Under 19's Antoine Borg Interviewed

by Ayrton Galea - 3rd November 2012

For this week's interview, we decided to interview an Under 19 player who is recently being called up with the First Team, Antoine Borg.

Antoine, or 'It-Tikku' as he is known with his teammates, is a Birkirkara Youth nursery product. He joined our nursery at a very young age and he is being rewarded for his hard work by being called to the First Team, and is knocking on the door to make his Premier League debut.

Who is Antoine Borg?

I'm Antoine Borg and I am 18 years old. Like every other player, my passion is football. For me, the game is a thrill, I like being with my team mates that all work hard to achieve good results.

You are known as ‘It-Tikku' by your team mates. Can you tell us how this nickname originated?

Well, it originated from a coach that I had back then when I was 6 years old. Tikku is the masculine version of ‘tikka', which means being very small, very fast and can easily pass past the opponents.

How do you spend your regular day?

I have the privilege to be able to use my time to train full time and rest as much as I can.

How do you spend your weekends?

My life is football. By saying that it means my weekends mostly depend on whether I have training with the minors or asked to join the senior squad. When my weekends involve football I stay in so I will be well prepared but when I have a weekend off, I join my friends for some fun.

What are your main hobbies besides football?

I enjoy shopping, watching movies and hanging around with my friends.

What is your favourite food?

Pasta with the different sauces and soup.

What is your favourite kind of music?

R'n'B and Hip-hop.

Do you have a favourite quote or motto?

Yes, I have two, which I live by. First, "Go big or go home" (meaning I do what I do from my heart) and second "the only person you should try to better than, is the person you were yesterday".

What motivates you most in life?

My family.

Do you follow international football? If yes, which is your favourite nation when it comes to football, and which is your favourite club?

Yes I do. My favourite national team is Portugal and my favourite club is AC Milan.

Who is your favourite foreign player? Why?

Cristiano Ronaldo because he is very ambitious person and he inspires me.

Who is your favourite Birkirkara player of all time?

Michael Cutajar because he was small just like me, he was very fast and he inspired me when he played.

What is your biggest fear on the pitch?

I have none, fear makes you weak.

How difficult is it to balance between your personal life and football? What sacrifices are involved?

It's not difficult at all. Doing what you love most shouldn't be difficult at all. This is my life and not a sacrifice.

Being a regular player with a club like Birkirkara FC is not an easy task. What do you think helped you most to succeed so far?

My hard work and by always accepting a challenge, my coaches for believing in me and my family for all their support.

You have recently been called up for First Team matches despite your young age. Does this motivate you to succeed more?

Yes, because I am being recognised by a well known Maltese coach.

What are your comments about the present squad of the Under 19? Do you think it is strong enough to challenge for the title?

Regarding the squad, I think we have the best team in the league. Together we will be united to accept any challenge that comes in our way. So far from the last three matches, I think it's very clear that we have a pretty good chance for the title.

What are your comments on the last match against Pieta Hotspurs?

I'm happy we won the game, although the result could have been better as we lost a lot of chances but in the end we got the 3 points and that's all that matters.

What are your targets and the Under 19's targets for this season?

Regarding my own target is to make it to the first team of Birkirkara FC and someday to represent my country. Regarding the target of the Under 19 is to win the league.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Like every other football player, I wish to get a chance to showcase my talent for European clubs. I am still young and hopefully I will achieve this in 5 years time.

What does playing for Birkirkara FC really mean for you?

It means a lot for me as it is a club I supported from a young age and it's considered one of the best teams in Malta.

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