Katrina Johari grew up in a family of divided football loyalties – on one side was her mother, a staunch Everton supporter, and on the other, her father, who bled Liverpool’s red.
Pressured from a young age to pick a side, Katrina made the bold and unthinkable decision to avoid family drama – she chose to support a club 50km away from her parents’ favourite teams.
“I couldn’t stand the pressure, so I chose Manchester City. If I’d chosen Manchester United, my parents would have probably thrown me out of the house!” joked the mother of two.
Katrina was born in the United Kingdom but moved to Malaysia when she was four months old. In 1996, when she was 17, she finally attended a home match at City’s former stadium – Maine Road.
When it was time to go to university, she opted for Manchester University, so she could attend home games.
Unlike today’s all-conquering City, back then, the club was famous for being the best-supported team outside the top flight.
“But I was at Wembley in 1999 for the Division 2 playoffs against Gillingham. I was four rows back from Nicky Weaver’s goal. I was on ‘Match of the Day’ when they showed the penalties.
“I think I still have that video somewhere in my parents’ house!” recalls Katrina, who is married to Ahilesh Rajendran, who, like her father, is a devoted Liverpool fan.
Football causes “tense” moments between Katrina and Ahilesh, heightened further by their son supporting City and daughter being a Liverpool supporter.
“There’s no backing down with the banter once football season starts. Each side gives as good as it gets, but we still love each other!”
Asked how they decided which child should follow which club, Katrina replied: “I was hospitalised while pregnant with my son (Ezra Aramiz), and the hospital didn’t show the match.
“Ahilesh and I listened to the match on the radio. I became depressed when Queens Park Rangers took the lead.
“To cheer me up, Ahilesh said our firstborn could be a City fan if the club won the match. Little did he know the ‘Aguero moment’ would win us the title.”
Sergio Aguero’s injury-time goal against QPR gave City a 3-2 victory, handing them the title on goal difference over neighbour Manchester United.
In 2015, she gave birth to her daughter (Inez Alazne) at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Ahilesh drove them home but took an unusual route.
“He drove to Anfield, and we made our way to the Shankly statue. It was raining, I had just given birth 10 hours earlier, but I still had to take a photo of my husband and his daughter with the statue,” said Katrina.
“Only after he had cemented her status as a Liverpool fan could we go home!”
Manchester City created history last season when it became the first English club to win the top-flight title for four consecutive seasons.
It is the hot favourite to make it five on the trot but faces the prospect of relegation if found guilty after being charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules going back to the 2009-2010 season.
The trial starts next month. A verdict is expected by May, a month before Pep Guardiola’s contract expires.
“It could be Pep’s last season. He’s going to want to go out with a bang. I’m sure winning a fifth straight Premier League title is high on his list … In Pep, we trust!” said Katrina.
“It is amazing how Pep ensured the team was not side-tracked with matters beyond their control. As someone who loves to watch football, I try to do the same.
“I have to trust that it will all work out.”
With the transfer window closing at the end of the month, Katrina is not worried that City has only bought one player – Brazilian winger Savinho, as she believes the club has many up-and-coming talents in its academy.
Katrina said she would go for the domestic title if she had to choose between the EPL or the Champions League.
“Competing at this level for so many trophies is so demanding, especially if you are the one everyone wants to beat.
“Winning the treble and then a fourth EPL title in a row proved we can push the boundaries. I hope we can keep pushing those boundaries by making it five league titles.”
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Manchester United v Fulham (3am)
Ipswich vs Liverpool (7.30pm)
Arsenal vs Wolves (10pm)
Everton vs Brighton (10pm)
Newcastle vs Southampton (10pm)
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth (10pm)
SUNDAY
West Ham vs Aston Villa (12.30am)
Brentford vs Crystal Palace (9pm)
Chelsea vs Manchester City (11.30pm)
TUESDAY
Leicester v Tottenham (3am)
