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‘I Don’t Care About The Scoreline’: Birkirkara Player Explains What She Learned From 10-0 Loss To Man United

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After losing 10-0 to Manchester United this week, a Birkirkara FC women’s player said she doesn’t care about the scoreline and learned several lessons from the friendly game.

Midfielder Alishia Sultana, who also plays for the Malta national women’s team, responded to a comment by a man who questioned Birkirkara FC’s assertion that the game was a “learning experience” for the Maltese team.

“We don’t need thank yous and well done, we knew that we were up against a superior team,” Sultana said. “What did we learn? We learned that although we conceded 10 goals, a United player came to me of her own free will to give me her shirt after the game.”

“We spoke to the United players after the game; one must respect your adversaries, no matter how great they are. Football is not just a game but about respect, sportsmanship and much more.”

Sultana pointed out that while Manchester United’s players get to play football as a full-time job, the sport is a mere hobby for the likes of Birkirkara FC, whose players train and play after work.

“Yes, this was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I don’t even care, and won’t care, about the scoreline.”

With the Women’s Super League on a winter break, Manchester United travelled to Malta for a training camp and fielded a strong side against Birkirkara FC, last season’s Maltese league champions.

Their forward line was led by Alessia Russo, the England international who made headlines last year by scoring an outrageous back-heel goal against Sweden in the Euro 2022 semi-finals.

With 1,053 people turning up at Tony Bezzina Stadium, the game set a new attendance record for Maltese women’s football, smashing the previous record of 764 when Malta hosted Italy in 2019.

Cover photos: Left – Alishia Sultana, Right – Birkirkara FC taking on Man United this week (Credit: Birkirkara FC)

How can Malta improve its football teams?

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Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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