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P. 10
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026
10
Hamza Kooheji set for Slot says final flourish would
not mask Liverpool failure
PFL MENA debut in Dubai
TDT | Manama
ahraini MMA star Hamza
BKooheji will make his PFL
MENA debut on May 24 in Du-
bai. He faces Morocco’s Taha
Bendaoud in a featherweight
bout at the ninth edition of the
championship, billed as “Pride
of Arabia.”
The bout brings together two Arne Slot reacts during a match (file photo)
rising names in Arab MMA, with AFP | London
regional attention expected as
both fighters look to make a
statement on one of the Mid- rne Slot said even three
dle East’s biggest stages for the Awins from Liverpool’s It’s important that
sport. final three Premier League we, as I’ve said now
Kooheji, one of Bahrain’s most games would not silence the so many times, get at
experienced fighters and a cor- critics after their shocking least one win over the
nerstone of the KHK MMA team, title defence as he focused line, which we think
enters the PFL MENA spotlight on wrapping up Champions is enough to qualify
carrying years of regional and League qualification. (for the Champions
international experience. Long The Reds, fourth in the table
regarded as a pioneer of Bah- and close to securing a place in League). We’re not
raini MMA, he sees this debut Kooheji is introduced to the crowd at Khalifa Sports City during a BRAVE event Europe’s top club competition sure, because four
as more than just another fight. next season, host Chelsea on points makes it
“Representing Bahrain in PFL proach than usual, as he trained team’s disciplined environment aware of the challenge ahead, Saturday before finishing the completely clear
MENA is a huge honor for me primarily in the Kingdom. for shaping his career and keep- particularly on the ground, but season with matches against ARNE SLOT
and for every Bahraini,” Kooheji “This camp was completely ing him sharp. remains confident in his overall Aston Villa and Brentford.
said. “My goal is to showcase different,” he said. “I focused “KHK has proven itself on the game. Liverpool started the cam- to have, especially not if you
the level of Bahraini fighters more on recovery, rest, and tak- global stage,” he said. “What “I’m ready for any scenario in- paign with five straight league play for this club.
and prove we can compete with ing care of my body. That bal- makes it special is the mentality, side the cage, whether the fight wins after a huge financial “Underperformance clearly,
and beat some of the best in the ance is what creates a complete discipline, and professionalism. stays standing or goes to the outlay but collapsed from late clearly, clearly in the Premier
Arab world.” fighter.” Everyone pushes each other ground,” he said. “I trust my style September onwards and will League. We didn’t pick up the
He noted that his preparation Training under the KHK MMA every day.” and the work I’ve put in during this end the season without sil- points we should have picked
for this camp took a different ap- banner, Kooheji credited the Facing Bendaoud, Kooheji is camp.” verware. up.
“Even if we have three wins “Also, if you look perfor -
and three very positive results mance-wise. Again, I’m not
I don’t think everyone will saying we had a very good
Fernandes Named FWA Player of the Year still be positive about how we season in the Premier League,
ended the season and how the but we’ve played better and
season has been,” Slot said. deserved more points than we
“It’s important that we, as have.”
Hussain Almaskati team in key moments. 2010. I’ve said now so many times, Slot played down fears that
TDT | Manama Despite United’s season end- Fernandes’ future at Old Traf- get at least one win over the next season could be another
ing without silverware for a sec- ford had appeared uncertain last line, which we think is enough campaign of major transition
anchester United captain ond consecutive year, the club year, with reports suggesting to qualify (for the Champi- with senior players Mohamed
MBruno Fernandes has been are on course to finish third in United would not block a move ons League). We’re not sure, Salah and Andy Robertson
named the Football Writers’ As- the Premier League, securing if he chose to accept a lucrative because four points makes it among those leaving the club.
sociation (FWA) Men’s Football- Champions League qualifica- offer from Saudi Pro League completely clear.” “I think as a manager you’re
er of the Year, capping another tion for next season. Fernandes’ side Al-Hilal. However, he opted The Dutchman said the never worried, you just look
influential season for the Portu- impact has been widely credited to remain in Manchester, turn- season had been tough for his forward to starting working
gal international. as a major factor in that resur- ing down interest from other team, who celebrated a re - with a group of players,” he
The midfielder has delivered gence. European clubs as well. His cur- cord-equalling 20th English said. “Indeed, it will be an-
a standout campaign, scoring The 31-year-old, who joined rent contract runs until 2027, title last season. other little transition, prob-
eight goals and providing 20 United from Sporting in Jan- with an option for a further “It always weighs heavy on ably not as drastic as it was
assists in 34 appearances across uary 2020 for £67.7 million, year. the players if you lose more last summer, but we have to
all competitions. His creativ- reached 300 appearances for It is now widely expected that games than you would want, change a bit of personnel be-
ity and leadership have been the club earlier this season. His United will move to secure his especially at a club like this, cause of the two players that
central to Manchester United’s latest recognition makes him long-term future, despite on- because these players are used are leaving, where one of them
improved form under interim the first Manchester United going efforts by co-owner Sir to winning,” he said. will probably be replaced with
manager Michael Carrick, with player to win the FWA men’s Jim Ratcliffe to reduce wage “So the moment they start to Kostas Tsimikas, because he’s
Fernandes often driving the Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes award since Wayne Rooney in expenditure. lose, that’s never a nice feeling coming back from a loan.
Watkins salutes Emery after Villa reach Europa final
AFP | London four times -- three with Sevilla “After the performance against
and one at Villarreal -- and is in Tottenham, everyone’s mind was
ston Villa striker Ollie Wat- the final for a sixth time. on this game,” the England for-
Akins saluted Unai Emery for “There is no better manager ward said.
masterminding his side’s run to to get us prepared for this game “Everyone worked so hard.
the Europa League final after and obviously take us into the It is hard to pick a man of the
they thrashed Nottingham For- final as well. His track record match. We were all amazing.”
est 4-0 on Thursday. speaks for itself,” Watkins said. Villa famously stunned Bayern
Emery’s side produced a “We are in a great position, Munich in the 1982 European
memorable performance in the but we need to go there and win Cup final, but they will be fa-
semi-final second leg at Vil- now.” vourites rather than underdogs
la Park as goals from Watkins Villa captain McGinn added: in the second continental final in
and Emiliano Buendia put them “He’s experienced a lot more their history.
in control before John McGinn’s European semi-finals than us. “I felt the nerves this morning,
brace completed the rout. He’s been amazing.” but now it’s about embracing
Chasing their first major tro- Villa were beaten in their pre- it. You see the guys in 1982, the
phy since 1996 and the first Eu- vious three matches in all com- cup winners in the 90s,” McGinn
ropean prize in 44 years, Villa petitions, including a 1-0 first leg said. “Tonight was one of the
will face Bundesliga club Frei- defeat at Forest and a 2-1 loss to best performances from Villa
burg in the final in Istanbul on lowly Tottenham on Sunday. I’ve seen in a long time.
May 20. Emery’s team, largely com- “The club’s been through
Villa will be firm favourites, in prised of reserves, were booed some massive lows, but such a
part because of the presence of off after the Tottenham defeat, massive group deserves success.
Europa League specialist Emery, but Watkins said they were al- Hopefully we’ll be the ones to
who has won the competition ready focused on beating Forest. Aston Villa’s Scottish midfielder #07 John McGinn is mobbed by teammates after scoring the team’s fourth goal bring it.”

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