THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 11

Mourinho says ‘respect’ is key to League Cup success Bogatov laughs off low blows comments from Akishev Nurzhan Akishev had poked fun by warning his opponent to keep the fight clean

Roman Bogatov responded• saying, ‘I have four kids, so I’m good’ KNOW WHAT Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach Jose Mourinho (L) and striker Harry Kane TDT | Manama discuss during a match (file photo) AFP | London Roman Bogatov “I came to England in 2004 oman Bogatov is one of and I remember that in that the top prospects from gained a huge level of ottenham manager Jose period I had to learn the mean- Russia and will make his fame and unintended TMourinho -- one win away ing of the cups here and I al- Ranticipated return to action at notoriety after his from a fifth League Cup win in ways took it seriously,” he said. BRAVE CF 46, which takes place most recent fight as his career -- says the recipe for “If there is any secret, it’s to in Sochi, Russia, on January the numerous illegal his success is respect for the take it seriously.” 16th. The show will be conduct- strikes were what competition. Mourinho has fielded strong ed in association with Krepost stuck out as the most The 57-year-old could deliv- sides in the League Cup this Selection. er Spurs’ first piece of silver- season even though many He has gained a huge level of memorable from the ware since 2008 if they win managers see it as a distraction fame and unintended notoriety bout the final in April at Wembley. from other challenges and put among MMA fans after his most Mourinho became just the out weakened teams. recent fight. The bout which exciting fight, according to Bo- third manager to reach the fi- The Portuguese said it was ended in a loss for the Russian gatov. “He is a fighter with fast nal with three different clubs important “to respect what result witnessed several illegal hands. Almost all of his fights following the late Ron Saun- English football is, what Eng- strikes to the groin by Bogatov. have ended in finishes. It is the ders and Ron Atkinson after lish clubs are, what English Unfortunately for Bogatov, same with me, I like to either Spurs beat spirited Champi- lower divisions are, and try the numerous illegal strikes KO/TKO or submit my opponent. onship side Brentford 2-0 on to not be surprised in any were what stuck out as the most So this fight would be an excit- Tuesday. of the games from smaller memorable from the bout. As a ing one to watch”. They will play the winners quality”. result, the media talking points, BRAVE CF 46 takes place at of yesterday’s semi-final be- “When you have, like we as well as fan chatter surround- the WOW Arena and will be tween holders Manchester had this season, a game against ing Bogatov, have been fixated do a clean fight, because I want about that”. Banter aside, Bo- headlined by a world title fight City and Manchester United, Chelsea (in the fourth round), on the low blows. Most recent- to have a big family, please” Ak- gatov is certain that he will not between reigning Super Light- with whom Mourinho won the (you have) to go seriously and ly, his BRAVE CF 46 opponent ishev quipped be making the same mistakes weight champion Eldar Eldarov trophy in 2017. with ambition,” he said. Nurzhan Akishev poked fun by Taking humor in his stride, again. “If you analyze, that fight and top contender Leonardo Mourinho’s first taste of suc- “What I sense in the team warning the Russian to keep the Bogatov kept it cool during his was the only time that this hap- Mafra. Other notable Russian cess in English football came is exactly that desire. I’m not fight clean. “Fans told me to be IG Live Interview, responding pened. So it is not that I always stars will also be in action, such when Chelsea won the 2005 saying winning mentality, I’m careful with my balls (laughs). I to Akishev saying, “I have four do this to my opponents.” as Ali Bagautinov, Konstantin League Cup. not saying we are this or that. have a message for Roman. Let’s kids already, so I am not worried The matchup could lead to an Erokhin, and Rustam Chsiev.

Solskjaer hits back at Klopp over penalty jibes Gritty ‘Thunder Kid’ aching to AFP | London

le Gunnar Solskjaer on claim ONE world title this year OTuesday hit back at Jurgen TDT | Manila Klopp’s jibes about Manches- ter United’s penalty record as the boss claimed ilipino strawweight war- managers are Frior Lito “Thunder Kid” trying to influence referees. Adiwang has only one ultimate boss Klopp high- goal this year: return to the ONE lighted the large number of Circle and resume his meteor- penalties given to United since ic rise towards the ONE world Solskjaer took charge in a rant title. that following the champions One of the most explosive not getting a spot-kick in Mon- fighters in ONE Championship, day’s defeat at Southampton. the Team Lakay’s Baguio City Klopp claimed United have native is also determined to live had more spot-kicks in two up to the hype. years under Solskjaer than Liv- “I am happy to be labelled erpool have in his entire five- as one of Team Lakay’s next and-a-half year reign. Manchester United’s Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) and biggest stars. I’m on my way United have been awarded Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (R) shake hands after a match to proving that I deserve this Adiwang ... the next biggest star to carry the Philippine flag on the octagon cage six league penalties this season status, and I want to make all of bad. Nevertheless, I consider it compared to the five won by Frank Lampard referenced my dreams present and reality all worthwhile experiences. It Klopp’s men. United’s good fortune with come true,” said Adiwang, who has definitely been a challeng- They have been given 42 in penalties. is also being tabbed as one of Last year has taught ing and colourful year for me,” all competitions since Solskjaer Solskjaer believes Unit - the most exciting young pros- said Adiwang. “The biggest took over in December 2018 42 ed pointed to last season’s FA me a lot of lessons, penalties were awarded pects to come out of the Phil- some good, some bad. lesson I learned was to be pre- compared to Liverpool’s 19 in to Manchester United Cup semi-final defeat against ippines. Nevertheless, I consider pared for any and all situations. the same period. in all competitions since Chelsea, suggesting Lampard “It’s a long, hard road to the it all worthwhile I practiced a lot, hoping for a lot Liverpool have had 46 pen- Solskjaer took over in had an impact on decisions in top, but I’m willing to give of positive things. However, the alties since Klopp arrived on December 2018 compared that game when Kurt Zouma’s whatever it takes to reach my experiences. It has opposite happened and I was Merseyside in 2015. to Liverpool’s 19 in the challenge on Anthony Martial dreams,” he vowed. definitely been a unprepared. It was a bit hard Klopp’s comments touched same period was not deemed worthy of a Currently, he is ranked No. 5 challenging and colorful for me to handle.” a nerve with Solskjaer, whose spot-kick. in his weight category and can year for me Adiwang has a lot of ways to second-placed team are due to how many penalties they have. “I can’t talk on behalf of other boost his stock with convincing go from here. play leaders Liverpool in a cru- “So, if they want to spend managers, why they say things LITO “THUNDER KID” ADIWANG performances this year. “Thunder Kid” also argued cial clash in the Premier League time on worrying about when like this,” Solskjaer said. He suffered his first loss streak since 2016 for Adiwang. that it was better for him to lose title race on January 17. we get fouled in the box then I “Obviously I felt it worked though on the octagon cage But the Team Lakay fighter is now, than to do so when he’s at When Klopp’s remarks were don’t spend time on that.” last year in the semi in the FA since joining the promotion af- brimming with an extra ounce the top. The higher you are, the put to Solskjaer ahead of Unit- Solskjaer’s use of the word Cup because Frank spoke about ter losing to Japan’s debuting of confidence to make a trium- harder you fall, he exclaimed. ed’s League Cup semi-final ‘facts’ recalled former Liver- it and we had a nailed-on pen- Hiroba Minowa back in No - phant comeback to action once Adiwang still has a bevvy of against Manchester City yes- pool boss Rafael Benitez’s infa- alty that we should have had vember via a close split deci- the new season rolls in. top strawweight opponents to terday, he said: “And that’s a mous rant at then United man- that we didn’t get, so maybe it’s sion. As a result, he lost his No. He is promising to show - face in the Circle next year in- fact, probably... ager in 2009. a way of influencing referees. I 5 ranking in the in ONE: Inside case all of the hard lessons he cluding former ONE world title “That’s probably going to be But Solskjaer was just as don’t know. the Matrix III at Singapore In- learned throughout the year in challenger and fellowman Rene my answer, that’s a fact that frustrated with the comments “But I don’t worry about that. door Stadium. his next performance. Catalan, former ONE World we’ve got more than them. of other Premier League boss- You know when they foul our Likewise, it also snapped an “Last year has taught me a Champions Alex Silva, Yoshi- “I don’t know how many pen- es, after both Tottenham’s players I think it is a penalty, it’s amazing seven-fight winning lot of lessons, some good, some taka Naito, and Yosuke Saruta. alties they’ve had. I don’t count Jose Mourinho and Chelsea’s just when it’s inside the box.”