Esther Anu determined to help Birkirkara FC keep their crown

by Ayrton Galea - 26th November 2019

Esther Anu, one of the club's newcomers this season, reveals she is determined to use her ability to help Birkirkara FC win the league title for the fourth consecutive time and secure a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

The British winger joined our club last month following several spells in England. The rapid-winger caught the eye with her magnificent speed that is slowly but surely helping her to become one of the Birkirkara key-players.

Just before the Stripes take on Mosta FC this evening, a match that provides them the opportunity to take sole leadership with three points clear over their direct title contenders Mgarr United FC and Swieqi United FC, the twenty-two-year-old player provided an in-depth interview.

On her most influential previous experience..

I consider all of my experiences in football to be important, to be honest. I started playing the sport at around the age of 3-4 so it's something that's always been with me and I am greatly passionate about it. I guess growing up in academies of Bristol Women's FC and Millwall as a youth player and playing regularly with males has really helped with my understanding of the game and allowed me to learn a lot from a very competitive environment, as well as my coaches and players around me.

My experience playing for Portsmouth last season was also a really good one. As a player, I really enjoy playing the game and expressing myself which I was encouraged to do within the system Portsmouth played in. I was fortunate to work with a good coach and teammates where I learned a lot about my game and had strong performances throughout the season. For me having the hunger to keep improving and to maximise my potential is fundamental.

On joining Birkirkara FC..

I was presented with the option to join Birkirkara through my agent at the time. I had been working particularly hard all summer to stay prepared for my next move. I had a few options in England as well as other countries in Europe but the option of Birkirkara was good timing and seemed to be a good fit. The club was enthusiastic to get me on board and I was also excited about their vision and aims for the future which encouraged my decision to join.

I had heard a little bit about women's football in Malta. I know Birkirkara FC are a club with a strong history and foundations in the club. Being winners of the leagues for consecutive years and competing in the champions league, I was excited for the challenge to help the team to achieve even more this season.

On her experience with the club so far..

I am feeling settled. I have felt welcome since I first arrived. Everyone at the club has been very helpful in getting me settled. It's not my first time moving away from home to pursue my football career. My first time was around the age of 15. I moved from London to Bristol, another city in the UK. I decided early that I was willing to make a commitment and do whatever it takes to achieve my goal of playing professionally. I was playing for Crystal Palace at the time and moved to Bristol Academy WFC.

I have built a strong sense of independence along my journey as a result. However, it's not easy being away from family, friends, and home which is why it really helps when you have a good level of support around you as Birkirkara has given me. Malta is a nice place too, enjoying the culture and the weather!

On the differences between the style of play in Malta and England...

One of the main differences is the depth and scale of competition as well as the league structure. Obviously, in the UK there are more teams and so a greater depth of competition. In Malta, every team plays each other three times so I think this gives a good opportunity to assess your opponents and prepare. Of course, the opportunity to play professionally is something I am excited and proud of.

Regardless, I would say there are actually quite some similarities in challenges players have to face off the pitch, irrespective of the country. Having to find a balance between football and other responsibilities can always be difficult.

With the gender inequality that's present in football and so opportunities, the commitment and spirit of everyone involved - wherever you are - from the players to the fans, to the staff is inspiring. 

On playing Cork City FC in an international friendly match..  

It's always nice to play teams with different levels of experience. Of course, I'm used to the English style of play. Although I hadn't heard of Cork City before the fixture, I was expecting them to be physical and ready to go toe-to-toe with us, especially as a top division side. For me, it's just another game. I know we have a strong side, we gave them a good battle and we will use the experience from the game to prepare for our upcoming league matches. International friendly matches like this are important to help us prepare for champions league competition in Europe if we win the league so it's good for us to see where we're at and what we need to improve.

On her ambitions with the club..

I am enjoying the experience so far. I am a keen learner wherever I go. I want to do my best for the team and keep improving as a player. I have set myself great goals from the very beginning. I am going to keep working hard to achieve them. This season I want to use my experience and ability to help Birkirkara to win the league and other domestic competitions. It's a common goal for us all to achieve a spot in the champions league so it's important we pull together and focus on each game as they come and get the best results we can.

On her words of advice to encourage more people to attend matches..

I would encourage people to stay in touch with local teams and other teams of interest on social media and through their websites. This way you can stay up-to-date with news and update yourself on progress in different football teams.

Find out what your friends and families are up to. You never know if someone you know is heavily involved in the game, as this is a great way to attend your first football match for.

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