August 1997

Sun 31

• Premier League Floriana vs Xghajra Tornadoes 1-0 (M. Galea); Valletta vs Sliema Wanderers 0-1 (P. Mraz)

Sat 30

• Premier League Naxxar Lions vs Tarxien Rainbows 5-0 (M. Manso, P. Sixmith (2), M. Degorgio, A.Bonello); Hamrun Spartans vs Birkirkara 1-2 (D. Camilleri (H), M. Calascione, M. Corbolan (B))

Thu 28

• Rumours have it that Gozo FC will not take part in the Division 2 League after that they were not allowed to make use of the Gozo Stadium for their home matches. The final decision will be taken on September the 14th in the GFA Council meeting.

Wed 27

• Hibernians were beaten with a 0-3 score in the return match of the Preliminary Round of the Cup Winners Cup against IB Vestammanaeyjar. IBV dominated throughout the 90 minutes and scored in the 32nd, 33rd and 88th minutes. Tryggvi Gudmundson scored the first and third goals, Gundi Runar Helgason scored the other. Sirens Tournament Sirens vs Ta' Xbiex 2-1

Tue 26

• The MFA Council decided that all league matches in Division 2 Section A should be played at the Pace Grasso Ground at Paola. This means that unlike the last five years, Gozo FC cannot play their home matches at the Gozo Stadium.

Mon 25

• It is most probable that as from next match for the Maltese national team against the Czech Rep., the national squad will include former Englishman Paul Sixmith and former Nigerian Chucks Nwoko, who play for Naxxar and B'Kara respectively. Both changed their citizenship over the last two months. On the other hand, the probability of seeing Carmel Busuttil and Kris Laferla back in squad for the next two matches is quite low as they want better conditions than those of the other players. In the mean time, national coach, Josef Ilic will have Dusko Tomas as physical trainer for the national team. A Yugoslav coach will be appointed as Youth Development Officer. In a friendly match against Mosta, Xghajra Tornadoes won 1-0. The Tornadoes gave a trial to Nigerians Kingsley Onyia and Benneth Njoku, German defender (ex-Tarxien) Stefan Schweinbaher and an Italian player. UEFA fined Valletta and Birkirkara 7000 and 4000 Swiss Franks respectively (about Lm1900 and Lm1100), after that these clubs had four players each shown the yellow card. Jeffrey Chetcuti (Valletta) and Mario Caruana (Floriana) were suspended one match each by UEFA.

Sun 24

• In the Mosta Tournament final Marsa beat St. Patrick 4-3 (HT 2-1). The goals for Marsa were scored by Frankie Graham (pen), Jason Cassar, Simon Aquilina and Johann Zammit. Konrad Sultana, Fatos Daja and Adrian Marmara replied for St. Patrick. Adrian Marmara (St. Patrick) was voted as the Best Player. Nebjosa Jankovic (Tarxien) finished as Top Scorer.
• In a friendly played at Ta' Qali, Floriana beat Zebbug Rangers 4-2. Goals for Floriana by newly signed Senegalese Limame Diallo, John Buttigieg, Joe Brincat and Aaron Xuereb
• In the Sirens Tournament, St. Andrews crush Ta' Xbiex 6-1 while Sirens and Zurrieq share points in a 3-3 draw.

Sat 23

• In the final for the third/fourth places in the Mosta Tournament, Tarxien Rainbows beat Pembroke Athleta 2-1 with goals by Stephen Tabone and Adrian Lauri. Duncan Micallef had scored the equaliser for Pembroke.

Thu 21

• In their second and last match of their Sicilian tour, Naxxar Lions had an excellent performance to beat Atletico Catania 5-3. Naxxar took a 3-0 lead in the first half, which they increased to 5-0 later in the second half. Then Atletico reduced the gap, scoring three goals. Leon Morgan and Andrew Bonello scored two goals each, with Mark Marlow scoring the other. Marsa qualified for the Mosta Tournament final beating Pembroke Athleta 4-2 after the penalty shoot-out. After the 90 minutes, the score was still 0-0.
• In the Sirens Tournament, Ta' Xbiex and Gharghur share the points in a 2-2 draw.

Wed 20

• Floriana won the Super 5 Competition after beating B'Kara 1-0 with an early goal by Mark Galea. Sliema finished in the third place after defeating surprisingly Valletta 2-0 with goals by Pavel Mraz (pen) and former Valletta defender, Lino Galea.

Tue 19

• In Sicily, Naxxar Lions lose 0-2 to Italian Serie C side Siracusa.
• In the first semi-final of the Mosta Tournament, First Division side St. Patrick eliminated Tarxien Rainbows from the Premier Division, beating them 2-1. Chris Muscat and Konrad Sultana scored for St. Patrick, Eric Saliba replied for Tarxien.
• In the Sirens Tournament, St. Andrews defeat Zurrieq 4-3.
• Friendly: Hamrun S. vs Lija A. 1-1 goals by Kevin Sammut and John Stivala

Mon 18

• B'Kara and Floriana reach the Super 5 Competition final, after defeating Valletta 1-0 and Sliema 3-1 respectively. In the first semi-final, B'Kara beat Valletta 1-0, a goal by Michael Galea. Ex-Valletta player, now with B'Kara, Ivan Zammit and Joe Camilleri were sent off. Joe Zarb (V) and Antoine Zahra (B) each missed a penalty. In the 'Old Firm' clash, after that Pavel Mraz gave Sliema an early lead, Floriana replied with three goals by Mark Galea, James Navarro and Charles Sciberras.

Sun 17

• In the Mosta Tournament, St. Patrick beat Qormi 1-0 with a penalty by Vesko Petrovic and Tarxien beat San Gwann 5-0 [Nebjosa Jankovic (2), Malcolm Tirchett, Stephen Busuttil, Stephen Tabone]. Tarxien, St. Patrick and Pembroke proceed to the Semi Finals together with Marsa.

Fri 15

• In a friendly match, Valletta beat Pieta` Hotspurs 5-0 with goals by Ivan Woods (2), Gilbert Agius (2) and Jeremy Agius.

Thu 14

• Hibernians suffered a 0-1 defeat against Icelanders IBVestmmanaeyjar in the Cup Winners' Cup Preliminary Round. IBV, who were always better than the Paolites throughout the 90minutes scored the winning goal in the 70th through Gudmonson.The executive committee of the MFA will be discussing the possibility of the return of Carmel Busuttil and Kris Laferla to the national team. The two players have already made their proposals.

Wed 13

• Sliema won the Hamrun Tournament after beating hosts Hamrun Spartans 3-0 with goals by Pavel Mraz (2) and George Mallia. Rabat Ajax finished third after beating Ghajnsielem 3-1 after the penalty shoot-out. After 90 minutes, the score was 3-3. Herbert Vassallo, Cedric Caruana and Adrian Mifsud scored Rabat's goals. In the penalty shoot-out the young Rabat goalkeeper Mark Debono saved two penalties. The three penalty-scorers for the Magpies were Roderick Asciak, Michael Micallef and Adrian Mifsud.
• In the Mosta Tournament, Marsa qualified for the semi-finals winning Group 2 after beating Mosta 1-0, a goal by Jason Cassar. In Group 1, Mellieha and Pembroke shared points in a 2-2 draw. Goals by Duncan Micallef and Simon Brown for Pembroke, K. Gauci and Stephen Deguara for Mellieha.

Tue 12

• In the Hamrun Tournament, Sliema Wanderers beat Rabat Ajax 2-0, goals by George Mallia and Anthony Galea. In the Sirens Tournament, St. Andrews beat hosts Sirens 4-0.

Mon 11

• In the Mosta Tournament, Premier side Tarxien Rainbows were held in a 2-2 draw by Second Division side Pembroke [Nebjosa Jankovic (2) (T); G. Muscat, G. Barry (P)]. Marsa beat Qormi 2-1 [Ilir Pelinku (2) (M); M. Tabone (Q)]
• Friendly match: St. Patrick and Pieta`H. 1-1. Goals by Vesko Petrovic for St. Patrick, Lazar Tonozliev for Pieta`.

  Sun 10 In the Mosta Tournament, San Gwann and Mellieha share points in a 1-1 draw [Darko Strinisa (SG), William Borg (M)] and St. Patrick beat hosts Mosta 4-1 [ Adrian Marmara (2), Vesko Petrovic, Konrad Sultana (SP); Philip Camilleri (M)]

Sat 9

• In the Hibernians Tournament, Hibernians beat Sliema Wanderers 3-2 with goals by Roderick Baldacchino, Darren Attard and Mark Walley. Pavel Mraz scored the two goals for Sliema. In the second match, B'Kara won 4-1 against Pieta`. Michael Galea, Matthew Calascione and Ridha Dardouri (2) scored for B'Kara. Pieta reduced the score from an own goal. Therefore B'Kara win the Hibs Tournament.
• Zurrieq player Oscar Magri took the Malta Football Association to the Civil Court to make them declare rule 166 (iv) of the MFA null. This rule states that no one that has any kind of connection with the Association may take legal actions against a club or club member without the prior permission of the MFA. In May, the MFA suspended Magri for taking Zurrieq FC to court. Magri is claiming that although he is registered with Zurrieq as a professional player, the club still owed him Lm1,210 as part of the contract. Magri claims that the suspension could mean that he loses the professional status, thus making it impossible for him to earn a living with such a profession. According to him, rule 166 (iv) denies the human rights, according to the European Convention for Human Rights. Dr Giovanni Bonello signed the writ.
• In a friendly match played at Ta' Qali Floriana and Rabat Ajax share two goals in a 1-1 draw.

Fri 8

• In the Hamrun Tournament, hosts Hamrun Spartans defeated Gozitan Premier League side Ghajnsielem 2-1 with goals by Rupert Mangion and Kevin Sammut.In the Mosta Tournament, Mellieha vs Tarxien R. 1-1 [Stephen Deguara (M), Nebjosa Jankovic (T)] Marsa vs St. Patrick 1-0 [Ilir Pelinku]

  Thu 7 The 20th edition of the Mosta Tournament kicked off with the first two matches where San Gwann and Pembroke shared points in a 1-1 draw [Maurice Busuttil (SG), Gyorgi Handel (P)] and Mosta beat Qormi 2-1 [Ray Sant, Matthew Agius (M); Massimo Borg (Q)]. Teams are divided in two groups which will play on a league basis. In Group A, San Gwann, Pembroke Athleta, Mellieha and Tarxien Rainbows. In Group B: Qormi, Mosta, Marsa and St. Patrick.

Wed 6

• In Siofoli Banyasc Stadium near Budapest, Malta played the first friendly match under the new coach Josef Ilic, facing the hosts, Hungary. Malta lost 3-0, with three goals in the second half.
• Hibernians Tournament B'Kara vs Sliema 0-0, Hibs vs Pieta` 2-1 Scorers: Carmel Formosa (P), Charlie Scerri, Stefan Farrugia (pen) (H) The Hamrun Tournament will be organised between the 8th and 13th August. The participating teams are Premier sides Sliema W. and Hamrun S., First Division side Rabat Ajax and Gozitan Premier side Ghajnsielem.

Tue 5

• Hamrun Spartans were held in a 0-0 draw by First Division side Dingli Swallows in a friendly which was played at Hamrun.On the 17th, Naxxar Lions will be going for a tour in Sicily where they will meet two Serie C1 clubs, Atletico Catania and Siracusa. These clubs will then come to Malta to play in a tournament organised by Naxxar.

Mon 4

• The National Squad left Malta for Hungary where on Wednesday Malta meets Hungary in a friendly match. The new coach, Josef Ilic included a number of new players namely Reuben Debono (Naxxar), Massimo Grima (Pieta`), Kevin Farrugia (Pieta`), George Mallia (Sliema) and Lino Galea (Valletta). On the other hand, he excluded Antoine Zahra (B'Kara), Ivan Zammit (Valletta or B'Kara !), Noel Turner (Sliema) and Lawrence Attard (Hibs). Joe Galea (B'Kara) is missing due to an injury.

Sat 2

• Hibs Tournament Pieta` H. vs Sliema W. 1-3 Scorers: M. Licari (P); A. Pavel, C. Busuttil, G. Mallia (S), Hibernians vs B'Kara 1-2 Scorers: D. Attard (H), C. Nwoko, M. Calascione (B)

Fri 1

• In a friendly at Hamrun, Hamrun Spartans beat St. Patrick 3-0, goals by Stefan Sultana (2) and David Camilleri.
• The Hibs Tournament will be organised between the 2nd and 9th August. The four participants are hosts Hibernians, Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers and Pieta`Hotspurs.