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THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 FromF chokers to contenders, PSG buryb Champions League ghosts We’re a great team. We have what it takes to win the ChampionsC League but the job is not done yet.

PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi Sport | 11

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Group D: Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-1 Foolad Khouzestan FC (IRN); GROUP E: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 0-0 FC Goa (IND) CL: Real frustrate Liverpool to advance; City through

REUTERS – LIVERPOOL

Real Madrid moved into the semi-finals of the Cham- pions League with a 0-0 second-leg draw with Liverpool at Anfield yesterday earning them a 3-1 aggregate win. The 13-times European champions will face Chelsea in the last four. Liverpool, the 2019 Champions League winners, Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates created enough chances in with Kyle Walker after scoring their the opening 45 minutes to second goal during the Champions have turned the tie around League quarter-final second leg but they ran out of ideas in the second half. match against Borussia Dortmund, Mohamed Salah and at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Georginio Wijnaldum had Germany, yesterday. LEFT: Real Madrid’s the best opportunities for Casemiro heads the ball during the Liverpool but failed to find match against Liverpool, at Anfield, the target and Real keeper Liverpool, yesterday. Thibaut Courtois made every save he was forced said in a statement. “We sincerely apol- into. ogise to our visitors for any distress Real's makeshift caused. We will work together with defence, without skipper Merseyside Police to establish the facts Sergio Ramos and Raphael and identify those responsible.” A video Varane, held firm after the posted on Instagram showed around break despite Juergen Klopp a hundred Liverpool fans, some holding throwing on Diogo Jota into flares, booing the arrival of the bus. a four-pronged attack. Mahrez had converted a 55th-minute minute for his first Champions League Real Madrid after the bus carrying the A video on Twitter showed a Elsewhere, Manchester City scored penalty awarded for a handball by goal. Premier League leaders City, Spanish side was damaged as it arrived section of the bus’s outer window twice in the second half through Riyad Emre Can to secure a 4-2 aggregate eliminated in the quarter-finals of the at Anfield. frame had been damaged. Mahrez and Phil Foden to beat Borussia triumph. competition in the previous three “We condemn unequivocally the Real hold a 3-1 lead in the tie after Dortmund 2-1 and reach the semi- Dortmund had gone ahead when years, will face Paris Saint-Germain in actions that led to Real Madrid’s team winning last week’s first leg in the finals for the first time in six years. striker Erling Haaland chased down a the semi-finals after the French cham- bus being damaged during its arrival Spanish capital. Like most elite Foden, who scored City's winner deep cross, the ball falling to Jude Bell- pions knocked out holders Bayern to Anfield this evening. It is totally European matches this season, the in their 2-1 first-leg victory, fired in off ingham and the teenager curling his Munich on Tuesday. unacceptable and shameful behaviour game is being held without supporters the post in the 76th minute after shot into the top corner in the 15th Earlier, Liverpool apologised to of a few individuals,” the English club due to coronavirus restrictions.

Al Sadd's Guilherme vies for the ball possession ACL: Al Duhail seek early lift against a Foolad player during their AFC.COM/THE PENINSULA – JEDDAH “COVID-19 has affected football for opening Group C match more than a year but now we have yesterday. PIC: AL SADD Qatar's Al Duhail will be looking for a adapted and are ready for everything," flying start in the group stage of the AFC Lamouchi, whose side played a number Champions League when they take on of domestic matches in the build-up for the current Iraqi League winners Al the Asian event, said. Shorta at the King Abdullah Sports City “The group is strong and there will in Jeddah today. be big competition. Al Ahli Saudi have With only the group winners assured good Asian experience but we want to of advancing into the Round of 16, the advance from the group and to do so, Sabri Lamouchi-led Qatar football heav- we must make a good start tomorrow,” yweights will be targeting full points in a confident Lamouchi added. the opening Group C clash. In their ninth successive AFC Cham- In a pool that also includes regional pions League group stage, the Almoez giants Esteghlal FC of Iran and Saudi Ali powered Al Duhail’s previous best Arabia’s Al Ahli, Al Duhail will have to was making the quarter-finals in 2013, provide their best efforts to book a berth 2015 and 2018. in the next stage and their French tac- On the other hand, Iraq’s Al Shorta tician said that it is their primary target. head into the tournament 10 points off “Our first goal is to advance from the the pace in the Iraqi Premier League, a group stage,” Lamouchi said during a title they won in 2019 and are defending pre-match press conference after the last season was cancelled due yesterday. to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have been preparing for the last There was, however, cheer for them three weeks and we had a lot of good in the 2019 AFC Champions League with Al Sadd fight back to hold matches," Lamouchi, who took charge Al Shorta recording their first win in the of the 'Red Knights' last season, said. tournament since it was rebranded. Al Duhail head into the tournament Al Shorta head coach Aleksandar Ilic off a domestic season which saw them said his team are determined to hit the Foolad; Al Rayyan draw in Goa relinquishing their tag as Qatar Stars ground running. League champions, with Al Sadd “It is very important to have good clinching the title in resounding fashion. performances in all the matches and if AFC.COM/THE PENINSULA – RIYADH playoff, was unable to have an early a comeback with Khoukhi testing goal- They finished second, 13 points we do so, then the results will even- influence on the proceedings. keeper Foroozan with his free-kick in behind Al Sadd, and will be hoping to tually come. The group is difficult and Boualem Khoukhi led a brilliant Foolad came closest in the 38th the 81st minute, but he would not miss make an impact at this year's continental our first match will be against a strong comeback by Qatar football giants Al minute when Zobeir Niknafs let loose seven minutes later when he found the showpiece, having missed out on the team,” said Ilic said on the eve of the Sadd against Iran's Foolad yesterday a strike from outside the box but Al back of the net with his strike from knockout stage last year. key clach. as the two teams shared points in a Sadd custodian Meshall Barsham inside the box, with Baghdad thrilling one-all draw in Riyadh in tipped the ball over the bar. Bounedjah picking up the assist. Al Duhail players their opening AFC Champions League The deadlock continued well into Al Sadd will take on hosts Al Nassr take part in their Group fixture. the second half but with a noticeable next on Saturday, while Foolad will final training Al Sadd started strongly by change in Foolad’s approach, who face Al Wehdat. session ahead pressing Foolad into their own half, were now on the front foot. Elsewhere, in India, hosts FC Goa of the AFC but the Iranian side were able to hold Their aggression paid off in the kicked off their AFC Champions champions their ground as they eventually 61st minute as Mehran Derakshan League debut with a 0-0 draw against League Group C pushed the Qataris back, setting the delivered a curling cross into the box Qatar's Al Rayyan in a Group E tie at match against stage for an exciting tie. which Boualem Khoukhi cleared but the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Iraq's Al Shorta The Qatar Stars League cham- a prowling Chimba rose high to head The draw means FC Goa and Al in Jeddah, Saudi pions made multiple inroads into the home to hand Foolad the lead. Rayyan are third in Group E, two Arabia, yesterday. final third with Rodrigo Tabata testing Al Sadd immediately shifted gears points behind Islamic Republic of This is their Foolad goalkeeper Mohsen Foroozan and came close 10 minutes later when Iran’s Persepolis FC, who defeated Al ninth successive with a long range strike in the 20th a string of passes led to substitute Ali Wahda of UAE 1-0 in their match appearance minute. Asad on goal but the midfielder was earlier yesterday. in the group Foolad did have their moments caught offside. Next on the cards for Al Rayyan stage of the but Brazilian striker Chimba, who Foolad were reminded not to will be last year’s AFC Champions continental scored twice against Al Ain in the underestimate Al Sadd’s ability to make League runners-up Persepolis. tournament. THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 SPORT 11 Bayern put From chokers to contenders, PSG ‘heart and bury Champions League ghosts soul’ into Paris win: REUTERS – PARIS their home form as Tuesday’s defence, in the absence of Marquinhos and influential The duo’s performance over 1-0 defeat by Bayern showed, captain Marquinhos, rose to the midfielder Marco Verratti, and the two legs was key and their Paris St Germain dismissed Mauricio Pochettino’s team can occasion in a nail-biting finale the French champions contract extension is obviously Mueller their reputation as Champions be clinical, having beaten the with the attacking trio of managed the absence of key the club’s priority as they look League chokers to reach the German champions 3-2 in the Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and players better. to win their maiden Champions REUTERS – PARIS semi-finals of Europe’s first leg despite suffering Angel Di Maria always looking “We played as a team while League title after losing to premium club competition for throughout the match. dangerous on the break. attacking, and while defending. Bayern in the final last year. Bayern Munich’s Thomas the second year in a row by In 2017, PSG lost 6-1 at “PSG has grown. The club That’s what we wanted to do “We’re a great team,” said Mueller said they had put their eliminating holders Bayern Barca after winning their keeps growing day by day, year and that’s we managed to do,” President Nasser Al Khelaifi. “heart and soul” into Tuesday’s Munich on Tuesday. last-16 first leg 4-0, before by year,” said centre back said Pochettino. “We have what it takes to win 1-0 Champions League win The French champions, choking again in a 3-1 home Presnel Kimpembe, who wore “(Midfielder) Idrissa Gueye the Champions League but the over Paris Saint Germain, a who had lost their composure loss to Manchester United in the captain’s armband on was a machine, I told him when job is not done yet. Kylian and result that saw the defending when it mattered in recent 2019 after they had won the Tuesday. he left the pitch.” Up front, Neymar now have no excuses to champions go out on the away years, have now eliminated last-16 first leg 2-0 at Old “We bounced back (from Mbappe’s speed proved a leave.” Neymar said that his con- goals rule after the tie finished Bayern and Barcelona in the Trafford. previous failures). Tonight nightmare to handle for the tract extension was ‘not a topic 3-3 on aggregate. quarter-finals and the last 16, There was none of that (Tuesday) was war, and we Bayern midfield and defence, anymore’ and that he felt happy Bayern striker Eric showing ruthless efficiency and shaky attitude at the Parc des won that war.” While Bayern while Neymar, although he and ‘at home’ at PSG. Choupo-Moting scored the proving steady in stormy Princes on Tuesday despite the were without Robert Lewand- lacked efficiency, finding the Both Mbappe and Neymar’s only goal of the game in Paris weather. loss. owski and Serge Gnabry, PSG woodwork twice, was a poison contracts expire at the end of but it was not enough to While they need to address Pochettino’s makeshift also had to do without throughout. next season. overturn a 3-2 loss in last week’s first leg in Germany. “We’re very disappointed. We put in a lot of heart and soul but scored one goal too few,” Mueller said after their quarter-finals exit. PSG is ‘home’, says Neymar “It was different from the game in Munich, we didn’t AP – SAO PAULO really come close to their goal Neymar’s tone is very different from less than end-of-match celebration in front of Bayern’s Joshua in the opening stages, Paris two years ago, when Barcelona officials were con- Kimmich. had the first few chances. Striker Neymar called Paris Saint-Germain his fident they would be able to bring the Brazilian back “I wasn’t celebrating to provoke him. I celebrated “Our effort and com- “home” after the team’s 1-0 defeat yesterday against to Camp Nou. with Leo Paredes, he was in front of me,” Neymar mitment in the second half Bayern Munich, which was still enough for the French The Brazilian forward became the most expensive said. “It was fate that Kimmich was also there, he were superb but it was very club to advance to the Champions League semi-final. player in the world when he moved from Barcelona said his team is better and they would go through. As scrappy. We never really put The Brazilian is currently negotiating a contract to PSG for €222m (about $250m) in 2017. His first if he was secured in the semifinal.” them under permanent extension. two seasons with the French champions were dis- PSG’s semi-final opponent will be either Man- pressure, we were dangerous “I don’t think this is even a topic anymore, I obvi- appointing, with the star out of key matches due to chester City or Borussia Dortmund. but Paris were too.” Goal- ously feel very comfortable, at injuries. Neymar hit the post and the bar in three clear keeper Manuel Neuer said the home at PSG,” Neymar told Now at age 29, the Brazilian has boosted his opportunities on Tuesday, which made him promise damage was done in the first TNT Sports Brazil after the profile in Paris after great performances that took coach Mauricio Pochettino he will be sharper in the leg. match at Parc des Princes PSG to the last final of the Champions League, which next stage. “The 1-0 was deserved, but stadium in Paris. “I feel ended in a 1-0 defeat against Bayern in Lisbon. “I owe him a goal, regardless of the good match the result last week was not happier than before.” Neymar also talked about his raucous I played,” the Brazilian said. good enough,” Neuer said. “It’s annoying, especially if you look at the first game, where we missed many chances and conceded one or Pochettino praises PSG two goals too many.” fighting spirit in triumph Slavia Prague’s over confident Bayern Kudela REUTERS – PARIS banned for Bayern Munich felt the best team did not reach the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday after they went out on away goals but Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino reminded them that as well as a beautiful game football was a fight. 10 games PSG had struggled in the quarter-final first leg in Munich but won 3-2 thanks to their ruthless efficiency in front of goal and Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Mueller were REUTERS – LONDON confident the German champions would go through at the Parc des Princes. The visitors won 1-0 despite suffering on the break throughout the match, with PSG’s Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer (third left) reacts during the quarter- Neymar hitting the woodwork twice, but it was not enough for them to progress. Kudela has been banned for final second leg match against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday. “Over both games I think we were the better team,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who 10 matches for “racist had to cope without injured striker Robert Lewandowski for both ggames. behaviour” in their Europa “We’ve had some back luck,uck, we were missing some pplayerslayers League last-16 match against but we have to accept it.” PPochettino,ochettino, who said he “missed tthishis Scottish side Rangers last adrenaline when I was at home”me” aafterfter bbeingeing sacsackedked bbyy TottenTottenhamham month, European soccer’s Hotspur in November 2019 despiteespite taking them to the final, will governing body said yesterday. not get carried away after PSGG reacreachedhed tthehe semis fforor thethe seconsecondd Rangers midfielder Glen time in a row. Kamara complained of being “Even if we knocked out BarcelonaBarcelona (in the last 16) and BayernBayern racially abused by Kudela in all the teams in the last four wwillill hhaveave tthehe sasameme cchanceshances to win the game, when the Scottish the title,” he said. club was knocked out in the Responding to Flick, he saidsaid the German players’ pre-game second leg, which included a comments were fair. melee on the pitch and clashes “It is normal that they wereere confident, thethey’rey’re a team who have in the tunnel afterwards. won everything and theyey thouthoughtght they were the Kudela’s ban also rules him favourites,” said Pochettino. out for representative team “Football is such a beautifuliful game but it’sit’s alsoalso a competition matches, meaning game in which you never giveve up and y youou have to he will miss games for the fight. But I understand why theythey said theythey Czech Republic in the were confident, it’s normal too play mind Mauricio Pochettino European Championship this games.” year. Nadal, Djokovic make winning returns at Monte Carlo Masters

AP – MONACO for me,” said Djokovic, who is a Monaco resident. “I just hung Returning from a long break, in there today and managed to both Novak Djokovic and Rafael find the right shots and the right Nadal opened their clay-court game at the right time.” seasons with victories yesterday After dropping his serve at the Monte Carlo Masters. early, Djokovic won four Djokovic produced a straight games. clinical 6-4, 6-2 win over up- Sinner, who arrived in and-coming Jannik Sinner Monte Carlo following a before Nadal - an 11-time runner-up finish in Miami, champion at the Country Club saved two match points but - defeated Federico Delbonis was too often troubled by 6-1, 6-2. Djokovic’s mix of baseline Both Nadal and Djokovic attacks and subtle drop shots. Serbia’s Novak took some time off after the The 19-year-old Sinner bowed Djokovic in Australian Open, where out on a double-fault. action during Djokovic claimed a record- Djokovic will next face his second extending ninth title in Daniel Evans, who beat Hubert round match February. Hurkacz 6-4, 6-1. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his second round match against against Italy’s Facing a stern test against Djokovic, who beat Nadal in Argentina’s Federico Delbonis at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday. Jannik Sinner. Sinner, the top-ranked Djokovic the 2013 final and won the tour- eased into his clay-court routine nament again in 2015, could face to reach the third round and the Spaniard in Sunday’s final. in the next round. The Monte Carlo Masters is Fognini also advanced to the Zverev defeated Lorenzo improve his unbeaten record Against Delbonis, an “I think I just really played back on the calendar with no third round, beating Jordan Sonego 6-3, 6-3. Also, Casper this season to 10-0. Argentine qualifier, Nadal saved a solid match. Nothing unbe- fans after it was canceled last Thompson 6-3, 6-3. Fourth- Ruud earned his second top-10 “It was a very good four of the five break points he lievable, but nothing wrong,” year because of the coronavirus seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas pro- victory with a 6-3, 6-3 victory encounter. I thought it was a faced and was in total control. Nadal said. “Just a solid match, pandemic. gressed with a 6-3, 6-4 win over over ninth-seeded Diego great first match, a big challenge He will take on Grigor Dimitrov a positive start.” Defending champion Fabio Aslan Karatsev and Alexander Schwartzman. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021

Handball: Al Arabi beat Al Shamal Angelic Queen bags win at QREC Al Rayyan Park

An Al Arabi player attempts to score against Al Shamal during their Al Azraq Stable’s Angelic Queen (foreground), helmed by Meteb Ali Al Saaq, races towards victory in the Thoroughbred Handicap QHA Men’s Handball League match at Al Duhail SC Hall yesterday. Al (0-70) (Division 1) during the 47th Race Meeting at QREC Al Rayyan Park yesterday. The Mohammed Ghazali-trained four-year-old Arabi won 21-31. filly claimed a length win in the 6f Class 5 run. Brilliant Babar puts Pakistan ahead in T20 series against South Africa

AP — CENTURION SCOREBOARD team that felt it was in position SOUTH AFRICA Rauf 4-0-40-0, Faheem Ashraf 4-0-37-1 for victory after posting its own Babar Azam hit a sensational 122 J. Malan c Faheem Ashraf b Nawaz ...... 55 PAKISTAN strong score of 203-5 in 20 from 59 balls to lead Pakistan to A. Markram b Mohammad Nawaz ...... 63 Mohammad Rizwan not out ...... 73 overs. 205-1 for a resounding nine- G. Linde b Faheem Ashraf ...... 22 Babar Azam c Klaasen b Williams ...... 122 Babar fell just two balls from wicket win over South Africa H. van der Dussen not out ...... 34 Fakhar Zaman not out ...... 8 the end trying to ramp a delivery and a 2-1 lead in their Twenty20 H. Klaasen b Hasan Ali ...... 15 Extras (lb1, w1) ...... 2 from Lizaad Williams over third series yesterday. A. Phehlukwayo lbw b Shaheen Afridi ...... 11 Total (1 wkt, 18 overs) ...... 205 man and edging it to wicket- Babar marked the day he Extras (lb2, w1) ...... 3 Fall of wicket: 1-197 (Babar) keeper Heinrich Klassen. unseated Virat Kohli to become Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) ...... 203 Did not bat: Mohammad Hafeez, Haider Ali, Asif That denied Pakistan the Did not bat: P. van Biljon, S. Magala, B. Hendricks, Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, the top-ranked ODI batsman in world record for the highest suc- L. Williams, T. Shamsi Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf the world with another brilliant Fall of wickets: 1-108 (Markram), 2-141 (Linde), Bowling: Linde 4-0-38-0, Hendricks 4-0-55-0, cessful chase in T20s without limited-overs innings, albeit in 3-143 (Malan), 4-164 (Klaasen), 5-203 (Phehluk- Williams 4-0-34-1, Shamsi 3-0-39-0 (1w), Magala losing a wicket. the shortest format this time. wayo) 3-0-38-0 Fakhar Zaman smashed two The Pakistan captain opened Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 4-0-39-1 (1w), Moham- Result: Pakistan won by nine wickets fours off the next two balls to the batting and blasted his way mad Nawaz 4-0-38-2, Hasan Ali 4-0-47-1, Haris Series: Pakistan lead the four-match series 2-1 end it and ensure Pakistan can’t to a century as Pakistan chased lose the series with one game to down a seemingly testing target in 18 overs, with Mohammad with Babar. Their partnership of play. of 204 with ease. Rizwan crashing 73 from 47 balls 197 from 107 balls ripped the Pakistan also won the ODI The tourists romped home at the other end after opening game away from a South African series in South Africa. Babar has 186 runs from three innings at an average of 62.00 in the T20 series and Babar dethrones Kohli in ODI rankings averaged 76.00 in the ODI series. NEW DELHI REUTERS — parisons with the prolific Kohli following in the footsteps of Earlier yesterday he ended who is considered a modern Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad Kohli’s more than three-year Pakistan cacaptainptain BBabarabar battingbattin great across and Mohammad Yousuf. stay at the top of the ODI Azam endednded InIndiadia formats.for Babar and Kohli are cur- rankings. counterpartpart Virat Babar led from the rently the only two batsmen in South Africa appeared to Kohli’s (pictured)pictured) frontfr in Pakistan’s 2-1 the top six in all three formats. have exposed Pakistan’s more thanan ththree-ree- ODIO series victory in “This is another milestone decision to bowl first at Super- year reigngn as tthehe SouthSo Africa last week in my career, which will now Sport Park when openers top rrankedanked andan snapped Kohli’s require even more hard work Aiden Markram (63) and Jan- one-day batsman 1,2581,2 day stay atop the and absolute consistency with neman Malan (55) made half- in the latestest ofofficialficial officialof rankings, the the bat in order for me to hold on centuries and the host posted rankings publishedpublished governinggo Interna- to the ranking for an extended its highest total ever against yesterday.y. tionaltio Cricket Council period of time...” Babar said. “I Pakistan. Babar’s’s elegant (ICC)(ICC said. have also previously topped the But Babar stroked 15 fours strokemakingaking TheThe 26-year-old is the T20I rankings, but the ultimate and four sixes to underline his has oftenften fourthfourth Pakistan batsman ambition and goal is to lead the scintillating form and see drawn com-m- to aachievec the honour Test rankings...” Pakistan to a highly impressive Babar Azam in action against South Africa yesterday. PIC COURTESY: PCB victory. Former Zimbabwe captain Streak IPL: Shahbaz sparkles as RCB gets eight-year ban for corruption beat SRH for 2nd straight win AGENCIES — CHENNAI BRIEF SCORES from the front, then notched up REUTERS — DUBAI a full disciplinary process.” Royal Challengers Bangalore 149/8 his 49th half-century in IPL. The charges against him Royal Challengers Bangalore (Glenn Maxwell 59, Virat Kohli 33; Jason However, Jamieson pro- Former Zimbabwe captain included revealing inside infor- (RCB) yesterday won their Holder 3/30) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad vided RCB a much-needed

Heath Streak (pictured) was mation, which could be used for second consecutive game after 143/9 (David Warner 54, Manish Pandey breakthrough as he dismissed slapped with an eight-year ban betting purpose. beating the Sunrisers 38; Shahbaz Ahmed 3/7) by 6 runs Warner in the 14th ove for corruption dating back to Another charge was Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 6 of RCB skipper Kohli then his coaching stints with the accepting a payment in bitcoins the VIVO Indian Premier handed the ball to Shahbaz in national team and in several from a potential corrupter and League (IPL) 2021 at the M. A. Shahbaz Ahmed struck thrice the 17th over and it turned out Twenty20 leagues, the game’s failing to disclose it to any anti- Chidambaram Stadium in in one over and managed to to be a match-changing move governing body said yesterday. corruption officials. Chennai. defend a total of 149 against as the left-arm spinner scalped The 47-year-old admitted “Heath Streak is an experi- RCB produced a monumental SRH Chasing a total of 150, the 3 wickets in an over. five breaches of the Interna- enced former international comeback with the ball after SRH openers – David Warner He dismissed Jonny tional Cricket Council’s (ICC) cricketer and national team and Wriddhiman Saha – got Bairstow and Pandey on con- anti-corruption code and coach, who had participated in Shahbaz Ahmed with his award. off to a cautious start, secutive deliveries and then got agreed the sanction, the ICC numerous anti-corruption edu- PIC COURTESY: IPL scoring 13 in the first two Abdul Samad out on the final said in a statement. matches in Twenty20 leagues cation sessions and was fully overs. delivery, with all three batsmen “As a former captain and in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan aware of his responsibilities Mohammed Siraj built attempting to clear the ropes. coach, he held a position of and Bangladesh. under the Code,” Marshall the pressure early on with The pressure built on SRH trust and owed a duty to uphold The Indian cricket board added. the new ball, forcing Saha to as they further lost two wickets. the integrity of the game,” Alex did not immediately respond Streak’s admission of the play a rash shot which went First, Harshal Patel got rid of Marshall, ICC General Manager to a Reuters request for charges means no anti-cor- straight into the hands of Vijay Shankar, courtesy a of Integrity Unit, said in the comment. ruption tribunal hearing would Maxwell at backward point running catch from Kohli in the statement. “The offences did not affect be required. in the third over. 18th over and later, Siraj dis- “He breached the Code on the outcomes of any relevant Streak played 65 Tests and However, SRH attacked missed Jason Holder after he several occasions, including matches and Mr Streak has 189 one-day internationals for the pace of Kyle Jamieson, holed out in the deep in the facilitating the approach of four agreed to assist the ICC anti- Zimbabwe between smashing 17 off the 4th over penultimate over. other players. At times, he also corruption education pro- 1993-2005. with Warner and Manish Harshal Patel had 16 runs sought to obstruct and delay gramme...” Marshall said. Post-retirement, he also Pandey hitting a six each. to defend in the final over. our investigation.” “He has also expressed his served as Bangladesh coach At the halfway mark, While he bowled a no-ball, he The games under scanner remorse and contrition and and was the bowling coach of SRH were 77/1 and were kept his composure and scalped included several international entered this agreed sanction two-time IPL champions pacing the chase to per- two wickets, helping RCB seal matches in 2018 as well as decision to avoid the need for Kolkata Knight Riders. fection. Warner, leading a stunning 6-run win. THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 SPORT 09 Celtics clip Blazers for 4th straight win

NEW YORK REUTERS — Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (left) Suns 106, Heat 86 dribbles the ball while defended Deandre Ayton finished Jayson Tatum recorded 32 by Portland Trail Blazers' Carmelo with 19 points and 13 rebounds points, nine rebounds and five Anthony during the second half to propel host Phoenix to a assists to lead the Boston Celtics at Moda Center. victory over Miami. to a 116-115 victory over the host The Suns won their third in Portland Trail Blazers on a row and swept the season Tuesday night. series from the Heat for the first Jaylen Brown scored 24 time since the 2006-07 season. points and Kemba Walker con- Phoenix has won 10 of its past tributed 21 points, eight 11 and is 31-7 since Jan. 28. rebounds and seven assists as Ayton, who shot 8-for-10 Boston won for the fourth from the field, was one of six straight game and sixth time in Suns who scored in double the past seven. figures. Four of those were Robert Williams III added reserves as Phoenix’s bench 16 points and seven rebounds outscored Miami’s second unit and Marcus Smart had 13 points 65-24. and seven assists. Jimmy Butler led Miami Damian Lillard posted 28 with 18 points and eight assists, points and 10 assists, and but the Heat struggled from long Carmelo Anthony scored 25 distance against Phoenix’s points on 10-of-15 shooting for defense. Miami shot 9-for-44 the Trail Blazers. from 3-point range (20.5 Norman Powell added 20 percent). points and CJ McCollum had 16 Jazz 106, Thunder 96 points as Portland lost for the Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 fifth time in the past seven points, Donovan Mitchell added games. 22 and short-handed Utah Tatum nailed a clutch bounced back from a rough first 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds streak at Minnesota. The game and dished eight assists to lead Lakers 101, Hornets 93 Clint Capela added 19 quarter to defeat Oklahoma City remaining to give Boston a four- was played without fans after Los Angeles past Indiana in Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points and 21 rebounds for the in Salt Lake City. point lead. Powell buried a being rescheduled from Monday Indianapolis. points and Los Angeles wrapped Hawks as they completed a The loss, OKC’s seventh in 31-foot, 3-pointer with five in the wake of the police Leading scorer Kawhi up a road trip by defeating host three-game season sweep a row, spoiled a career-high 42 seconds left to move Portland shooting of Daunte Wright, Leonard missed the game due Charlotte. over the Raptors. Brandon points from the Thunder’s Lu within one. But Lillard’s 80-foot which sparked protests around to a right foot injury. Alex Caruso made key con- Goodwin scored 18 and Kevin Dort. heave was well wide of the Minneapolis. George recorded 32-plus tributions in the last minute, fin- Huerter added 17 for the Utah played without three mark at the horn. Wolves center Karl- points for the fourth consec- ishing with 13 points and six Hawks, who have won seven regulars -- Joe Ingles (knee Nets 127, Timberwolves Anthony Towns did not play, utive game, while the Clippers assists off the Lakers bench. of their past eight games. soreness), Royce O’Neale (rest) 97 instead spending time with his reeled off their sixth straight Dennis Schroder posted 19 Pascal Siakam scored 30 and Jordan Clarkson (ankle Kevin Durant scored 31 family mourning the one-year win. points in the victory. points with seven assists and six sprain) -- but still had six points on 11-for-15 shooting to anniversary of his mother’s Marcus Morris Sr. finished Hawks 108, Raptors 103 rebounds for the Raptors. players reach double-figure lead short-handed Brooklyn to death as a result of COVID-19. with 22 points on 9 of 12 Bogdan Bogdanovic scored Rookie Malachi Flynn added a scoring and three register a comfortable victory over host Clippers 126, Pacers 115 shooting from the floor, 23 points and visiting Atlanta season-best 22 points while OG double-doubles to bounce back Minnesota in Minneapolis, Paul George scored 36 including a perfect 3 of 3 from held on to defeat Toronto at Anunoby had 15 and Khem from Monday’s home loss to snapping a five-game losing points, grabbed seven rebounds 3-point range. Tampa. Birch had 13 points. Washington. NHL: Gaudreau scores winner as MLB: Duvall shines Flames topple Leafs; Rangers win as Miami Marlins REUTERS — TORONTO beat Atlanta Braves Johnny Gaudreau scored 36 seconds into overtime to give REUTERS — NEW YORK RESULTS the visiting Calgary Flames a Marlins 14, Braves 8 3-2 victory over the Toronto Miami left fielder Adam Duvall Cardinals 14, Nationals 3 Maple Leafs on Tuesday. had two home runs and Dodgers 7, Rockies 0 Following a 1-8-0 stretch, matched a club record with Giants 7, Reds 6 the Flames have now won con- seven RBIs to help lead the Red Sox 4, Twins 2 secutive games. The win moves visiting Miami Marlins to a 14-8 Calgary six points behind the win over the Atlanta Braves on Mets 4, Phillies 3 (Game 1) Montreal Canadiens for the Tuesday. Mets 4, Phillies 0 (Game 2) fourth and final North Division Duvall was 4-for-5, hit his A’s 7, Diamondbacks 5 play-off berth. third and fourth home runs, Mariners 4, Orioles 3 Gaudreau and Elias and added a double to lift his (Game 1) Lindholm each had a goal and batting average from.160 Orioles 7, Mariners 6 an assist for Calgary. Juuso Val- to.267. (Game 2) imaki scored the Flames’ other Miami came up with season Rangers 8, Rays 3 goal. highs with the 14 runs and hits Blue Jays 7, Yankees 3 Rangers 3, Devils 0 (17), and seven of its starting Cubs 3, Brewers 2 Mika Zibanejad scored in position players got at least one Indians 2, White Sox 0 the first period, Artemi Panarin hit. Third baseman Brian Tigers 8, Astros 2 Royals 3, Angels 2

tallied in the third and Igor Johnny Gaudreau (13) scores the game winning goal. Anderson was 3-for-5, Shesterkin made 27 saves for including his first homer and Pirates 8, Padres 4 his first career shutout, and vis- three RBIs, and Miguel Rojas iting New York beat New Jersey. his assist during the four-goal Panthers 3, Stars 2 (OT) while Roman Josi collected one was 3-for-6 with an RBI and Nationals starting pitcher The Rangers began a stretch first period that helped Wash- Frank Vatrano scored a goal and two assists to lead host two runs scored. Stephen Strasburg (0-1) labored of four straight games against ington take command. His goal power-play goal with 1:51 left Nashville past Tampa Bay. The winning pitcher was for four-plus innings and the Devils by improving to came in the second period on a in overtime, leading Florida Rocco Grimaldi, Colton John Curtiss (1-0), who pitched allowed eight runs (seven 10-4-4 in their past 18 games. blistering shot that beat Phila- past host Dallas. Sissons, Tanner Jeannot and 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief earned) on eight hits, including New York entered Tuesday four delphia goalie Brian Elliott. There were just six seconds Mikael Granlund also scored for of Pablo Lopez. Curtiss allowed three homers. He walked five points behind the Boston Bruins Bruins 3, Sabres 2 (SO) left on the power play when the Predators, who received a one hit and struck out two. batters, two of them for the fourth and final playoff Charlie Coyle and Jake Vatrano scored off a pass from 21-save performance from Lopez pitched four innings and intentionally. spot in the East Division. DeBrusk scored in a shootout Gustav Forsling. goaltender Juuse Saros to beat gave up six runs on nine hits In other match, Trevor Capitals 6, Flyers 1 to push new-look Boston past The Panthers, who also got the Lightning for only the and one walk. He struck out six. Bauer tossed seven shutout Newly acquired forward visiting Buffalo to end a two- goals from Aleksander Barkov second time in eight meetings Meanwhile, Paul Gold- innings, Corey Seager homered, Anthony Mantha finished with game losing streak. and Radko Gudas, snapped this season. schmidt, Nolan Arenado, Matt doubled and scored three runs, a goal and an assist as Wash- Craig Smith had a goal and their season-high-tying three- Grimaldi, Ryan Johansen Carpenter and Justin Williams and host Los Angeles beat ington started quickly and an assist, and David Krejci also game losing streak. Chris and Rem Pitlick had two-point each drove in three runs as St. Colorado. defeated visiting scored for the Bruins. Jeremy Driedger made 24 saves. outings for Nashville, which has Louis routed visiting Max Muncy and Chris Philadelphia. Swayman had 21 saves and Predators 7, Lightning 2 won 13 of 16 games and holds Washington. Taylor homered and had two Mantha, who finished with turned away both Buffalo Viktor Arvidsson scored the fourth spot in the Central Goldschmidt hit a homer, hits apiece, and Mookie Betts a team-high six shots, recorded chances in the shootout. twice in a three-point game Division. the 250th of his career, and a also went deep for the Dodgers. two-run single, as the Cardinals Bauer (2-0) had an impressive won in convincing fashion. home debut for Los Angeles, Cardinals sign Arenado hit a two-run homer allowing just one hit and struck NFL memo details vaccination and an RBI single. out nine. Carpenter hit a two-run Garrett Hampson had the Conner to homer and a sacrifice fly. Wil- only two hits for Colorado, a expectations for staff, players liams hit an RBI single and a single in the third and another one-year deal two-run single. leading off the ninth. NEW YORK REUTERS — “In light of expanded weekly reporting of the AP — TEMPE vaccine eligibility, it is appro- number of employees who The NFL issued a memo to all priate now to take further have been vaccinated. The Arizona Cardinals have team personnel that steps to educate about and The league does address signed running back James announced the league’s plans promote vaccine availability exceptions for individuals who Conner to a one-year contract. to move forward with and acceptance within the forego the vaccine based on The Cardinals made the COVID-19 vaccination NFL,” said the statement, “bona fide medical or religious move after starting running education and accessibility which outlined a five-point ground,” but notes that any back Kenyan Drake and encouraged all players plan for teams to implement staff member who refuses announced he was signing and staff to get vaccinated. the new league guidelines. vaccinations without such with the Las Vegas Raiders a ESPN broke news of the Steps include using each reasons will be restricted from few weeks ago. Conner is memo, which came from NFL team stadium or training “football only” areas and may expected to join Chase commissioner Roger Goodell, facility as a vaccination site for not work directly or in close Adam Duvall in Edmonds as the Cardinals’ John Mara, chair of the club staff, players and eligible proximity to players. action in this file main options in the backfield league’s executive committee, family members; scheduling Less than two weeks ago, photo. next season. and John York, chair of NFL’s and participating in vaccine Goodell said he anticipated The 25-year-old Conner health and safety committee. information session for staff, packed stadiums across the played his first four seasons in It was addressed to all team players and family; educating league when play resumes this Pittsburgh and was a Pro Bowl chief executives, presidents, employees and promoting fall. “All of us in the NFL want selection in 2018. He ran for general managers and head communications regarding the to see every one of our fans a career-high 973 yards and coaches. benefits of vaccination; and back,” Goodell said. 12 touchdowns that year. Sport THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 08 IOC hopes health plans will sway With 3 months to go, opinion with Games 100 days away Poland to vaccinate

REUTERS - TOKYO had been a major ordeal for audience. “The athletes will still the IOC has placed minimising national athletes humanity but that she was compete in the very best con- the risk of infection, Coates said. While most Japanese residents determined to make the event ditions,” Coates said. With some experts con- REUTERS - WARSAW remain opposed to the Tokyo a success. “There will be no foreign cerned Tokyo is on the cusp of Games going ahead in 100 days’ Coates said in a media con- spectators or members of their an “explosive” jump in Poland will vaccinate its Olympic athletes and national soccer time, the International Olympic ference call that there was still families to support them. They COVID-19 cases, Coates was team against COVID-19, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki Committee hopes the mood will time to get the public to back will be confined to the village asked whether there were any said yesterday, as the nation eyes medals with just 100 days shift when people realise how the Olympics and that over- and their sporting venues. thoughts of cancelling the to go until the Tokyo Games. much emphasis has been placed coming a negative perception “They will not go downtown Games. Prioritising athletes for vaccination has proved contro- on minimizing the risk of of the Games was nothing new to celebrate. That will be “Definitely not. I know Jap- versial in some countries, especially those that have experi- COVID-19 infections. for the IOC. missing (from the Olympics),” anese organisers are not con- enced problems with their vaccination programmes. This month John Coates, the IOC’s chief “Once these stories start he said. sidering cancellation,” he said. Japan denied it was prioritising its athletes after a media report coordinator for Tokyo, also said coming out to the public I am Those measures are all part “We continue to receive the suggesting this was the case sparked public outcry. stories of Japan’s sporting very confident public opinion of a detailed plan drawn up by fullest support. All of the plans “To ensure the comfort of our athletes who are to give us success, such as Hideki Mat- will turn,” Coates said. “Sydney organisers to ensure the Games are in a worst case situation and joy and hope in Tokyo, we decided to vaccinate the entire suyama’s Masters triumph on (2000 Olympics) was not are not postponed or cancelled we hope to influence public Olympic team... and also our national soccer team, which will Sunday, would boost support looking too good before but and people in Japan should be opinion through safety represent Poland during the European Championship,” for the Games, which were once we got to 100 days it in no doubt about the emphasis measures.” Morawieck told a news conference. postponed by a year due to the turned.” The biggest country in the European pandemic. Tokyo will be Union’s eastern wing is hoping to win gold With just over three months like no other in events such as hammer throwing and vol- to go before the opening cer- Olympics, leyball at the Games, which face a deluge of emony, organisers face a deluge however. challenges and growing uncertainty as the of challenges with the pan- Every Games COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage demic affecting decisions on participant will around the world. everything from athlete safety miss the usual Culture Minister Piotr Glinski said 1,077 to spectator numbers to ticket celebratory Olympians and trainers would get shots, as sales as well as local public atmosphere well as over 60 people connected to the support for the Olympics. across the city national soccer team, which is due to face A Kyodo News poll this and at their com- Slovakia in their first match of the European week showed more than 70% petitions, while Championships on June 14. of people in Japan want the testing will be In common with other European Union Tokyo Olympics to be cancelled extensive. countries, Poland’s vaccination programme or delayed. International has been hampered by problems with deliv- Tokyo on Monday began a spectators have eries. The system was plunged into confusion month-long period of quasi- been banned and earlier this month after a sudden change in emergency measures to blunt the IOC had to vaccine eligibility. To date, over 2.1 million a fourth wave of infections and shorten its invi- people in Poland, which has a total popu- more than 90% of respondents tation list to only lation of 38 million, have received both shots felt anxiety about the key essential of COVID-19 vaccine. resurgence. individuals for Poland has reported 2,599,850 cases of Tokyo Governor Yuriko the Games. the coronavirus and 59,126 deaths since the Koike said at a ceremony Organisers The Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower are illuminated with Olympic colours to mark 100 days countdown start of the pandemic. Its health system has marking 100 days to go on are yet to decide to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that have been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID- been badly stretched by a third wave of Wednesday that the fight what to do with 19) outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. infections. against “an invisible enemy” the domestic KEY ISSUES AS TOKYO MARKS 100 DAYS UNTIL OLYMPICS

REUTERS - TOKYO fears over new variants of the coronavirus. shouting to show support. Athletes will also be important dress rehearsals to confirm the Games’ The countdown to the Tokyo Olympics hit the Organisers plan to decide this month on the tested at least once every four days. Organisers operational capabilities at venues, scheduled for 100-day mark yesterday as the Games draw maximum number of local fans permitted in plan to update the playbooks this month. They this month and next. Early May will see four such closer to reality after a one-year delay due to venues. are available to the public on Tokyo 2020’s events with athletes from abroad - volleyball the COVID-19 pandemic. ARE ATHLETES REQUIRED TO BE website: https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/ friendlies between Japan and China, Olympic But several questions remain unanswered VACCINATED? tokyo-2020-playbooks/ diving qualifiers, the Hokkaido Sapporo Mar- amid uncertainties over the pandemic, including No. Organisers say they are planning health HOW IS THE TORCH RELAY GOING? athon Festival and an athletics event - providing how many spectators will be allowed into venues protocols to carry out a safe Games with the The torch relay began on March 25 and is an the best opportunity before the Games for organ- and what revisions will be made to participants’ assumption that participants will not be vacci- early test of organisers’ ability to stage a large- isers to test health protocols with arrivals from COVID-19 health protocols. nated. The International Olympic Committee, scale event while implementing stringent overseas. WHEN ARE THE SUMMER OLYMPICS? however, urges athletes to be vaccinated. Par- COVID-19 countermeasures. About 10,000 HOW ABOUT THE ACTUAL GAMES? The Olympics are scheduled for July 23 to ticipants must follow the health guidelines in runners will carry the torch across Japan’s 47 Four sports will make their debuts at this Aug. 8 and the Paralympics from Aug. 24 to Sept. their “playbook” regardless of whether they have prefectures over a four-month period. There are year’s Olympics: karate, sport climbing, surfing 5. About 11,000 Olympic athletes will compete been vaccinated. no reports so far of infections stemming from and skateboarding. Several stars, from French in 33 sports, while more than 4,000 Paralym- WHAT ARE THE ‘PLAYBOOKS’? the event. Osaka prefecture, however, decided judoka Teddy Riner to American swimmer Katie pians will compete across 22 sports. Organisers The playbooks, first unveiled in February, to hold its leg of the relay this week in a park Ledecky, will be back in the quest for more gold, say the Olympics will show there is light at the outline the rules that all Games participants must instead of on public roads after a surge in infec- while newcomers will try to stake their claim. end of the pandemic tunnel. follow to prevent the spread of the coronavirus tions prompted it to declare a COVID-19 Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee, competing after WILL SPECTATORS BE IN VENUES? during the Games. Rules include mandatory emergency. her recovery from leukaemia, will no doubt be International spectators will not be allowed mask-wearing, keeping 2 metres’ distance from WHAT ABOUT THE TEST EVENTS? among the most emotional moments. into Japan, organisers decided in March, amid each other and clapping instead of singing or Tokyo still has several test events, which are A steady diet of limited fans on PGA Tour though end of May

AP - AUGUSTA on a wait list and they will be contacted player to go from winning a silver cup as “should additional badges become low amateur at the Masters to a green jacket The roars returned to Masters. At least two available.” as the Masters champion. of them. The Memorial last year had a detailed The others were Sergio Garcia, Phil There were enough spectators, believed plan for spectators that had been approved Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Ben Crenshaw, to be roughly 8,000 a day, to at least bring by the state until it was decided 10 days Jack Nicklaus and Cary Middlecoff. some sound back to the gorgeous scenery before the start of the tournament there The shortest turnaround was Woods, of Augusta National in April. And they stood would be none. who was low amateur in 1995 and won in six-deep over the final 100 yards of the 18th A small grandstand by the 18th hole and 1997. green - masks on - as Hideki Matsuyama some concession structures were still up The longest stretch was Mickelson, who walked up the hill to a one-shot victory. during the tournament. was low amateur in 1991 and won his first Missing was that head-turning volume, At least some spectators would be green jacket in 2004. a brief burst of cheers that made spectators expected everywhere else on the upcoming And it leads to the question: Who’s next? look around and try to figure out where it tour schedule. The RBC Heritage this week There are three leading candidates, and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama celebrates with the green jacket after came from and what they were missing. has allowed 20% capacity at Hilton Head. that starts with Bryson DeChambeau winning The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in this One of those roars was for Tommy That will be followed by the Zurich because he already has a major (US Open). Fleetwood making a hole-in-one on the Classic in Avondale, Louisiana (up to 10,000 DeChambeau tied for 21st as low amateur April 11, 2021 file photo. 16th hole in the opening round. The loudest a day), the Valspar Championship in the in 2016. He hasn’t cracked the top 25 as a of the week was for Corey Conners making Tampa Bay, Florida, area (20-30% capacity), pro. his ace on the sixth hole Saturday. the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, Patrick Cantlay was low amateur in Masters ratings increase from But it was progress, and that goes for North Carolina (maximum 30% capacity), 2012. He briefly had the lead after an eagle the rest of golf. the AT&T Bryon Nelson in Dallas (10,000 on the 15th hole in the final round only to 2020 but lower than usual Spectators in limited numbers returned a day), the PGA Championship at Kiawah bogey the next two holes and tied for ninth. this year at the Phoenix Open - compared Island in South Carolina (10,000 a day) and Viktor Hovland was low amateur in 2019. REUTERS - AUGUSTA with other years in Phoenix, that would be the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial He has won twice on the PGA Tour already. very limited - and have been a part of PGA in Fort Worth, Texas (10,000 a day). He tied for 21st in his Masters debut as a The return of a springtime Masters tournament brought more Tour events ever since the tour left “It’s funny to think that 10,000 is going pro this year. television viewers than last November, but ratings were down California. to feel like a lot of people, but after the year REJUVENATED OLAZABAL from previous April events. The next test is not so much who has we just went through, it’s going to feel like Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria The final day of the tournament at Augusta National averaged spectators, but how many? And the most it,” Jon Drago, the AT&T Byron Nelson tour- Olazabal felt the best he has in years leaving 9.45 million viewers and a 5.5 household rating, according to questions surround the Memorial in Dublin, nament director, told The Dallas Morning Augusta National, not only because he made Nielsen live-plus-same-day ratings. That was the highest TV Ohio, the first week in June. News. the cut in the Masters for the first time since audience for a golf tournament since 2019, when Tiger Woods The tournament posted on its website Colonial last year was the first event in seven years but because of how he captured his fifth Masters title. efforts to plan for “as safe of an experience back from the pandemic. Hilton Head played. The results proved to be much better than last November, as possible” and that it will decide while moved to June and the PGA Championship Aside from a few poor shots in the final when a late-autumn Masters netted an average final-day audience consulting with local and state governments went from May to August. The rest of them round, he was solid. of 5.59 million viewers and a household rating of 3.4. However, and the tour. between now and Memorial were “It was pretty much the same all week the 2021 ratings were the lowest for a regularly scheduled Masters The tournament said it has temporarily cancelled. long,” Olazabal said after a tie for 50th. “And tourney in the modern Nielsen ratings era. suspended badge sales to best manage the SILVER TO GREEN in that regard, I take quite a few positive Hideki Matsuyama held on for a 1-stroke win at the Masters, ticketing process. Fans are asked to sign up Hideki Matsuyama became only seventh things from this week.” becoming the first golfer from Japan to win the event.