jazz, who posted a 66, at the highly-rated Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club.

Starting the round with a three-shot deficit, Kim nailed three birdies to turn in 32 before sinking four consecutive birdies from the sixth to grab a share of the lead at the US$300,000 event, which is celebrating its 10th straight edition on the Asian Tour.

Jazz, who trailed by one following an opening 64, extended his bogey-free run to 29 holes before dropping a lone bogey on the par-four third hole. He eventually gained it back with a birdie on his closing ninth hole.

Overnight leader Poom Saksansin of Thailand battled to a 70 to share third place with countryman Sattaya Supupramai (66), Filipino hotshot Miguel Tabuena (66) and Indian talent Gaganjeet Bhullar (65) on matching 133s.

The halfway cut was set at two-under-par 140 with a total of 76 players, including two local amateurs, progressing to the weekend rounds.

The Queen’s Cup, held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, welcomed a new presenting sponsor in Bangchak Corporation, one of Thailand’s leading energy companies, this season.

The US club and English Premier League outfit announced the agreement on a permanent transfer as Rooney was on a flight to Washington.

Rooney will complete his move when the MLS transfer window opens on July 10 and should be in the squad four days later when beleaguered United plays host to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the opening game at the US club’s new stadium.

“It is fantastic to be joining D.C. United at such an exciting time in the club’s history with the new stadium opening in just a few weeks,” Rooney said in a statement.

“Moving to America and MLS fulfills another career ambition for me. I have the hunger to be a success here and will give D.C. 100 percent — as I have always done for every team I have ever played for.”

Rooney, 32, signed a three and a half year deal said to be worth $13 million. His 208 goals in 16 Premier League seasons ranks second on the all-time list.

“When I visited earlier this summer I was really impressed with everyone I met connected with the club, and of course the new Audi Field,” Rooney said. “Now I can’t wait to get on the pitch in a United shirt and join my new teammates to bring success to this club.”

The former Manchester United maestro posted a video on his Twitter account with him wearing a United jersey with him saying, “Hi DC, at work.”

Upon his afternoon arrival at Dulles Airport, Rooney was greeted by a large crowd of supporters. With a DC United scarf around his neck, Rooney posed for selfies and signed autographs on jerseys.

Rooney, wearing a grey baseball cap and accompanied by a small entourage, was later spotted at a beer garden in the city where fans watched Belgium’s 1-0 win over England in the World Cup.

A chant of “Rooney, Rooney, Rooney” went up from the England fans, but the former England striker stayed only briefly before being hustled away.

Rooney departed with the best wishes of his former club, the same Everton side where he began his career at age 16 in 2002.

“From everyone at Everton, we thank Wayne for his service to the club and wish him every success in the next 3 1/2 years with DC United,” the club statement said.

United couldn’t be happier to see Rooney, needing a big-name drawing card for its new stadium and a talent boost to revamp a club at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.

“This is a seminal moment for our fans and organization. Wayne is a global soccer icon and his presence at DC United will elevate our product on the pitch and soccer as a whole in our city and in this country,” said United chief executive Jason Levien.

“Wayne has thrived when competing at the most elite levels of soccer and we’re thrilled to have his leadership as we enter this new era.”

– Beckham says great move –

David Beckham, who paved the way for aging European superstars to extend their careers in North American with his 2007 transfer to LA Galaxy, said Rooney’s move was the right one.

“It’s great for Wayne and I also think it’s great for the league,” Beckham said. “It’s the right move for him. It’s exciting for fans. I think he’ll do really well. I think DC is the right club for him.”

Rooney also follows in the footsteps of the likes of Thierry Henry, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and fellow Merseyside native Steven Gerrard.

England’s youngest-ever goalscorer, Rooney displayed a star turn at the 2004 European Championships and later that year joined another teen star, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Manchester United for the first of 13 seasons at the club, during which he racked up 253 goals in all competitions until returning to Everton last year.

– ‘We’re beyond excited’ –

Last August saw Rooney step down from international duties, with 119 England caps and 53 goals to his name.

“Wayne is undoubtedly one of the best players in Premier League history and his goal scoring record for club and country speaks for itself,” United general manager Dave Kasper said.

“He is a world-class player and he elevates those around him, both through his work-ethic and winning mentality. We’re beyond excited to add someone of Rooney’s caliber and we are thrilled to welcome him.”

“The Mannschaft did not demonstrate what it can usually do,” he said at Frankfurt airport as the humiliated team arrived home after finishing at the bottom of the table in the group stages.

“As coach, I bear the responsibility and must of course ask myself why we didn’t succeed. That will require a bit of time, and we will hold talks about it,” he added.

But the coach stressed that “with the elimination, with the deep disappointment that we have experienced, we now need to think about which are the correct measures to take”.

“We need far-reaching measures, we need clear changes. We’ll need to talk about how we’ll do that,” he added.

After 12 golden years in charge crowned by the 2014 World Cup win in Brazil, Loew is under fire as a dismayed Germany question if he has placed his faith in too many former stars past their prime.

The daiy Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said only Loew’s departure could give Germany the “new start” it needed.

German Football Association chief Reinhard Grindel said the sports management would put forward their analysis of the disastrous World Cup campaign to federation chiefs in the coming week.

“Then I would also expect the coach to comment about his future,” said Grindel.

The DFB extended Loew’s contract as Germany head coach until 2022 just before the World Cup kicked off, and Grindel had previously stated his job was safe regardless of how Germany perform at the tournament.

A chorus of whistles and howls from the 42,189 spectators sent the teams from the pitch in Volgograd after a farcical end to their final Group H match.

On a burning afternoon that saw several twists in the plot, Japan somehow set up a meeting with either Belgium or England by virtue of a goal scored 640 kilometres (400 miles) away in Samara and because they received two yellow cards fewer than Senegal.

The last 10 minutes were played out at a pace that would have looked slow even in a training match and coach Akira Nishino admitted he told his players to take the 1-0 defeat and run once news came through of Yerry Mina’s 74th-minute goal for Colombia.

Nishino even praised his players for following the most negative of orders.

“The players listened to me and were loyal and determined to keep the status quo,” Nishino he said.

“It was just the situation that forced me to make the risky call and we decided not to go on the offence and rely on the other match.

“I’m not too happy about this but the World Cup is such that these things happen and we went through so it was perhaps the right decision.”

Japan reached the knockout stage for the third time in their history but when Jan Bednarek scored his first international goal in the 59th minute for the already eliminated Poland, the score between Colombia and Senegal stood at 0-0, meaning the last team left from Asia were heading home.

But Mina’s goal turned everything on its head.

Suddenly Colombia would win the group and Japan were ahead of Senegal despite identical points, goal difference and goals scored, because of the Africans’ poorer fair play record.

Nishino admitted that he sent on midfielder Makoto Hasebe for striker Yoshinori Muto in the 82nd minute specifically to give negative orders to his teammates — stop trying to score and do not commit any fouls.

“I did tell Hasebe to tell the team to stay put (at 1-0), not to concede any yellow cards and go to a defensive 4-1-4-1,” Nishino said.

– Jeers –

The result was a game that petered out to a cacophony of jeers.

Hardly a tackle was made in the last 10 minutes or so as Poland decided any sort of win would be enough to give themselves some pride after two defeats and Japan hoped and prayed Senegal would not equalise in Samara.

Japan will thank their under-fire goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima for keeping them in Russia also, after he made a stunning save to keep it goalless at half-time.

Kawashima’s place had been under threat following his howler for Senegal’s first goal in the 2-2 draw and he repaid Nishino’s faith with a wondrous stop.

Piotr Zielinski crossed from the right and Kamil Grosicki found himself unmarked near the penalty spot.

His cleverly directed header looked destined for the bottom corner until Kawashima made up huge amounts of ground to claw it to safety with a big right hand at full stretch.

Goalline technology confirmed he had kept it out by less than half the width of the ball but that was just about the best Poland could offer until Bednarek’s goal.

A long Rafal Kurzawa free-kick was met on the volley crisply from close range by Bednarek as Poland recorded their only win of a sorry Russian campaign, despite arriving ranked eighth in the world.