Spotlight: Ann-Marie Said

Coming off the back of a season where she lifted another Assikura Women’s League title (sixth league title), the Super Cup (third) and won a historic fixture against Glentoran FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Birkirkara FC, played against Manchester United Women and represented Malta in the national team, Ann-Marie Said brings plenty of insight into what it takes to be one of the top footballers in Malta.

Hailing from Malta’s sister island, we dove into what it takes to come through the ranks from Gozo and how she navigates different playing roles on the pitch. We also discussed the mentality required for consistently winning titles and learnings from an early exit in the Assikura Women’s Knockout. I also picked her brains on the growth of the women’s game in Malta and beyond.  

An immersing read for any sporting fan, we begin at the beginning, a young Ann-Marie watching Manchester United playing and dreaming of becoming a footballer herself…

Beginnings & Playing Role

Eleanor Saliba (ES): Walk me through your beginnings in football in Gozo, when did you start playing and with which club?

Ann-Marie Said (AS): As a youngster, I used to go to the Manchester United club in Gozo with my dad to watch the games. There used to be another girl Julia who played with S.K. Victoria Wanderers (SKVW) in Gozo and we used to play during the half-time break with iced tea cans or packets of Twisties. As a twelve-year-old I joined the team and started to play with U-10s boys, then within a year they created a women’s youth team and the senior team as well.

ES: At the time who were you playing against? Was there a league in Gozo?

AS: In the first year we were just training and playing a few tournaments here and there in Malta. Then within a year, they started a senior’s league in Gozo, involving Kercem, Nadur, Xaghra, Munxar and a few others. The youth league had other teams Victoria Hotspurs, Sannat amongst others. So, in that league we were playing exclusively in Gozo. Then the Gozo F.C. team was formed within the same year and we started to play in the senior’s league within the second division of Malta. We used to train every day and play in the Malta league during the week as Gozo FC (Tuesday), play in the Gozo senior’s league on Saturday and then on Sunday play the youth league in Gozo.

ES: So how did training work in that case for Gozo FC? Was it done in Gozo or were you split?

AS: I spent a long time with Gozo FC, but then there was an issue with the number of players available. As you can imagine we were all of a similar age, so as we grew a lot of us were moving to study or work in Malta and some found it difficult to keep making trips every day back and forth. In the last season of Gozo FC, we were splitting training between Malta & Gozo. So those living in Gozo used to travel to Naxxar and vice-versa, those in Malta travel to Gozo stadium for particular training sessions. At the time I was doing my studies in Malta so had moved. So, for example after a training session in Gozo, we used to be a group of five and go straight to the ferry, arriving home at about midnight before starting again the next day.

ES: It sounds incredibly tough…

AS: Many did not want to go through that. Perhaps there were not enough players and support for everyone to be able to manage it every day, so the project could not work long-term.

ES: So how did it evolve into Luxol Gozo?

AS: At this point Luxol Gozo was formed. I still have the shirt which I hold very dear. We were offered the opportunity to continue as Luxol Gozo and most of us stayed. In that case, we trained in Luxol’s facilities. We had a good couple of seasons especially the second one was very positive.

ES: And how did it evolve into a move to Birkirkara?

AS: As time passed a lot of the original group from Gozo eventually stopped playing for their own varied reasons. However, through time those of us that still played tried to stay as a close-knit group for as long as possible. I mean perhaps even though we could not retain the word ‘Gozo’ on the kit, we were still together. I was very close with Tracy (Borg nee Teuma) and unexpectedly we ended up with Birkirkara FC. Though perhaps Birkirkara was not my first option (as I’ve said to them in the past) I don’t regret it at all and am very happy with the decision.

ES: You seem to have done quite alright with them (with a wide grin considering Birkirkara FC have dominated titles for seven consecutive years. You can read about their most recent league title here). 

AS: (laughs) Yes, I had no doubt Birkirkara was a good side but perhaps my trepidation was for a different reason. I perhaps have a different character, but then once you are in the group you are completely in. I believe it is a club that helped me grow a lot. Beyond the trophies, it has really grown every aspect of me as a football player, even in mentality which perhaps was there but was a bit hidden.

… More on Birkirkara FC later on, but first I want to ask Ann-Marie a little bit about her development in different playing positions.

ES: I have seen you play in different positions on the pitch but always related to defensive duties, though you do contribute in attacks especially from set-pieces. Did you always play in defence or was there a time when you played in a more offensive position?

AS: I actually started as a winger, but it did not last long. Then I shifted to left full-back which was what I was fielded as most of the time.

ES: How did you evolve into a Central Defensive Midfielder (CDM) as well as Left Full-Back (LB)? Was there a particular coach who looked at you and said you’d be a better CDM or was it an evolution that sort of fit the team better?

AS: Eventually, I was first shifted to central defence and tried in the central defensive midfield position by Coach Johan (Scicluna) at Luxol Gozo, but I was still mostly used as a left full-back. With Birkirkara FC I started the first season as a left full-back and then played quite a bit with Steph (Stephania Farrugia) in central defence. At that time, I was sometimes fielded in front of the defence depending on the needs of the squad and rotated quite a bit. Last season I would say I played equally in all roles, but this year it was quite consistent in CDM for Birkirkara and fielded as a full-back with the National team.

ES: Do you have a preference?

AS: I would say right now I favour central defence a bit less, maybe because of the limited involvement as opposed to, for example, being in midfield. I think right now (my preference) it’s a mix between left full-back and central midfield, perhaps varying depending on our tactic and also the opponent’s style of play. However, over time I’ve grown to think that playing in central midfield is the most enjoyable game. 

ES: Does playing various roles on the pitch build a wider awareness and is it difficult to switch between roles?

AS: It builds the understanding of the game and where each player should be in different situations. I would say that playing different roles makes the season interesting but then of course you need that little bit of time to adapt if you are playing a game in a different role. So, if you are not completely fit or if you are not feeling at your best, then playing in a role that you are used to is a lot better because you are a bit surer of yourself, everything you are doing is more natural.  On the other hand, if you have not played in that position for a few months, then it takes some time to adapt again so it can be a bit difficult until your movement becomes second nature again. So of course, if you are going through a rough patch and also playing in a different position, it can work against you because you are slower to read the game which gives the opponent an edge. On the other hand, as I’ve grown accustomed to being fielded in different positions, I sort of became aware of that effect, so you double your concentration and it pays off, but then it also depends on the opponent you are playing against.  

ES: In that context of change, would you say it is more difficult to change to LB considering that if your control of the ball is not perfect you can relinquish possession since you are tight to the touch-line whereas in midfield you have more space to manoeuvre, or is there more pressure in the latter?

AS: More pressure on the latter for sure. On the wing, the angle you need to consider is already restricted by the touchline, so if your touch is good you have fewer angles to consider. The good and the difficulty of the midfield role is that your awareness must be three-sixty all the time.

ES: How do you build an understanding of each position? For example, were there particular training sessions to understand the different roles, learning from match experience or perhaps modelling your game in the different roles on a particular player you admired?

AS: I think match experience is the best teacher in the end but of course, there would be aspects that you would be guided on during training. I also watch a lot of football so every little helps. However, I would say the best teacher is experiencing matches.

ES: You love a tackle, but I have also seen you chip in with a few free-kicks and corners. Is this something you actively work on improving?

AS: I do practice a bit and perhaps experiment with different things, especially if I see Janice (Xuereb) staying on after training. I would say that perhaps where some would do some juggles, I prefer to try out different techniques or angles of a free-kick or see if I can manage to find the net from a corner.

Birkirkara FC: Titles, Dominance & Team Dynamics

ES: Birkirkara have dominated the league for a number of years.  How would you define the mentality to win all these trophies and still strive for more, but also to have that same determination against any opponent? 

AS: Firstly, the target is always UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL). Since the league is not yet professional, then at club level (i.e. setting aside playing in the National team) playing in the UWCL is perhaps considered a bit of a ‘holy grail’ in my opinion. Looking back, my first outing with Birkirkara was a Super-Cup final (which back then used to be at the beginning of the season), which we lost 5-3 (against Hibernians FC) so it is not all roses. I think mentally I would say that losing despite giving a hundred percent is one thing, what is not acceptable is losing because you did not give it your all. I think perhaps even if as a group we have had our success, ultimately there is always more to strive for. Even if you win a game, there is always something you could improve, both at a personal and a team level.

ES: This season the closest challengers were Swieqi United. At the point that you won the third fixture against the side, it opened a more comfortable margin at the top of the table. Mentally at that point, do you feel that the pressure is off that you’ve put some distance or do you still take it one game at a time?

AS: On a personal level and I think I speak also for a lot of the team, we definitely do not consider the league won at that point. There were still a lot of points up for grabs so as a team we do not consider the league won. At times, maybe because everyone is human there may be a slight dip in form, also because of the effects of the length of the season, but we quickly get each other in check. Ultimately you are only league champion once you are mathematically there and that is the approach that we take.

ES: Speaking of Swieqi United FC, they did circle back and end your run in the Assikura Women’s Knockout. It was a game that went the distance, but of course, ended in a way that you did not wish for. However, losing is also a part of football, so as a player how do you assess the game and what are the takeaways?

AS: I think physically it is the end of the season so you are limited in what you can take from it. I think in terms of a loss it always gives a bit of a reality check, in the sense that Knockout football is a very different beast to the league, so of course one loss means you are out. In the league, you have to be consistent over the length of a season, but then in the Knockout, it’s one match that defines you. It’s decided in moments. So going beyond what I think maybe we deserved and instead trying to look at it rationally, I think perhaps we did not take the chances we had and they did, which was what settled the game. So even though it is a difficult loss to process, there is a lot to learn.

ES: I have been impressed with how vocal you are in keeping team spirit positive during matches and how you deliver positive criticism on the pitch. Is this something that comes naturally to you or something that you built over time?

AS: I think it is something that is within me, I generally believe a lot in my teammates and always want to see them grow, especially when you consider the younger players coming through the ranks. They are technically gifted and physically getting there, so I believe they can do very well if they push.

I think everyone can have a bad game here and there and what I have learned is that the worst thing is to get into your head. It’s the worst enemy you can have in my opinion. It happens even to me, so I think as a teammate my duty is to help a player get going and not get stuck in her head. I don’t always manage to be positive but I try. What gets me annoyed and angry is when someone shows no effort, not when someone has a bad game despite trying. I’m not faultless either, so I cannot expect my teammates to be. I think everyone has bad games, but your commitment to the game is what sets you apart in my view.

ES: What about with yourself, are there moments when you doubt but sort of spur yourself on?

AS: I’m the worst with myself (with a wry smile). No, I think actually this is where I believe I’ve grown a lot over time, in the way I handle things mentally during the game and adapt if things do not go right. I think I’ve improved in how I can take a step back and assess logically, instead of getting stuck in my head. I still have more work to do on it but I would say improving in my ability to do this was a big turning point in my career in football.

ES: You had the opportunity to play a friendly against Manchester United Women as they came to Malta for their training camp during the winter break. How would you sum up the experience?

AS: As a Manchester United fan since my early childhood, it was a belated Christmas present. Of course, on the pitch, the opponent is your enemy irrespective of who they are. In general, this is the approach I take even when for example playing in the Champions League and with the National team, where I have been also fortunate enough to play against players who are globally renowned in women’s football. However, I must confess in this game, having been a childhood United fan, I found it difficult. Even during the warm-up, as there was ‘Glory Glory Man United’ blasted on the speakers, I kind of had to pull myself back and focus on the task at hand. Though typically I do not really go asking for memorabilia, this game was special, not only because of the opponent but also because of the fantastic crowd that turned up to watch us play. Following the match, they had a very friendly approach which was delightful. It was a fantastic experience, one for the books.

ES: On the pitch, what did the game feel like to you and was there anything in particular that stood out?

AS: As expected it was a difficult game, but I enjoyed working (very hard) to try to do my job at hand. It was a nice experience to compare and of course see the level that they are at, the finesse, their touch. During the game you could also see their squad depth, their coach changed literally the whole squad after forty-five minutes. You also see the size of their technical and administrative team, and so you see first-hand what it is like to be a fully professional side, who does this every day. At the same time, it gives you a yardstick of how far we still have to go.

ES: Taking the match into perspective against the rest of the season, the team lost by a big margin, which in the Assikura Women’s League you are used to perhaps winning by in certain games. How do you assess such a game from the losing perspective?

AS: I think you know what to expect in terms of a score so I would say you go into the match with a more cautious approach, but with a professional attitude where you try to be as sharp as you can and still do your best with the situation. When the gap is too large, then you are limited in a way but you can still learn. For example, a player managed to still get a goal, despite marking her tightly and literally throwing everything at her. So even in those fine details, you can learn.

ES: Switching focus to the UEFA Women’s Champions League. How would you define your story so far and the feeling when you go to play in the Champions League, which is perhaps unique in every aspect including gameplay, perhaps professional setting and organization?

AS: I would say that it is a time that allows us to adapt to the most fully professional approach. In summer you are fully dedicated to it. The first time is a bit of a shock, but once you are abroad for a whole week it allows you to fully focus on football which is a nice experience to have with the club. Regards our positive result against Glentoran FC and our targets, we had been working toward it for a few years and getting closer each year. I would say physical aspect and experience play a very big role in the Champions League as it is an unforgiving environment, so to get that result I think is a testament to our growth as a team.

ES: Are there any special preparations considering travelling abroad?

AS: I think in our case, living on such a small island and doing this while also holding down full-time jobs, etc, going to the Champions League narrows your focus and allows you to dedicate yourself fully to football for that week. If for example, you are tired from travelling, you rest and fully dedicate the day to being in the best shape for the game. It is not an experience to go travel the country, it is a unique chance to fully focus on getting the best result in the matches.

ES: Considering the success last year, what is the target that you set yourselves to or is it a secret?

AS: No, I do not think it is a secret, and I am one that thinks that you have to believe in your dream and not shy away from it and stick to your comfort zone. The target remains the same, which is to qualify for the next round. Before we were taken less seriously when we said this but now, I think (because of the result) even the outside perspective has shifted a bit more. I think there is no denying that it is very difficult and there is an element of luck depending on the draw, but you have to always push.

ES: From a squad perspective, we’ve seen young players flourish. Considering that they are joining a team which is already very successful, how difficult do you think it is to play for Birkirkara FC as a team that is expected to win because of past success? And in relation to this, how do you help them adapt to it?

AS: I would say perhaps I was lucky in the sense that I grew bit by bit. I would say that as a squad we do our best to challenge them in training, so if we think you are distracted or not pushing enough, we do our best to push them. However, with a young player of course you have to understand the limit of how much to push. In the case of youths (fifteen to seventeen-year-old), I often tell them that the pressure is not on them, it is on the more senior players. As a young player, I think in that opportunity the best thing to do is to give it your all and enjoy the game. I do not think you can blame a sixteen-year-old in a senior’s game under pressure, I believe it is part of the learning curve as well. Character does make a difference as well so not everyone handles the occasion in the same way.

ES: And similarly, what about foreign players who join the team?

AS: In the case of someone who is new to the league and country, I would say you help them get comfortable with the environment and discuss perhaps the league and get them accustomed to different players so that they, and ultimately the team, can succeed together.

National Team and the Global Growth of the Women’s Game

ES: How has the experience of playing with the national squad been for you throughout your career?

AS: I was lucky enough that Pierre Brincat first called me when I was about thirteen, but though my dad tried to do his best to get me to training it was difficult and did not really work out until I was called back when I was about sixteen. I think looking back, when I was little, I struggled with believing that I was truly able to be a part of the squad. It got to a point where I sort of gave myself an ultimatum of either going to the training and doing my best or just stopping altogether and saving everyone the bother. So, at that point, I chose the former (to go) and I am happy I did because being there, given the possibility, is a huge privilege. You cannot afford to get complacent and every time you are selected it is sort of a nod that you are still playing at the level.  I think with the national squad, every minute is a privilege because thankfully as a team we are always improving so there is more competition with each international window.

ES: In the women’s game we are now embarking on the UEFA Nations League. What is your perspective on this, considering that there is a bit of a division in the footballing world about the competition and the increasing number of fixtures in the game?

AS: As a player I think it gives us an opportunity to play more games and crucially against teams of a similar level so it is a good measure of improvement. On the other hand, taking the viewpoint of an outside observer who likes football, I think it is safe to say that women’s football is going through a boom, which is fantastic to see. However, I question if we are doing this the correct way, and whether we have built enough of a solid foundation to be able to handle the increase in fixtures.

I think there is evidence in the increase in injuries (ACL and even others), so the combination of an increase in load without enough rest needs to be considered. Of course, as a player you want to play every game (including the Nations League) but perhaps it is something that one needs to consider from a team management perspective. Every national team is perhaps limited in the time available to try different players, and I think most of the fatigue is coming when playing at club level. I think then it also boils down to the facilities available at the clubs. For example, if you are playing a professional club in England, there is a larger team taking care of these things, whereas if we consider in Malta we are more limited in squad sizes and also staff members, so perhaps some things are missing. Speaking personally, I think I cannot complain too much about my club, but there is always more you can do. It is not just about saying you are going to rest, one must consider when and how. So, circling back to the increase in global fixtures, I understand that there is a boom, but I think there needs to be more consideration of these aspects in order to have sustainable growth.

Growth of Women’s Football in Malta

ES: We spoke about your beginnings in Gozo and about the difficulties involved. Considering the younger generations, how difficult is it for a player from Gozo to get to a training session as a youngster and to stay involved?

AS: I know nurseries in Gozo are taking on girls, but I am also aware of girls perhaps being shy of playing with boys or not being aware that they can play with them. In regard to going further, I would say yes as a Gozitan there is added hassle of having more travel which I am sure is unfortunately a factor in losing some good players along the way, though I am proud to be part of a good group of us who have stayed on and also form part of the national squad. Speaking about my former club SKVW, I would say that they are doing a good job of raising awareness, organising camps and training a team of girls with the aim of eventually forming a side to compete in the league.

ES: Having played against foreign sides in UWCL and with the national team, how would you say the competitiveness and level of football in Malta fairs against such teams?

AS: I would say that there is no hiding from the fact that currently there is a big discrepancy between playing at the league level and playing in the UWCL. I think we can see this even when playing for the national team against stronger sides. Speaking of for example the Champions League, you are playing against stronger opponents who perhaps train more or have more resources.  They will adapt much quicker and expose your mistakes. I think in this sense it is one of the biggest improvements that we need, which would be to lift the level of the league across the board. Even though it is a good league, and we have also players going abroad who are doing well on a personal level, which ultimately helps the national team, at the club level there is potential but the league competitiveness needs to improve as a whole so that you are pushed consistently across the whole season.

ES: In relation to the league, comparing the matches played against the different sides over the course of the year as opposed to the past, do you feel the competition getting tougher?

AS: I think there was a good level overall this year, which I think is also a testament to the good work done by the clubs. However, I also consider the fact that with each year the league is becoming smaller in terms of the number of teams involved, which has the potential to become a bit boring, so I think that is something to consider.

ES: Considering this shrinking number of teams, would you say it is because fewer girls are playing football or perhaps they are more concentrated into fewer teams?

AS: I think in terms of the number of players, you must consider that playing football is not just going to training twice a week. It is a full commitment that does not only affect the two hours of training or the match, it affects every aspect of your life, your weekend plans revolve around football. Perhaps that is something to consider when looking at the numbers.

ES: We saw a record crowd for a women’s match against Manchester United Women which exceeded 1000 people. How much has the perspective on Women’s Football changed in Malta over the playing years? What do you wish would improve?

AS: I think though there is a boom abroad, there is an improvement in Malta but perhaps on a smaller scale, which could be for many reasons. Maybe there is still an evolution that is needed locally on the perspective of women’s football and also more investment to improve competitiveness. I think now we are edging towards a point where we need more specialised people in the sport and to grow across the board. I think there is a good group of people who really love sport and support us. It is a group of people that is growing which is encouraging and one always hopes for more, but surely a larger pool of resources, be it human or financial, is necessary.

I would like to thank Ann-Marie Said for taking the time to sit down with me to bring you this feature. It was an absolute pleasure and look forward to seeing her back on the pitch soon.

Thank you for reading. If you liked this special feature, please consider sharing it with a friend who you think will enjoy this. Stay tuned for more.

Photos: Just One Click Media