February 2006

Tue 28

• Third Division Kalkara vs Ghaxaq 1-0, Zejtun C. vs Rabat A. 0-6
• Foreign-based Justin Haber, Luke Dimech and Michael Mifsud are set to be included in the starting line-up on Wednesday as Malta takes on Georgia in the third and final match of the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament.
  Both sides are eager to bounce back after losing to Moldova in their first game. Malta lost 0-2 while Georgia succumbed to a heavy 1-5 defeat on Monday.
  On Saturday, the Maltese side disappointed in Dusan Fitzel's first outing as national coach. The players seemed to lack motivation and Fitzel also pointed out his disappointment with regards to the physical condition of the players.
  Fitzel is expected to make at least four changes from the team which lost to Moldova including Justin Haber in goal, Luke Dimech and William Camenzuli in defence and Michael Mifsud in attack.
  For Camenzuli, this will be his return in the national team after being dropped by former coach Horst Heese following the Malta International Tournament two years ago. Mifsud has also been missing from the national team since last June after suffering an injury in a training session with Lillestrom in August.
  German coach Klaus Toppmoller's debut as Georgia coach turned out to be a nightmare. Therefore the former Bayer Leverkusen manager hopes his players will do much better on Wednesday. Captain Malkhaz Asatiani and Zurab Khizanishvili are ruled out through suspension after being sent off in the defeat to Moldova.
  Malta and Georgia met three times. In the Rothmans Tournament in 1994, Georgia beat Malta 1-0. Six months later, the two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a friendly match. In the Rothmans Tournament 1998, Georgia won 3-1. They went on to win the tournament.
  Malta v Georgia will be controlled by Veaceslav Banari (FIFA & Moldova FA) who will be assisted by assistant referees Charles Micallef and Joe Camilleri and fourth official Anton Zammit.
• The Malta University Sports Club (MUSC), in conjunction with the Malta Football Association, would like to invite all students to support and promote the MFA Triangular Football Tournament. The entrance ticket for all University students is Lm 1.00 on presentation of the library card.
  The MFA has recently started an extensive promotion campaign to encourage public attendance and MUSC, with the support of fifteen University organizations, is inviting all students to attend the game under the University banner. A bar with special prizes will be set up on the University Campus, followed by a pre-match carcade heading for Ta’ Qali at 6pm. A special thanks goes to Vodafone and XFM for making this event possible.

Mon 27

• Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament Georgia vs Moldova 1-5
• Marsaxlokk lost Trevor Templeman for at least eight weeks after he fractured his right ankle while playing in a friendly match against the national team of Georgia on Sunday. This means that Templeman could only make it for the final two Championship Pool matches Valletta and Hibernians.
  Templeman was one of five guest players from Marsaxlokk who turned out for Hibernians in this friendly match. The other players were Chucks Nwoko, Wendell Gomes, Charlo Magro and Shaun Tellus.
  Hibernians won 1-0, a goal by Edmond Agius.

Sun 26

• First Division Naxxar L. vs Senglea A. 3-2, Marsa vs Tarxien R. 0-2
• Second Division Gharghur vs Vittoriosa S. 1-2, Gzira U. vs Melita 1-6, Gozo vs Balzan Y. 3-1
• Women's First Division Melita vs Hibernians 0-5, Raiders vs Sta. Venera L. 1-1
• Gozo - First Division Sannat L. vs Xewkija T. 3-2
• Former Bayer Leverkusen manager Klaus Toppmöller will be making his debut as the new national coach of Georgia as the latter take on Moldova in the second match from the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament on Monday.
  Klaus Toppmöller, who signed a two-year deal worth around USD 2.8 million, has been unemployed since being released by Hamburg in 2004 and started his new job earlier this month.
  Although Toppmöller may be unable to field his best formation against Moldova, he will be looking forward to obtaing a positive result on his debut.
  On the other hand, after beating Malta on Saturday, Moldova will be aiming for another positive result in order to win the tournament.
  Moldova and Georgia met six times - twice in the EURO 1996 qualifiers, twice in the FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifiers and twice in friendlies. Moldova won three, Georgia two with the other match ending in a 2-2 draw. In the last meeting between the two countries, Moldova won 1-0 in Tiraspol in August 2004.
  The match will be controlled by Maltese referee Adrian Casha, who will be assisted by assistant referees Joe Rapa and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Chris Lautier.

Sat 25

• Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament Malta vs Moldova 0-2
  New coach Dusan Fitzel was disappointed with the physical condition of his players as Malta lost 0-2 to Moldova in the opening match from the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament.
  "To tell the truth, I was disappointed with the physical condition of the players. It's not only the running but also the strength and the determination in fighting for the ball. Without physical fitness, you lose everything," said Fitzel.
  "The team was quite timid during the first half although we then started playing better. The first goal was a setback. Then we started to lose physical fitness and eventually, we did not even have enough strength to create scoring chances."
  Fitzel admitted that he used this game to try different options and to give a chance to new players. At the same time, he wanted to avoid fielding the best formation against a team who will be facing Malta in the EURO 2008 qualifiers.
  According to Fitzel, Andrei Agius, one of two players who were making their debut for Malta, was one of the best players on the pitch. On the other hand, he explained the reason for putting Alex Muscat on the left flank rather than in his usual position on the right as he was the only player who could replace the injured Shaun Bajada.
  Against Moldova, the new Malta national coach adopted a 4-1-4-1 system which was then changed into a 4-4-2 system.
  "I will be using four defenders for sure. But I will need to adapt a system according to the players who are available," concluded Fitzel.
• Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs SK Victoria W. 0-0
• Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs St. Lawrence S. postponed
• A Marsa player was suspended by the Executive Committee of the Malta Football Association after testing positive durung a doping test which was carried out at the end of the BOV First Division match between Marsa and St. Patrick on January 29.
  The player tested positive for a prohibited substance. Further tests will be carried out.
  Meanwhile another four players tested positive in doping tests which were carried out after matches from the BOV Premier League. The positive results for two of these players were due to the use of inhalers and another two tested positive for substances which produced naturally by the human body.
  Doping tests in Malta are only carried out after a selected number of matches from the several competitions. Two players from each team are tested with two specimens of urine being taken from each player. The specimens are sent to a laboratory in Germany in order to be analysed since there are yet no such facilities in Malta.

Thu 23

• Third Division Kirkop U. vs Xghajra T. 4-1, Sirens vs Birzebbuga SP 0-2
• The Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament gets underway on Saturday as Malta hosts Moldova in the first match.
  Ironically both teams were drawn in Group C in the EURO 2008 qualifying round. Although Moldova still agreed to take part in the tournament, the game will definitely give no indication of what the clash between the two countries in the EURO 2008 qualifiers will be.
  Malta coach Dusan Fitzel announced on Wednesday that against Moldova, he will be using the younger players in the squad. Foreign-based Justin Haber, Luke Dimech and Michael Mifsud will not be available for the game as they will be travelling to Malta on Sunday.
  With Reuben Gauci, Adrian Pulis, Shaun Bajada, Jonathan Bondin and Claude Mattocks, all ruled out injured after being included in the provisional squad, Fitzel included Birkirkara goalkeeper Bernard Paris, Sliema defender Alex Muscat and Marsaxlokk midfielder Kevin Sammut.
  Goalkeeper Mario Muscat and defender William Camenzuli could make it to the starting line-up after returning to the national squad earlier this month.
  The players available for the game against Moldova are therefore:
  goalkeepers Mario Muscat (Hibs), Bernard Paris (Birkirkara);
  defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibs), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk);
  midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Andrei Agius (Messina), Orosco Anonam (Sliema), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk) and
  forwards Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
  The Moldovan squad which travelled to Malta is an experimental squad based on players from the Under-21 side. Under-21 head coach Boris Tropanet has the following players at his disposal:
  CEBANU Ilie (Sturm Graz, AUT); NAMASCO Stanislav, GOLOVATENCO Victor, RUDAC Nicolai (FC Tiraspol); BOLOHAN Vadim (FC Nistru Otaci); BEREGHICI Andrei (Rapid Chisinau); NAMASCO Sergiu, SUVOROV Alexandr, ZISLIS Alexandr, ALEXEEV Serghei (FC Sheriff Tiraspol); SOLTANICI Igor (CS Tiligul-Tiras Tiraspol); BULGARU Simion, ZMEU Denis (FC Zimbru Chisinau); BUGAIOV Igor (FC Chernomorets Odessa, UKR); JAPALAU Sergiu (MTZ-Ripo Minsk, BLR).
  The two countries met four times. Moldova registered two wins in friendly matches - 2-0 win at Ta' Qali in 1999 and 1-0 in Chisinau in 2000. In 2002, Moldova took part in the Rothmans Tournament, losing 0-3 to Malta. Two years ago, the two teams shared the spoils in a goalless draw in the Malta International Tournament.
  Malta vs Moldova will be controlled by Lasha Silagava (FIFA & Georgia FA). He will be assisted by Konrad Borg and Nicky Debattista with Anton Zammit as fourth official.

Wed 22

• The Malta Football Association is planning to set up a national Futsal team which would take part in the UEFA European Futsal Championship.
  Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said the association will be working on the creation of a Futsal national team.
  Taking part in the UEFA Futsal Championship would mean that Malta would be taking part in all competitions organised by UEFA for national teams at all levels, except for the Women's Under-19 competitions.
  Dr Mifsud will be looking forward to appoint a national coach. The choice could fall on a foreign coach if there are now local coaches who hold the right qualifications.
  Meanwhile through collaboration with FIFA, the Malta Football Association will be holding a four-day seminar on Futsal coaching and refereeing. The course will be held between March 30 and April 2 at the Corradino Pavilion.

Wed 22

• Reuben Gauci, Adrian Pulis, Shaun Bajada, Jonathan Bondin and Claude Mattocks will be missing the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament which gets underway on Saturday as they are suffering from injuries.
  The five players were part of the provisional 25-man squad named by national coach Dusan Fitzel last Sunday.
  They will be replaced by goalkeeper Bernard Paris of Birkirkara, Alex Muscat of Sliema Wanderers and Kevin Sammut of Marsaxlokk. Sammut was side-lined due to an injury over the past weeks but is now close to full recovery.
  Muscat and Sammut have already played for the national team but this is the first national team call for Paris.
  Other uncapped players in the squad include Floriana midfielder Trevor Cilia and Andrei Agius who plays for Messina in Italy.
  Malta plays the first game on Saturday against Moldova. A game which will mark the debut of Fitzel as national coach. On Wednesday March 1st, the national team takes on Georgia. Moldova face Georgia in the second game on Monday.
  Libya were also due to take part but they withdrew from the tournament last week. Speaking during a press-conference on Wednesday, Dusan Fitzel said he was disappointed with the withdrawal of Libya as he lost opportunity of having a third game which would have provided more room for experiments.
  Fitzel revealed that he will be using the first game against Moldova to try the younger players in the squad while against Georgia, the new Malta national coach said he will field what is in his opinion, the best formation.
  The players selected by Fitzel for the tournament are:
  goalkeepers Justin Haber (Quevilly), Mario Muscat (Hibs), Bernard Paris (Birkirkara);
  defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Chester), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Peter Pullicino (Hibs), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk);
  midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Andrei Agius (Messina), Orosco Anonam (Sliema), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk) and
  forwards Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
  Meanwhile MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud revealed that the association tried its best to find a team to replace Libya in the tournament but the short time available made it impossible.
  Dr Mifsud said the MFA will be using this tournament as part of the national team's preparations for the EURO 2008 qualifiers. The preparations include a training camp towards the end of July and the beginning of August, a friendly match against Slovakia in August and a friendly match against Austria in February 2007. There is also the possibility of another friendly match in November.
  Referees for the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament will be coming from the three associations.
  Malta vs Moldova will be controlled by Lasha Silagava (FIFA & Georgia FA). He will be assisted by Konrad Borg and Nicky Debattista with Anton Zammit as fourth official.
  Adrian Casha will be controlling Moldova vs Georgia, assisted by assistant referees Joe Rapa and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Chris Lautier.
  Malta v Georgia will be controlled by Veaceslav Banari (FIFA & Moldova FA) who will be assisted by assistant referees Charles Micallef and Joe Camilleri and fourth official Anton Zammit.
  Match ticket prices on each day of the Tournament are as follows:
  West Stand Sides A and C - Lm 3.00
  Millennium Stand - Lm 2.00
  Ladies, Children, Kartanzjan Holders and Persons with Special Needs Card Holders - Lm 1.
• In a women’s friendly international match played this morning at the Ta’ Qali Training Grounds Malta lost 2-0 to Italy Under-19.
  The Italians were a fitter and faster outfit, but Malta who had many young players, including Under-19’s, were in competitive shape against one of the more established European countries in this sector.
  The goals came one in each half, with Manuela Coluccini putting the Italians ahead three minutes before the interval and Sandy Ianelli sealing the visitors’ victory in the 56th minute.
  Accompanying the Italian group was Pietro Ghedin, an acquaintance of Maltese football who coached the national team some years ago. Ghedin is now the FIGC Head Coach of the Women’s Sector.
  The Italian team was under the technical guidance of Corrado Corradini.
  The friendly match was a useful workout in preparation for Pierre Brincat’s side’s forthcoming Women’s World Cup Qualficiation Group matches against Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia in March.
• The Football Associations of Georgia and Moldova announced the squads which will be travelling to Malta for the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament.
  The new coach of Georgia, Klaus Toppmoller, named a provisional squad which includes several foreign-based players.
  The players selected by Toppmoller are:
  goalkeepers Nukri Revishvili (Rubin - RUS), Zviad Sturua (Dinamo Tbilisi), Revaz Tevdoradze (FC Tbilisi);
  defenders Mate Gvinianidze (Lokomotiv - RUS), Kakha Kaladze (Milan - ITA), Ilia Kandelaki (Chernomorec - UKR), Giorgi Khidesheli (Zestafoni), Zurab Khizanishvili (Blackburn - ENG), Giorgi Popkhadze (Olimpiakos - GRE), David Mchedlishvili (Ameri Tbilisi), Zurab Menteshashvili (Skonto - LAT), Kakha Mzhavanadze (Chernomorec - UKR), Gulverd Tomashvili (Dinamo Tbilisi);
  midfielders Malkhaz Asatiani (Lokomotiv - RUS), Aleks Benashvili (Zestafoni), Mirza Bzhalaca (Ameri Tbilisi), Zaal Eliava (Skonto - LAT), George Ganugrava (Zestafoni), Jaba Kankava (Arsenal - UKR), George Kinkladze (Rubin - RUS), Levan Kobiashvili (Schalke - GER), Makharadze (Dinamo Tbilisi), Otar Martsvaladze (Dinamo Kiev - UKR), David Mujiri (Sturm - AUS), Gogi Pipja (Zestafoni), Levan Tskitishvili (Wolfsburg - GER)l
  forwards Shota Arveladze (Alkmaar - NED), George Dematradze (Haifa - ISR), Revaz Gotsiridze (Kamaz - RUS), Beka Gotsiridze (Zestafoni), Lasha Jakobia (Metalist - UKR).
  The Moldovan squad is based on players from the Under-21 squad. In fact the team will be accompanied by Under-21 national coach Boris Tropanet.
  The players selected by Tropanet are:
  CEBANU Ilie (Sturm Graz, AUT), NAMASCO Stanislav, GOLOVATENCO Victor, RUDAC Nicolai (FC Tiraspol), BOLOHAN Vadim (FC Nistru Otaci), BEREGHICI Andrei (Rapid Chisinau), NAMASCO Sergiu, SUVOROV Alexandr, ZISLIS Alexandr, ALEXEEV Serghei (FC Sheriff Tiraspol), SOLTANICI Igor (CS Tiligul-Tiras Tiraspol), BULGARU Simion, ZMEU Denis, FRANTUZ Maxim (FC Zimbru Chisinau), BUGAIOV Igor (FC Chernomorets Odessa (UKR), JAPALAU Sergiu (MTZ-Ripo Minsk, BLR), MANALIU Vitali (Politechnica Chisinau), BORDIAN Vitali (Metalist Harkiv, UKR)

Tue 21

• The Pietà Hotspurs Youth Nursery will be organising the second Carnival Youth Tournament between the 25th and 27th February.
  The tournament will be reserved for the Under-9 teams.
  Taking part in the tournament are eight teams divided in two groups: Qormi, Zebbug Rangers, Pietà Hotspurs Blue and Pembroke Athleta in Group A; Hamrun Spartans, Msida St. Joseph, Naxxar Lions and Pietà Hotspurs White in Group B.

Sun 19

• FA Trophy Msida SJ vs San Gwann 2-1 aet, Floriana vs Senglea A. 4-0
• Second Division Attard vs Qormi 0-5, Mellieha vs Gudja U. 2-0
• Third Division Siggiewi vs Ta' Xbiex 7-3, Sta. Venera L. vs Fgura U. 5-1
• Women's First Division Raiders vs Birkirkara 1-4, Qormi vs Mosta 0-17
• Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Sannat L. 3-1, Xaghra U. vs Nadur Y. 0-4
• National coach Dusan Fitzel named a provisional 25-man squad ahead of the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Football Tournament which gets underway on Saturday.
  Malta plays the first game on Saturday against Moldova. A game which will mark the debut of Fitzel as national coach. On Wednesday March 1st, the national team takes on Georgia. Moldova face Georgia in the second game on Monday.
  The squad includes the four players which were invited to join the national squad earlier this month, namely Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat, Birkirkara defender William Camenzuli and former Malta Under-21 midfielders Shaun Bajada of Marsaxlokk and Trevor Cilia of Floriana.
  Malta Under-21 midfielder Andrei Agius, who plays for Messina, is also part of the squad. Agius, who plays for the primavera side, was on target for Messina on Wednesday in the prestigious Viareggio tournament - the Coppa Carnevale - as he notched the equalised for the peloritani for a 2-2 draw with Pistoiese.
  Also included are the other three Maltese players based abroad - Justin Haber (US Quevilly - France), Luke Dimech (Chester City - England) and Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom - Norway).
  The 25 players selected by Fitzel are:
  goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Marsaxlokk), Justin Haber (Quevilly), Mario Muscat (Hibs);
  defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Ian Ciantar (Floriana), Luke Dimech (Chester), Adrian Pulis (Hibs), Peter Pullicino (Hibs), Brian Said (Sliema), Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk);
  midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Andrei Agius (Messina), Orosco Anonam (Sliema), Shaun Bajada (Marsaxlokk), Jonathan Bondin (Valletta), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Claude Mattocks (Valletta) and
  forwards Etienne Barbara (Birkirkara), Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Lillestrom), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
• The Malta women's national team will be playing a friendly match against the Italian Under-19 side on Wednesday. The Italian team is coached by Pietro Ghedin, former Malta Under-21 and National ‘A’ Coach.
  The game will be played at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali, kick-off at 11:00.
  Twenty players were shortlisted for this game by national coach Pierre Brincat and assistant coach Alfred Zammit.
  The players are:
  goalkeepers Sharon Costantino (Sta. Venera), Tonina Dimech (Birkirkara), Rita Tagliaferro (Hibs);
  defenders Maria Azzopardi (Hibs), Rebecca D' Agostino (Melita), Mandy Debono (Hibs), Marisa Deguara (Mosta), Leslie Ann Galea (Hibs), Natasha Pace (Melita), Alexia Jane Scicluna (Birkirkara);
  midfielders Tessie Agius (Hibs), Therese Briffa (Sta. Venera), Jane Coates (Mosta), Kathleen Saliba (Hibs), Dorianne Theuma (Hibs), Dionne Tonna (Hibs) and
  forwards Ylenia Carabott (Hibs), Rebecca Chircop (Mosta), Rosanne Gatt (Mosta), Karen Lia (Mosta).
  The match will be controlled by Ms Esther Farrugia.

Sat 18

• FA Trophy Hamrun S. vs St. Patrick 3-2, Marsaxlokk vs Marsa 2-0
• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Gharghur 1-0, Melita vs Dingli S. 0-0
• Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Victoria H. 1-1, Gharb R. vs Zebbug R. 0-3

Fri 17

• Third Division Santa Lucia vs Luqa SA 1-0, Pembroke A. vs Zurrieq 0-2
• The MFA has been informed by the Libyan Football Federation that its National side will not be participating in the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Football Tournament 2006.
  This withdrawal means that the Tournament will now be held on a triangular basis.
  The schedule of matches will therefore be as follows:
  Saturday 25 February - 15:00 Malta v Moldova
  Monday 27 February - 19:15 Moldova v Georgia
  Wednesday 1 March - 19:15 Malta v Georgia
  
  Ticket prices for each of these matches are as follows:
  West Stand Lm 3; Millennium Stand Lm 2; Ladies/Children/Kartanzjan Lm 1.

Thu 16

• After prolonged discussions which lasted about seven hours, officials representing the seven teams in Group C of the EURO 2008 who met in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday, agreed on the final fixture schedule.
  The schedule was conducted successfully through a ballot by MFA President, Dr Joe Mifsud after he was unanimously designated by the other countries representatives.
  In the first game, which will be played on September 2, Malta hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina. Four days later, Malta plays against Turkey away from home. A game which will probably be played in a neutral venue following FIFA's decision to order the Turkish national team to play their next six home matches at a neutral ground and behind closed doors.
  On October 10, Malta hosts Hungary and then after a five-month break, a double fixture is in programme for Malta. The national team travels to Chisinau to face Moldova on March 24, 2007 and four days later, Malta hosts Greece at Ta' Qali.
  In June 2007, Malta plays two matches away from home - against Norway on June 2 and against Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later.
  On September 8, 2007 - ironically on the day, Malta celebrates Victory Day - Malta hosts Turkey at Ta' Qali.
  The national team travels to Budapest for the game against Hungary on October 13 and four days later, hosts Moldova at the National Stadium.
  The last two matches for Malta are against Greece on November 17 away from home and against Norway at Ta' Qali four days later.
  The fixtures involving Malta resulted as follows:
  02.09.06 Malta v Bosnia Herzegovina; 06.09.06 Turkey v Malta; 11.10.06 Malta v Hungary; 24.03.07 Moldova v Malta; 28.03.07 Malta v Greece; 02.06.07 Norway v Malta; 06.06.07 Bosnia Herzegovina v Malta; 08.09.07 Malta v Turkey; 13.10.07 Hungary v Malta; 17.10.07 Malta v Moldova; 17.11.07 Greece v Malta; 21.11.07 Malta v Norway
• BOV Third Division leaders Sta. Venera Lightnings launched a new official website www.svlfc.com
  The website features information about the club, the latest news and results regarding the senior side and the youths team together with a photo gallery.

Wed 15

• Malta retained the 119th place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking which was published on Wednesday.
  Malta did not play any international matches over the past weeks but is scheduled to play three matches in six days at the end of the month. Malta first hosts Moldova on Saturday 25, then Georgia on Monday 27 and finally Libya on Wednesday March 1st.
  Among the other European countries, Malta is still 46th. Just ahead of Malta are Northern Ireland (102, up 1), Georgia (105), Moldova (107), Armenia (108) and Azerbaijan (114) while Liechtenstein (124, down 1), Andorra (126), the Faroe Islands (132), Kazakhstan (137), Luxembourg (151) and San Marino (156).
• Five Premier League players will be missing the first match of the Championship Pool after being suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner.
  Valletta and Msida St. Joseph both had two players suspended. Kevin Cassar and Branko Nisevic, both of Valletta, received their fourth yellow card last Saturday against Hibernians. Hibs defender Kenneth Spiteri is also ruled out of the same game after receiving the fourth caution.
  On the other hand, Msida duo Josef Mifsud and Paul Fenech, who were both sent off during the game against Hamrun Spartans, will be missing their first game from the Championship Pool against leaders Birkirkara.
  Other players who were suspended for one match include William Borg (Mellieha), Andrew Scerri (Qormi), Mark Drago and Martin Portelli (Kalkara).
  Mark Gilson (Ghaxaq), Nicola Del Re (Qormi), Karl Saliba (Lija), Aaron Galea (Naxxar) and Ramon Bonello (Zebbug) were banned for one match in the Youth League while Ryan Galea (Gzira) and Daniel Gauci (Naxxar) were both suspended for three matches.

Tue 14

• The Carnival Football Tournament for Nursery Teams of the Under-10, Under-11, Under-12 and Under-13 categories is being staged for the fifth consecutive year, organised by Sliema Wanderers F.C. Nursery between Saturday 25th and Tuesday 28th February 2006.
  For this tournament, thirty teams from several established local Nurseries are taking part, with a total participation of 436 boys. A total of 74 matches will be played on the artificial turf pitch of St. Aloysius Sport Complex.
  The tournament is being played on a 7-a-side basis for the Under-10 category, 9-a-side basis for the Under-11 and Under-12 categories, while Under-13 is being played on an 11-a-side basis. Together with the hosts, the Nurseries of: Attard, Birkirkara, Floriana, Hamrun Spartans, Melita, Mosta, Naxxar, Paola Hibs, Pieta Hotspurs, Qormi, San Gwann, Sliema Wanderers, Sta. Venera, Valletta and Zebbug are taking part in the various categories.
  The tournament, whose first edition was played in 2002 grew in popularity and established itself as one of the best local tournaments organised on the island. After the encouraging response we received from all the participating teams in past editions, the Sliema Nursery for the fourth year running decided to hold the tournament at the impressive facility of St. Aloysius Sports Complex.
  These facilities offer all participating boys the best opportunity to express their technical abilities, thus continuing, on the same foot steps of the MFA Grassroots Committee and the Youth F.A. to contribute in improving the level of the local game.
  The organizing Committee, whilst wishing all the participating teams to express themselves in the best sporting spirit, appeals to all followers of the local game to come along and support the Best Young Talent on the Island.

Tue 14

• Hibernians goalkeeper Mario Muscat is the fourth player to join the national squad since the appointment of new national coach Dusan Fitzel.
  Muscat, who played no less than 57 matches for the national team was dropped from the squad by former coach Horst Heese. He is expected to start training on Friday.
  Earlier, Birkirkara defender William Camenzuli also returned to the national squad following a two-year absence. Camenzuli had been dropped from the squad by Heese following the Malta International Tournament in February 2004. He played 13 matches for Malta.
  Meanwhile the first two players to be promoted from the Under-21 squad to the senior side were midfielders Trevor Cilia of Floriana and Shaun Bajada of Marsaxlokk.
  These players are expected to be included in a 24-man squad for the Coca-Cola & Multiplus International Tournament which will be held at the end of the month. The squad will be announced mid-way next week.
  Another addition to the squad could be Birkirkara striker Michael Galea as the Czech coach admitted that he was one of the players who attracted his attention during the Premier League matches he watched.

Sun 12

• Premier League Mosta vs Valletta 0-3, Hamrun S. vs Msida SJ 0-2
• Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs Attard 1-1, Gzira U. vs Gozo 1-1
• Third Division Mgarr U. vs Zejtun C. 2-1, Rabat A. vs Kalkara 1-2
• Women's First Division Sta. Venera L. vs Hibernians 0-6, Rabat A. vs Melita 0-8
• Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Ghajnsielem 0-2

Sat 11

• Premier League Pietà H. vs Sliema W. 0-3, Hibernians vs Marsaxlokk 0-1
• First Division St. Patrick vs Lija A. 2-1, St. George's vs San Gwann 1-0
• Third Division Birzebbuga SP vs Kirkop U. 6-0, Ghaxaq vs Sirens 0-1
• Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs Zebbug R. 2-0, Qala SJ vs Oratory Y. 3-0

Fri 10

• Second Division Qormi vs Mellieha 1-3, Gudja U. vs Balzan Y. 3-2
• Third Division Fgura U. vs Ta' Xbiex 4-1, Xghajra T. vs Siggiewi 1-2
• Gozo - First Division Sannat L. vs Nadur Y. 4-2, SK Victoria W. vs Xaghra U. 4-1

Thu 9

• The Sta. Venera Youth Nursery will be organising a tournament to commemorate Graziella Fenech who died in a traffic accident last August. The Graziella Fenech Memorial will be held on Friday 31st March.
  Sta. Venera, Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans and Valletta will be taking part in the Under-9 category while Sta. Venera, Msida, Santa Lucia and Pembroke will be taking part in the Under-12 category. The tournament will be held at the St. Joseph Ground, Sta. Venera, starting at 08:30.
  Graziella Fenech used to play for Sta. Venera, starting with the youth nursery before moving to the Sta. Venera Lightnings women's team. She was a regular choice for the Under-12 side in the Pepsi Under-12 Football Festivals where she scored several goals.
  Graziella died in a traffic accident on August 24 2005 at the age of 13.
• The four clubs from the BOV Premier League were drawn against the remaining four clubs from Division 1 in the second round of the U*BET FA Trophy.
  The draw was carried out by MFA general secretary Joe Gauci and Ms Iris Camilleri Mifsud from Maltco Lotteries during the television programme MFA Magazine on Smash Television.
  Floriana, winners of the FA Trophy eighteen times, will be facing Senglea Athletic. Marsaxlokk take on Marsa while Hamrun Spartans, who won the competition six times, face St. Patrick. Msida St. Joseph take on San Gwann in the other game.
  Hamrun vs St. Patrick and Marsaxlokk vs Marsa will be played on Saturday 18 at the National Stadium while Msida vs San Gwann and Floriana vs Senglea will be played on Sunday 19 at the Hibs Ground.
  Holders Birkirkara, champions Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians and Valletta enter the quarter-finals which will be held on April 8 and 9.

Wed 8

• In the second of Malta's double header friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland played on Wednesday evening at the MFA Training Grounds, the Malta Under-18 team lost 3-0 against the Irish counterparts.
  The visitors, replete with promising players some of whom are on the books of English Premier League clubs, drew ahead in the 38th minute through John Quigley of Stoke City. Mark Salmon, a Wolverhampton Wanderers player, made 2-0 thirteen minutes into the second half. Both these goals came from set-pieces.
  The Maltese were thwarted time and again as they generously tried to take their game to their opponents. The team, coached by Edwin Camilleri, also had their chances. Ten minutes from time the Irish sealed their victory with a third goal scored by another Rooney prodigy, Adam, who is also a Stoke City player.
  The match was controlled by Mr Saviour Tanti.
• Msida St. Joseph midfielder Tyrone Farrugia will be missing the direct clash for a place in the Championship Pool against Hamrun Spartans after being handed a one-match ban. Farrugia received his fourth yellow card in the game against Hibernians on Saturday.
  Another Premier League player - Floriana defender Ian Ciantar, was suspended for one match. He will be missing the first match for Floriana in the Relegation Pool.
  Other players to be suspended are Emanuel Junior Sank (St. Andrews), Josef Axisa (Attard), Edmond Lapira (Gharghur), Dino Pace (Kalkara) and Jean Paul Abela (Zejtun).
  Ronnie Celeste (Birzebbuga) was suspended for two matches in the Youth League while Ryan Mifsud (Birkirkara) and Mario Borg (Qormi) were banned for one match.
• The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another Instructional Meeting on Monday 13th February 2006 for holders of UEFA 'A', UEFA 'B' and 'A' and 'B' Licence coaches. This meeting will be held at the Centenary Hall at 17.30hrs.
  This is planned to be a theoretical session by Mr Dusan Fitzel, the new National Coach.
• The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another Coaching Young Footballers (CYF) Course at Ta' Qali Technical Centre over two days, the 11th and 12th March 2006.
  Application forms are available from the Technical Centre, Ta Qali during office hours.
  Closing date for applications will be Tuesday 7th March 2006. A passport-size photo is also required.
  Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis.

Tue 7

• The two BOV Premier League matches which were due to be held on Sunday at the Victor Tedesco Stadium have been transferred to the Hibernians Ground for security reasons. The games in programme include the direct clash for a place in the Championship Pool between Hamrun Spartans and Msida St. Joseph.
  The two matches - Mosta vs Valletta and Hamrun S. vs Msida SJ - will be played at 12:45 and 14:45 respectively.
  Meanwhile the two BOV First Division matches have been anticipated from Sunday 12 to Saturday 11.
  The two matches - St. Patrick vs Lija Athletic and St. George's vs San Gwann - will be played at the Victor Tedesco Stadium at 13:00 and 15:00 respectively.
• Turkey have been ordered by FIFA to play their next six home matches at a neutral ground and behind closed doors.
  The punishment comes following a fracas after their World Cup play-off against Switzerland, last November.
  In the EURO 2008 qualifying round draw which was held last month, Turkey were drawn in Group C together with Malta, Greece, Norway, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary and Moldova. This means that Turkey will play all their home matches in Group C at a neutral venue.
  Two players - Alpay Ozalan and Emre Belozoglu - were banned for six games for their part in the incident while Serkan Balci gets a two-match suspension. Assistant coach, Mehmet Ozdilek, has been banned from taking part in any football-related activity, within associations, confederations or FIFA for 12 months. Turkey were also fined 200,000 Swiss francs (Lm 55,000/Euro 128,000).

Mon 6

• The Malta Under-18 side lost 0-1 to a strong Republic of Ireland side in a friendly match at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali, on Monday evening.
  The visiting side boasts a number of talented players already on the books of top English and Scottish clubs. Adam Rooney of Stoke City scored the winning goal for the Irish in the first half.
  Despite the defeat, Edwin Camilleri was fully satisfied with the committment shown by his players throughout the match which augurs well to more competitive fixtures for the Under-19s in UEFA competitions later on this year.

Sun 5

• Premier League Valletta vs Hamrun S. 1-2, Birkirkara vs Floriana 1-1
• First Division Senglea A. vs St. Andrews 3-1, Mqabba vs Marsa 4-0
• Second Division Attard vs Zebbug R. 0-0, Gharghur vs Melita 0-0, Gozo vs Dingli S. 1-1
• Third Division Luqa SA vs Pembroke A. 1-2, Zurrieq vs Sta. Venera L. 1-2
• Women's First Division Melita vs Qormi 11-0, Mosta vs Raiders 2-4
  Sunday 5th February 2006 will remain as a landmark date for women's football in Malta. This is because for the first time ever two competitive matches of the Women's National League organised by the Malta Football Association were played on a natural grass pitch.
  The pitch at the Independence Arena, traditionally known as 'Ix-Xaghra tal-Furjana' was made available by Floriana FC.
  The MFA immediately seized this opportunity and the Executive Committee of the Association approved the recommendation of the Women's Football Committee of the Association after discussions also involving representatives of all participating clubs.
  This is certainly a huge improvement on playing on the hard sand surface of Pace Grasso Ground, which has so far hosted the Women's Football National League matches. The women's game has a lot to gain from this decision.
• Gozo - First Division Xaghra U. vs Ghajnsielem 5-0

Sat 4

• Premier League Marsaxlokk vs Pietà H. 1-3, Msida SJ vs Hibernians 0-2
• Second Division Mellieha vs Balzan Y. 3-1, Gzira U. vs Gudja U. 1-1
• Gozo - Second Division Qala SJ vs Victoria H. 3-1, Gharb R. vs Oratory Y. 1-5

Fri 3

• Third Division Kalkara vs Mgarr U. 1-1, Zejtun C. vs Santa Lucia 0-2
• Malta meets the Irish side once again on Wednesday evening. The Malta Under-18 side will be playing two friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland on Monday 6 and Wednesday 8th February, 2006.
  Both matches will be played at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali.
  Twenty-seven players were shortlisted for these matches by Under-18 coach Edwin Camilleri.
  The players are:
  goalkeepers Henry Bonello (Sliema), Matthew Camilleri (Pietà), Mark Sciberras (Balzan), Nicholas Vella (San Gwann);
  defenders Steve Bonnici (Melita), Steve Borg (Mosta), Owen Bugeja (Floriana), Lawrence Buhagiar (St. Patrick), Tyrone Farrugia (Msida), Lee Grima (Floriana), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino (Sliema), George Gribbon (Melita), Duncan Pisani (Floriana);
  midfielders Osbert Ellul (Hibernians), Tyron Falzon (Msida), David Fenech (Mellieha), Daniel Gatt (Pietà), Domnic Mifsud (Pietà), John Mintoff (Sliema), Beppe Muscat (Sliema), Karl Pulo (Pietà), Dylan Zarb (Valletta);
  forward Dylan Kovakessis (Pietà), Glanville Goodlip (Pietà), Kane Farrugia (Melita), Warren Chircop (Marsa), Quelin Refalo (Hibs).

Thu 2

• Etienne Barbara is the winner of the BOV Player of the Month award for January 2006.
  The Birkirkara forward won this award on the back of his consistently good displays last month which helped his team take pole position in the race for the BOV Premier League title.
  This player’s agility and speed on the ball are complemented by his goal-scoring ability. After a quiet start to the season these qualities surfaced in the past weeks and this coincided with Birkirkara’s steady resurgence in the championship matches.
  Barbara’s dexterity is mostly evident on either flank, with his delicate footwork and body feints more often than not throwing his opponents off balance.
  If the player maintains this current form his team should be a good bet to carry off the 2005-2006 championship title.

Wed 1

• Matches from the Women's League for the rest of the season have been transferred from the Pace Grasso Ground to the Floriana Ground.
• Sliema Wanderers midfielder Roderick Bajada was handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after collecting a fourth yellow card. He was the only Premier League played to be suspended.
  Bajada will be missing the next game against Pietà Hotspurs on Sunday 11.
  Jose Borg and Victor Bellia of Naxxar Lions and Robert Cassar of St. Patrick were suspended for one game in Division 1.
  In Division 2, Colin Ciantar (Attard) was suspended for two matches whiles Walid Louvini (Gharghur), Simon Gatt (Gozo), Duncan Burke and Clint Cope (Vittoriosa) were banned for one match.
  Christian Muscat (Rabat), Michael Ciappara (Birzebbuga) and Kevin Pace (Ta' Xbiex) were suspended for one match in Division 3.
  Marsaxlokk's Jurgen Micallef was suspended for three matches in the Youth League while Duncan Pisani and Joseph Borg (Floriana), Mead Mifsud and Rowen Camilleri (Hamrun), Saviour Bonnici (Marsaxlokk), Marvin Abela (Mellieha), Emanuel Gauci (Naxxar) and Horace Pace (St. Patrick) were banned for one match. Daniel Cremona (Lija) was handed a one-match ban in the Youth Knock-Out. Marsaxlokk U-19 team manager and Mellieha U-19 masseur Charles Fenech were both suspended for two matches.