Janice Xuereb ready for the challenge

by Ayrton Galea - 16th February 2015

Women's team goalkeeper Janice Xuereb has defended the posts brilliantly this season and she is seeking to continue proving herself in the upcoming matches. She said this during an interview before next Tuesday's much-awaited match against Hibernians FC.

Bearing the responsibility to defend the Birkirkara's posts for the last years, Janice, aged just eighteen years, played an excellent role in the narrow 1-0 victory over Raiders by making a string of brilliant saves.

We opened this interview by talking about the last match. Janice said, “It was a very nice game played on a high level from both teams. I think the key to victory was that we remained calm and we believed in ourselves till the very end.”

The victory against Raiders had a significant meaning for the Stripes. as they not only recovered from the upset against Mgarr United. but will also go to next Tuesday's top of the table clash with morale high. In view of Tuesday's match, Janice told us, “In the situation we are in, every match is a final and we can't afford to lose any matches. Matches against Hibernians are always something to look forward to.”

She went on by saying, “We have a lot left to state, starting from this Tuesday. We have to prove that our strength is the collective effort, from each and every one of us. Personally, it is in crucial stages like this that I would like to repay the trust that was shown in me by everybody in these last eight years.

We asked the Birkirkara goalkeeper about the preparations and the dressing room atmosphere before this match. She said, “We prepare for this type of matches the whole season. Mentally, we have started preparing since last match's final whistle. The dressing room atmosphere is great, we are all working for the same aim.”

The Birkirkara has conceded the least goals in the current league campaign. When asked about this season, she said “I'm quite happy considering that I had recently been operated on my cruciate ligament. We have very talented and experienced defenders, even if the best Maltese defender is playing in midfield. I must say that all my team-mates are doing an excellent job. They are all part of my personal satisfactory season.”

The Birkirkara goalkeeper was pretty-much straight forward when asked about the team's target. “Our target is to win as many honours as we can. That's what we work for. Of course that we have all that it takes to win the league, and I'm very optimistic that we can reach this target. We have all the capabilities to do so.”

Janice concluded with a message to the supporters, “First of all I would like to thank anyone who has showed us any support though thick and thin! Seeing all the support gives us extra motivation and I hope to see you all there this Tuesday, as you are our 12th player. As from our side, we promise you that we are doing whatever it takes to bring the cup to our beloved club.

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