Chapoval: We are preparing in the best possible way
by Ayrton Galea - 25th January 2019
Birkirkara FC towering defender, Danilo Chapoval said the team is preparing in the best possible way for the much-awaited match of the fourth round of the FA Trophy against Hamrun Spartans FC.
The Stripes will be seeking to secure a place in the Quarter-Final of the second most prestigious honour in our island, when this Sunday, they will take on Hamrun Spartans FC, who for the first time in twenty years are back challenging for a top-four finish in the BOV Premier League.
Birkirkara emerged victorious in the second match in charge of Sporting Director, John Arne Riise, when they defeated Pieta' Hotspurs FC with a 3-0 score. This match saw the Stripes adding their tally to five clean-sheets in the last matches.
One of the players in Birkirkara's rear-guard that has caught the eye of all Maltese football followers is none other than the towering defender, Danilo Chapoval. In his first experience outside Brazil, the twenty-four-year-old has impressed by his defensive skills.
Chapoval joined our club this summer and he has left an exceptional impression in his first season in Malta. He has played fifteen matches so far and he notched his first goal in the league last Friday, when he scored the third and final goal for the Stripes.
Danilo opened this interview by sharing his post-match thoughts. “It was a difficult game, but thanks to god, we managed to emerge victorious. We are all devoting ourselves and working hard to improve our position.”
This victory was also the first for club's sporting director, John Arne Riise, and Danilo reveals that he has been a fan of him when he was a player. “First of all, I have been a fan of him when he was playing. For me, it's an unforgettable experience to have the opportunity to work with an excellent professional like him and I'm learning a lot.”
The match against Pieta' Hotspurs FC was the third consecutive clean-sheet for the Stripes as the team continued to show more positive signs at the back-line. In fact, they succeeded in five clean sheets in the last six matches, as they conceded just one goal against Qormi FC.
The towering defender has played a key-role with his excellent performances for this achievement. Asked about on his performances so far, he said, “The merit goes to the entire team, because the pressing and marking starts from the front. I thank God for my performances. I work hard and always try to do my best on the field to help my team in the best possible way.”
The other centre-back is Eduardo Dos Santos, who together with Chapoval have formed one of the strongest centre-backs in our league, with goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski also playing a key-role in the last clean-sheets.“There is no doubt that Kristijan is a great goalkeeper and I have a lot of confidence in him. Eduardo and I have created a great friendship, and he is like a brother to me. However, I must say again, that the merit must go to the whole team.”
The Stripes' next match is none other than the team in jubilant mood, Hamrun Spartans FC. The Spartans are challenging for a top-four position in the BOV Premier League, while they have already eliminated Floriana FC in the previous round to deliver a statement of their aim in this competition.
On the upcoming match, Danilo said, “We must take step by step and think about one match at a time. The upcoming match is going to be a difficult match, but our team has been working hard to prepare in the best possible way.”
Danilo signed off this interview with a message to the supporters. “I thank every and each of our supporters for their presence in every match, for the strength and for the support towards the entire team.”
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