Positive attitude makes all the difference for Gabriella Zahra

by Ayrton Galea - 26th January 2015

Gabriella Zahra considers that the team's positive attitude makes it great to play for Birkirkara FC. She said this while we talked with her before the Women's Team match against Pembroke Athleta FC, in the second match of the Championship Pool phase.

Having showed a great will to recover from a knee injury in summer, the twenty-three year old has led the midfield department in an excellent style, and her performances have established her as a key-player in Mr. Johann Scicluna's squad. She had played all eleven matches in the league, in which she started nine matches and was included as a substitute twice. During this league campaign, she has netted five goals.

The Stripes kicked off their Championship Pool commitments with a comfortable 4-0 victory. Gabriella told us, “It was a good match, we started out very good and the goal came early. After we scored, we slowed down the pace and lost too many open goal chances. In the second half we knew we had to improve our performance and we increased our tempo to score three more. I think we have to improve on the scoring opportunities. We miss too many open goal chances and if we are not careful, this may lead us to playing under stress. We already know what it means to lose games after not taking the scoring chances, so I think we have to improve on this.”

Still fresh from having three points deducted after Pembroke protested over an ineligibility of a Birkirkara, the Stripes will face the same Pembroke tomorrow and the match is much awaited by the players. Gabriella said, “The atmosphere is great. We trained like we always do. This is the second final from ten matches, so we are taking every week seriously. I don't really know what I am expecting, but what I am 100% sure of, is that all of the team is looking forward for this match.”

We asked her about how her season so far, and she said, “I think that this season was a gradual improvement from my side. After the injury, I lacked confidence and fitness. But with the help of the coaches and my team mates, I was improving match by match. I still don't think I have peaked as I'm still not happy with my fitness and my performances. I think I can do better.”

Birkirkara are one of the main contenders for the Women's title as they have won all eleven matches on the pitch. Zahra said, “I think the team's target is to win the domestic league and I believe 100% that we can achieve this. The team has a winning attitude and it is really great to train and play with people that have such a positive attitude.”

We also talked with her about personal targets and she said, “My targets are to continue winning matches, win the league and compete in the Champions league competition again.”

Finally, she had concluded with a message for the supporters as she encouraged more supporters to come for their matches. “Supporters are the twelfth player on the pitch and I encourage supporters to come and support us, as these final games are very important. When we needed your support, you answered and your support was really amazing and it was a boost to us, so we are asking you to help us try and win the league once again.”

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