by Mgarr United have announced their fourth signing in Moldovan defender, Anastasia Sivolobova. The twenty-five-year-old joins following a short spell with Tomiris Turan in Khazakstan. She also brings experience from other countries such as Portugal, Cyprus, Ukraine and of course her home country, Moldova. Besides this, Sivolobova also has experience with the Moldovan national team.
The Sporting Fan met with Anastasia Sivolobova to discuss her footballing journey to Malta, how she is settling in with the team and her expectations for the upcoming season. We also discussed the prospect of playing against the Malta national team as a Moldovan national team player in the UEFA Nations League, this September. At the end there are also a few quick-fire questions to get to know her more, both on and off the pitch.
Eleanor Saliba (ES): When did you first start playing football?
Anastasia Sivolobova (AS): I started playing football when I was thirteen. A friend of mine asked me if I want to join her in football. I went and I have been playing since then, so around eleven years now. Before that I used to play volleyball and do cycling.
Anastasia Sivolobova spent close to six years in Moldova, playing with Belceanka Balti until 2019. Following that she moved to Ukraine where she signed with Yatran-Bazis for one season. In 2020, Sivolobova got a taste of the Portuguese league, signing with A-dos-Francos, before moving to Aris Limassol in Cyprus. Following that she played with Zalgiris Vilnius in Lithuania and Tomiris Turan in Khazakstan, before landing in Malta.
ES: You have played in various countries. Do you find any difficulty in getting comfortable in a new country or are you used to it by now?
AS: The first time it was difficult to leave my family and friends, but with time I got used to it. I need maybe two weeks to adapt to a new country and then I’m good, so it is much easier for me now.
ES: You play in defence, with the capability of playing as a centre-back, but also as a wing-back (lateral) on both sides. How different is your mindset when switching from centre-back to playing on the side?
AS: I played as a lateral for around three to four years on both sides, so I would say I got fairly used to that. Playing on the wing I have a more attacking mindset to try to put in a cross for example. However, when playing as a centre-back then I would say it is more about keeping your position and focusing on defending.
ES: So, as someone playing on the wings would you say you are more into putting in crosses rather than preferring to sit-back and pass forward for others to build the attack?
AS: I enjoy attacking. I played as a centre-attacker in my early years when I was still in Moldova so if I can help the team to score a goal or maybe I score one myself then it is great.
ES: You have already had some weeks training with Mgarr United and also played some pre-season friendlies. How are you settling into training with the team and getting used to their style of play?
AS: I would say the first friendly was very close to when I arrived, it was after two days. So, I just had some pre-game training and then we played the friendly, but it was a good game. I think it is too early to say anything about style of play because we are still in pre-season and so I am still getting used to the team. So, there is a lot of physical training since we were on vacation before. I think I will be able to say something more about the style of play once the championship starts.
ES: You also play with the Moldovan national team and will be meeting Malta in the UEFA Nations League. What are your expectations going into that competition?
AS: I think that we are in a good group and we have high chances to win it and move on, it all depends on us. I would say it is a fair aim to have and I believe we can do well together.
ES: However, before the UEFA Nations League starts, you will first be playing in the Assikura Women’s League with Mgarr United. What are you most looking forward to when playing your first official game with Mgarr United?
AS: I think you always want to win the first match of the season so that as a team you get that confidence. I think it is fair to say that everyone in the team wants to win, so after that, we hopefully keep building to get the best possible result in the championship.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Head the ball away or control & clear the ball with your feet? – Depends on the situation
- Play in Rainy Weather or Windy weather? – Rainy
- Placinte (Moldovan Pie) or Sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat)? – Sarmale (definitely)
- Score an own goal or give away a penalty? – Give away a penalty because then maybe our goalkeeper saves it
- Favourite football player? – Oleg Reabciuk
- Ice-cream or chocolate? – Chocolate
- Dragostea din tei (O-Zone) or Hey Mamma! (Sunstroke Project)? – Dragostea din tei
- More strength or more speed? – More Speed
- If you were not a defender, what would you be? – Goalkeeper because before I was playing volleyball so I think I would do well.
- Dream stadium to play in? – Camp Nou
Photo: Mgarr United Women
Follow The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
