Joaquin hopes to start new year with derby victory

CAIRO – 29 December 2017: Real Betis winger Joaquin Sanchez hopes to start the new year with a victory in the Seville derby over their local rivals, Sevilla. The game is scheduled on January 6 at Sevilla’s stadium, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

“It would be wonderful to start the year with a derby victory; I think it will be a great occasion. We will put one hundred percent into the match and hopefully give incredible joy to our supporters," Joaquin, who renewed his contract with the club until 2020, told press.

Sevilla places fifth in the Spanish League table with 29 points; they are 8 points ahead of Real Betis, who places 14th.

Joaquin, 36, revealed his happiness after he renewed his contract with his childhood club, saying, “I am proud of the renewal that I've been given with the club I've loved all my life. Everybody knows what Real Betis means to me. This is a special day, because I'm still enjoying my life here.”

The historic winger of Real Betis joined the club when he was just 13, getting promoted through the club rankings until he joined the first team in 2000.

Joaquin wore the green and white jersey of Real Betis for six years before leaving to start a journey outside the club. He played for Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina before returning to Real Betis in 2015.